In Gothenburg you’ll find some of Sweden’s most loved attractions for children and families: the Liseberg amusement park, numerous museums with exhibitions and programs for the whole family, imaginative playgrounds and activities for all interests.

Liseberg – Europe’s best amusement park

The Liseberg amusement park opened in 1923 and is Sweden’s most popular tourist destination, as well as Europe’s best amusement park 2023. The park is a given family favourite with two large areas for the youngest children – the Rabbit land and Luna Park. Bring the children and enjoy the rides, playgrounds and of course the huggable Liseberg rabbits that live here. The amusement park is open during three seasons – summer, Halloween, and Christmas. The family hotel Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel is open all year round and is right next to the park.

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Amusement park

Liseberg amusement park

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The stairwell at the Liseberg Grand Curiosa hotel in Gothenburg.

Family hotel for the adventurous

Liseberg Grand Curiosa

Experience the rainforest and space at Universeum

The Universeum science centre is a popular family destination with lots of exciting and clever activities all year round. At the centre, you can go on a rainforest safari, travel into space, do exciting experiments and learn about the human body – all under one roof. In the newly opened Wisdome, Sweden’s largest visualization dome, exciting 3D films are shown for everyone in the family.

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Science museum

Universeum

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Sweden’s largest visualisation dome

Wisdome

Explore Gothenburg from the water

Gothenburg’s public transport company Västtrafik is at the forefront of sustainable transportation. To take the electric ferries Elvy and Eloise between the stops Stenpiren, Lindholmen and Lundbystrand, is a fun, sustainable and cheap way to see the city from the river Göta älv. You can also take public transport all the way out to Gothenburg’s beautiful and scenic archipelago.

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Getting around in Gothenburg

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Getting to the Gothenburg archipelago

The amphibious sightseeing bus Ocean Bus alternates guides tours through Gothenburg, with driving down the river Göta älv and continuing the tour from the water. From March to October, you can go on a trip with Gothenburg’s classic sightseeing boat Paddan, which takes you around the city’s canals and moat.

Bus tour

Sightseeing

At Brunnsparken, you can rent an electric boat with Let’s boat. No license or driver’s license is needed to rent the boat and you can be as many as up to 12 people. There are also many operators who rent out kayaks and canoes, including Point 65 Kayak Center, which is centrally located in Lilla Bommens harbour by the Gothenburg Opera.

Electric boat rental

Nature & Sports

Slottsskogen city park and the playground Plikta

In the middle of the beautiful city park Slottsskogen, is a zoo with Swedish forest and farm animals. Here you will meet elk and deer, and old country breeds of pigs and birds that the park works to preserve. Visiting Slottsskogen’s zoo is free and there are a handful of kiosks and cafés nearby.

In Slottsskogen you can watch elks, deer, sheep and more.

When in Slottsskogen, you should also take the opportunity to visit the immensely popular playground, Plikta.

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Park

Slottsskogen City Park

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Playground

Plikta playground

Ice cream in and from Gothenburg

Triumfglass, Lejonet och Björnen and Råda Gelato – these are some of Gothenburg’s local ice cream brands. Do as the locals and head to ice cream hotspots at Linnégatan (Råda Gelato), Karl Johansgatan (Triumfglass) or Danska Vägen (Lejonet och Björnen).

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Gothenburg’s top ice cream spots

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Artisanal gelato

Råda Gelato

Experience Gothenburg’s port history

Gothenburg is a port city with a rich maritime heritage. At the floating museum Maritiman, you will experience Gothenburg’s history by boarding a number of ships. Everything from military fighters to lightships and submarines.

The Maritime Museum and Aquairum re-opened in 2022 with no less than six new exhibitions – two of which are special children’s exhibitions – and a brand new underground aquarium building. Here you can explore the sea with all your senses!

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Maritime museum

Maritiman

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Maritime museum

The Maritime Museum and Aquarium

Explore Gothenburg from a cute little train

Gothenburg’s cutest train is called Stinsen and will take you on a pleasant tour through the city (or through Slottsskogen city park if you want a shorter trip). The only risk is that the children will want to go again and again and again.

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Sightseeing

Stinsen Sightseeing

Visit the home of Alfie Atkins

The creator of the popular children’s book character Alfie Atkins, Gunilla Bergström, was born in Gothenburg. Just a stone’s throw from the central station, and even closer to the beautiful park Trädgårdsföreningen you’ll find Alfies own cultural centre where you can watch performances, experience Alfon’s fantasy world and play for hours.

Inside the park there is also a very good playground.

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Children’s Cultural Centre

Alfie Atkins’ Cultural Centre

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Playground

Trädgårdsföreningens lekplats

World of Volvo and Aeroseum

For children interested in cars and planes – and their parents – there are two museums especially worth a visit in Gothenburg. Aeroseum is located 30 meters under ground in a former super-secret defense facility. World of Volvo is an experience center with Volvo exhibitions, cultural events and much more.

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Aviation museum

Aeroseum

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Brand Experience Center

World of Volvo

Prison Island

More like Prison Island

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