This western seaport is Sweden's second-largest city. It's very industrial (Hasselblad cameras and Volvos are manufactured there), but also beautiful. Goteborg has many parks, art galleries and fountains (the
Poseidon fountain, in the center of a major avenue, is the most famous). Liseberg, the largest amusement park in Scandinavia, is right in the middle of the city. Goteborg is also known for its lively cafe scene and its numerous British-style pubs. (During the 18th century, English and Scottish merchants traded frequently in Goteborg—and established a lot of pubs to quench their thirst when visiting on business.)
Goteborg's most recent attractions are close to Liseberg: Universeum is a modern mix of a hands-on science museum and walk-through aquarium, and the Museum of World Culture aspires to interpret various customs in society. Other sights include the opera house and the 17th-century Crown House (Goteborg's oldest building). You may want to take time to walk through the Fjarilshuset (Butterfly House), a haven for more than 40 species of butterflies. Historic relics can be seen at the Goteborg Museum.
The region around Goteborg has a number of interesting destinations, all relatively close to the city. There are ancient fortresses (most notably those on Alvsborg Island and Varberg), splendid 18th- and 19th-century houses and castles (in Naas and Tjoloholm), and 3,000-year-old rock carvings at nearby Tanumshede.
The entire western coast of Sweden, stretching some 250 mi/400 km, offers a wide variety of watersports, historical sites and camping. Especially stunning is the province of Bohuslan, 45 mi/70 km northwest of Goteborg, which has several archaeological sites and granite formations. Take the E6 Highway heading south from Goteborg for a visit to Onsala (a pirate burial site) and Molndal (home of the Gunnebo Castle and Gardens). Goteborg is 250 mi/400 km southwest of Stockholm.
