Flights to Gothenburg

Eventstaden

Introduction

This industrial part of town may not be that cosy, but what it lacks in beauty it makes up for in substance. It’s home to Gothenburg’s amusement park, Liseberg, the Världskulturmuseet (Museum of World Culture) and the opera house.

Hotels

Gothia Towers (24 Mässans gata, tel. (0)31 750 8800, gothiatowers.com, rooms from €176/ SEK 1695) is the largest hotel in Scandinavia, with over 700 rooms. For a tranquil experience book the ‘relaxing room’: a suite equipped with purified air, special lighting and sound themes to optimise the experience of calm.

Cultural

GöteborgsOperan opera house (Christina Nilssons gata) was designed by Jan Izkowitz, who took inspiration from the world of opera and the harbour setting. The design mimics the outline of sails, bridges and ships.

Restaurants

On the ground floor of Gothia Towers, Italian Incontro (tel. (0)31 750 8805) resembles a set from a Bond film in the Roger Moore era. There’s regular live music in the piano bar and Friday evenings sees locals crowding around a free ‘after-work buffet’.

Pubs

The Cocktail bar at the opera house offers a wonderful view of the harbour, as well as perfectly chilled and shaken libations.

Inom vallgraven

Introduction

Enclosed by canals, this central area is easily covered by foot. If you’re looking for the most fashion-forward shops and the swankiest department stores, this is where you’ll find them.

Hotels

The four-star Radisson Blu (59-65 Södra Hamngatan, tel. (0)31 758 5000, gothenburg.radissonsas.com, rooms from €145/SEK 1390) is right by the train station and offers bright and comfortable rooms.

Restaurants

Zozaki (3 Stora Nygatan, tel. (0)31 151596) serves delicious, inexpensive Japanese food. For more fresh fish, head to the famed and fabled Feskekörka (Rosenlundsgatan). The name means ‘Fish Church’, and this indoor market is truly a place of seafood worship. Stalls and restaurants serve only the freshest fishy delicacies.

Pubs

Some Stockholm snobs claim that the delicious coffee from Bar Centro (31 Kyrkogatan) is the only reason to go to Gothenburg.

Night Clubs

Nefertiti (6 Hvitfeldtsplatsen) is a long-standing jazz venue that now also offers up club nights, hip-hop music and the occasional indie rock night.

Shops

Interiors store Norrgavel (22 Magasinsgatan) sells stylish Scandinavian furniture, home accessories and bedding, all bearing the environmentally friendly ‘Swan’ label.

Vasastaden

Introduction

The buildings are bigger, the boulevards wider, and there are more cafés and nightclubs here than elsewhere in town.

Hotels

Part of a small Swedish chain, the Mornington Hotel (6 Kungsportsavenyn, tel. (0)31 767 3400, mornington.se/goteborg, rooms from €83/SEK 795) is stylish and a bit quirky, with contemporary art on the walls.

Restaurants

The address has a long culinary history, but bistro Brasserie Ett (1 Kungsportsavenyn, tel. (0)31 107730) is a new addition to the city’s thriving restaurant scene. Inexpensive and uncomplicated, the delicious food keeps customers coming back.

Night Clubs

Nightclub Park Lane (36-38 Kungsportsavenyn) is over the top, camp and great fun. Robbie Williams and Marlene Dietrich have both partied here.

Shops

Fever (15 Karl Gustavsgatan) is where you go to get your fill of Scandi fashion. Shop for pieces by The Furies, Diana Orving and Gothenburg’s own Elvine.