Our 3-Day road trip itinerary around Bergen
The journey begins in Bergen, Norway's second-largest city, and traces a loop from north to south, encompassing the mesmerizing Geiranger Fjord, renowned as one of Norway's most breathtaking fjords.
Gothenburg & its archipelago - The perfect Weekend itinerary
Welcome to Gothenburg, the pearl of Sweden's west coast! As the country's second-largest city, nestled between Oslo and Copenhagen, Gothenburg proudly embodies the essence of Swedish living.
With panoramic views, lush botanical gardens, and historic districts, you can indulge in local traditions like Fika while savouring oversized cinnamon buns. In this article, we’ve curated our favorite spots and must-visit attractions for a perfect day of exploring Gothenburg.
For a delightful change of scenery, this itinerary also includes a day trip along Gothenburg's northern coast, where you can discover charming fishing villages bursting with color and Scandinavian charm.
Day 1 - Road trip along the north coast of Gothenburg
Our base for this trip was the city of Gothenburg, and more specifically the Kvibergs Vandrarhem youth hostel, which we can't recommend highly enough. Though it’s a bit outside the city center, it’s conveniently located on a tram line that gets you downtown in just 20 minutes. Housed in a charming red chalet, the hostel offers both shared and private rooms at very reasonable rates. The clean, well-equipped communal kitchen is a great spot to meet fellow travelers. We visited in January when Sweden was blanketed in snow, and we absolutely loved the cozy chalet atmosphere—it felt like a countryside retreat while still being close to the heart of Gothenburg.
If you’d rather skip the youth hostel experience and stay closer to the city center, we recommend Hotel Onyxen. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the hearty breakfast is truly delicious. The hotel combines elegance with functionality—something the Swedes do exceptionally well. When our flight was unexpectedly canceled due to a storm in Ireland just as we were set to return, we found refuge in this charming hotel for 3 nights, and it was the perfect choice!
For our road trip along the Gothenburg archipelago, we hired a car from Hertz directly at Gothenburg airport when we arrived from Dublin.
Our two-day itinerary in and around Gothenburg kicks off with a scenic road trip along the northern coast, heading toward Oslo. We embarked on this adventure in January during a cold snap, and the snow-covered forests were a beautiful sight! On the day we visited, temperatures dipped to minus eleven degrees. Thankfully, the short outings along the way were balanced out by cozy cafés where we could warm up and enjoy a hot drink!
Speaking of lovely cafés, our day begins about an hour and forty minutes' drive from Gothenburg, in the small town of Grebbestad, specifically at the Sjögrens i backen café.
This little fishing town, with barely two thousand inhabitants, is home to an important fishing hub specializing in langoustines and oysters. You'll also find the charming Sjögrens i Backen café located near the harbor, a cozy spot perfect for a sweet or savoury breakfast. This café offers a wide selection of sandwiches, pastries, and a breakfast buffet for just 10 euros. Coffee is self-service after you’ve ordered and finished your first cup.
We loved this café, where locals of all generations gather with friends or family to enjoy the essential Fika—the Swedish art of taking a break for coffee, accompanied by a pastry.
Tip
Our next stop is the town of Fjällbacka. Peaceful in winter and lively in summer, this fishing town, located across from the archipelago of the same name, is filled with charming, colourful Swedish houses. The slightly hilly landscape makes it easy to get to higher ground and admire the view of the archipelago and the coast. Fjällbacka is notable for being the former residence of Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman. A statue in her likeness stands on one of the main streets.
Our next stop is just a 40-minute drive further south.
We recommend taking your time to enjoy the journey between each point on this itinerary, as you'll pass by typical Swedish cottages nestled along the road. The scenic drive is a wonderful way to soak in the local charm.
Just 36 kilometers further, you'll arrive at Smögen, arguably the most picturesque fishing village in Sweden. Like Fjällbacka, Smögen is much quieter in winter than in summer, as evidenced by the many souvenir shops and restaurants that were closed during our January visit. Located on an island, Smögen is known for its rows of colourful wooden fishermen's cabins. You can explore the area by walking along the 600-meter wooden boardwalk lined with cafés and souvenir shops.
At the end of the boardwalk, there's a staircase leading to a bridge, offering a stunning elevated view of the fishermen's cabins.
Head back towards Gothenburg with a final stop in the charming town of Mollösund, known for its small lighthouse.
If you have more time to spare, we recommend a last stop on the island of Marstrand. A popular summer destination for Swedish celebrities, the town of Marstrand thrives and hosts several nautical events.
Day 2 - Discovering Gothenburg
This second day is dedicated to exploring the city of Gothenburg.
Although it is the second-largest city in the country, Gothenburg is very walkable, as the main attractions in the city center are relatively close to each other. If you're staying outside the city center, it will be easy to reach it by tram.
Start the day with a hearty breakfast in the Haga district. This is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, known for its picturesque wooden houses and numerous cafés. Once considered a rough area, the district is now a must-visit during a trip to Gothenburg.
Head to café Husaren, located at the entrance of Haga. Its facade is hard to miss, featuring giant cinnamon buns displayed in the window. This café’s specialty comes highly recommended and is sure to fill you up for the morning! We could not finish ours and packed it up for snacking later during the day.
After this tasty break, head out to explore Haga along its cobblestone streets. This neighbourhood is quite small and can be visited quickly. You’ll find charming cafés, souvenir shops, and home décor stores throughout.
From Haga, make your way to Skansen Kronan, a hilltop fortress offering panoramic views of the city. This tower is accessible via a staircase, just a short walk from the entrance to Haga. The view of the city from the hill is fantastic, making the climb well worth it. We did it while the stairs were covered in snow, so it took us a bit of time to get up and down! Gothenburg has a similar tower located on the other side of the city.
As you exit the Haga district, you'll come across the impressive Järntorgsbrunnen fountain, featuring five bronze statues of women, each representing a different continent.
Just a 10-minute walk from the fountain is Feskekôrka, commonly known as the Fish Church. Its neo-Gothic architecture gives it a church-like appearance, and it once housed a bustling fish market. Today, a smaller fish market operates inside, along with a seafood restaurant. Unfortunately, during our visit to Gothenburg, the building was undergoing renovations, so we weren’t able to explore it.
Walk up the river for 15 minutes to reach Trädgårdsföreningen, the Garden Society of Gothenburg. This beautiful garden is open year-round and welcomes visitors for free. You can explore the large greenhouses dating back to the 19th century. Locals come here to sit, read, or enjoy coffee with friends. In winter, the greenhouses provide an ideal refuge from the chill of Scandinavian winters.
Wrap up your day of exploring Gothenburg with a Swedish dinner. Here are two great restaurant recommendations for you!
- Ölstugan Tullen - With several restaurants in town, this place is perfect to enjoy traditional Swedish specialties at reasonable prices in a cozy tavern atmosphere. For us, it’s the perfect spot to try Swedish meatballs served with creamy mashed potatoes and a red berry sauce, all while surrounded by locals. Vegetarian options are also available. The restaurant offers a wide selection of Swedish beers if you’d like to extend your evening!
- Hemma Hos - This cozy little restaurant nestled in the heart of Haga is a fantastic spot for dinner among locals. They host quizzes and various activities, and the food is delicious and reasonably priced. If you've had your fill of Swedish meatballs, Hemma Hos offers burgers and other international dishes, all served in the charming décor and tableware that Swedes are known for. You can make online reservations through their website.
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