Weekend in Gothenburg

Shopping

Magasinsgatan – stylish vintage and design shopping

The range of shopping in Gothenburg is large, and near the shopping street Magasinsgatan you’ll find the interior design store and Gothenburg classic Artilleriet, which also has a smaller section, Artilleriet Kitchen, at the beginning of the street that focuses on kitchen equipment and interior design.

Around the corner you will find the lifestyle store Grandpa, which focuses on Scandinavian and international fashion as well as gadgets, books, interior design and furniture. If you then continue on Magasinsgatan you will come to Norrgavel, where you can find the brand’s designer furniture in a Scandinavian and minimalist style. Next door you’ll instead find Pop Boutique, which attracts with both a lovely atmosphere and a selection of the finest gadgets, furniture, clothes and accessories from the 1950s to the 80s. A little further away on Magasinsgatan is the second-hand and lifestyle store Aplace, which offers progressive Scandinavian fashion.

The inner city and the Victoria Quarter

In the historic environment of Antikhallarna there are a number of shops that focus on antiques and vintage. One of these shops is Curiosité, a small shop with French vintage where you can find, for example, old porcelain, cutting boards and posters.

On Vallgatan you will find the clothing and interior design shop Vallgatan 12 where you can count on the trendiest in fashion and home decor. Opposite you will find the wallpaper and interior design shop Engelska Tapetmagasinet, where you can be inspired by everything from William Morris, Josef Frank or Emma von Brömssen’s iconic patterns. A very short walk away takes you to Nudie Jeans, the success story from Gothenburg that has taken the world by storm with its sustainability mindset and durable Jeans. Around the corner awaits the cosy Victoriapassagen and Rum för papper, where you’ll find everything in pens, paper and accessories.

The city centre

A few blocks away you will find the exclusive department store Nordiska Kompaniet. Here you will find leading Swedish and Nordic design together with international luxury brands divided into 45 departments, such as women’s, men’s and children’s. Right next door you will instead find the Arkaden mall, where you will find, for example, the thrift shop Beyond Retro and Stadmissionen and the beauty shop Sephora.

Nordstan is Scandinavia’s leading shopping centre, with around 200 shops offering the latest in every imaginable category. Here you’ll find, for example, the department store Åhléns, featuring beauty, fashion and homeware, as well as a new area for activities and experiences where both the Paradox Museum and Activate have opened in 2026.

The Avenyn area

Avenyn is Gothenburg’s main street, and around the Avenyn street you’ll find, in addition to many bars and restaurants, everything from the exclusive second-hand store Ex Exklusive to Elin PK’s food and drink poster shop. Oscar Jacobson also has a store on the street that offers Swedish classic and timeless men’s style.

Haga – experience historic Gothenburg

Haga is one of Gothenburg’s oldest districts, known for its cobbled streets and distinctive wooden houses, known as landshövdingehus. Along Haga Nygata – the area’s main pedestrian street – you’ll find a wide range of shops. Among them is the classic Fåfängan Antik, a must for antique lovers, vintage enthusiasts, or anyone in search of something unique. A little further along, you’ll find the interior design shop Tell Me More, offering everything from furniture to carefully selected home accessories.

Restaurants & bars

Gothenburg’s restaurant scene is very much alive and new gems, big and small, open regularly. At the street Postgatan 16 you will find chef Gustav Trägårdh’s restaurant Gurras, which serves street food elevated to à la carte level with flavours from all over the world. At Tredje Långgatan 7 you will find the brasserie Taverna Averna, which has a nice atmosphere on the weekends, often with a DJ, with a classic menu influenced by Italy and Sweden.

If you’re in the mood for a drink, the popular Kafé Magasinet, located right next to Taverna Averna, is a great choice. If you find yourself in Haga and craving fish or seafood, a visit to the classic Sjöbaren is a must. Its charming courtyard is a favourite during the warmer months, though there’s plenty of space indoors as well.

If you prefer to stay close to Avenyn, a visit to restaurant Natur is a must, where vegetables take the lead together with natural wine. A little further away you will find Hotel Bellora which is a boutique hotel, Italian restaurant and bar in one. Another hotel, which also has a popular restaurant, is Hotel Pigalle with restaurant Atelier. A little further away from Avenyn, on Södra Vägen you will find the pan-Asian restaurant Kaifo where the flavours of various Asian cuisines are mixed with Scandinavian and European.

If you are interested in beer, Gothenburg has a fantastic selection of craft breweries. A visit to Shangri-La at Stigbergstorget is a good option, and if you find yourself on Hisingen, a visit to Ringön is a must, where you will find Ivans Pilsnerbar and Vega Bryggeri, among others.

If you want to experience natural wine at the absolute highest level, you should head to Bar La Lune, which also serves fantastic food. The good wines from Gothenburg’s own winery Wine Mechanics can be enjoyed both at the wine bar in Stora Saluhallen, or in the restaurant in the meat packing district in Gamlestan.

Rooftop bars and outdoor terraces

Gothenburg offers plenty of inviting outdoor terraces and rooftop bars where you can enjoy great food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere. Around the Rosenlund area, for example, you’ll find Barabicu, serving classic cocktails and dishes inspired by both the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Next door, Zamenhof – home to three restaurants under one roof – offers all-day dining, wine on tap, and one of the city’s sunniest outdoor seating areas. A short walk away is the vibrant Boulebar, where you can play pétanque in the sunshine while enjoying good food and drinks. If you’d rather get closer to the sun – quite literally – Skanshof is a great option, with its spacious rooftop terrace.

Hotels that elevate your weekend getaway

In Gothenburg there is a lot of high-standard hotels at all price levels, and since Gothenburg is a city that is easy to get around, it doesn’t really matter where in the city you choose to spend the nights.

Spa

Several of Gothenburg’s hotels offer wonderful spas, such as Gothia Towers with its Upper House Spa. If your hotel does not offer a spa, there are plenty of good alternatives to choose from, such as Hagabadet in Haga, where you can relax in a classic and elegant environment.

Coffee & Swedish fika

If you end up in the neighborhood around NK, Bar Centro on the street Kyrkogatan 31 is a must. Here you will dive into an environment that breathes Milan, where you can expect a perfectly served espresso. Another coay café is Viktors Kaffe on the street Geijersgatan 7, which you’ll find next to Götaplatsen. Gothenburgers often sit here studying or working, and enjoying really good coffee. If you want to try some Gothenburg classics, a visit to Brogyllen or Ahlströms Konditori is a must, both near the Domkyrkan.

If you prefer an ice cream in the sun (or indoors), a visit to Gelaterian at the square Grönsakstorget is a must instead. If you want to try what may be the world’s largest cinnamon bun, you should go to Café Husaren, where the cinnamon buns are as big as plates (and therefore good to share). For a coxy coffee break in a green environment – ​​visit the park The Garden Association’s café Rosenkaféet.

Galleries & museums

In Gothenburg there is everything from small, exciting galleries that show contemporary art, to large museums with art from the 15th century onwards. A classic is, of course, Gothenburg Museum of Art, where you can see works by, among others, Rembrandt, Monet, van Gogh and Picasso. In the middle of the shopping district, at Vallgatan 15, you’ll find Mankovsky Gallery where you can find a mix of future talent and well-established artists in a unique selection.

Getting around town

As we mentioned at the earlier, it is easy to getting around Gothenburg. Public transport consists of everything between trams, busses and boats, and there are also alternative ways to getting around.