Goteborg Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Gothenburg is one of the
largest in Europe and generally considered the most beautiful in
Sweden, boasting about 13,000 different species of plant. The area
covers 175 hectares (432 acres), most of which is a nature reserve
including an arboretum. Inaugurated in 1923, on the city's 300th
anniversary, the garden is one of the most popular tourist
attractions in Gothenburg and indeed in Sweden. The pride of the
garden is the Rock Garden, but other worthwhile areas to visit
include the Japanese Glade and the Rhododendron Valley. The
greenhouses display an impressive collection of about 1,500
orchids, among many other remarkable and rare plants, including
extensive collections of Australian and South African flora. They
host a series of exhibitions throughout the year so check the
official website listed below to see what's showing during your
visit. Well-maintained and extensive walking trails make the
gardens a pleasure for hikers, and there are many beautiful nooks
for picnics and relaxation. There is also a lovely cafe for
refreshments. Travellers should note that although the botanical
garden is open all year, in the cold months there is not much to
see outside of the greenhouses.
Address: Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22 A, Göteborg, Sweden.
Transport: The gardens central location guarantees easy access by
foot or tram.
Opening time: The gardens are open year-round from 9am until
sunset. The greenhouses are open from 10am to 5pm, May to August,
and from 10am to 4pm, September to April.
Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Sweden
C T Johansson
Liseberg Amusement Park
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Sweden, Liseberg
Amusement Park has been welcoming millions of visitors a year for
almost 80 years. Besides popular rides like the wooden roller
coaster Balder and tamer rides for the children, there are more
than 30 different attractions, restaurants and entertainment venues
where concerts and shows attract huge crowds. Apart from all the
fun rides, Liseberg Amusement Park offers many diversions in the
form of games, shops, and scenic or themed areas. Adults may enjoy
strolling through the attractive garden area, with waterfalls and
sculptures. There is a good range of restaurants and eateries in
the park, with some fine dining options and plentiful fast food.
Besides the ever-popular summer season, Liseberg is also open over
the festive season for the biggest Christmas market in Scandinavia,
as well as food specialities of the season, an ice bar, and holiday
entertainment. This is a must for travellers in Gothenburg over
Christmas, when many locals feel that Liseberg is at its most
special. As opening times, dates, and prices all fluctuate
according to season, visitors are advised to check the official
website in advance to plan their trip.
Address: Örgrytevägen 5, Göteborg, Sweden.
Transport: Liseberg is easily reached by taking tram 13: Goteborg
Sahlgrenska huvudentr, from central station.
Opening time: Opening times vary widely depending on the season and
day of the week. For a detailed schedule go to
http://liseberg.com/en/home/Amusement-Park/Opening-Hours/.
Liseberg Amusement Park, Gothenburg
Albin Olsson
Alvsborg Fortress
The well-preserved, 17th-century Alvsborg Fortress is
located on a small island at the entrance of the harbour, at the
mouth of the Gota River near Gothenburg. With a fascinating history
of battles against the Danes, the fortress was once the mightiest
citadel in Sweden for coastal defence and is said to be the best
preserved of its kind in the country. A boat trip to the fortress
is one of the most popular activities for tourists in Gothenburg.
Boat tours of the archipelago offer passage to the fort, along with
views of the pretty waterways. There is also a good view of the
harbour from the island and some walking trails around the fortress
to explore independently. A dramatised tour in English or Swedish
explaining the history of the castle is included in the admission
fee. It tells the history of the region from the 1600s to the
present, introducing visitors to the colourful characters of the
past. There is a cafe and a small craft shop on the island for
refreshments and souvenirs. It's also possible to bring your own
picnic basket. The boat trip to the island takes about 30 minutes
each way, and travellers should note that the boats only run
seasonally.
Address: Byggnad 29.
Transport: Boat tours depart daily to the fortress island from
Lilla Bommen jetty between July and August, and weekends only in
September. Boats sometimes also depart in May but it is recommended
to confirm availability.
Elfsborg Fortress, Sweden
Tomasz Sienicki
Gota Canal
One of the most famous attractions in Sweden, the
Gota Canal was an important transport route for passengers and
goods between Gothenburg and Stockholm throughout the 19th century.
One of the biggest civil engineering projects to ever take place in
the country, the canal stretches 118 miles (190km) from Sjotorp on
Lake Vanern to the Baltic Sea at Mem and has 58 locks. Gothenburg
is linked to the canal at Lake Vanern by the Gota River. The
picturesque, tree-lined channels are popular for cruises, which
pass through the beautiful lakes of Vattern and Vanern, usually
lasting about five to six days. Many boat trips are available on
the canal, but they are almost always seasonal and often only
operate in the summer months. A good option for travellers visiting
in spring or autumn is a cycling trip along the banks of the canal.
Canal trips are wildly popular with visitors and locals, providing
a glorious way to traverse the pretty countryside. The official
website listed below gives details on the different cruises,
activities, and accommodation options along the Gota Canal.
