GothenburgSweden · Ferry Destinations

All About Gothenburg

You get a feel of the general aura that surrounds Gothenburg by the fact that it has consistently received the ‘world’s most sustainable destination’ award for the past few years. As the second-largest city in Sweden, it is a cultural spectacle with a modern outlook, brimming with gastronomic surprises, vintage marvels, and a cheerfully young vibe.

Established by King Gustav II Adolf in 1621, Gothenburg was a noteworthy fishing harbor from the very start. Located on the country’s western coast, it takes up space on both sides of River Göta’s distributary as it flows into the Kattegat. Today, Gothenburg is a town of over 500,000 inhabitants, boasting of an extensive canal system, a university with international students, and enough attractions to keep avid tourists busy for a few days.
 

Routes and Ferries to Gothenburg

Ferry tickets to Gothenburg present tourists with a chance to sail on a couple of the world’s largest ferries. Stena Germanica journeys between Kiel and Gothenburg and can carry 1300 passengers and up to 300 cars. There is one crossing on this route per day, lasting 15 hours and 30 minutes. In comparison, there are 31 sailings per week between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn in Denmark. This voyage takes roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes. You can book ferry tickets to Gothenburg for both routes via the Ferryscanner website.

Traveling to Gothenburg is simple, thanks to the city’s excellent air, sea, and road connectivity with the rest of Europe. Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport handles permanent and seasonal arrivals from close to 50 domestic and European destinations, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Riga, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and more. The airport is under 25km from the city. Taxis charge around €40 for this trip, while the bus is far cheaper at €8. Gothenburg also has daily trains from Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen.
 

Port of Gothenburg

As a fishing harbor for centuries, Gothenburg has a long-standing maritime heritage that is now an intrinsic part of the city’s persona. Gothenburg Port at present leads in the export of Volvo cars and paper. Besides welcoming cruise ships and ro-ro ferries, the port also caters to container and bulk cargo with excellent rail and road links.

Depending on where you set sail from, with your ferry tickets to Gothenburg, you’ll arrive at one of two locations. Stena Line has ferry terminals in the Port of Gothenburg are at Masthuggskajen and Majnabbe. It’s environmentally friendly and the port provides shoreside power to the ferries, instead of the boats keeping their engines on permanently. Between the two centrally located terminals, the port greets 1.5 million passengers annually. Furthermore, Gothenburg Port has two separate terminals for big and small cruise ships.   
 

Best Beaches

The city offers a lovely collection of locations within 30 minutes of its center where travelers can go for some sun, sea, and sand. From quiet lakefront bathing spots to secluded shorelines on nearby islands, beaches in Gothenburg are typically clean, have good facilities, and are family-friendly.

Askimsbadet

Boasting a contemporary designed 259-meter-long pier that looks beautiful when lit up at night, Askimsbadent is a sandy strand 20-minutes from the town center. Those looking for some exercise can easily ride a bike to the beach. The water here is shallow and calm, but one needs to keep an occasional lookout for jellyfish. A playground for kids, food stalls, toilets, parking, and a large lawn to sunbathe on, makes the beach perfect for families. Do stick around in the area till the evening to witness an astounding sunset.

T-Bryggan

Although it is possible to reach T-Bryggan by public transport, you’re better off driving there yourself. Located 25 minutes away, this beach is an idyllic sunset spot. There aren’t many amenities here, but the views of the archipelago are spectacular. Quiet and secluded, T-Bryggan has a somewhat wild character, adding to its rustic charm. More of a local hangout, it is one of the hidden gems of the city that not many tourists know about.

Näsetbadet

About 20 minutes south of the city is its most family-friendly beach. Näsetbadet is a small sandy area surrounded by rocks that creates a cozy and safe atmosphere. The sea near the shore stays low, but there are jetties that lead into swimmable waters. The beach has a paved area for sunbathers, and there are lifeguards on duty here during the summers. For kids, there is a playground and a swimming school operational when the weather is warm. It’s easy to plan a trip to Näsetbadet at the last minute since the beach has food stalls, toilets, showers, and parking.

