Making the most of Gothenburg
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The cruise quays include the following locations:
Cruise berth 751 Arendal, Outer Harbour, lies beside the impressive 6,000 m² Volvo Museum, with a cafe and a souvenir and postcard shop. The city center is around 20 minutes away by taxi or (shuttle) bus. Larger ships over 225 Meter dock here; it is 10 km to the city center. Cruise companies normally arrange shuttles. Free Wifi is available.
The new central terminal stands at Stigbergskajen in Masthugget. Its quay and part of the Amerikaskjulet terminal building were restored to receive vessels from spring 2018. Named America Cruise Terminal, it recalls the first Swedish American Line vessel that sailed to the USA from this quay over 100 years ago. The historic quay is again a cruise-ship reception center, only 1 km from the city center, with Free Wifi.
A printable map is available to carry with you.
Gothenburg is a green city, with parks and a large river running through it.
Botaniska Trädgården is Gothenburg's beauty oasis and western Sweden's most dramatic cultivated natural space. First opened to the public in 1923, the botanic gardens have been greatly enhanced over the years through improved landscaping and more impressive planting.
Slottsskogen has a children's zoo from May to August.
Drottning Kristinas Jaktslott (Queen Christina's Hunting Lodge), Gothenburg's oldest building, has rounded stone-sided walls. It was conceived in the 1600s as a royal hideaway for Queen Christina during occasional visits from Stockholm. Although she rarely used it, its stone and wood interior still conveys the austere majesty of this deeply religious, troubled 17th-century monarch.
Liseberg Park, Scandinavia's largest amusement park, is more than 75 years old and Sweden's number-one tourist attraction by visitor numbers. At Stora Scenen, its main stage, some of Sweden's best performing artists appear every summer. The newest attraction is the Gasten Ghost Hotel, full of things that go bump in the night.
Kronhusbodarna is one of Gothenburg's architectural showpieces. Originally built in the 1650s, it is the town's oldest non-ecclesiastical building. In the 1660s it became the meeting place for the Swedish Parliament, hurriedly convened here to welcome Charles X Gustav during his wars with Denmark.
At 274 acres, Slottsskogen is Gothenburg's largest park. First established in 1874 in natural woodland, it now has attractive walks, animal enclosures, a saltwater pool, bird ponds, an aviary and a children's zoo open May to August. Events and entertainment take place throughout summer.
At the end of the Avenyn, Stadsbibliotek is the public library on the left at Gotaplatsen. Gothenburg's main library holds some 450,000 volumes in 50 languages and has a café, a recorded-music listening room and a reading room with more than 100 foreign daily newspapers. One hall hosts constantly changing exhibitions.
Across the canal from Central Station, Trädgårdsföreningen has a large Rosarium with about 10,000 rose bushes across 4,000 species. Its centrepieces are the Palm House, heated to subtropical temperatures even in winter, and a Butterfly House where butterflies flutter through a simulated natural habitat.
Getting around
The Gothenburg Hop on/off bus is available.
A hop on/off tourist train also operates.
Summer walking in Gothenburg can be particularly pleasant in the parks, inner city, beside the river or around Haga.
The Göteborg Pass includes free admission to attractions and museums, several bus or boat sightseeing tours, parking and free public-transport travel. It also gives useful discounts in selected stores.
Göteborg has the famous Paddan canal boats, which travel through the city via the Moat and harbor. Relax while a guide introduces the city, or explore Göteborg by hired bicycle, on foot or by bus. Tickets and further information are available at the Tourist Office.
Food and shopping
Nordstan is the main shopping center, beside Brunnsparken and connected to the central train station. It has numerous outlets, including international companies such as H&M, Esprit and Vero Moda, plus Swedish companies such as Åhléns City, Rock and Nordic Design.
Near Nordstan, the smaller Arkaden shopping center contains a number of fashion boutiques.
Saluhallen at Kungstorget is an appealing indoor food hall.
Money
The Swedish krona is Sweden's national currency (SEK, plural kronor). Exchange indications are about 5.91 SEK for 1 USD, 9.43 SEK for 1 EUR and 12.28 SEK for 1 GBP.
Automatic teller machines accept major credit cards. Most stores, restaurants and bars take all major credit cards, though some impose a SEK 5 fee or a minimum purchase of 50 - 100 SEK.
Staying connected
Both cruise terminals provide free Wi-Fi.
Central Gothenburg has wireless Internet access, while many cafés, hotels and other locations outside the center also offer wireless surfing.
Swedish is Sweden's national language, but people, especially those below 70, generally speak English very well; an estimated 89% of Swedes can speak English.
For fire, medical or criminal emergencies, use the telephone number 112.
Opening Hours and
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm.