Gothenburg selected as new global UN hub for sustainable lifestyle 2026-2028
The honor of being a UN sustainable hub places Gothenburg at the forefront of climate-smart living. It also presents a unique opportunity for travellers to visit and experience the city that is molding the future of travel. 96% of hotel rooms in Gothenburg are eco-certified, one of the highest rates globally. Also, 95% of Gothenburg’s public transport is powered by renewable energy and the whole city, including the archipelago, is easily reached by tram or bus.
New attractions and restaurants
New restaurant and observation deck at Sweden’s tallest building
Opening in 2026
With its 246 meters and 74 floors, Karlatornet is the tallest building in the Nordic region, located in the middle of Gothenburg. On the 69th floor, the observation deck Gothenburg View will open to the public during the the summer 2026, as well as the restaurant Exo. Here, at 220 meters above the ground, visitors will get a completely unique experience with a view of the city for miles.
Landmark and viewpoint
The high-rise Karlatornet in Gothenburg is Sweden’s and the Nordic region’s tallest building – and Gothenburg’s new landmark. From summer 2026, the tower will welcome visitors to its new restaurant and observation deck with panoramic views of the city.
Sweden’s highest restaurant
EXO will open in Karlatornet, the tallest building in the Nordics. The restaurant will serve modern gastronomy with international influences.
Activate Nordstan – brings interactive gaming to Gothenburg
Opening March 7, 2026
Activate Nordstan is an interactive gaming and activity centre where physical activity meets digital play in adrenaline-filled, technology-driven challenges for all ages. On March 7, 2026 in Gothenburg, Activate will open its first centre in the Nordic region,. The concept combines physical activity and technology in interactive games where participants compete against each other in teams. It’s aimed at both adults and children from the age of six and is a group activity where at least two people play together.
Activity centre
Activate Nordstan is an interactive game and activity centre in Gothenburg where physical and digital challenges meet in exciting game experiences.
The Paradox Museum Gothenburg – explore the impossible
Opened in November 2025
The Paradox Experience opened in November 2025 and is a place designed to inspire curiosity. It blends innovation, design, and storytelling. Every visit invites guests to challenge their perceptions, question reality, and explore the impossible — all while learning, laughing, and capturing memorable moments.
Museum
A museum of fascinating paradoxes, illusions and interactive experiences.
Hot Rod Riderz – experience Gothenburg behind the wheel
From 1 March, 2026
From March, a new guided city tour offers visitors the chance to experience Gothenburg from behind the wheel of a mini hot rod. The sightseeing tour begins in central Gothenburg, lasts around two hours with short photo stops along the way. Each mini hot rod is a single seater, driven by the participant, with a guide and safety briefing provided on site. To take part, you must be at least 18 years old, between 1,55 and 2 metres tall, and hold a valid driving licence.
Sightseeing with mini hot rods
Experience Gothenburg in a new way with a mini hot rod from Hot Rod Riderz.
Vassen – new street food market
Opening May 2026
In spring 2026, Vassen street food market opens its doors to a vibrant urban oasis in the heart of Gothenburg where global flavours meet creativity, culture, and community. Built from recycled containers and surrounded by green pocket parks, you will find food stalls, vintage shops, jewellery makers, craft bars, and workshops that are all run by passionate local entrepreneurs.
Meeting place for food and culture
Vassen Market is a new meeting place in Gothenburg’s harbour. Visitors can expect food stalls, bars, shops, a tattoo studio, activities and cultural experiences.
Gothenburg Grand Central
At the end of 2026, the new train station Gothenburg Grand Central will open – a new signature building and future icon for the city. With classic architecture in a modern style, generous station spaces, shops and restaurants, Grand Central will be a meeting place for both travellers and Gothenburg residents. Read more at timeout.com.
New hotels and resorts
Quality Hotel The Book – stay close to Liseberg
Opening June 2026
The 215-room hotel is located just next to the popular attractions Liseberg Amusement Park and World of Volvo. The new 16-story building will also contain its own restaurant and bar. Inspiration for the architecture and design is taken from the site’s history as a printing house. Read more at strawberryhotels.com.
A concept visualization of the new sauna suites at Hällsnäs hotel.Credit: Hällsnäs
The new sauna suites at Hällsnäs have their own private sauna and terrace towards the lake.Credit: Annie Hyrefeldt
Credit: Annie Hyrefeldt
New sauna suites at Hällsnäs Hotel & Restaurant
Hällsnäs Hotel & Restaurant is located 20 minutes from Gothenburg, nestled by a glittering lake and dense pine forests. Here you also find restaurant Signum that has been awarded two Michelin stars and a Green Star for its sustainable and creative cuisine. The hotel is now adding 32 brand new hotel rooms where four luxurious suites include their own private sauna and terrace towards the lake. All the suites are available as of February 2026.
Hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant
The manor hotel Hällsnäs is beautifully located by the lake Landvettersjön, just 20 minutes from central Gothenburg. With two restaurants, including the two-starred Signum, it’s a premier gastronomic destination offering 69 hotel rooms, a sauna, spa, and scenic views of the surrounding nature.
Two-star Michelin restaurant
Fine dining restaurant in picturesque surroundings.
Scandic Go at Lilla Bommen
Scandic continues to expand its Scandic Go concept, a hotel with a focus on simple and efficient accommodation, where location, design and function are at the cente, read more at scandichotels.com. During the first part of 2026, a new Scandic Go hotel will open in central Gothenburg with 176 rooms in a converted office building. The new hotel is located approximately 300 metres from the central train staion, in an area that is currently undergoing extensive urban development.
The Malt House Inn
Just before the turn of the year 20025/2026, The Malt House Inn opened, a new hotel concept with inspiration from the British pub culture. Here, a pub and restaurant are combined with a small number of hotel rooms, where guests live just above the pub. With 35 beers on tap, a classic pub menu and ten hotel rooms on the upper floor, The Malt House Inn will be a new addition to Gothenburg’s central hotel and restaurant offering.
Pub & hotel
The Malt House Inn is a central hotel and pub concept in Gothenburg with a British pub feel, a restaurant on the ground floor and hotel rooms above.
New festivals, concerts and exhibitions
Slakthuset Block Party
16–18 July, 2026.
This festival in the “meatpacking district” of Gothenburg is scaling up in 2026 and will now host two stages with five concerts each day and a big new food area. Here, some of the trendiest, hip restaurants, and craft breweries will serve local and sustainable food and drinks. Since the festival is organized by Wine Mechanics urban wine will also be served naturally.
Winery and pub
An urban winery in Gamlestaden.
Butterfly Festival – new festival concept
26–27 June, 2026
Butterfly Festival is Gothenburg’s brand-new summer festival, taking place at the riverside pier Bananpiren in the Frihamnen district. On 26–27 June 2026, the festival will host popular artists and DJs across two stages, street food from around the world, funfair attractions – and a party you don’t want to miss.
Luke Combs – first stop of his world tour at Ullevi
4 July, 2026
US country music superstar Luke Combs is hitting the road again next year with his massive “My Kinda Saturday Night Tour” with concerts in North America and Europe. On Saturday, July 4, Combs returns to Sweden for a long-awaited concert at the iconic Ullevi arena in Gothenburg.
Göteborg Brinner – new metal festival
22 August 2026
Göteborg Brinner [Gothenburg is on fire] is a brand new one-day metal festival, created by the Gothenburg metal band In Flames. The festival will take place at Frihamnen on 22 August, 2026 with acts such as Raised Fist, Avatar, Dark Tranquillity, Napalm Death, Thrown, Múr, Gaerea and In Flames themselves.
Swedish House Mafia – unique arena concert
28–29 August, 2026
Swedish House Mafia have chosen Gothenburg and the iconic Ullevi Stadium for their only two headline shows in Europe next summer. Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso return to Sweden for two historic performances at Ullevi with their biggest concerts to date, promising a spectacular night at one of Scandinavia’s most legendary arenas.
Body. Ideal, Gaze, Freedom, exhibition at the Gothenburg Museum of Art
March 7, 2026–January 17, 2027
In spring Gothenburg Museum of Art will take on one of the greatest and most timeless themes in art history – the body. In the exhibition, artists from different eras come together to explore and challenge ideals and the right to one’s own body. The rich presentation includes painting, sculpture, drawing, and prints, as well as photography and video works.
Sharks, Camera, Action!, exhibition at the Maritime Museum and Aquarium
28 March, 2026–29 August, 2027
Join wildlife filmmaker Christina Karliczek on a journey beneath the surface – from the Swedish west coast to the depths of Greenland. Through spectacular films and images, you will encounter everything from a baby shark to the legendary Greenland shark.
Maritime museum
Explore the world of the sea, above and below the surface. The Maritime Museum and Aquarium offers exhibitions, aquariums and activities all year-round.
International sporting events
O-ringen – the world’s largest orienteering competition
19–25 July, 2026
In 2026, the world’s largest orienteering competition, will come to Gothenburg. The competition expects around 18 500 participants from all over the world between the ages of 5 to 95.
Volleyboll European Championships 2026
21–27 August, 2026
Sweden and Gothenburg are honored to host the Women’s Volleyball European Championship for the first time in 2026, alongside Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Azerbadjan. Scandinavium will be the venue for 15 group stage matches where Sweden’s successful women’s volleyball team will play a total of five EM matches.
