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.

1. 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.

Amusement park

Liseberg amusement park

There is something for everyone at Liseberg, where you’ll find the most fun in Scandinavia. Forty-two rides and attractions offer thrills, spills and laughter for kids and grown-ups.

The stairwell at the Liseberg Grand Curiosa hotel in Gothenburg.

ISO-certified family hotel for the adventurous

Liseberg Grand Curiosa

The new hotel Liseberg Grand Curiosa will awaken the whole family’s playfulness and imagination.

A mother with kids at Universeum — Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

2. 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.

Children looking at an aquarium at Universeum in Gothenburg.

Science museum

Universeum

Welcome to 9,000 m2 of adventure

A kid playing at Alfie Atkins Culture centre — Credit: Peter Kvarnström

3. Play around at Alfie Atkins’ cultural centre

Alfie Atkins’ creator, Gunilla Bergström, was born in Gothenburg and here you’ll also find Alfons’ very own cultural center. Here you can play, frolic and discover his world – climb Alfies’ high-rise building, shop in the store, explore the scary monster and take a ride in the yellow helicopter. You can also go to daily theater performances and music sessions or cosy up in the reading corners. The cultural center is open every day, and children up to one year old have free admission.

Children’s Cultural Centre

Alfie Atkins’ Cultural Centre

A whole house all about Alfie Atkins.

4. Experience Gothenburg from an amphibious bus

In the port city of Gothenburg, you’re never far from water, and a sightseeing tour on the Göta Älv river and in the canals is a fun way to learn more about the city, and see it from a new perspective. The amphibious bus Ocean Bus alternates sightseeing on the streets of Gothenburg with driving down the Göta River and continuing the tour from the water, a truly unique experience!

Bus tour

Ocean Bus

Explore Gothenburg’s gems on land and then splash into the river with the amphibious bus sightseeing tour. Ocean Bus provide sightseeing tours on land and on the river Göta älv, all in one go.

5. Tour with classic Paddan

Gothenburg’s classic sightseeing boat Paddan takes you at a leisurely pace through Gothenburg’s winding canals and moat. The Paddanbåten tour shows off historic Gothenburg from the water with a knowledgeable and fun guide, taking you under 20 bridges and all the way out into the harbor among ferries, shipyards and shuttle boats.

Sightseeing

Paddan

Sightseeing along the canals of Gothenburg.

A boat in Gothenburg — Credit: Happy Visuals

6. Rent your own electric boat and sail through Gothenburg

If you are keen to discover Gothenburg’s waterways on your own, and also steer yourself, you can rent an electric boat with Let’s boat. The rental is easily done on their website and the boats are then picked up at Brunnsparken in central Gothenburg. No license or driver’s license is needed to rent the boat and you can be as many as 12 people.

A family on a boat trip in the canal in Gothenburg.

Electric boat rental

Let’s Boat

Steer your own electric boat through the historic canals and moat of Gothenburg.

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

7. Slottsskogen city park and Barnens Zoo

Slottsskogen city park is the place where Gothenburgers gather to walk, have picnics, have coffee, experience Midsummer, Valborg and music festivals in the green. Slottsskogen also has a zoo with domestic and wild Nordic animals, such as moose, deer, sheep and seals. Many of the breeds are endangered and are part of conservation programs. There is also Barnens Zoo (Children’s Zoo) where you can meet different Swedish land breeds in an animal-friendly way (the animals choose for themselves whether they want to be in the pastures). You can also try riding a Gotlandsruss!

A gravel road surrounded by trees and flowers in the park Slottsskogen in Gothenburg.

Park

Slottsskogen city park

Slottsskogen is a place for relaxation, recreation, and outdoor life – a wonderful spot for everything from jogging to cosy picnics.

8. The Plikta Playground

While you’re at Slottsskogen, we think you should take the opportunity to visit Gothenburg’s perhaps most popular playground, Plikta. Here you’ll find the large and climber-friendly blue whale, a soooo long slide, lots of swings, climbing frames, water play and lots of fun play and sports equipment to try out.

A playground with a large wooden blue whale.

Playground

Plikta playground

A big and popular playground close to Slottsskogen city park.

A child points to an information screen at the aquarium at the Maritime Museum in Gothenburg. — At the Maritime Museum and Aquarium, you can dive into the marvellous world of the sea. Credit: Kristin Lidell

9. Learn about the sea at the Maritime Museum and Aquarium

The Maritime Museum and Aquarium reopened in 2022 with no less than six new exhibitions – two of which are special children’s exhibitions – Knattegatt and The Big Blue. In addition, you can meet the animals of the sea in a brand new underground aquarium building.

Maritime museum

The Maritime Museum and Aquarium

Explore the world of the sea, above and below the surface. The Maritime Museum and Aquarium offers exhibitions, aquariums and activities all year-round.

10. Travel through Gothenburg on the Stinsen train

Gothenburg’s cutest tuff-tuff train is called Stinsen and takes you on a pleasant tour through the city (or through Slottsskogen if you want a shorter ride). The only risk is that the kids will want to ride again and again and again.

Sightseeing

Stinsen Sightseeing

A charming train ride along the streets and alleys of Gothenburg.

11. World of Volvo Experience Center

All children and adults interested in vehicles and technology should not miss the World of Volvo experience center. Here you can see all the iconic Volvo cars through the ages, test new and interactive technology and try digging with a real (!) excavator.

Brand Experience Center

World of Volvo

Explore Volvo in a new context. World of Volvo is an experience centre in central Gothenburg, filled with inspiration, knowledge, and entertainment.

12. The “secret” aviation museum Aeroseum

Aeroseum is also a must for those interested in technology! The aviation museum is located 30 meters underground in a former top-secret defense facility. Here in Sweden’s largest flight experience center you will find lots of different airplanes, helicopters and exhibitions with interesting themes.

one of the fighter planes inside the subterranean hangar at Aeroseum.

Aviation museum

Aeroseum

Aeroseum is an experience-based activity centre located inside a declassified Swedish Air Force bunker.

Children climbing on colourful boxes painted as high-rise buildings — At the Children’s Museum you can climb, play and discover Gothenburg in miniature. Credit: Kristin Lidell

13. Children’s Museum at Göteborgs stadsmuseum

There is a lot to explore in the Children’s Museum exhibition at Göteborg stadsmuseum! Climb high-rise buildings, crawl through tunnels, build a castle, swing in the Eriksberg Crane or why not take grandpa on a tram ride? The Children’s Museum is most popular with ages 0-5, but older children are also warmly welcome.

Museum

Göteborgs stadsmuseum

Gothenburg’s history from pre-historic ages till today.

14. The Museum of World Culture’s playful exhibitions

The Museum of World Culture has both family-friendly activities and playful exhibitions. At the permanent exhibition Tillsammans, children and families can explore the wonderful and difficult things about being together. Don’t miss the exhibition A World of Games, which runs until May 2026.

Historical, contemporary museum

The Museum of World Culture

Meet the world in the heart of Gothenburg. The Museum of World Culture offers exhibitions, contemporary art and activities for curious minds of all ages.

People watching big screen with 3d glasses

15. Sweden’s largest visualization court Wisdome

The 3D cinema Wisdome offers grand adventures for the whole family. The 443 square meter “movie screen” envelops the audience as you travel into space, back in time and to other places that humans can otherwise not reach. Combine with a visit to Universeum for a full day of exciting experiences.

Children looking at an aquarium at Universeum in Gothenburg.

Science museum

Universeum

Welcome to 9,000 m2 of adventure

16. Take the tram! (and ping your way through Gothenburg)

For Gothenburgers, it’s a natural part of public transport, but for many of our little visitors, a tram ride is super exciting! So take the opportunity to jump on a tram when you’re here and discover Gothenburg along the tracks. Don’t forget to ping! Read more about how to buy a ticket in the guide below.

Getting around in Gothenburg

We’ve gathered information on tickets, apps, maps and much more that you as a visitor might find useful when travelling in Gothenburg.

Two children are eating the large cinnamon bun at Café Husaren. — Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

17. Eat what may be the world’s largest cinnamon bun at Café Husaren

At Café Husaren in Haga neighbourhood you can munch on what is said to be the world’s largest cinnamon bun. The gigantic bun is an experience in itself, perfect to gather around after a walk in the cosy neighbourhood. A sweet break that is guaranteed to impress both children and adults!

Café

Café Husaren

Café famous for their enormous cinnamon buns.

18. Go to sea at Maritiman

Gothenburg is known as a port city with a rich maritime heritage. At the floating museum Maritiman, you can experience Gothenburg’s maritime history by stepping aboard a number of vessels – everything from lighthouses to submarines.

Maritime museum

Maritiman

A floating maritime museum where you can go to sea without ever casting off.

19. Discover the river and archipelago

Taking Västtrafik’s boats across the Göta Älv river is a fun, sustainable and cheap way to see Gothenburg from the water. You can also take public transport all the way out into Gothenburg’s beautiful and cosy archipelago – all on one ticket.

Getting to the Gothenburg archipelago

You’ll reach the car-free southern islands by ferry from boat terminal Saltholmen or from Stenpiren Travel Centre. To get to the northern islands you take the ferry from Lilla Varholmen on Hisingen. Both the northern and the southern archipelago are beautiful and well worth a visit. Here a few tips on how to get there.

Bonus: Extra fun during the school break!

Gothenburg is a fantastic destination for families and children all year round, and there are also lots of extra fun activities during the school holidays. Check out our guides to autumn holidays, Christmas holidays, sports holidays, Easter holidays and summer in Gothenburg to get inspired for your next family holiday!

The attraction Slänggungan at the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg.

Autumn break in Gothenburg

There is an awful lot of fun and excitement that happens during the autumn in Gothenburg! In this guide, we collect some of our best tips for the whole family – welcome to autumn holidays in Gothenburg.

Christmas break in Gothenburg

There are many fun and exciting activities in Gothenburg during the Christmas holidays! We have put together some of our best tips for the whole family – welcome to Christmas break in Gothenburg!

Winter Break in Gothenburg

Enjoy the winter holidays in Gothenburg with adventurous activities, relaxed walks, and exciting excursions. Discover the city’s museums or go skiing in Alebacken! Here is a selection of the wide variety of activities for the whole family.

Easter break in Gothenburg

Easter break with the kids or a spa weekend? Celebrate Easter however you want in Gothenburg! Here you’ll find offers, activities and events.

Summer in Gothenburg

Gothenburg is an amazing summer city! Come here and explore idyllic archipelago islands, freshly caught seafood, salty swims and a vibrant atmosphere. Here you’ll find guides about everything from family activities, ice cream and swimming spots, to outdoor bars, events and sightseeing.

Welcome to Gothenburg!