This Vacation Has It All: Gothenburg, Sweden is a Laidback City with Archipelago Island-Hopping

It’s not often you find a laid-back city where Michelin-starred restaurants, trendy shopping districts, cultural encounters, and easy access to adventure-filled islands come together in one destination.

But Gothenburg, Sweden’s west coast escape, delivers exactly that.

The Guardian named Gothenburg one of Europe’s top five summer city breaks this year, citing its archipelago beaches, seafood markets, and craft breweries. National Geographic Traveler has also spotlighted the Swedish city, calling it “equal parts down-to-earth and chic,” with top-tier sustainability, a growing beer and dining scene, and direct access to its archipelago, a stretch of over 20 car-free islands.

Widely recognized for its environmental leadership, the city has established itself as a global benchmark for responsible tourism. Lonely Planet once named it the World’s Best Sustainable City to Visit, and it was ranked #1 on the Global Destination Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years.

Its culinary reputation is just as strong. Gothenburg is home to over a dozen Michelin Guide restaurants. Still, you don’t always need a reservation to eat well: casual spots across the city focus on seasonal produce, fresh seafood, and classic Swedish flavors with a modern twist.

As a small metropolis with walkable neighborhoods, public trams, and buses powered by renewable energy, getting around Gothenburg is easy, affordable, and environmentally responsible. Gothenburg’s districts are filled with Swedish design boutiques, vintage shops, and trendy coffee shops, such as da Matteo, where you can slow down and enjoy the Swedish fika tradition.

Gothenburg brings together everything that makes a Swedish vacation memorable: exceptional food, relaxed city life with cultural attractions and entertainment, and easy access to a stunning archipelago perfect for hiking, biking, and kayaking adventures.

In Lindholmen, the old shipyards are mostly gone, replaced by glass towers and cranes building the future. Here, the Clarion Hotel sits just off the river at the base of the tallest building in the Nordics, Karlatornet. For the best experience, stay on the 58th floor, where modern, cozy rooms open up to incredible views of the waterfront.

Gothenburg View on the 69th floor, set to open this fall, will offer dining and cocktails with 360-degree views that stretch far beyond the harbor. On foggy days, when the ground disappears, it feels like floating in the clouds.

In the heart of Gothenburg, Magasinsgatan is known for design and fashion. Shops like Grandpa and Aplace blend Scandinavian fashion with lifestyle goods in spaces that feel more like studios than traditional shops.

The area around Liseberg brings together some of Gothenburg’s most playful and thought-provoking spaces. The Liseberg amusement park anchors the neighborhood with roller coasters and family fun on summer nights. The Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel features storybook interiors, a carousel in the lobby, multiple restaurants, rooms with bunk beds for children, and a design that feels more like a fairytale than a typical hotel.

Nearby, World of Volvo introduces a unique kind of wonder, blending architecture, innovation, and nearly a century of brand history rooted in Gothenburg, where Volvo was born. The Museum of World Culture shifts the focus toward global ideas, as seen in the Native American fashion exhibition, which utilizes clothing as a lens to explore tradition, heritage, and the complexities of cultural identity.

Haga is one of Gothenburg’s oldest districts, known for its cafés and cobblestone streets. Linné has a livelier pace, with restaurants, bars, and independent shops packed into a walkable grid. Majorna leans creative, with record stores, galleries, bars, and cafés that reflect its authenticity and local spirit.

Chefs work with fresh, local ingredients from the land and sea, inspired by the seasons and a commitment to sustainability. Gothenburg’s creativity is showcased in its Michelin-starred restaurants and neighborhood eateries, complemented by a thriving natural wine and craft beer scene.

At Bar Bulot, tucked inside the city’s central Market Hall, lunch offers beautifully plated dishes with the freshest of ingredients. Bulot, the full-service restaurant, is Michelin-recommended and delivers a more refined, French-inspired seafood menu.

Restaurants like Hjördis are born from passion, family, and a dream. Named after the owner’s beloved aunt, an Olympic diver who inspired Filip Topel’s cooking, Hjordis serves Swedish dishes shaped by childhood memories and Filip’s years in the restaurant business.

Sisters Wilma and Klara, both veterans of Gothenburg’s top kitchens, turned their shared dream into reality by opening Suber, a Scandinavian-French wine bar reflecting their united vision.

Housed in an old cigar factory and wine warehouse, Collage is a French-style brasserie that pulses with energy inspired by Paris and New York. At Bikt, the concept is intentionally fluid. The menu changes often, drawing inspiration from across Europe, while the space itself is casual and intimate.

Heaven 23, on the 23rd floor of Gothia Towers, is known for its “king-sized” shrimp sandwich and expansive windows, seamlessly pairing modern Swedish dining with stunning skyline views.

Over in Gamlestaden, a former industrial district now pulsing with creative energy, three stops capture the city’s experimental side.

Wine Mechanics, the first urban winery in the Nordics, was founded by former professional footballer Kenneth Gustafsson, with oyster-shucking champion Johan Malm helping lead both the wine bar and tasting room. Grapes are sourced from top regions in France and Germany, and vinified on-site into small-batch wines, many of which feature playful names, such as “50 Shades of Riesling.”

Spike Brewery pulses with creative energy both in its brews and its beats. The taproom is a lively venue with brew tanks visible through glass windows, ample seating, and eclectic decor that creates a fun and social atmosphere. A DJ spins on most weekends, and inventive beers like “Rock to Fakie” highlight the brewery’s bold spirit.

At Ego Distillers, a bar-distillery hybrid set in a former engine room, house-made spirits shape a menu as bold as the surroundings, with their flagship Ego Gin honored as Sweden’s Best Contemporary-Style Gin at the 2025 World Gin Awards.

Gothenburg’s southern archipelago is a collection of rocky islands and fishing villages, easily reached by a short ferry ride from the city.

On islands like Donsö and Styrsö, which are connected by a bridge, it’s easy to bike or walk between the two and explore both in a single day—cycling peaceful lanes, hiking scenic trails, and kayaking along the coastlines.

On Donsö, car-free streets wind around a working harbor and traditional Swedish coastal architecture. Places like Popsicle Café, run by sisters Kristin and Klara, serve homemade ice cream, pastries, and generous portions of räksallad, a creamy shrimp salad. Styrsö complements that charm with nature trails and the Stora Rös hike, which offers incredible views of the archipelago.

With easy access and a peaceful atmosphere, Gothenburg’s archipelago is a favorite escape for those craving nature and the outdoors.

Gothenburg, Sweden, proves that a single destination can offer both urban excitement and peaceful outdoor escapes, all infused with sustainable living. For travelers who want a Swedish vacation that combines culture, nature, and culinary excellence, this coastal city truly has it all.