This is Gothenburg
Text from Gothenburg Tourism Agency
Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, is found on the west coast of Sweden, right in the heart of Scandinavia. The city has got plenty to offer – with lots of great shopping, a flourishing restaurant scene and the stunning archipelago just around the corner. The archipelago is easily reached by a 30-minute tram ride from the city centre.
Gothenburg was founded in 1621 by Gustav Adolf II and since then has undergone an exciting journey from being a shipping and industrial city to a creative hub for innovation. Today, the city boasts a number of internationally successful companies within marketing, architecture, web design and special effects for the film industry. Local fashion from Nudie, Velour and Monki is becomingly increasingly common in international magazines.
The atmosphere in the city is one of “easy going” genuineness. A strong café culture reveals itself in the tonnes of cafés that often serve their own roasted coffee. Fika is a Swedish word you soon will learn to love! “There is a greater sense of freedom in Gothenburg. It is more about being original than being cool.” Ebbot Lundberg – Soundtracks of our lives.
Shopping, Music & Food
Gothenburg fashion is characterised by a relaxed but stylish tone. Explore a mix of department stores, malls, trendy design boutiques and charming independent shops. The Scandinavian design tradition is characterised by minimalism design and functionality. In Gothenburg you’ll find everything from the latest trends in fashion by local and international designers, to unique vintage and interior design. What’s more, they are all within walking distance from each other.
During the summer, Gothenburg hosts a number of international music festivals and concerts right the centre of town: Way out West (MTV award for the most innovative festival 2011 and on the top ten list of festivals in Europe by the Independent 2012), Metaltown and Summerburst, just to mention a few. Intimate club gigs and DJ performances can be found at the city’s bars and nightclubs.
Gothenburg was appointed the Culinary Capital of Sweden 2012 and thus strengthened its reputation as a gastronomic hotspot in Northern Europe. Closeness to the sea results in top-quality, fresh fish and seafood and there is a strong tradition among local chefs to work with locally-produced and seasonal raw ingredients. In the Gothenburg archipelago it’s all about fish and seafood – best enjoyed by the ocean. Is there any better place to enjoy dinner or lunch than at a restaurant overlooking the sea or a city canal? Judge for yourself at the Conference dinner!
The West Coast Archipelago
The archipelago of Gothenburg stretches along the coast like a string of pearls. You don’t have to travel far from the city to find charming villages, stunning nature and beaches. Seal safaris, sea-fishing and boat excursions are just some of the activities available on the west coast.
The islands are one of Europe’s most beautiful archipelagos. They comprise around 10,000 beautiful granite islets, rendered almost smooth during the ice age. Idyllic villages have sprung up all along the coastlines of these fascinating islands. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you can simply stop for a picnic, hire a kayak or a bicycle. Marstrand Island boasts Carlstens fortress and is also known for its party scene and international sailing events. And do not forget the Älvsborgs fortress, located on a small island in the Gothenburg archipelago, the location of the 2014 Conference dinner.
Bucket List ~ Gothenburg
1. FESKEKÔRKA. The “fish-church”, a market hall for fish and shellfish in a characteristic building from 1874, with a church-like design.
2. HAGA. A charming neighbourhood with pedestrian-only streets, well-preserved wooden houses, small shops and nice cafés from 17th century.
3. THE MUSEUM OF ART. Nordic art featuring Carl Larsson, Edvard Munch, Anders Zorn and many others.
4. LISEBERG. Amusement park, with the new roller coaster Helix: 1.4 km long, 7 inversions, 3 airtime hills and plenty of drops, twists and turns.
5. MAGASINSKVARTERET. A trendy neighbourhood shopping area for everything from interior design to vintage fashion.
6. NEW ÄLVSBORG FORTRESS. The fortress in the harbour inlet is one of the most well-preserved in Sweden.
7. SKANSEN KRONAN. A fortification built 1687-89 which is nowadays a spectacular outlook in the middle of the charming Haga district.
8. THE GOTHENBURG ARCHIPELAGO. You will see a glimpse from the boat taking us to the conference dinner at the New Älvsborg fortress.
9. THE GARDEN SOCIETY. One of the most well-preserved 19th century gardens in Europe and a green oasis in the middle of the city.
10. UNIVERSEUM. The biggest science centre in Scandinavia. Here you can discover space, the rainforest, the ocean and much more.