GOTHENBURG’S a laid back kind of place for a romantic weekend away. Small enough to stroll around, yet the street life is buzzing and, yes, the seafood is sensational, whether you experience it in one of the Swedish port’s four Michelin starred restaurants, at the renowned fish market mecca, Feskekôrka, or on a picnic on the islands.
Here are a few tips for making the most of your visit...
Get Your Bearings In Historic Haga
Gothenburg has plenty of beautiful sights and one of the best ways to experience them is on foot. Haga is a quaint ad romantic neighbourhood with lots of boutique shops, restaurants and cozy cafes. This charming quarter is one of the oldest in Gothenburg and the main pedestrian street, Haga Nygata, has well-preserved wooden houses, many of them of the characteristic country-governor style. Don’t miss Skansen Kronan, a fortress built in 1687 with a stunning 360 view of the city.
Riverton Hotel is one of the city's best
There are different hotels located near Haga, like the four-star Hotel Riverton with a beautiful view of the Gothenburg harbour from its pan-Asian restaurant on the 12th floor (main picture). Nearby is Magasingstan, the trendy neighbourhood famous for its shops, restaurants and bars.
The sea is an integral part of the whole Gothenburg experience
Discover The Islands
The archipelago of Gothenburg is one of the must-dos when coming to the city. There are over 20 islands to discover. Just jump on tram no.11 towards Saltholmen where the ferries to the south Archipelago depart all year around. At the Hotel Riverton you will enjoy the. The Älvsnabben ferry is only a short walk from the hotel and it operates throughout the day and departs from Rosenlund, connecting the two sides of Göta Älv.
Azalea show in the Slottsskogen
Cultural And Eco-Friendly Living
The Gothenburg Museum of Art houses an impressive collection from the 15th century to today, including masterpieces from Albert Edelfelt, Edvard Munch, Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso. After a cultural morning picnic perhaps in Slottsskogen, a 338-acre park on the city’s south side. Or stroll in the Seminarieträdgården, home to 100-year-old orchards and modern art exhibitions.
Feskekôrka is a traditonal fish market and much more
The Capital Of Seafood
A must visit is Feskekôrka, literally “fish church”. Built on 1874 as a fishmarket, it now hosts several seafood restaurants and shops with fresh fish. The importance of seafood is expressed in festivities celebrating different seasons, like the crayfish party. It is a Swedish food fest commonly held any time from late July to early September to celebrate the end of the summer. It consists of eating lots of crayfish in company of friends and family. Unusually for such a small city, Gothenburg boasts four Michelin-starred restaurants. The one with the finest wine cellar is 28+.
The Swedish fika is a special sweet treat
Enjoy Some Gigantic Buns
Gothenburg is the capital of “fika”, a Swedish tradition not to be missed. It consists of sitting down for a coffee and something sweet: the classic would be black coffee and a cinnamon bun. There are many cafés in the city where you can enjoy your “fika”, but Haga is probably the perfect neighborhood for it, with lots of cosy cafés, like the Cafe Husaren, famous for its gigantic and delicious cinnamon buns.
Fact file
British Airways runs regular flights from Manchester to Gothenburg. To find out more and to book visit this link.
Hotel Riverton AB, Stora Badhusgatan 26. 411 21 Gothenburg, Sweden.
