As Sweden’s setter, Vilma Julevik is used to running the game and setting up attacks for her teammates. But when she maps out a day off in her home city, the game plan looks a little different: a leisurely breakfast, plenty of time to wander, and preferably art or the sea close at hand.
An easy start to the day
“For me, the day starts with breakfast at Mum and Dad’s,” says Vilma.
Her parents still live in Tuve, where she grew up and first played volleyball for Tuve VK. Vilma herself has moved around quite a bit over the past eleven years. From the national sports programme in Falköping, her career took her to Engelholm, Switzerland, France and Halmstad. This autumn brings another move abroad, this time to Hamburg, Germany.
But for Sweden’s setter, coming back to Gothenburg still feels like coming home. That makes Women’s EuroVolley all the more special when the tournament comes to the city for the first time on August 21–27.
And there is a bonus for teammates, fans and anyone keen to explore the host city: Vilma is happy to show everyone around. Come along!
A colourful morning
“If it’s a classic day in Gothenburg, it might be a little cloudy and windy. I’d probably head into town and just wander around.”
Vilma likes to start her walk at Götaplatsen, with a visit to Gothenburg Museum of Art.
“I really like art. It’s relaxing to come here and simply walk around for a while.”
Vilma also paints herself, mostly for fun. The subject depends on her mood, but she often works from images that have caught her eye. At the museum, she is particularly drawn to the vivid works of the Gothenburg Colourists.
Art museum
Art collections from the 15th century up until today.
Statue by Carl Milles
The statue of Poseidon by Carl Milles is one of Gothenburg’s most famous landmarks. With its location on Götaplatsen, the statue is surrounded by the city’s art museum, concert hall and city theatre, facing the main street Avenyn.
When she is more in the mood for shopping, Vilma likes to begin at Kungsportsplatsen and continue through the streets inside the moat and around Magasinsgatan.
There are also plenty of cafés to discover around Gothenburg Cathedral. Vilma’s best fika tip? Keep your eyes open, step inside anywhere that looks inviting and try somewhere new among Gothenburg’s many cafés.
It’s easy to explore central Gothenburg on foot and there are plenty of fun to see and do. From the large market hall and shopping streets Kungsgatan, Vallgatan and Södra Larmgatan to cafés and sights. Many hotels are located here too, which makes it easy to stay right in the centre of things.
Magasinsgatan is a given destination for shopping and coffee as well as eating out or grabbing a drink when the evening comes. Trendy shops, restaurants and bars all offer something special, no matter if it comes to barista skills, local clothing brands or restaurant decor.
The Swedish tradition ”fika” (meaning to take a break, sit down with a friend for a cup of coffee and some baked goods) has become a world-wide sensation. And for good reason. Visit the cafés in Gothenburg and see for yourself why the concept of “fika” is so cherished in Sweden.
Centrally located church
The Gothenburg Cathedral serves as a quiet oasis in the middle of the shopping district. Daily services are held here, and concerts take place throughout the year. The church, in its current form, was built in the early 19th century and designed in the Neoclassical style.
Green spaces and little stops around lunchtime
“Gothenburg is a big city, but it doesn’t feel like one. You can walk right across town in a fairly short time, and that’s probably what I like most about it,” says Vilma.
When the sun comes out, Vilma likes to head somewhere greener – and Slottsskogen is an obvious choice.
“You can start in Slottsskogen and walk all the way through Linné, stopping off at different places along the way. That’s what I like most.”
Whether it is fika, lunch or a detour towards Långgatorna, she prefers to decide as she goes.
When Vilma is showing friends and teammates around, the rooftop bar at Brasserie Draken is another favourite stop.
“You get a great view across the city from up there.”
New energy on Öckerö
When she wants to spend more time outdoors, Vilma heads to Öckerö.
The archipelago brings back memories of childhood summers and family days out.
“We used to go there for a swim when we were little. I still try to make it out at least once every summer, perhaps for lunch or simply to spend some time by the sea. It always leaves me feeling recharged.”
