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EuropeSwedenVästra Götaland

Gothenburg

Västra Götaland, Sweden · Europe

About Gothenburg

Gothenburg is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Mölndal, 30km from Carlsten Fortress, Marstrand.

Gothenburg is a city located in Västra Götaland, Sweden. With a population of 608,462, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Gothenburg sits in Sweden, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Stockholm time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Gothenburg to your route.

About Gothenburg

Gothenburg ( GOTH-ən-burg; Swedish: Göteborg [jœtəˈbɔrj] ) is the second-largest city in Sweden, after the capital Stockholm, and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated by the Kattegat on the west coast of Sweden 400 km from the capital, it is the gubernatorial seat of Västra Götaland County, with a

Read more population of approximately 600,000 in the city proper and about 1.1 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area. King Gustavus Adolphus founded Gothenburg by royal charter in 1621 as a heavily fortified, primarily Dutch, trading colony. In addition to the generous privileges given to his Dutch allies during the ongoing Thirty Years' War, e.g. tax relaxation, he also attracted significant numbers of his German and Scottish allies to populate his only town on the western coast; this trading status was furthered by the founding of the Swedish East India Company. At a key strategic location at the mouth of the Göta älv, where Scandinavia's largest drainage basin enters the sea, the Port of Gothenburg is now the largest port in the Nordic countries. The presence of the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology has led Gothenburg to become home to many students. Volvo was founded in Gothenburg in 1927, with both Volvo Cars, and its original parent Volvo Group (today makers of trucks, buses and marine engines) still headquartered on the island of Hisingen in the city. Other key companies in the area are AstraZeneca, Ericsson, and SKF. Gothenburg is served by Göteborg Landvetter Airport 25 km (16 mi) southeast of the city centre. The smaller Göteborg City Airport, 15 km (9.3 mi) from the city centre, was closed to regular airline traffic in 2015. The city hosts the Gothia Cup, the world's largest youth football tournament, and the Göteborg Basketball Festival, Europe's largest youth basketball tournament, alongside some of the largest annual events in Scandinavia. The Gothenburg Film Festival, held in January since 1979, is the leading Scandinavian film festival and attracts over 155,000 visitors each year. In summer, a wide variety of music festivals are held in the city, including the popular Way Out West Festival.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Gothenburg

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Gothenburg?

Gothenburg offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Gothenburg?

Plan your road trip to Gothenburg with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Gothenburg as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Gothenburg located?

Gothenburg is located in Västra Götaland, Sweden, Europe. The coordinates are 57.7072 latitude, 11.9668 longitude.

What is the population of Gothenburg?

Gothenburg has a population of approximately 608,462 people, making it a city in Sweden.

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Quick Information

Population
608,462
Continent
Europe
Country
Sweden
Region
Västra Götaland
Timezone
Europe/Stockholm
Coordinates
57.7072, 11.9668

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Sweden

Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
Non-emergency police
114 14
Driving side
right

Dipped headlights required at all times. Watch for wildlife (moose/deer) on rural roads.

Full driving guide for Sweden

Tags

EuropeSwedenVästra GötalandCity

Worth the detour from Gothenburg

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Liseberg

Gothenburg's beloved amusement park and Scandinavia's largest, known for thrilling rides and festive seasonal events.

2 km · about 5 min drive

landmark

Vinga Lighthouse

The windswept island lighthouse off Gothenburg, longtime home of poet Evert Taube and a classic summer boat trip.

23 km · about 25 min drive

castle

Carlsten Fortress, Marstrand

A 17th-century stone fortress crowning a sailing island, reached by ferry from the scenic Bohuslän coast road.

30 km · about 35 min drive

When to drive here

May to September

Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Gothenburg.

Majorna

🇸🇪 Sweden

3 km awayPop. 29,254

Mölndal

🇸🇪 Sweden

6 km away

Västra Frölunda

🇸🇪 Sweden

7 km away

Eriksbo

🇸🇪 Sweden

8 km awayPop. 2,564

Partille

🇸🇪 Sweden

9 km awayPop. 28,648

Hammarkullen

🇸🇪 Sweden

9 km awayPop. 7,914

Furulund

🇸🇪 Sweden

10 km awayPop. 3,888

Öjersjö

🇸🇪 Sweden

10 km away

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence