Gothenburg Facts

One of the best ways to see Gothenburg is from the window of a tram. The trams run all over town and move slowly enough for you to get a proper look at the city. Another alternative is to walk, of course. Gothenburg is a fairly small city, so the distances involved are perfectly manageable. Brunnsparken, in the town centre, is a good place to start out on your walk. All trams stop here, so it is easily accessible. The shopping center Nordstan and the shopping streets Kungsgatan and Fredsgatan are located nearby.

If you walk up Östra Hamngatan, you will notice that the street name changes after a while, to Kungsportsavenyn, or just Avenyn for short (that's how the locals refer to it as well)....

...er will tell you, they've got something to show you, too. Indeed, the city has one of Europe's largest student populations, and a general joie de vivre permeates the atmosphere. Prices are mercifully cheaper than in Stockholm, and the informal, relaxed mood is immediately catching. Locals think Stockholmers are a bit snobbish to strangers, as aloof as the late Greta Garbo. But in Gothenburg (pronounced Yo-te-bor-ee in Swedish), visitors are welcomed into local life and embraced with enthusiasm.

Regrettably, the whirlwind group tours that cover Gothenburg don't give visitors enough time to take in the town. The Göta River runs through the city, and boat trips here can be just as delightful as...