Strollers and prams on public transport
The public transport system in Gothenburg is almost always easy to use with a stroller or pram. You access the trams and buses from street level, otherwise the driver lower down the car for you. The only thing you have to look out for is the older version of the Gothenburg trams. Nowadays they are accessible from the doors in the middle, but you will need a set of helping hands from a fellow passenger to get on and off. Children with the age of 0-6 travels for free.
Toddler-friendly activities
The amusement park Liseberg is truly fun for the whole family. The children’s area The Rabbit Land (Kaninlandet) has attractions, serving areas, shops and a playground. Here you’ll also find a nursery room with changing tables, microwave and play area. Baby changing tables are also found in adjacent to all washrooms and additional diapers are available from Guest Services.
Many of the city’s museums offer both family-friendly activities and playful exhibitions. The permanent exhibition Together at The Museum of World Culture lets children and families explore different ways of living together in a playful way.
The science centre Universeum is great for children of all ages, but the ground floor exhibition Jobbis is designed for toddlers and has a kitchen with microwave you can use. At Miniversum, the youngest visitors can also find their way to a sustainable world through play and learning.
The Swedish children’s book character Alfie Atkins has his own cultural centre in Gothenburg, filled with lots of different activities related to culture, children and their development.
The city park Slottsskogen is perfect for an excursion day with outdoor activities. Here you’ll find Sweden’s largest playground Plikta were children of all ages can enjoy a range of adventurous activities. In the red cottage by the playground, you can use the baby changing room, microwave and bathroom.
Another great tip is to visit the Gothenburg City Library. The library, right by the square Götaplatsen and the main boulevard Avenyn, has great facilities for families with toddlers. The large play and reading room has books in 42 languages. There’s plenty of parking for strollers, and the café on 2nd level has a microwave dedicated for heating up baby food and a healthy menu with both lunch offers and ‘fika’.
Family ‘fika’ break
Most cafés in Gothenburg have highchairs for infants and toddlers, and room for strollers. But a tip is to check with the staff before you park your stroller, some cafés have restrictions on where you can put them due to fire restrictions. Some tips on extra toddler-friendly cafés:
- Condeco is a chain with cafés all around central Gothenburg. The menu is focused on vegetarian and healthy options, and they have great facilities for toddlers.
- Café and restaurant Tabla at The Museum of World Culture is a great place for families.
- da Matteo at Magasinsgatan 17 has a corner with toys and play rugs, as well as a roomy bathroom with changing table, upstairs.
Barnens museum (Childrens museum) at the Museum of Gothenburg
There is much to explore and do in the Barnens museum (Childrens museum) exhibition at the Museum of Gothenburg. Come and climb high-rises, crawl in tunnels, build a castle or skyscraper, swing in the Eriksberg crane or why not take grandpa on a tram ride? Barnens museum is most popular with ages 0-5, but older children are also warmly welcome.
Knattegat at the Maritime Museum and Aquarium
In a calm and soft environment reminiscent of an underwater world, the youngest visitors (0-3 years) can crawl, feel, look and listen to the sea. In Knattegatt, little explorers are encouraged to explore the sea with all their senses. The room has been designed by students from Child Culture Design at HDK-Valand, University of Art and Design, based on the needs of young children.
Child-friendly hotels
In Gothenburg, you’ll find several hotels that are suitable for children, and which are even approved by them. The imaginative Grand Curiosa Hotel, which is the amusement park Liseberg’s very own hotel, has, for example, been approved by a test patrol consisting of children who quality assured the hotel. Other hotels suitable for the whole family are the centrally located Gothia Towers, which with its 1200 rooms is one of Europe’s largest. Quality Weaver and Clarion Mektagonen are also child- and family-friendly hotels located a little outside the city centre.
