Gothenburg
Sweden’s second largest city is known for being one of the most sustainable countries in the world. It is situated on the west coast of the country and is famous for its fishing port.
Gothenburg is an exciting city with a rich past and cosmopolitan setting perfect for travellers of all interests.
The Gothenburg Museum of Art has one of the foremost art collections in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Works by the greats such as Rembrandt, Picasso and van Gogh are all housed within this impressive building. If you are a fan of art then this is a must for your visit.
Located to the south west of the city centre is the Botaniska or Botanical Gardens of Gothenburg. It is one of the largest botanic gardens in Europe and encompasses a mix of intensely cultivated areas as well as wild untamed nature reserves. With several cafes and toilets located throughout, it is an excellent place to spend the day (or even just an hour).
Things to entertain the kids
Liseberg is Gothenburg’s famous amusement park which opened back in 1923. Designed to cater to people of all ages there really something to please everyone. Its thrill rides include Helix (the longest rollercoaster in Europe), Valkyria (Europe’s longest dive rollercoaster of 50m) and Mechanica (an extreme ride that spins you 360 degrees around three axes, 30 metres up in the air). For the little ones why not try Underlandet (a ride through a magical world where people have never set foot before) or Morotsresan (a boat trip among beautiful greenery and tasty vegetables of rabbits garden).
Gothenburg Archipelago is made up of more than 20 islands, dotting Sweden’s western coastline. Each of the different island offers something new to explore or experience. Day trips can be booked to one island or multiple, as well as the option of booking overnight stays on them as well. *Note: many of the cafes/shops on these islands are seasonal. So best to go between April and September, otherwise be prepared with food and drink options.
Universeum is the national science centre of Sweden and is the perfect day out for scientists of all ages! With exhibitions which include The Rainforest, Space, The Ocean and The Chemistry Lab there is something to please even the littlest of scientists.
Travelling to Gothenburg by Ferry
The Newcastle to Gothenburg (Göteborg) ferry service ended on the 30th October 2006, this service was operated by DFDS Seaways.
However, you can still reach Sweden by ferry using either our Newcastle to Amsterdam or Hull to Rotterdam routes and continue to enjoy safe and relaxing ferry travel to mainland Europe.
The Hull to Rotterdam route features overnight crossings similar to our Hull to Zeebrugge service. Your ticket will include a comfortable cabin and the ships boast a range of dining and entertainment options, including two cinema screens and a casino. You’ll then disembark in Rotterdam which offers excellent road links to Germany and then onto Denmark before reaching Sweden.
From Amsterdam, you will follow a similar route as if arriving in Rotterdam. You will take a scenic drive through Holland, into Germany and onwards to Denmark before arriving in Sweden.
Why not have a look at our Holland, Germany or Denmark Destination Guides for inspiration on places to see and do while making your road trip.