Top Rated Attractions in Gothenburg

The Skansen Krona fortress was built in 1641. The fortress' main purpose was to scare off the Danes, and it was also known as Juteskrämman (the Dane Scare). It was completed in 1695. Skansen Krona is built on a hill and therefore commands a grand view of the central parts of Gothenburg. The tower ornament is in the shape of a crown, hence the name (krona means crown). Today, the fort houses a military museum and is also used as a venue space for parties and weddings.

Kungportsavenyn, or Avenyn as it is commonly known, is the main street in Gothenburg, which goes all the way from Kungportsplatsen up to Götaplatsen. Avenyn is packed with cafes, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and shops. It was designed after European streets like the Viennese Ringstraße and was built in the 1860s, though it was completed only in the 1930s. A bustling place with shoppers, locals and tourists alike, you can feel the city's pulse at this boulevard. You will also find the City Theatre, Museum of Art and Konserthuset on this lively street.

The tower of Masthuggskyrkan church, located in the magnificent Örgryte Gamla Kyrka church complex, is famous for being the Sweden's landmark at a time when immigrants made the country their home. Because of its height and location, Masthuggskyrkan offers some of the best views of Gothenburg city, and the two massive bells it houses weigh a mammoth three and two tons respectively. The interiors combine Viking-style ornamental facades with Christian symbolism. The acoustics in the church are wonderful; if you whisper down by the door you can be heard all the way to the altar. The architect of the church was Sigfrid Ericsson, who also designed Johannebergskyrkan and was involved in the design of Götaplatsen, Konstmuseet and Konsthallen.

Konsthallen was inaugurated in 1923 in connection with the Jubileumsutst ningen (Jubilee Exhibition) celebration of Gothenburg's 300-year anniversary. That year saw a lot of construction activity around the city, and Gotaplatsen was beginning to look as it does today. Konsthallen used to be run by the Gothenburg Art Museum, but is now an independent unit. Several exhibitions of contemporary and modern art are put on here each year. Admission is free.

At first sight, it's easy to mistake the Feskekörka for an austere place of worship, that is until you catch a whiff of the salty brine and hear the bustling within; people congregate here to not to stand before an altar but to feast on the bounty of the sea. Built in 1874, the Feskekörka, or Fish Church, is an indoor seafood market designed by Victor von Gegerfelt. He sought to build a market hall with no pillars to allow for better utilization of space. Drawing inspiration from neo-Gothic and Nordic stave churches, the Feskekörka is what he came up with. A local landmark and popular tourist destination, the Feskekörka celebrates one of the nation's oldest industries - fishing. Each day, a variety of fresh seafood is brought in from the docks and sold to energetic throngs of customers, each eager to sample the catch of the day.

Guldhedstornet is a water tower that was built in 1953 and designed by architect Nils Einar Eriksson. The water tower itself isn't very high, but it stands on a hill and therefore commands a great view of the city. When the weather is clear, you can see all the way out to Vinga. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture this picturesque view. If you get hungry, stop by the cafe inside the tower.