Gothenburg is Sweden’s relaxed second city, known for its canals, festivals, and easy access to seafood, islands, and stunning coastal landscapes.
Luxury Holidays in Gothenburg
© Beatrice Tornros
© Beatrice Tornros
A word from our travel specialist
I spent a weekend in Gothenburg with a few friends and it really stuck with me. It’s such a charming city, laid-back, friendly and full of character. Getting there was super easy too, just a smooth train ride from Stockholm and suddenly you’re by the sea.
As a seafood fanatic, my first stop was Feskekörkan, the fish church, and it was a bliss! We spent the rest of the time walking around in the sunshine, exploring the streets and soaking up the relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel instantly at ease.
Helga
Nordic Experience Curator
Inspiration for Holidays in Gothenburgh
Gothenburg, Designed Around You
Effortlessly stylish and sustainably minded, Gothenburg offers a refreshing take on Swedish city life. Its welcoming pace, Michelin-starred cuisine, leafy boulevards and coastal excursions make it the perfect base for a Scandinavian escape.
This west coast gem is made for travellers who appreciate detail, design, and a sense of calm discovery.
Where to Stay: Handpicked for You
Jacy'z Hotel, Gothenburgh
A vibrant city resort in Gothenburg offering stylish accommodation, rooftop wellness, exceptional dining and easy access to Sweden's west coast.
Gothia Towers/Upper House
Immerse yourself in our outdoor pool, floor 19, with views of Gothenburg
Weather Islands, Vaderoarna
Travel through one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos in Sweden
Elite Park Avenue Hotel
Relax in a stylish room and start the holiday with a great breakfast
Clarion Hotel Sense, Luleå
Relax in the impressive Skybar with stunning views of Luleå's archipelago
Clarion Post Hotel
Set within a former post office, next to Gothenburg’s central stationThe Guidebook
Explore Gothenburg, Sweden
Sweden’s west coast gem, Gothenburg (Göteborg), is a laid-back and creative city with a maritime soul, a thriving food culture, and easy access to nature. Often dubbed the culinary and festival capital of Sweden, Gothenburg is smaller and more relaxed than Stockholm — yet packed with charm, character, and surprises.
Whether you’re exploring its canals, riding vintage trams, hopping between islands, or indulging in a seafood feast, Gothenburg offers a perfect blend of city energy and coastal escape.
Getting There
Gothenburg is very accessible. Gothenburg Landvetter Airport welcomes direct flights from many European cities including London, Amsterdam, and Berlin. From the airport, you can be in the city centre in around 20–30 minutes via airport bus or taxi.
Alternatively, you can reach Gothenburg by train from Stockholm (around 3.5 hours), Copenhagen (around 4 hours) or even Oslo (4 hours) — making it a great option for a scenic twin-centre itinerary.
A Coastal City with a Warm Heart
The city centre is compact, walkable and threaded with canals that give it a distinct Dutch feel. Stroll along the leafy boulevard of Avenyn, visit the Gothenburg Museum of Art, or wander around the quaint neighbourhood of Haga, known for its cobbled streets, wooden houses, and giant cinnamon buns.
Gothenburg is also a city that knows how to have fun — hosting major events like the Way Out West music festival, Gothenburg Film Festival, and Göteborgsvarvet half marathon. Even outside of festival season, there’s always something happening.
Archipelago Adventures & Nature Escapes
One of Gothenburg’s best features is its proximity to nature. Just 30–60 minutes by tram and ferry brings you to the Gothenburg Archipelago — a car-free wonderland of rocky islands, hidden beaches, colourful cottages and charming villages like Styrsö, Vrångö, and Brännö.
You can hike, cycle, kayak, or just soak up the salty sea air. Inland, you’ll find Slottsskogen Park, Botanical Gardens, and the expansive Delsjön Nature Reserve for forest walks and lake swims.
Culinary Capital of the Nordics
Gothenburg’s food scene is famous across Scandinavia. With its access to the North Sea, it’s a seafood lover’s paradise — think fresh langoustines, oysters, and the city’s signature shrimp sandwich (“räkmacka”). The city is also home to several Michelin-starred restaurants, plus a growing number of plant-based and modern Nordic eateries.
Don’t miss Feskekôrka (the fish church) — an indoor market hall that celebrates the region’s maritime culinary heritage — or grab a local beer and some pickled herring on a sunny terrace in the Magasinsgatan district.
Climate
Gothenburg has a temperate oceanic climate. Winters are relatively mild but can be wet, with average temperatures around 0 to 2°C. Spring and autumn are cool and crisp — ideal for city strolls and coastal hikes. Summer (June to August) is the most popular time to visit, with long daylight hours, outdoor events, and highs often reaching 20–25°C.
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Giles
The ease of everything stood out to me. All we had to do was be there at the right time. The dog sledding was the highlight for my daughter and sister. We had the best time! For me, Manshausen was the highlight. We were very lucky and the only guests there for the majority of our stay. The staff was amazing and the food was so delicious. We had moose steak and it was the best meal I’ve ever had.
The cabins were comfortable and we were so lucky to have 2 clear nights where we just sat and watched the northern lights. We were able to get some awesome pictures too.
I appreciate all your time and care with planning our trip! I won’t hesitate to use Off the Map travel for our next adventure.
Kelly
The best travel experience ever on every level you can think of during a Lapland expedition (food, activities, timings, accommodation, transport, service, equipment…). I highly recommend Off The Map Travel for their outstanding level of professionalism and detail oriented mindset!
Sophie & Guy
Hello Lucy!! Kim and I had a fantastic time in Iceland! Probably one of my top 3 trips I’ve ever taken!
It was everything we asked for and you did a wonderful job coordinating it all so beautifully!!
Thank you very much and we will contact you again when we get ready to plan our trip to Norway and Lapland!
Doreen
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.
Anonymous
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
Kristen
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
Andrew
We – the whole family – loved the whole journey!!
The accommodations, the activities and especially the great people – thank you very much for this fantastic organisation !!!
Barbara
We did! Everything was truly wonderful! I think the Holman Husky Lodge was our favourite place. Beautiful accommodations, but best of all, wonderful people! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, excellent food, we really enjoyed our time there. We also greatly enjoyed Bergen! Opus XVI was beautiful and we loved being able to walk to restaurants and bars and take in the sights. All of our drivers were punctual and friendly. The itinerary was full but not overfull.
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip, we are taking home wonderful memories!
Shelly
I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.
Alex