10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Gothenburg

Nordstaden and the surrounding area is the heart of the city for commuting, shopping and tourism. Trains and buses roll in and out of the city's beautiful Central Station and the Nils Ericson Terminal all day long. And over at Brunnsparken by Queen Square (Drottningtorget), the trams trundle along non-stop. Get help finding your way at the tourist office in the shopping centre or from the Västtrafik Information Office.

Things are somewhat more tranquil over at Gustav Adolf Square (Gustav Adolfs Torg), named after King Gustav Adolf, who is said to have proclaimed there: "here shall the city lie". Head towards the river and check out the Opera House, a quirky skyscraper known locally as the Lipstick, and the imposingly modern Hising Bridge. You'll also get a glimpse of one of the largest ports in the Nordic Region. When the westerly winds blow in, seek refuge inside the shopping centre, which houses flagship stores for Swedish department chain Åhléns and international heavyweights like H&M.

Inom Vallgraven (lit. 'inside the moat') is Gothenburg's historic heart and even today, locals flock here to enjoy an enormous array of shops, outdoor activities and sights. Both the moat itself and the old bastion at Esperanto Place (Esperantoplatsen) are remains of the city's ancient defence fortifications. Within their confines lie both the Gothenburg Cathedral (Domkyrkan) and the Fish Church (Fêskekörka) which is a popular destination for foodies and hungry travellers alike.

Many restaurants are located close by as well as some of the city's busiest and most popular shopping streets: Kungsgatan, Östra Hamngatan and Fredsgatan, boasting everything from the elegant NK department store to comic and sci-fi book chain SF-Bokhandeln. Don't miss your chance to visit the river and the Stenpiren Ferry Terminal where you can enjoy views over the old ship-building cranes and harbour activity.

Stampen, located close to the Central Station, long suffered from a bad reputation but is now an up-and-coming area full of luxury hotels and popular terraces. The main streets of Odinsgatan and Friggagatan are pleasant urban thoroughfares which meet at the parklike roundabout of Odinsplatsen.

As you stroll into Stampen, the first thing to catch your eye will be the stately Hotel Post by Norwegian billionaire Petter Stordalen, with its selection of popular bars and restaurants. Next up is the headquarters of local paper Göteborgs-Posten and a traditional brewing neighbourhood. So simply stroll around, enjoy the sights, and then take your pick of the restaurants and nightspots. From the high-octane entertainment complex Star to the distinguished restaurant Het Amsterdammertje or the beer hall Ölstugan Tullen, the choice is yours!

Kingsgate Avenue, or simply Avenyn as it's known to locals, is a stately boulevard that few other Northern European cities can rival. It culminates at the magnificent Götaplatsen Square where you'll find the Gothenburg Concert Hall (Konserthuset), the Gothenburg City Theatre (Stadsteatern), the Gothenburg City Library (Stadsbiblioteket) and the jewel in the crown, the Gothenburg Museum of Art (Göteborgs Konstmuseum).

Gothenburgers often refer to their city as Little London, but on Avenyn, it's Paris which first comes to mind. This mini Champs-Élysées boasts superb shopping and a pulsating nightlife. Or if you'd rather take things down a notch, slip into a cosy lunch spot on one of the side streets or in the beautiful district of Vasastaden which starts here. You'll also find parks on either end of Avenyn where you can chill out and catch your breath.

Masthugget and its so-called Long Streets (Långgator) are where many Gothenburgers head for their nights out. But their relaxing craft pubs, affordable restaurants and well-stocked second-hand shops attract many visitors from other corners of the world as well.

Masthugget is an old harbour and working class district and the place to go if you want to catch a ferry to Denmark. Up on the hill, the Masthugg Church (Masthuggskyrkan) has been acting as a beacon to seafarers for over a century. From the top, you'll get an unparalleled view over the city and a neighbourhood that never sleeps.

