Weekend in Gothenburg, with suitable activities for the children

I want to share with you how a family with children can spend a weekend in Gothenburg with suitable activities. This time I assume that you choose accommodation in the Linné area, Gothenburg.

If you are planning to visit the Linnaeus area in Gothenburg, you may be wondering what accommodation options are available in the area. Linné is one of the most popular and cultural areas of the city, with many restaurants, bars, shops and museums. But also many accommodations. Here are some tips on how to find accommodation that suits your budget and taste.

If you want to save money and meet other travelers, you can choose to stay in a hostel. There are several hostels in the Linné area, which offer both dormitories and private rooms. One example is Slottsskogens Hostel, which is located near Castle Forest. The hostel has a shared kitchen, laundry, sauna and bicycle rental. Prices vary between SEK 200 and 600 per night, depending on room type and season. Other budget accommodation options are STF Hostel - Hotel.

If you prefer more comfort and service, you can book a room in a normal standard hotel. There are several hotels in the Linné area, which offer comfortable rooms with private bathroom, breakfast buffet and wifi. One example is Hotel Vasa, which is located in a historic building from the 19th century. The hotel has a cozy lounge, a bar and a restaurant. Prices vary between SEK 800 and 1,200 per night, depending on room type and season.

If you want to treat yourself to something extra and enjoy luxury and elegance, you can choose to stay in a high standard hotel. There are a few hotels in the Linné area, which offer exclusive rooms with designer furniture, minibar and everything else that goes with it.

The hotel that I myself want, and will book myself in, is Peter Stordalen's new hotel, Clarion Hotel THE DRAGON, which is located at Järntorget. That hotel will open its doors in October 2023.

Regardless of the type of accommodation you choose, you will be close to everything that the Linné area has to offer. Because it is the case that there are not such great distances to be able to live, eat and have activities for a weekend.

Once you've decided on accommodation, it's time to plan your two days of activities. I have put together two days of what it could look like for you. But, of course, you can change and mix as you like. 

Theme day 1.

1. Start by visiting Skansen the crown, a historic fort located on a hill with a fantastic view of the city. Here you can learn more about Gothenburg's history, see cannons and uniforms, and play in the nice park. There is also a café where you can buy coffee or ice cream.

2. Then stroll into Haga, one of Gothenburg's oldest and coziest areas. Here you can experience all the small shops that sell everything from clothes and furnishings to toys and books. You can also see the beautiful wooden houses that are typical of Haga, and maybe take a break on one of the many benches along the streets.

Then walk further towards the centre, towards Magasinsgatan.

3. Coffee on Magasinsgatan, a trendy street full of cafes and restaurants. Here you can choose between different types of food, from pizza and pasta to sushi and falafel. You can also taste some of Gothenburg's best baked goods, such as cinnamon buns, rolls or kladdkaka, at one of the cafes here.

4. Shop around Kungsgatan, one of Gothenburg's largest shopping streets. Here there is something for all tastes and wallets, from large department stores and chains to smaller shops and second hand. You can also take the opportunity to visit some of the many malls along the street, such as Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) or Arkaden. Then you can continue into "Femman", or actually Nordstan.

5. Also visit Nordstan, Scandinavia's largest shopping center. Here you will find over 200 shops under one roof, as well as several playgrounds, toilets and changing rooms for the children. You can also have lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants here, from fast food to buffets.

6. Turn home by taking the road via The Crown House sheds, an area of old military buildings now converted into craft stalls. Here you can buy unique souvenirs, such as jewellery, ceramics, textiles or chocolate. You can also see how the craftsmen work in their workshops, and maybe try something yourself.

7. On the way home you also visit Gothenburg City Museum, a museum that tells about the city's history from the Viking Age to today. Here you can see exciting exhibitions, such as a real Viking ship, a model of Gothenburg in the 17th century, or an apartment from the 1970s. There is also a children's section where you can play and dress up.

8. As an extra activity, you can take the boat The toad to learn more about the city of Gothenburg from the water. You get to see many of the city's attractions, such as the opera, fairy church, Lilla Bommen and Älvsborgsbron. You will also hear funny stories and anecdotes about Gothenburg from your guide on board. It will be a little extra walking, but it's worth it.

9. Or jump on one "Hop on hop off bus" which takes you around to different places in the city. You can choose between different routes and hop on and off whenever you want. You can also listen to an audio guide that tells you about what you see along the way.

Then it's time to walk back to the hotel. Expect that there have been many steps this day, if you have followed my suggestions. If you wish, there are electric scooters to rent, but also regular bikes that you can rent through Steer & Adjust, which is a cheap and very good way to get around Gothenburg. Here is one link to Styr & Ställ information about rental bikes.

In the evening you eat at a restaurant at the second or third long streets, two streets known for their wide range of food and drink from different parts of the world. Here you can enjoy a pleasant atmosphere and good food in the company of good friends. These two streets are very popular and it can be fast paced and a bit rowdy at times, but I've always felt a nice atmosphere. 

If you just want a quick hamburger, Järntorget has it. There are also more restaurants suitable for children. 

Theme day 2.

1. Start by going to The castle forest. It is a large and lovely park that offers many different experiences. Here you can walk among green lawns that you can play on or play games on. There are forests and ponds to stop at and enjoy the fresh air. If you want a little more action, you can try playing track golf or disc golf on one of the two courses in the park. It's a fun way to challenge each other and have fun together.

2. Also visit all the animals in Slottsskogen, at Children's Zoo. Here there are many different species to watch, such as seals, moose, horses and sheep. If you are lucky, you might see one of the cute penguins that live there. It is always exciting to learn more about the lives and behavior of animals.

3. Have coffee or take lunch Villa bel Parc in the middle of Castle Forest. It is a cozy cafe and restaurant located in a beautiful old building from the 19th century. Here you can taste good pastries, salads, sandwiches and hot dishes. There is also a playground for the kids right outside, so they can run around a bit after their meal.

4. Then it's time to visit Botanical Garden. It is one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe, with over 16,000 different plants from all over the world. Here you can admire beautiful flowers, trees and shrubs, and discover new species that you have never seen before. You can also go into the greenhouses and see tropical plants such as orchids, bananas and cacti. It's like traveling to another continent!

5. On the way home you can visit Museum of Natural History. It is an exciting museum that displays everything from dinosaurs to insects. Here you can see skeletons, fossils, stuffed animals and living aquariums. You can also learn more about nature's history, development and diversity through interactive exhibitions and films. It is a perfect place for curious children and adults!

Now the day begins to drag towards afternoon or evening. Time to head to the accommodation, for a short rest before dinner.

You eat dinner at one of the restaurants on Linnégatan or the parallel streets such as Vegagatan, Nordensköldsgatan or Övre Husargatan. Here there is something for all tastes, from Swedish home cooking to international food culture. Suggestions for restaurants on Övre Husargatan are Minimal, Spanish cuisine, Meza or Creps & Logi. On Linnégatan there are many restaurants, among others Haga cinema, which will be slightly different. 

Read more:

This was good some suggestions for activities. Read more about other activities on these pages

The pages about activities. There you will find cultural buildings, bathing areas, amusement parks, etc.

The pages about Experiences. Lots of exciting and fun experiences to choose from. 

The page about Things to do in Gothenburg. If you want to walk and hike in Gothenburg. 

That's all for today! I hope you have received some tips on how you can have a fun and memorable day in Gothenburg with your children. Thanks for reading my blog, and don't forget to share this article with friends, if you think it was good.