Gothenburg
From World travel guide
Gothenburg, (Swedish: Göteborg, pronounced "Yutheboori") is the second largest city in Sweden.
Contents |
Understand
Göteborg is a city founded by the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf, and was once the center of the Swedish ship-building industry. In 1970, with rising competition from foreign ship wharfs, many of the docks had to close down. Still, the working-class history is easily visible. There are comparatively few fashion houses, or posh cafeterias. Politically it is dominated by the Social Democrats (Labour Party), and has been for many years.
Get in
By plane
Landvetter Airport located 15 minutes by car east of Gothenburg. There is also a bus service from Landvetter terminating at the Nils Ericson terminal (cost SEK 70).
If you take Ryanair you will arrive at Gothenburg City Airport (previously known as Säve). This is definitely in the 'small' category of airport, and you should expect to wait a while for your bags. Remarkably for Ryanair however it is closer to Gothenburg than the main Landvetter airport. A bus (cost SEK 50) meets each Ryanair flight, and takes you to the bus and train terminal in just 20 minutes.
By train
From Centralstationen (tram Centralstationen/Drottningtorget)you can catch trains to all different parts of Sweden. There is also a service to Copenhagen via the Øresund bridge.
By ship
Stena Line [1] operates ships to/from Denmark (Fredrikshavn) and Germany (Kiel). The terminals are situated near the city centre. Tramway stops: Masthuggstorget (Frederikshavn), Chapmans Torg (Kiel).
DFDS Seaways operates ships to/from Norway (Kristiansand) and Newcastle (UK). The terminal is situated near the city centre. Tramway stop: Frihamnen.
From Belgium (Ghent) a cargo line with limited passenger capacity is operated by DFDS Torline [2].
Get around
Public transportation within Gothenburg is operated by Västtrafik [3].
By tram
The main tram hub is Brunnsparken ('Well Park'), where you can catch trams to all parts of the city. It is located only a couple of stones' throws from the train station.
By bus
By taxi
Several companies, for example Taxi Göteborg and Minitaxi. Another option are the many illegal taxis ("Black Taxis"), which are generally cheaper. A warning though: don't travel alone, as several robbings and rapes have occurred.
See
- The Skansen Crown (Skansens Krone) is a hilltop fortification, southwest of the city center, built in 1641. In the 19th century it served as a prison, and now houses a military museum.
- The Fish Market, called the "Fish Church" because of the shape of its structure, is located on the canal near the harbor.
Museums
- Gothenburg Art Museum (Göteborgs Konstmuseum), Gotaplatsen. Housed in a magnificent edifice flanked by the theater and concert hall, it features a world-class collection of Nordic art. The adjacent Hasselblad Center periodically holds public exhibitions, and the Art Hall (free entry) features contemporary art.
- Gothenburg City Museum (Göteborgs Stadsmuseum), Norra Hamngatan 12. Covers the history of the city and region from prehistoric times to the present, with emphasis on the 19th-century Swedish East India Company, which was once housed in the building.
- Universeum Södra Vagen (Liseberg). A new museum focusing on the environment with an indoor rainforest, experiment workshop etc.
- Museum of World Culture, Södra Vagen 54 (Liseberg). A cultural counterpart to the science-oriented Universeum, it's a museum of ethnography and anthropology, with a thoroughly contemporary approach. There are regular special events such as concerts, films, and lectures. Free entry to the museum; events extra charge.
Historical buildings
- Gothenburg Cathedral, Vastra Hamngatan. Built in 1815.
- Christinae Church (German Church), Norra Hamngatan. Built in 1748.
- Crown House (Kronhuset), Postgatan. Built in 1643-1655, and briefly home of the Swedish Parliament. It currently houses Goteborgs Musik, and the surrounding buildings are now cafes and crafts workshops.
Itineraries
- Gothenburg is the starting point of the itinerary 'Sixteen days in Götaland and Svealand'
Do
- Liseberg - the biggest amusement park in all of Scandinavia, with lots of different rides for all ages. Be sure to try Balder, the new wooden roller-coaster. The number one attraction, by number of visitors, in Sweden.
- The sailing ship Götheborg, mentioned here before, has departed for China and its wharf Terra Nova has closed.
Events
Every year in February, the town is invaded by cinema buffs for the annual Gothenburg Film Festival [4]. The festival, which is growing every year, is now one of the major Scandinavian movie festivals.
Eat
Budget
- Andrum, Östra Hamngatan 19A. Tasty and healthy vegetarian/vegan buffet.
Mid-range
- Sjömagasinet - excellent (and pricey!) fish restaurant at Klippan.
- Gyllene Prag - cheap and wonderful Czech restaurant with good beer in generous helpings. The breaded cheese is a classic, and you won't be hungry again for at least a week. Located at Sveaplan.
- Kungstorgskaféet, Kungstorget 11. It's an old, classic, small and inexpensive restaurant, open in the daytime, right in the city centre. The menu is very Swedish.
Drink
- Ölhallen 7:an. One of the best places for good beer, and the only traditional "Beer-hall" left in the city. It is situated next to Saluhallen.
Clubs
There are several different clubs in Gothenburg, with a wide array of music styles.
- Haket (Masthuggstorget). Indie pop. Often arranges theme nights, with music, videos and even drinks featuring a certain artist.
- Trädgår'n - EBM, House
- Nefertiti - EBM, House
- Cockpit - gay
- Sticky Fingers - Rock
- Uptown/Studio One - Reggae
Sleep
Budget
- STF Hostel (Slottskogen)
- Kärralund Camping
Mid-range
There are many big hotels near the station:
- Sheraton
- Riverton
- Radisson/SAS
- Scandic
- Hôtel Eggers, Drotningtorget, +46-(0)31-333 44 40, fax 333 44 49. Located right by the train station, with nearly 150 years of history.
Get out
Near Gothenburg is the beautiful southern archipelago. There's a resident population on most islands, so ferries run all year. Private cars are not allowed. Take tram 11 (or 9 in summer) to Saltholmen, and then one of the ferries to Styrsö, Köpstadsö or any of the other islands. Here you can swim in the ocean, buy ice cream and maybe eat at the restaurants on Brännö, Styrsö or Vrångö. Be warned that the tram is packed with people on sunny summer days, especially when the 9 doesn't run, and going by car isn't better since you are unlikely to find a parking place. The ferries, however, usually make extra tours such days.
The ferry Älvsnabben runs along on the river, where the port and wharfs used to be, from Lilla Bommen and Rosenlund to Klippan, stopping on the other side (Hisingen). It's a good way to see the city from the river. Börjesson operates tourist boat trips is summer, such as Paddan in the city canals, to Älvsborg fort and Vinga, and around the Hisingen island.
External links
de:Göteborg sv:Göteborg WikiPedia:Gothenburg
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