Sweden / Gothenburg - The Capital of Western Sweden
A city with a long maritime tradition, Göteborg is easily accessible, cosmopolitan without being pretentious and able to cater to your every holiday need, whether you’re in search of a quiet, comfortable family outing or a rugged, adventurous trip.
General Info
Situated in the Bohuslän administrative region, Göteborg is the second largest city in Sweden and an important cultural, social, trade and maritime center. From a geographic standpoint, the city lies at the mouth of the river Göta älv River in a rocky area that continues with an archipelago out to sea, perfect for Yacht Charter holidays.
Travel & Arrival
Due to its proximity to the sea and the river, the city quickly established itself as an important commercial center, a fact that also influenced the infrastructure. What this means for you, the Yacht Charter tourist, is that you should have no trouble in arriving in Göteborg, whether you come by land, sea or air.
The Landvetter Airport is situated outside the city, some 25 km to the east, with frequent buss shuttles. Göteborg City Airport is somewhat smaller, situated due north, 20 km away, a 25 minute drive by car. Almost all major European airlines fly to Göteborg, including SAS, City Airline, Lufthansa, Wizzair, Iceland Express and Blue 1.
Traveling in by train might be an easier option for the Yacht Charter client who wants to arrive downtown. The train ride from Stockholm, the country’s capital, takes 3 hours via SJ, the Swedish national railway company. Other railway companies that link here are DSB from Denmark and Rail Europe.
If you’re taking into consideration driving to Göteborg then be on the lookout for the E6, E45 and the E20 roads that lead directly to the city. Driving from Stockholm along the E20 should take just under 6 hours, or just over 5 hours if you arrive via the E4.
Driving around the city isn’t always the best idea due to the fact that the city’s center is quite compact and most destinations will be within walking distance, but for those who hate walking, there are plenty of parking facilities marked by electronic signs, all for a price, of course. For free parking a Yacht Charter tourist should consider purchasing a Göteborg Pass.
Avant & Apres Sail
The local cuisine is varied but something the Yacht Charter cook should definitely try is the seafood, which city restaurants always offer on the menu. Most of the town’s eateries and watering holes preserve the old feel but in recent years, some modern, American-style venues also made their way to Göteborg. If you’re hungry or thirsty, just head down to Avenyn Street as it has the highest density of restaurants in Sweden.
Once in town, a definite must see is the Skansen Kronan (the Crown Keep), a 17th century fortification that used to be a prison but now serves as a military museum. Close to that there is Haga, an old city district constituted mainly of old wooden houses. A great point of interest for all Yacht Charter tourists is the Feskekôrka (Fish Church) which is basically an old fish market that gets its name from the odd, church-like shape of the building.
Being a university center, Göteborg has numerous museums, including an art museum, a maritime museum, a military museum and of course a museum for the most successful car brand to come out of Sweden, Volvo.
Some other popular Yacht Charter enthusiasts attractions are boat rides on the city canals, the Botanical Garden, a vintage tram ride to Liseberg, a boat trip to the southern archipelago, a yacht charter or a canoeing trip on Lake Delsjön. For shopping, you should head towards Nordstan, a shopping center that offers outlets to both international brands as well as local companies.
Events & Actions
Thanks to its cultural life, Göteborg acts as host for many events, such as the Gothenburg Film Festival which takes place each year in February, or the Kulturkalaset, a city festival that is organized each August. For the Yacht Charter lovers with a passion for cars, VROM (Volvo Rendezvous for Owners & Members) is an event that should not be missed.
And since Göteborg built its history on maritime trading and the port has been the beating heart of the city for decades, it’s only natural that they host a yearly boat show. Also, Volvo takes a piece of that action, with its round the world sailing competition that makes a halt on Marstrand island.