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Gothenburg is encircled by rocky shoreline, deep forests, tranquil lakes and the surging sea to the west. No other Swedish city gives such easy access to nature. Right on the doorstep are wide open spaces and magical islands. Four centuries ago, when the decision was taken to build a harbour city on the west coast, the ambition was to open up Sweden to the outside world. Building a city on Swedish marshland, wedged between Norway and Denmark, was no easy undertaking, but with the help of the Dutch, English, Scots and Germans the vision was realised. Today, Gothenburg is a flourishing green city with a vibrant cultural scene, world-class restaurants and a fascinating history. At the same time adventure is never far away. There is always an island waiting to be explored or a mountain to be conquered from the saddle of your bike. With its light summer evenings, colourful autumn days and snow-blanketed winter mornings, Gothenburg is where you can experience the real Sweden.
The accessible city
Gothenburg is an open and accessible city. It offers almost everything you would expect of a cosmopolitan city – within walking distance. All you need is right in the city and you can get everywhere on foot – from the Central Station to your hotel, to the arenas, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. But it’s not just close to everything; it’s also easy to get here. Both international airports are just 20 minutes from the city centre and you can get direct flights here from more than 65 European cities.
Today, Greater Gothenburg is home to 970,000 people from almost every country on the planet. It is they who give the city its soul, its pulse and its unique atmosphere. In Sweden, Gothenburgers have a reputation for their friendliness and hospitality, and many who visit the city for the first time can attest to just how welcoming it feels.
History
Our city’s history is filled with thrilling tales of pirates, smugglers, conflicts and war, mainly between the Swedes and the Danes. Strolling around Gothenburg is a little like travelling through time. Along the way you can see historic sites and buildings dating from the seventeenth century, punctuated by stone buildings and beautiful nineteenth century churches, and even car-free streets lined with charming timber buildings. The canals and the Moat (Vallgraven) are reminders of how the city looked in days gone by, while the defensive fortresses of Skansen Kronan and Skansen Lejonet still stand guard over the city.
In the old workers’ district of Majorna and in Klippan heritage site (Klippans kulturreservat) you can see many signs of Gothenburg’s seafaring history and its international openness. Among other things this was the departure point for most of the 1.3 million Swedes who emigrated to America to try their fortune on the other side of the Atlantic.
Regular sightseeing boats head out to the island of Vinga, which played a key role in Gothenburg’s historic development. Without the lighthouse and pilot station on Vinga it is likely that ships would have chosen a different destination. The difficulty of navigating this area is witnessed by the many wrecks close to the island. Among them is the East Indiaman Götheborg, which sank here in 1745 fully loaded with goods from foreign parts. A replica of the ship, launched in 2003, is now a popular visitor attraction, as well as being the largest working wooden ship in the world.
The thrilling seventeenth century fortress of Nya Älvsborg is another popular destination by boat. The fortress played an important part in the dramatic wars with Norway and Denmark, and has more recently served as both a prison and a storage depot for mines during the First World War.
For more information please visit GÖTEBORG