Tips for travelling to Gothenburg with teenagers

Where to stay

Gothia Towers sits in the heart of Gothenburg’s event district, right next to Liseberg, and offers connecting rooms, social spaces with table tennis and shuffleboard, as well as a restaurant with panoramic city views. For those who want to stay close to shopping and dining, Elite Park Avenue is an excellent choice, with Avenyn’s restaurants and boutiques just outside the door, plus a pool and sauna for unwinding after a busy day.

Spar Hotel Gårda is a budget-friendly and central option with family rooms and games such as table tennis and billiards. Home Hotel Odin is within walking distance of the Central Station and Nordstan, offering cosy family rooms, a spacious lobby for relaxing together, and easy tram access to the charming streets of Haga.

Where to eat

Gothenburg offers plenty of trendy restaurants, brunch spots and cafés that suit every family member — and look great in photos too.

At Evolushi, you’ll find stylish sushi dishes that are as photogenic as they are delicious. Brunch is a favourite among both teens and adults, and places like Brunchoteket and Heurlins serve highly Instagram-friendly brunch plates that cater to every taste — don’t miss Heurlins’ incredible dessert table. For even more picture-perfect surroundings, head to Walk in the Park, where you step into a park-inspired indoor setting filled with plants and fairy lights, and can enjoy excellent pizza.

For something bold and truly unique, stop by Café Husaren and try their famous Hagabulle – Sweden’s largest cinnamon bun and an absolute must-photo treat. If you want to combine good food with games and activities, STAR Bowling is a great choice. Here you’ll find bowling, darts, arcade games, rodeo and pentathlon challenges all under one roof. Keep in mind that there is a 20+ age limit on Fridays and Saturdays after 8pm.

Adventure and adrenaline

Theme parks and adventure parks

Liseberg offers everything from high-speed roller coasters to games, challenges and funfair competitions – ideal for spending a full day together. If you’d rather test your fear of heights outdoors, Upzone Adventure Park is perfect, with high-ropes courses and ziplining through the treetops.

Escape rooms

Gothenburg has several escape rooms where you work together, think fast and challenge yourselves as a team. At Berengaria Escape Room you step into the largest escape room experience in the Nordics, while Game Over Escape Rooms offers themed adventures inspired by worlds like The Walking Dead and Haunted Mansion. For an experience similar to Fort Boyard, Prison Island is a great option, where you compete in teams to solve as many cell challenges as possible before time runs out.

Step into new worlds

If you’re after something a little different, Paradox Museum is filled with optical illusions, mind-bending rooms and playful installations – perfect for both laughs and brilliant photo opportunities. VR arenas like VR World take things even further, letting you step straight into entirely new digital worlds.

Another fast-paced option is Laserdome, where you can run off some energy and compete in neon-lit arenas. When it’s time to slow the pace, head to Universeum, home to everything from rainforest environments and aquariums to space exhibits and Wisdome – Sweden’s largest 360-degree dome for immersive visual experiences. Nordstan also houses Activate Nordstan, an interactive game and activity centre where physical and digital games are combined in challenges for both groups and families.

Shopping

Shopping is a favourite activity for most teenagers, and Gothenburg is perfect for all kinds of shopping. At Hede Outlet, you can pick up branded clothes at great prices, while Nordstan and Femman are centrally located, bringing most shops under one roof. In the same area around Fredstan and Arkaden, there is also a wide range of stores such as Sephora and Normal, as well as the second-hand favourite Beyond Retro. Nearby, NK also attracts visitors with trendy brands.

The city also offers a wide range of second-hand shops for teenagers looking for something unique and sustainable. Erikshjälpen in Rosenlund is one of the largest and best-stocked stores in the city, while Björkåfrihet in Linné is restocked daily with retro-inspired items. Right in the city centre, Stadsmissionen is perfect for quick finds during a shopping trip, and at Järntorget you’ll find Myrorna, a classic for both clothing and accessories.

For the active teenager

If you’re travelling with a teenager who loves to stay active, Gothenburg offers plenty of opportunities to play sports, compete, and take on challenges together.

Activities all year round

At Gokartcentralen, you can challenge each other on the go-kart track, and there’s also 4D VR with wind, heat, and vibrations that take your adventure to a whole new level. If you want to stay longer, there’s shuffleboard, arcade games, and billiards, and the central location makes it easy to combine with other activities.

If you want to try something that builds both strength and teamwork, indoor climbing is a great option. At Klätterdomen in Gothenburg, you can climb together with an instructor, and for a day trip, Grepp in Lerum is a popular choice. For a more relaxed competition, Slice offers family ping pong on Saturdays.

Outdoor activities

When the weather allows, there are plenty of outdoor activities for families with teenagers. Challenge each other on the 18-hole football golf courses at Rävgården, or try disc golf and adventure mini-golf in Slottskogen. If you want to get even closer to nature, several places offer kayak rentals, allowing you to explore Gothenburg from the water. For paddling right in the city centre, you can try Plums Kajakuthyrning, just a stone’s throw from the central station.

Spa and relaxation

Looking to treat the whole family with some luxury? A visit to a spa could be just the thing, and Gothenburg offers several options. Sankt Jörgen Spa provides a peaceful environment just outside the city centre and welcomes guests from 13 years old when accompanied by an adult. For teenagers aged 15 and up, Upper House Spa is a great choice, with its spectacular glass pools and stunning views high above the city. The same age limit applies at Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa, making it easy to relax together. Obie Spa at Draken near Järntorget has a modern vibe and welcomes guests from 16 years old, as does Hagabadet in the city centre, a convenient option to combine with dinner out.

Nature and day trips

If you want to get away from the city, a trip to the archipelago is one of Gothenburg’s top nature experiences, easily accessible and packed with things to do. Swim, relax and soak up the sun, enjoy a spa visit, or have a delicious meal right by the sea.

On warm days, you can cool off and explore beneath the surface of the sea. At Hummerviken on Öckerö, you can dive among seaweed, fish, and crabs – all you need are swimwear and a snorkel. Another option is to follow a snorkel trail, where small buoys mark an underwater route with information about life beneath the waves. One such trail is at the Amundön bathing area, which is also a fantastic destination above water, with cliffs, ladders for swimming, a beach, and lovely walking paths.

Events

Gothenburg is a lively city all year round, and for families with teenagers there’s often something extra to look forward to. The Gothenburg Horse Show draws audiences of all ages at the start of each year with world-class competitions and performances. In the summer, Way Out West fills Slottskogen with music, performances, and an incredible atmosphere, welcoming teenagers aged 13 and up when accompanied by an adult.

Keep an eye out for the city’s recurring events, such as Göteborgskalaset, where concerts, food, and activities spread across central Gothenburg every late summer. Liseberg’s concerts also often feature artists that appeal to a younger audience – perfect for teenagers experiencing live music, perhaps for the first time.