Bus to and from Gothenburg from $5.99

Feskekora looks like a church from the outside, but inside is a great fish market thus earning the name “Fish church”.  Built in 1874 the architect, Victor von Gegerfelt was inspired by the Norwegian wood Stave churches and the Gothic stone churches this building is the result of the two architectural styles. Whether you plan to shop for fish or not, a quick visit is necessary while in Gothenburg. There are two other food halls Salluhallen (Stora Saluhallen 46) and Saluhall Briggen (Nordhemsgatan 28) that both sell Nordic delicacies and are the perfect place to find inspiration for new recipes. Saluhall Briggen specializes more in restaurants where you can stop for a quick bite or pick up something for a picnic whereas at Saluhallen you’ll find stalls upon stalls filled with goodies to buy for your own kitchen. No matter what weather Gothenburg brings you, you can enjoy a little piece of nature in the city. The Garden Society of Gothenburg or Trädgårdsföreningen has a wonderful series of gardens where you can experience almost every type of biosphere and transport yourself instantly. The most popular of these gardens is the Palm House where it seems like you’ve walked into a tropical paradise housed in a historical greenhouse and also a great place for Instagram pictures. Complete your visit with a fika at the garden’s café, Rosenkaféet. The opening hours change depending on the season, so check before your visit. The Botanical Garden is also another great place to escape the sometimes dreary Swedish cold. Entrance to the gardens is free while entrance to the greenhouse is 20 SEK for those older than 18. Located in the middle of a shopping district, Domkyrkan (Gothenburg Cathedral) stands tall. The current church was built in 1815 and is the third different church to stand on that spot. It is free to walk in, admire the architecture and learn more about the church’s interesting history. The church holds concerts from time to time so check the website or the church bulletin board in case there is one scheduled during your stay. 

One district in Gothenburg that sticks out above the rest. Haga is the oldest neighborhood in Gothenburg and home to giant cinnamon rolls from Café Husaren (in case you need another reason to love the city). Haga comes from the Swedish word hage which translates to “enclosed field”. As you walk around the area, you’ll easily understand where the name comes from. It is the perfect mix of city and nature. Haga Nygata is a long pedestrian street lined with adorable homes. You’ll be able to find cute shop upon cute shop to wander about in. Climb up to Skansen Kronan, the fortification meant to protect Gothenburg from any attackers but was never needed to be used. It is free to walk around, but there is a possibility to have a private tour of the area. 

In the Gothenburg Museum of Art, you will find a wide array of different art beginning in the 15th century all the way up to modern art. This museum is one of the highest ranked museums in Europe. Check the museum’s homepage in case there is a special exhibit during your visit. You can receive free entrance if you are under 25, while full price entrance is 60 SEK. What is Sweden if not Volvo? If you’re a fan of the Swedish carmaker, visit the Volvo Museum and learn about the brand from its beginning. With a valid student ID entrance will cost 80 SEK or full priced entrance will be 100 SEK. Dig into the history of Gothenburg itself at the Museum of Gothenburg. Learn about the city’s Viking past and its importance on world trade. Similar to the Gothenburg Museum of Art, entrance to this museum is free to those under 25 and full price entrance is 60 SEK. 

If you have the time to see Gothenburg’s Archipelago, then you should take the chance to do so. It is usually broken up into the Southern Archipelago and the Northern Archipelago. These islands are scattered with cute, cozy fishing villages and great places to spend those long Swedish summer days. Ferries run frequently between the city and the islands. Some islands are even reachable by bus or tram. Do your research on which part of the archipelago you’d like to visit and check with the transport schedule to make sure this is a possibility. The schedules change dramatically between the summer and winter.