Autumn in Gothenburg offers plenty to enjoy for adults and children alike, whatever the weather.
Halloween and family activities in autumn
There are plenty of frighteningly fun things to do in Gothenburg during autumn. Halloween at Liseberg, Scandinavia’s largest amusement park, is a firm family favourite. Universeum, Sweden’s national science centre, serves up frightfully fascinating facts when Halloween takes over. And at Alfie Atkins’ Cultural Centre, inspired by the much-loved Swedish children’s book character, little ones can look forward to cosy scares and plenty of spooky fun.
Amusement park
There is something for everyone at Liseberg, where you’ll find the most fun in Scandinavia. Forty-two rides and attractions offer thrills, spills and laughter for kids and grown-ups.
Science museum
Welcome to 9,000 m2 of adventure
Children’s Cultural Centre
In the Garden Society of Gothenburg you will find a whole house dedicated to Alfie Atkins. Here, children can play, learn and enjoy theatre.
Art and cultural experiences
From the Göteborg Opera by the river to Gothenburg Museum of Art at Götaplatsen and the Gothenburg Book Fair at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, autumn is a busy season for culture in Gothenburg. As the city settles back into everyday life after summer, stages, concert halls and galleries fill with music, performances, talks and new exhibitions. Keep an eye on the autumn programmes at the Röhsska Museum of Design and Craft, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and the Hasselblad Center, a photography exhibition space inside Gothenburg Museum of Art, too.
Opera house
The Göteborg Opera offers grand experiences in a beautiful setting. Opera, musicals and dance in an architectural landmark by the water.
Design and crafts museum
From Swedish design history to bold and innovative creations The Röhsska Museum is a place where design, crafts, architecture and fashion come together.
Environmentally Certified concert hall
Gothenburg Concert Hall is a vibrant hub and home to The National Orchestra of Sweden, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. All year round, the building comes to life with concerts and performances across a wide range of genres. You’ll also find a restaurant and several bars here.
Photo exhibition
World-class photography. Hasselblad Center, located at the Gothenburg Museum of Art, presents exhibitions by Swedish and international photographers.
The Gothenburg Book Fair
The Gothenburg Book Fair is one of the clearest signs that autumn has arrived in the city. Every September, the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre fills with authors, publishers, talks, seminars and readers from across Sweden. It is regarded as the Nordic region’s largest cultural event and one of Europe’s biggest book fairs, attracting more than 90,000 visits, 760 exhibitors and 3,500 programme events. Part industry gathering and part public festival, it is a place to listen, browse, buy books and take part in the conversations shaping the present.
Congress venue
Attracts one million visitors annually.
Music, theatre and performing arts
An autumn evening in Gothenburg can take many different directions depending on the venue: a standing concert at Pustervik, with the band playing close to the crowd; the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra at Götaplatsen; a musical or opera by the river Göta älv; or a major arena show at Scandinavium. For those who prefer to choose by date rather than genre, the events calendar is the best place to explore the season’s programme.
Bar, nightclub, concerts
Concert venue, nightclub and bar at Järntorget with a rich history and a varied programme of live music, club nights and cultural events.
Concerts, performing arts
Gothenburg’s scene for Swedish and international performances.
Environmentally Certified concert hall
Gothenburg Concert Hall is a vibrant hub and home to The National Orchestra of Sweden, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. All year round, the building comes to life with concerts and performances across a wide range of genres. You’ll also find a restaurant and several bars here.
Event and sports indoor arena
Scandinavium is Gothenburg’s well-known indoor arena for sporting events, concerts, shows and international championships with a capacity of up to 14,000 people. Its central location means hotels, restaurants and public transport are always close at hand.
Food and drinks: Autumn flavours from the west coast
Autumn may be the best time to discover the flavours of Sweden’s west coast. During lobster season, seafood lovers have every reason to head to Gothenburg, where fish and shellfish arrive on the plate as fresh as they come.
Gothenburg also has plenty to offer as a food destination – from traditional fish counters to restaurants taking a contemporary approach to west coast produce, as well as Michelin-starred dining and the city’s own culinary creations.