Brännö Ramsdal

An advantage of having an archipelago at your doorstep is having free access to several unique island beaches. Ramsdal in Brännö is a quaint rocky bathing spot with diving platforms and jetties. Having shallow and calm waters and quiet surroundings, the beach is the perfect seaside escape from the rush of the city. To reach here, take the 20-minute ferry to Brännö Husvik, and walk the 10 minutes to the beach. A petite and curvy shoreline, a visit to Ramsdal also allows for some truly fantastic hiking opportunities in its vicinity.  

Stora Delsjön Badplats

Stora Delsjön is a part sandy and part grassy lakeside bathing spot close to the city center. The most popular waterfront among residents, it has wide and open spaces, trees for shade, warm and calm waters, and jetties and rocks to jump off. Other conveniences and activities include WCs, a kiosk, a playground, a volleyball court, and barbeque pits. Stora Delsjön is reachable by bus and tram, or you can get there by car in 15 minutes.
 

Things to Do

Gothenburg is no less than any capital city of the world in terms of the attractions it has to offer. From the Liseberg Amusement Park to the Volvo or Maritime Floating Museum, there are culinary, adventurous, educational, and historical excursions throughout the city for all ages to relish.

Visit the Gothenburg Museum of Art

As the premier art gallery of the city, the Gothenburg Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of Nordic paintings as well as works by masters such as Picasso and van Gogh. Furthermore, on display is a diverse assortment of art, from the 15th century onwards, ranging from Flemish to exceptional pieces by Nordic colorists. Situated centrally on Kungsportsavenyen, the museum stays closed on Mondays. While visitors under 20 can go in for free, adult tickets cost €6.

Ride the Ocean Bus

Even if you arrive with ferry tickets to Gothenburg, it is worth taking a ride on the unbelievably entertaining Ocean Bus. This amphibious vehicle takes you on an amusing tour of the city, both on land and water. During the hour-long trip, you’ll pass by the top tourist attractions of Gothenburg, such as Poseiden, Avenyn, and Gustav Adolfs Torg, while listening to a live commentary. Adult tickets on the Ocean Bus cost €25.

Have Brunch at Café Santo Domingo

Cafés in Gothenburg frequently tempt passersby to stop and enjoy Fika, the national obsession of having coffee and cake with friends. One of the quirkiest is Café Santo Domingo. A place to savor pure Dominican arabica coffee, cakes, and a range of homemade snacks like sandwiches and vegan roles, the café is also a record store. While gourmands enjoy its delicious offerings, music lovers will appreciate the vintage quality of the café, which sometimes even hosts live events.

Enjoy Learning at the Universeum

Universeum is a one-of-a-kind educational center where adults and kids gain knowledge while having fun. Divided into separate sections, such as the Chemistry Lab, Aquarium, and Space zone, it covers many interactive activities leading to a hands-on learning experience. The highlight of the center is its massive rainforest with frogs, birds, and butterflies. Tickets are €22 for adults and €18 for children. Since time flies by at the Universeum, try and reach there early to make the most of your visit.

Get Fishy at Feskekôrka

Constructed in 1874, Gothenburg’s indoor fish market is the most architecturally notable building in the city. Located waterside, Feskekôrka has a design that resembles a gothic-styled church from the outside. However, inside you’ll find an array of stalls selling a variety of fresh seafood in an organized and clean environment. Busy in the morning, you can stop by anytime to sit in one of the on-site restaurants that serve delectable plates made using fresh ingredients available at the market.
 

Transportation Around Gothenburg

Gothenburg is compact enough to sightsee on foot but choosing any form of transport helps with faster connectivity. The city is especially bicycle-friendly. There are 130 Styr & Ställ stations across town from where you can pick up and drop off bicycles. You get 30 minutes complimentary with each ride, and it costs next to nothing if using the cycle for longer.

Managed by Västtrafik, Gothenburg’s public transport includes buses, ferries, and over 200 trams. One to three-day passes costs between €9 to €18. Tourists should look into getting the Go Gothenburg pass that includes free use of public transport and entry into several top attractions such as the Hisingen and Paddan tours. The pass is available for one to five days, starting at €37. Taxis are typically stationed outside the central station or along Kungsportsavenyen. Renting a car is only helpful if you plan to travel beyond the city limits.