At Norra Älvstranden, the old shipyard and the docks have been replaced with exciting new neighbourhoods and quayside promenades with plenty to see and do. Remnants of the shipyard's heyday can be seen all around and everything has been preserved, from anchors to assembly halls. Most impressive of all is the 70 metre tall goliath crane which towers up over a dock surrounded by eateries. It is supplanted perhaps only by the Älvsborg Bridge (Älvsborgsbron) and between these 2 landmarks lie the remains of a Gothenburg from days gone by in the popular Färjenäs Park.

Stroll along the water the whole way down to the more modern Hising Bridge (Hisingsbron). The inspiring quayside promenades are lined by art, jetties and cafés. The area is also home to the Lindholmen Campus, the picturesque hill of Slottsberget and an outdoor swimming pool affectionately nicknamed Pöl Harbour (which, pronounced in a Gothenburg accent, sounds like 'Pearl Harbour').

Peaceful Johanneberg is home to both residential apartments and leafy parks. It's an easy destination to reach on foot from Götaplatsen Square. On your way, you'll pass postcard-perfect Näckros Park which is a green oasis for families and kids. From there, you can appreciate the roofs and cobblestones of residential area Lorensbergs Villastad.

After a while, the terrain flattens out and gives way to a large neighbourhood of tower blocks in a functionalist style. This part of town is also home to Chalmers University of Technology which is known for its annual The Cortège parade and for the former high voltage lab known as Kopparbunkern, which is now a climbing centre. The large student population is the reason for the rich flora of good and affordable eateries in Johanneberg.

Linnéstaden is immeasurably popular in large part for the rather grand and stately street of Linnégatan and for being the gateway to the Slottsskogen Park. Like Kingsgate Avenue (Avenyn), Linnégatan is a tree-lined boulevard worthy of Paris, with gorgeous facades and neat terraces serving food and drinks. It stretches from Järntorget Square – the starting point for many a night out in Gothenburg – and ends at Linnéplatsen Square where Slottsskogen Park begins. The park is home to a free zoo and a huge playground by the name of Plikta. It also serves as the venue for annual music festival Way Out West.

One thing you won't find in Linnéstaden is generic chain stores, which are replaced here by independent boutiques and genuine eateries. And be sure not to miss the adjacent neighbourhood of Haga with its inviting cafés, cobblestone streets and 3-storey wooden buildings.

The old working-class district of Majorna, with its charming and distinctive, tall wooden buildings, is a paradise for conscientious Gothenburgers. But visitors, too, can easily appreciate the relaxed and slightly bohemian spirit that prevails here. A spirit which has also rubbed off on the shops and cafés in the area, which largely sell second-hand, organic and locally produced foods and wares.

Majorna locals happily congregate at the Plaskis paddling pond and playground, at the Klippan Culture Reserve down by the Älvsborg Bridge (Älvsborgsbron) and, of course, in the magnificent Slottsskogen Park. At Stigberg Square (Stigbergstorget), locals rub shoulders with tourists on their way to the Maritime Museum & Aquarium (Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet) or to the 18th-century Gathenhielmska Culture Reserve. Majorna is easily reached by tram. The journey takes just 10–15 minutes from Gothenburg Central Station.

The Thoroughfare of Events (Evenemangsstråket) is a neat string of amusements, arenas, cinemas and other fun-focused destinations. In most cities, the various attractions and hotels are scattered across the city, but in Gothenburg they are often within walking distance from one another.

Korsvägen Square is the epicentre of this vibrant area, and home to both the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre (Svenska Mässan) and the popular Liseberg Amusement Park. You'll also find the Universeum Science Centre, home to a rainforest and sharks, and the Museum of World Culture (Världskulturmuseet) here. The Ferris wheel at Liseberg, the AtmosFear Drop Tower and the Gothia Tower skyscrapers lead the way from far and wide. Farther north, the focus shifts to sports and events. The Nya Ullevi Stadium, the Scandinavium Arena, the Valhalla Swimming Hall and the Valhalla Stadium are some of the venues which draw crowds to this part of town. And that's to name just a few.