Gota Canal, Sweden
Gus
Gothenburg Archipelago
Boat trips to the southern and northern archipelago
of Gothenburg are popular with both visitors and residents. The
southern archipelago includes eight car-free, sparsely inhabited
islands that boast sandy beaches, good swimming, beautiful nature,
walking paths, and a charm of their own. The southern islands
frequently feature in Viking mythology, adding to their wild
mystique. The island of Branno is thought to be the location for
the famous Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. Vargo is a nature reserve and
a great spot for bird watchers. Kopstadso is a small island with
picturesque, narrow walking trails. Styrso is more developed and
boasts some accommodation for holidaymakers, having been a kind of
bathers' resort since the 1830s. The northern archipelago is more
heavily populated and offers numerous hotels, restaurants, and
sea-based activities. Although the islands can be explored
independently by those who hire boats, and some travellers choose
to spend some time staying in the archipelago, most tourists simply
join the general boat tours of the archipelago, which take roughly
four hours and show passengers the beauty of the River Gota, River
Nordre, Bjorko Fjord and Goteborg's harbour as well as some of the
islands.
Gothenburg Archipelago, Sweden
Adbar
Gothenburg is located on the west coast of
southern Sweden and has an oceanic climate, enjoying milder weather
than one might expect due to the moderating influence of the warm
Gulf Stream. In summer, between June and August, the city gets as
much as 17 hours of daylight. But in the winter months, between
December and February, Gothenburg only gets about seven hours of
daylight.
Summers are warm with average high temperatures of
72°F (22°C) and lows of 55°F (13°C), but temperatures of up to 86°F
(30°C) can occur. Winters are cold and windy with average
temperatures around freezing, but seldom dropping below 14°F
(-10°C).
Snow falls mainly between December and March, but
it is not unusual in November and April, and can even fall in
October and May. Gothenburg is a rainy city, with moderate rainfall
possible at any time of year. Every month the city experiences
between 10 and 18 rainy days.
The best time to visit Gothenburg is between May
and September, with the peak tourist season being the short summer,
between June and August. Even at this time, rain and cold weather
is possible and travellers should pack layers to prepare for both
sunny warm weather and cold wet weather.
Goteborg-Landvetter International Airport
Location: The airport is located 15 miles (24km) east of
Gothenburg.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to
the last Sunday in October).
Transfer Between Terminals:
The airport used to have two terminals, but they have now been
combined.
Getting to the city:
An airport bus departs frequently to the city centre; a local
bus network is also available. Tickets are available from
self-service machines.
Car Rental:
Car rental agencies at the airport include Hertz, Avis, Budget
and Europcar.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available outside the Arrivals Hall. Fares to central
Gothenburg are usually charged at a fixed price.
Fascilities:
A full banking service and foreign exchange are offered, ATMs
are available in the Arrivals and Departures halls. There are
several bars, cafes, and restaurants in the airport. Other
facilities include an internet café, safe deposit boxes, children's
playgrounds, tourist information and various stores and duty-free
shops. Those with disabilities are well catered for.
Parking
Long- and short-term car parking options are available. Lots P2,
P3 and P4 are adjacent to the terminal while P5, P6 and P7 are a
bit farther away.
Getting around in Gothenburg is fairly simple
thanks to the city's organised layout. The city centre is
pedestrian-friendly, and walking is considered the best way to take
in all the sights. Bicycles are also available for hire, and a
network of bike paths make it a pleasant and convenient mode of
transport.
Public transportation is made up of a network of
buses, trams, and ferries. Tickets are sold at 7-Eleven shops,
transport service centres, and Pressbyrån shops. Single tickets are
also available on trams; however, more economical options for busy
travellers would be the one, three, or 30-day tickets, or the
Gothenburg City Card.
Bicycle and tram traffic can make driving in
Gothenburg a bit confusing, and renting a car is generally only
necessary for trips outside the city centre. Taxis are available by
phone, but they are not regulated and can be quite expensive.
Gothenburg is much smaller than Stockholm and it is possible to
see most of its prime attractions in only a couple of days.
Gothenburg's attractions are fascinating, giving tourists a good
sense of the long history of Sweden in museums like the Gothenburg
City Museum, Museum of World Culture, Maritime Museum, Natural
History Museum, and Kviberg Military Museum.
There are also many historical buildings in Gothenburg,
including several forts and cathedrals, and the Crown House, former
home of the Swedish Parliament. There is even a life-sized
reconstruction of the Swedish Ship, Götheborg, which is open for
visits in the harbour.
Outside the city, several popular attractions around Gothenburg
include the Liseberg Amusement Park and the Wheel of Gothenburg.
Paddan tourist boats run in the city canals, while Börjessons offer
boat tours of the archipelago.
Tourists in Gothenburg can purchase a Gothenburg Pass, which
grants them unlimited access to public transport, and free
admission to Liseberg, the Botanical Gardens, and more than a dozen
museums in Gothenburg.
Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Sweden
C T Johansson
Liseberg Amusement Park, Gothenburg
Albin Olsson
Elfsborg Fortress, Sweden
Tomasz Sienicki
Gota Canal, Sweden
Gus
Gothenburg Archipelago, Sweden
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