And what could be better than taking shelter from an autumn storm with a craft beer from one of Gothenburg’s many breweries? Use our restaurant guide to find the right restaurant, atmosphere and neighbourhood.
Red, white, sparkling or rosé? There is wine for every occasion and taste. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find a variety of bars in Gothenburg that specialize in wine.
Eat & Drink
Six local restaurants have been presented with one or two stars in the gourmet bible Guide Michelin. It’s quite unsual for a city the size of Gothenburg to have so many stars and this has firmly placed the destination on the culinary world map.
Ever heard of Stigbergets, Poppels or Dugges? Gothenburg’s craft beer scene has grown fast in recent years, and several local breweries have made a name for themselves far beyond the city. This guide takes you to breweries, taprooms and beer bars where you can try locally brewed beer in Gothenburg.
Nature experiences: archipelago, trails and parks close to the city
Autumn makes it easier to find peace and quiet in the archipelago, but the weather calls for a little planning. Take the tram to Saltholmen for ferries to the southern islands, wear shoes with a good grip on wet rocks and always check the timetable before setting off.
Prefer to stay closer to the city? Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Slottsskogen City Park, Delsjön and Änggårdsbergen are all good choices for a shorter autumn walk. Just outside Gothenburg, you will also find inviting country estates, cafés and historic fortresses.
Salty swims, smooth rocks and the sea as far as the eye can see. The Gothenburg archipelago is a place for both tranquillity and activities, just a short journey from the city centre. Here you will find everything you need to know before heading out to the archipelago.
There is so much to discover right outside Gothenburg. Explore the glittering archipelago, unique 18th century settings, a sailing metropolis, the capital of “Swedish fika”, re-imagined factory buildings and more.
It is easy to discover the natural wonders in and around Gothenburg. Here, a world of fresh air, clear waters, majestic cliffs and dense forests is always close by – all you need to do is hit the hiking trail.
Cosy hotels and relaxing spas
A peaceful spa weekend, a seaside stay in the archipelago or a design-led city break? Choose where to stay based on how you want to experience Gothenburg: near Central Station or Avenyn for culture and city buzz, further west for easier access to the archipelago, or at a spa resort just outside the city.
Luxurious Hjortviken and Kusthotellet’s spa in the archipelago, classics like Hagabadet and the sauna in Frihamnen – Gothenburg has something for every type of spa enthusiast. Whether it’s a party with friends at Jacy’z pool club, quality time with the whole family at Nääs Fabriker, or simply enjoying a sauna – we have the list.
Eco-certified hotel
Clarion Hotel Draken is Gothenburg’s new landmark – a 34-story hotel at the square Järntorget. The hotel has several restaurants and bars, a lively cultural scene, meeting facilities and a spa.
Boat-house hotel
Seaside activities and accommodation on the small island Vrångö.
Nordic Swan Ecolabelled hotel
A Nordic Swan Ecolabelled hotel that caters to all visitors, by being a natural meeting place for both conferences as well as for friends.
Water is never far away in Gothenburg, with the sea, river and lakes setting the scene from morning to night. And what could be better than enjoying the view straight from your hotel? Here are our tips for hotels by the water in Gothenburg.
Discover Gothenburg with the whole family and create wonderful memories at some of the city’s most child-friendly hotels. From playful facilities to curiosities around every corner, these hotels offer a perfect base for young and old alike.
Film nights at Capitol, Roy and Aftonstjärnan
Gothenburg’s historic cinemas are made for cosy autumn evenings. Capitol near Skanstorget, Roy on Avenyn and Aftonstjärnan at Lindholmen each have their own character, but share one clear advantage: going to the cinema here feels like an experience in itself rather than just another stop at a shopping centre.
English-language films in Sweden are usually shown in the original language with Swedish subtitles, making a cinema visit an easy option for international visitors too. During the autumn school holidays, the Gothenburg Film Festival’s Prisma programme also caters to younger film fans, with screenings and family-friendly festival activities at cinemas across the city.
Classic art house cinema
A cinema with the aim to screen quality films every day.
Cinema and theatre
Old fashioned cinema on the island Hisingen.
Cinema
Intimate cinema at the main boulevard Avenyn.