Flight to Gothenburg (GOT)

Flying to Gothenburg: tips and information for your trip

On the south-west coast of Sweden, Gothenburg is the country’s biggest port and its second biggest city. With its innovative cuisine, culture and nightlife, city-centre canals and beautiful archipelago, you’ll love this city where water is omnipresent.

This relaxing, friendly and welcoming city is the perfect destination for a weekend or a longer trip. Fly to Gothenburg with Brussels Airlines.

Things to see in Gothenburg:

1. Built on the mouth of the Göta älv river, Gothenburg is a port city with a network of canals in its city centre. Enjoy a boat ride on its canals, through the city centre and the port.
   
   
2. Visit the archipelago, just 30 minutes away by ferry. Cars are banned there so it’s an ideal place to explore on foot or by bike. With its soothing island landscapes, you’re sure to enjoy an unforgettable stay in this maritime paradise.
   
   
3. If you’re in the mood for a good night out, try Kungsportsavenyn. This bustling street comes alive in the evening with its bars, brasseries and nightclubs.
   
   
4. Don’t miss a visit to the Haga neighbourhood, at the foot of the hill on which Skansen Kronan is built: climb up to admire the view. This formerly working-class area has become one of the city’s hippest neighbourhoods. It’s the ultimate shopping destination if you’re a fan of second-hand shops, flea markets and Swedish design stores.
   
   
5. Gothenburg is home to the largest floating maritime museum in the world: the Maritiman, where you can see boats and a submarine.
   
   
6. There are plenty of opportunities to go fishing and to eat your catch of the day! Local fishermen organise “lobster safaris” during which you can fish, prepare and eat your own lobster.
   
   
7. Gothenburg’s botanical garden is the largest of its kind in Sweden. With some 16,000 different plant species, it’s ideal for a family day out.
   
   
8. The beautiful neoclassical building of the Museum of Fine Arts houses Sweden’s finest collection of Scandinavian art from the late nineteenth century. It’s a must-see for fans of art.
   
   
9. Anyone who wants to learn more about local history and culture should visit the City Museum, where they can find out how the city was built by Dutch town planners.

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flights land and depart at Göteborg Landvetter Airport. Flygbussarna bus lines will take you to the Nils Ericson station, located next to the Gothenburg central station. The bus ride will take about 30 minutes. You can also take a taxi but it will be more expensive.
  
• Currency: Swedish krona (plural: kronor) (SEK). Credit cards are widely accepted.
• Country dialling code: +46. Cafés often have free Wi-Fi.
• Electric sockets: Type C and F, for appliances of 230 V - 50 Hz.
• Travel information: Nationals of EU countries, the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can travel to Sweden without a visa. Nationals of other countries may need to apply for a Schengen visa.

Dos and don’ts in Gothenburg

• Named as Sweden’s culinary capital in 2012, Gothenburg is considered to be a gourmet destination in Scandinavia. It’s the ideal place in which to enjoy fish and seafood. You’ll find whatever you’re looking for at Feskekôrka (“Fish Church”), the city’s main covered fish market, which was given its name because of the building's resemblance to a church.
  
  
• Stop off at Café Husaren in Haga to sample an XXL kanelbullar, the typical Swedish cinnamon roll.
  
  
• Explore the city on foot, by bike or using public transport. There’s lots of traffic and parking is quite expensive. There’s also a congestion charge to enter the city: a photo is taken of your number plate and you’ll receive the bill at a later date.
  
  
• You can buy the Gothenburg Pass which gives you free access to various museums and activities. Buy it online on the official website: gothenburgpass.com.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

Whilst tourism is widespread and English is widely spoken in Gotheburg, some basic phrases are useful:

• Hello – god dag (pronounced GOOD DAYG) or hej (HAY)
• Please – snälla (SNELL-LA)
• Thank you – tack (TOCK)
• You’re welcome – var så god (VAHR SHA GOOD)
• Yes/no – ja (YAH), nej (NAY)
• Excuse me – ursäkta (OOR-SAYK-THA)

If you’re looking to keep costs down, perhaps the most difficult thing will be buying food in supermarkets, as packaging often doesn’t include English translations. Learning a few basic food words is a good idea, especially if you have allergies:

• Flour – mjöl
• Milk – mjölk
• Egg – ägg
• Nuts – nöt

Cultural events

• Culture Festival (August): this six-day festival brings 700,000 people to the centre of Gothenburg. This huge festival features no less than a thousand cultural events with dance, music, film, theatre, poetry, street art and more. The programme is incredibly varied and, what’s more, events are free!
  
  
• International Film Festival (late January to early February): the biggest annual festival of its kind in Scandinavia. More than 400 films are screened and two feature film competitions are held.
  
  
• The Clandestino Festival has been held in Gothenburg every year since 2003. It includes music, art and lectures on urban and rural culture, from the end of the 20th century to today. It promotes diversity, encouraging festival-goers to reflect and to see multiculturalism in a new light.
  
  
• Dance & Theatre Festival (August): this ten-day festival features performers from all over the world.

When to go to Gothenburg?

The city has a typical Nordic climate with very short days and sub-zero temperatures in winter. Summer provides longer days (it feels like the sun never sets around 21 June!) and milder temperatures. If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ll want to visit in autumn when the city’s shellfish is at its best.

What to eat in Gothenburg?

You’ll find lots of restaurants offering traditional and gourmet food.

• There’s nothing better than freshly caught fish (mackerel, cod, turbot, pike or whiting), served in a Swedish restaurant.
  
  
• Smögen shrimps and Grebbestad lobsters and oysters enjoy a global reputation.
  
  
• Local oysters are tastier than farmed oysters and have a pleasantly fleshy texture. The reason for this difference lies in the quality of the city’s mineral-rich seawater.
  
  
• Meatballs – Bakfickan, Meatballs for the People, and Pelikan are some of the best restaurants at which to try this national dish and all its sides and sauces.
  
  
• Cinnamon buns, or kanelbullar – a staple of any Swedish coffee break. Cinnamon not your thing? Don’t worry; there are plenty of alternative or seasonal flavours to choose from, too.
  
  
• Herring – pickled, fried or grilled, locally sourced and delicious.
  
  
• Pea soup and pancakes