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.

Set on an island on the Rivö fjord, the New Älvsborg Fortress guarded the gates to Sweden's only access to the North Sea in the medieval era. Constructed in the 17th Century, the fort has withstood numerous attacks, protecting its charge with ferocity and vigor, backed by the Swedish troops. Today, relieved of its military duties, the fort is a popular destination for family-friendly recreation. The fortress itself has a very interesting history; the halls seem to echo the boom of cannons and battle cries, while the cell blocks ring with the clink of chains that held prisoners in check. With its strategic location on the fjord, the castle boasts a sweeping view of the surrounding that was once essential to for the fulfillment of its duties. Boats ferry tourists to the island where they are greeted by costumed guides who proceed to unveil the legacy of this monument over the course of a 30-minute tour.

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.

Paddan sightseeing tours depart from Kungportsplatsen in the center of Gothenburg. These are well planned delightful guided boat tours of the canal and its many bridges. The canal was built during the 1600s. During the tour, you can enjoy the grand view of the fishing harbor, Eriksberg, Gothenburg opera house and the docks. The Paddan sightseeing tour is highly recommendable for all ages.

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.

The brainchild of architect Helgo Zetterwall, the Oscar Fredrik Church is an exemplar of the neo-Gothic style of architecture in Gothenburg. Delicate patterns and intricate details reveal themselves if you look beyond the mesmerizing striations of the facade, created using carefully-laid bricks in two tones. Elaborate patterns trim the roof like the finest lace and sculpted ornaments hide in niches, while the window tracery charms with its symmetric grace. Inside, elegant columns draw the eyes upward and to the front where stained glass windows cast colorful shadows across the floor and vivid paintings in pleasing hues illustrate excerpts from the Bible. Built in the late-19th Century and named after King Oscar II, the Oscar Fredrik Church still attracts many an admiring glance and awed gaze. Monumental in scale, the church looms from the foot of the Masthuggetsberget Hill.