the sunday guide to // gothenburg

 photo: via wikipedia

Our Sunday Guide travel series visits bustling cities across the globe, detailing how to spend a relaxing weekend exploring the sights. Put away your guidebooks and take your time exploring Sweden’s second city as we share our secret tips for how to spend a tranquil Sunday in Gothenburg.

gothenburg //

The best thing about Sweden’s westernmost city (besides its abundance of fresh seafood, laid back demeanour and buzzing cultural scene), is its array of hip hidden hangouts. There are plenty of cafes, bars and independent shops scattered around the city for you to discover, allowing plenty of opportunities to purchase covetable Scandinavian wares and to sit and enjoy fika. When you’re craving the outdoors, you’re based right by the sea with a beautiful archipelago to explore.

photo: erik söderström via flickr

stay //

Spend your nights at the Avalon hotel, one of the most stylish and comfortable accommodations in the city. Minimalist Scandinavian design features fuse with a cosy ambience brought in by splashes of colour, natural materials and warm textures, and you’ll find furniture and art works by many of Sweden’s most famous names scattered around the hotel. Up on the roof, the glass-bottomed swimming pool is one of the most iconic skyline sights in the city, jutting out over the streets below, allowing dramatic views for both swimmers and passers-by.

visit //

Spend a day exploring the archipelago by boat, travelling in between the small and tranquil islands to get a glimpse of traditional Swedish life. There are over twenty islands to visit, and many of them are car-free, providing a welcome escape from city life. If visiting in the summer, head to Donsö and Fotö for some of the best swimming spots on the archipelago, and don’t miss exploring the scenic isle of Vinga to visit its unusual red triangular lighthouse. If you’d prefer to explore the area by boat, rather than hopping off, seek out a seal safari to catch a glimpse of the inquisitive animals in their natural environment.

photo: via wikipedia

unwind //

The old harbour area of the city is currently being regenerated into an area which will be known as Jubilee Park, and is due to be completed by 2021. The beginning of this project has already opened to the public, in the form of Sweden’s most unusual sauna. Free to use (but you must pre-book online), the sauna is an imposing structure that towers from a small jetty over the water, skilfully crafted from corrugated metal on the exterior and wooden shingles on the interior. Before entering the sauna, you change into your towel inside the changing and shower area that has been crafted from hundreds of empty wine bottles. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, there is an illuminated floating swimming pool close by, where you can swim laps whilst watching the boats drift by.

drink //

When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do, and when in Sweden, indulge in fika. You can’t pay a visit to any Swedish city without taking time out to sit and relax whilst enjoying a cup of coffee, a traditional cinnamon bun and good conversation with friends. Head to the vibrant neighbourhood of Haga, where you will find cobbled streets lined with traditional wooden houses that now play host to an intriguing selection of independent cafes and boutiques. This is the perfect place to sit and unwind with a steaming cup of coffee, and you’ll be spoilt for choice with the selection of cafes.

photo: michael coghlan via flickr

view //

There are plenty of museums and galleries strewn across the city, with something for all interests (including a Volvo museum for car enthusiasts), but it’s the Hasselblad centre for photography that we recommend whiling away a couple of hours in. Displaying exhibitions by both international and Swedish photographers, the centre is focused on intriguing and thought-provoking works that will stay with you long after your visit.

rest //

Spend your afternoon slowly ambling around the Botanical Gardens, delighting in the array of plants on display. One of the largest gardens of its sort in the whole of Europe, the area is spread out over 170 hectares and plays host to regular exhibitions throughout the year. Ensure that you visit the greenhouses, especially if you’re visiting during winter and wish to warm up, to view the large collection of tropical orchids and the extremely rare Easter Island tree.

eat //

Unusual for a city of its small size, Gothenburg plays host to seven restaurants that boast an esteemed Michelin Star. Whether you’re in search of gourmet cuisine, or you’re more keen on moseying up to a tantalising food truck, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to finding a place to dine. Due to its position by the sea, seafood is the speciality, and if you want to get a true taste of local cuisine, head down to the Feskekörka (‘Fish Church’), an indoor seafood market where you can ogle over the local delicacies. If you’re eating lunch, snatch up a fishy salad or delectable pie and take your food outdoors to eat by the water, or if you are seeking finer dining, there are two restaurants upstairs, serving traditional fish and seafood dishes including oysters.