Archipelago island
Öckerö is both an island in the northern part of the Gothenburg archipelago and the name of the municipality that includes ten inhabited islands.
Just a short trip from central Gothenburg, the tranquillity of the archipelago awaits. The northern part of the archipelago offers everything from coastal villages to untouched cliffs and secluded coves. With short distances between the islands, it’s easy to plan a tour, even over a weekend. Here’s a guide to the ten islands that make up the northern archipelago.
Whether you want to visit car-free swimming islands or explore the range of services on the larger islands, there are several easy ways to get out into the Gothenburg’s archipelago.
Sunset at Eriksberg
As evening falls, Vilma has a few favourite options, depending on which side of the river Göta älv she finds herself on.
“I love eating outdoors. A friend of mine who’s also from Gothenburg and I usually meet by Stora Teatern and grab something to eat there.”
Another favourite is Eriksberg on Norra Älvstranden, the north bank of the river.
It is not one particular café or restaurant that draws her there, but the setting: the quayside, the water and the more relaxed pace.
“It’s really lovely around sunset. You can have dinner somewhere and then stroll along the quay. It still feels central, but slightly tucked away.”
Concerts, performing arts
Gothenburg’s scene for Swedish and international performances.
The northern riverbank is an area that for more than 150 years has been characterised by the shipbuilding industry. Today it looks different, and where there once were an industrial landscape, lies green areas, university buildings, street food and much more. The 7-kilometre-long artwalk does not solely focus on art, but also on several other things as well.
The former ship-yard district on the northern banks of the river has been transformed into wide-stretched quays, new residential areas, restaurants, cafés and theatres. Go for a stroll along the water and see some of the newest neighbourhoods in town, while feeling the breeze from the river.
In August, all eyes are on Scandinavium
For five evenings in August, Vilma swaps city walks and waterfront downtime for the Sweden jersey and EuroVolley action at Scandinavium. She still finds it difficult to take in that it is really going to happen.
“I don’t think I’ll fully understand it until we’re standing there. Having the European Championship in Sweden is huge, but for it to be in Gothenburg and at Scandinavium feels absolutely incredible.”
Sweden arrive at EuroVolley fresh from winning the European League.
They went unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning all ten matches and coming from behind to defeat Slovenia in the final – a major confidence boost ahead of a demanding group, which includes reigning world and Olympic champions Italy.
“I think we have a good chance of beating several of the teams and making it through to the next round,” says Vilma.
To help make that happen, the team are hoping for strong support from the stands.
“Everyone who comes becomes our seventh player on the court.”
And according to Vilma, first-time spectators do not need to know the rules inside out before taking their seats.
“Volleyball is great fun to watch because something is happening all the time. It’s fast-paced and usually makes for a great show.”
Sweden also have one of the world’s best players in their squad: Bella Haak.
“She’s reason enough to come,” Vilma says of her teammate.
At Scandinavium, she hopes to set plenty of balls for the opposite hitter – and in doing so help make it a perfect EuroVolley experience in Gothenburg.
Women’s European Volleyball Championship will be played at Scandinavium in Gothenburg from August 21–27, 2026.
A total of 15 matches will take place over seven days.
Sweden will play five group-stage matches at Scandinavium during Women’s CEV EuroVolley 2026:
August 21, 19.00 – Sweden–Montenegro
August 22, 18.00 – Sweden–Slovakia
August 23, 18.00 – Sweden–Italy
August 25, 19.00 – Sweden–Croatia
August 27, 19.00 – Sweden–France
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. You can choose between tickets for individual match days, packages covering Sweden’s matches or a EuroVolley Pass providing admission to every match in Gothenburg from August 21–27. Group tickets are available for groups of at least 20 people.
The latest schedule, including match times, groups and results, is available on the official EuroVolley website and will be updated throughout the tournament.
CEV EuroVolley 2026 Women is hosted by four countries: Sweden, Türkiye, Czechia and Azerbaijan. The group stage will be played in Gothenburg, Istanbul, Brno and Baku, while the knockout rounds will take place in Istanbul and Brno.
Women’s European Volleyball Championship