The largest part of the city centre is encircled by the zigzaged canal also referred to as “the moat”. The street scene is varied and when shopping in Nordstan you’re only a short walk from one of the oldest buildings in town, Kronhuset, dating back to 1654. The cobbled courtyard outside the grand building is housing several arts- and crafts studios and a café. Another oasis is the Garden Society of Gothenburg, Trädgårdsföreningen, complete with a rose garden and children’s playground.
Bustling shopping streets
Few other neighbourhoods have so many different shops as the city centre. From the shopping centre Nordstan, you walk past Arkaden and the department store NK to reach Kungstorget with the Market Hall. From there, follow the three parallel pedestrian streets: Södra Larmgatan, Vallgatan and Kungsgatan to Magasinsgatan. Stroll along the first two and browse Swedish fashion brands like Tiger of Sweden or Filippa K, but also small independent shops featuring interior design, home decor and kitchen items.
The street Kungsgatan is slightly busier and featuring primarily Scandinavian high street fashion brands like H&M, Arket, Vagabond, Weekday Monki, &Other Stories, Gina Tricot and Lindex. The square Kungstorget and the Market Hall is an excellent stop for a lunch break. The same goes for Magasinsgatan 17, where food trucks open up during lunch.
Korsgatan is the cross-street that connects the three shopping streets above, right by the cathedral Domkyrkan. Here you’ll find even more independent shops and stores rich in traditions, for example A. Hinricsson handbag shop and café Ahlströms Konditori.
Cosy shopping and fika
Don’t miss the “secret” lane Victoriapassagen, between Vallgatan and Södra Larmgatan. The cosy oasis is embedded in a lovely scent of coffee, thanks to the original Da Matteo café.
If you book a hotel in the city centre you have most attractions, shops and restaurants around the corner and you can even walk from the Central station if you arrive by bus or train. By night you can for example find nice restaurants, bars and outdoor seats along Magasinsgatan.