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“Gothenburg offers more than shops and restaurants – hikes, fishing, and kayaking await, paired with stunning views and a truly coastal feel.”

When planning a trip to Sweden, most people make a beeline for Stockholm — and miss the slightly scruffier, friendlier, west-coast city that locals would probably rather keep to themselves. Gothenburg (or Göteborg, if you’re trying to impress someone at a fika) is where you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants rubbing shoulders with fish markets, forest hikes a tram ride away, and a coffee scene strong enough to wonder if Swedes found the secret to growing it.

Also? It’s wildly sustainable. In 2024, the Global Destination Sustainability Index ranked it the second most sustainable city in the world. Translation: every cinnamon bun, bike ride, and boutique hotel comes with a side of do-good vibes.

So if you like fresh seafood, sea air, and abundant coffee, all while treading lightly on the planet, here are 10 things to do in Gothenburg.

Eating Well (and Ethically) in Gothenburg

Gothenburg’s food scene punches well above its weight. The city is home to five Michelin-starred restaurants — and hundreds more that could make a strong case for one. For travelers who love exploring a place through its food, Gothenburg delivers. 

At Koka, the menu highlights what makes the region shine — ultra-fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and almost no red meat. The kitchen works closely with local fishers, farmers, and even foragers for mushrooms and oysters. Then there’s Restaurant Svinn, which turns “salvaged” ingredients — the dented, the misshapen, the mislabeled — into creative, climate-smart lunches. Beyond reducing food waste, Svinn doubles as a training ground for aspiring hospitality workers, proving that sustainability here extends to people as much as produce.

Sample Local Delicacies at Stora Saluhallen

Gothenburg’s Stora Saluhallen is a food market worth arriving hungry for. Local meats, cheeses, pastries, and just-baked bread share space with fresh pasta, bagels, and sustainably caught fish — all under one roof. It’s part grocery, part lunch spot, and fully irresistible. Snack on a bahn mi from Bahn Mi Shop, linger over creamy fish stew and a glass of wine at Salut, or go classic with Swedish meatballs at Kågebaren.

Get the Fika Experience in Haga

It’s easy to find a coffee shop in Gothenburg for a proper fika — but to really feel the tradition, head to the Haga district. This neighborhood is like a love letter to Swedish culture, packed with cozy cafés, traditional eats, and shops stocked with local design. Grab a coffee and a famously oversized kanelbullar from Café Husaren, or opt for a toast skagen at Café Kringlan, and you’ll get the full fika experience.

Sip Memorable Cocktails at Steampunk Bar

Steampunk Bar brings together live music, cocktail alchemy, and a vibe that’s almost too cool to be legal. As the first bar of its kind in the Nordics, it leans fully into its Victorian science fiction theme — with a drink menu that reads like a chemistry set crossed with a fantasy novel.

Expect smoky elixirs, inventive signatures, and reimagined classics. Behind the bar, the team crafts everything in-house, from foams and syrups to liqueurs. They even distill their own navy-strength gin and source local blueberry wine — ideal if your Negroni needs a little more horsepower.

Shop Sustainable Jeans at Nudie Jeans Co

Nudie believes jeans should last forever — and they’re built to make that happen. Founded in Gothenburg in 2001, the brand uses organic cotton and transparent, low-impact processes that are better for the planet and the people behind the seams. Got a pair that needs fixing? Stop by their repair shop, where free mending is part of the mission to “create tomorrow’s vintage.”

Score Vintage and Eco-Friendly Bargains

Gothenburg didn’t become one of the world’s most sustainable cities by accident. Even the shopping leans green. The city is packed with vintage, secondhand, and eco-conscious shops that give new life to old wardrobes.

Start with the trio of Ragtime stores: Miss Ragtime for women, Ragtime Herr for men, and Ragtime for a gender-neutral mix. You’ll find a well-curated selection of clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories — from everyday pieces to higher-end labels, all priced for a range of budgets.

For more modern, eco-minded gear, check out Houdini and Icebug in the city center. In 2021, Houdini, an outdoor clothing brand, committed to making its entire line recycled, recyclable, renewable, or biodegradable. Just around the corner, Icebug, a footwear company founded outside Gothenburg, leads with sustainability through green collections, reduced emissions, and dedicated transparency.

Step Inside Volvo’s Vision for Safety and Sustainability

To understand how deeply Volvo is woven into Swedish culture — and why it matters globally — head to World of Volvo. Opened in 2024, this interactive museum brings the brand’s legacy to life with hands-on exhibits, like climbing into a big rig or operating a real excavator. Each display highlights Volvo’s dual focus on safety and sustainability, both behind the wheel and beyond the road.

Explore Gothenburg’s Island-Filled Backyard

No trip to Gothenburg is complete without a ferry ride to the archipelago — a cluster of over 20 islands, each offering its own mix of nature, seafood, and salty air. The northern islands are reachable by car, while the southern ones are car-free and only accessible by boat, adding to their charm.

Whether you’re after a quiet hike, a kayak adventure, or just a great plate of fish, there’s something for every pace. On Hönö, book a table at Tullhuset, where the menu features fresh daily catches and seaweed harvested just offshore — proof that sustainability here doesn’t skip the starters.

Hike Through Wild Beauty at Änggårdsbergen Nature Reserve

Just a short walk or tram ride from the city center, Änggårdsbergen Nature Reserve covers nearly 800 acres of moorlands, forests, and heath. It’s a favorite local escape for hiking, biking, and trail running — no car needed. Bonus: the reserve is home to Bronze Age burial sites, adding a layer of history to your nature fix.

Eat the Freshest Catch in Gothenburg at Feskekôrka

No visit to Gothenburg is complete without tasting its coastal flavors, and Feskekôrka is the city’s most iconic seafood hall. Set along the river in a building that resembles a Gothic church, this market is a temple to the day’s catch — fish, shellfish, and seaweed brought in straight from the sea.

While it’s not the only place in town for top-tier seafood, Feskekôrka is a flagship of Gothenburg’s Blue Food movement, which champions sustainably farmed and wild-harvested ocean fare. Inside, you’ll find a range of fresh seafood and prepared dishes to take home, plus five on-site restaurants serving up their own spin on the catch of the day.

How to Get to Gothenburg, Sweden (and Navigate the City Like a Local)

While there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Gothenburg just yet, the city is still easy to reach. Most travelers fly through major European hubs like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, or London, then hop on a short connection to Gothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT). From there, it’s just a 25-minute ride to the city center by taxi, Uber, or the Flygbussarna airport coach.

Once you’re in town, getting around is refreshingly low-stress. Gothenburg is compact, walkable, and designed for clean, efficient transit. 95% of public transportation runs on renewable energy, and the Västtrafik To Go app makes it easy to buy single tickets or unlimited passes for buses, trams, and ferries.

Prefer to roll instead of stroll? Gothenburg has plenty of options — electric scooters, car rentals, and especially bikes. The Styr & Ställ bike-share program has stations all over the city, and bikes can be rented by the hour via the Nextbike app. Whether you’re cruising along canals or taking a ferry out to the islands, the city makes it easy to move sustainably and smoothly.