10 Free Things to Do in Gothenburg

Slottsskogen (Castle Forest) is a family-friendly park directly across the street from Gothenburg Botanical Gardens. This 1.37-sq-km green expanse attracts animal lovers with its children’s zoo, which is home to Gotland ponies, elk, sheep, seals, and penguins. Slottsskogen has a natural forest that’s popular for its nature trails and the chance to forage wild berries. The northern end of the park has an observatory that organises stargazing events for visitors in the summer months.

The Frihamnen public sauna is a sustainable sweat lodge that’s made with recycled materials, including over 10,000 glass bottles and salvaged corrugated steel. The sauna is part of the Jubileumsparken (Jubilee Park), which has a public swimming pool and a playground overlooking the Gothia River. The elephant-shaped sauna is free to enjoy all year round. Note that it’s a shared space for men and women, so bring a bathing suit if you’re uncomfortable with nudity.

Gothenburg Opera, located in the city centre, hosts classical music, theatre, and dances all year round. Tickets to a show can be expensive (about 300 kr or more), but the opera house offers free foyer concerts on selected Saturday afternoons – ideal if you’re on a tight budget, but still want to enjoy the arts. If you’re in the city during the annual Gothenburg Culture Festival (in August), you get to watch a variety of performances at the main stage for free.

The Gothenburg Museum of Art displays works by notable Nordic and international artists, including Rembrandt, Carl Larsson, Bruno Liljefors, and Rubens. The collection spans from the 19th century to the modern age, attracting art enthusiasts from all over the world. The Fürstenberg Gallery is one of the museum’s largest exhibits, where you can see contemporary Nordic paintings, as well as Dutch and Flemish paintings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Photography exhibits take place at the Hasselblad Centre, located on the ground floor. Admission is free for visitors under 25 years old.

The Röda Sten Art Hall is a non-profit cultural centre that offers free events for all visitors below the age of 26. It spans 4 floor, with galleries displaying contemporary artwork and creative spaces where you get to enjoy live performances, lectures, and workshops. Every Tuesday evening, you get to leave your mark on the Draken graffiti wall. Aspiring photographers may also enjoy Tuesdays for the Photo Group sessions, where they can collaborate on different themes. Admission to Röda Sten Art Hall is free if you’re below 26 years old, and 40 kr for adults.

Gothenburg City Library displays thousands of books and digital materials on various topics for free. It’s located in Götaplatsen Square, about 800 metres northwest of Gothenburg Museum of World Culture. The library has a spacious children’s department on the ground floor, where your little ones can read from a variety of genres, watch TV shows, join storytelling sessions, and play video games. Gothenburg City Library also hosts many free events throughout the year, including creative writing courses, author talks, and poetry readings for visitors of all ages.

Vasa Church is a granite cathedral dating back to 1909, making it one of Gothenburg’s oldest buildings. Built in Neo-Romanesque style, it features arched windows and white walls, with a bold mural depicting the ascension of Jesus Christ at the main altar. Painted by Swedish artist Albert Eldh, the painting was added to the church in the 1920s. Religious services take place at Vasa Church, where you get to experience the local Catholic community in Gothenburg.

The Museum of World Culture Gothenburg displays exhibitions on current global issues and events that are suitable for visitors of all ages. The museum’s permanent exhibition – Together – allows families to learn about ways of living together through workshops and games, including creating patterns using light and sand, playing charades, and exploring objects in total darkness. Entrance to the Museum of World Culture Gothenburg is free of charge. It also hosts events such as film screenings, festivals, workshops, and live music, some of which are free while others require an admission fee of 60 kr.

Delsjön, part of the Delsjöområdet nature reserve, consists of 2 natural lakes just outside of central Gothenburg. The Stora Delsjön Lake has a 7.5-km trail around it, while Lilla Delsjön has a 3-km-long circuit, both of which are popular among joggers. Families often gather for picnics at the expansive lakefront of Stora Delsjön. The best time to visit Delsjön is in the summertime, when the waters are warm enough for swimming and, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, cliff diving.

Masthuggskyrkan (Masthugg Church) offers expansive views of Gothenburg from its hilltop location near the city centre. Built in 1914, its striking Nordic architecture (complete with a 60-metre-tall tower) makes it one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. It’s also an active church, serving the local congregation with religious services and wedding ceremonies all year round. Masthuggskyrkan is within a 10-minute walk of the Maritime Museum & Aquarium of Gothenburg.