Gothenburg

January 2013 | Words Hedvig Andersson

Find cheap flights to Gothenburg

Culture

Röhsska Museet

The Röhsska Museet focuses on design, fashion, applied arts and traditional crafts. Until mid-March, it’s hosting an exhibition on Swedish Art Nouveau.

Röda Sten

Set in a former heating plant (later used as an illegal rave club), Röda Sten is one of the city’s most interesting exhibition spaces. Its rough-and-ready finish and graffiti-scrawled walls backdrop some engaging contemporary art exhibitions; visit the website for the programme.
Eat

Sjöbaren

Sjöbaren is a small, friendly seafood restaurant, whose menu might feature oven-baked turbot or a rich cod, shrimp and mushroom gratin.

Bon

French bistro Bon opened a few years ago, and was an immediate hit with Gothenburg’s thirty-somethings. Its classic menu runs from Fines de Claire oysters to boeuf bourguignon; as no reservations are taken, turn up early and take a seat by the bar for a predinner drink or two.

Sjömagasinet

Located on the cultural heritage site of Klippan, high-end Sjömagasinet serves fresh seafood at dailychanging prices. Its winter menu offers the satisfying likes of butter-fried turbot with truffles and Jerusalem artichoke, with chocolate fondant, cherry ice cream and Islay foam to follow.
Sleep

Hotel Lilton

Hotel Lilton (rooms from €115/SEK995) is a family-run hotel with nine individually decorated rooms, set in a distinctive red-brick house.

Novotel

The newly refurbished Novotel (rooms from €121/SEK1050) is inside a vast, brick-built former brewery, looking over Älvsborgs Bridge and the harbour. Rooms are well-equipped and spacious, while facilities include a gym, sauna and steam room.
Shop

Haga Interiör

The crowded but well-organised Haga Interiör is devoted to contemporary Scandinavian design, from bold Marimekko textiles to handcrafted children’s toys.

Charlston Second Hand

This area is also home to some terrific second-hand shops: visit Charlston Second Hand for clothes, Fåfängan Antikt (Haga Nygata 16) for jewellery.
Later

Le Village

Le Village has great wines by the glass, helpful staff and a seasonal menu; there’s a wine tasting game, if you want to fine-tune your palette.