"Historic Working Class Neighborhood The working class neighborhood of Haga is an area of narrow, cobbled streets and low wooden houses. Dating back to the 17th century, it's one of the oldest parts of Gothenburg, and in the 19th century began housing more of the city's large working class families in one- and two-story houses. A movement in the '70s and '80s to redevelop the area was resisted by local residents: Even though the houses were small, with only cold water and old-fashioned outdoor lavatories, the artists, musicians, and young people that lived here appreciated the low rent and central location. The final compromise was to keep all the houses that could be renovated, ensure new houses remained the same height as existing ones, and retain the 19th century street plan. Today Haga is a local residential neighborhood. But visitors can still enjoy a stroll along the main street, Haga Nygata, and have a bowl of soup at Caféva, relax in the outdoor cafés, buy a pair of clogs at Haga Trätoffelfabrik, or browse the cute vintage stores. If you want to get a sense for what life was like here in the 19th century, visit the museum apartment at Haga Nygata 7-9. (Book in advance through the Museum of Gothenburg.)"

"Explore Gothenburg's Culinary Scene This is the perfect place to explore some of the culinary possibilities in Gothenburg. The old indoor food market first opened in 1889. At that time, 92 different food stalls could be found in the building. Today there are not quite as many, but you will still find all the cheese, fish, meat, fruit, nuts, and oils that you might ever need. If you don’t feel like cooking, there are several restaurants to choose from. Kåge’s Hörna, with limited seating around the bar, serves traditional Swedish husmanskost (meatballs) and pannbiff med lök (like a hamburger without the brioche, served with fried onion, boiled potatoes, gravy, and lingonberries)."

"Travel into a Fantasy World So where are we now? Could this be Vienna in central Europe in the early 20th century? Or maybe Paris in the same era? No, this is a small Gothenburg hotel, restaurant, and bar that fulfills the dreams of owner Thomas Peterson. Coming from a well-renowned family in the restaurant business, Peterson wanted to create his personal vision of an extraordinary restaurant and hotel that paid homage to childhood memories of his grandfather hosting celebrities and artists at home and in his restaurant. Try the afternoon tea, or have a drink on the roof terrace. No matter what you eat or drink, the ambiance is a large part of the experience."

"A Real Rock Club Soup kitchen by day, rock club by night: Pustervik is the former theater that has become the heart of the Gothenburg music scene. Local bands as well as international acts like Drive By Truckers, Future Island, and Billy Bragg fill the stage. And sometimes there are club nights with names like the Ping-Pong club. Yes, that means you can play table tennis while drinking your beer."

"Botanical Joy All Year Round The Botanical Garden of Gothenburg is the best spot for a few hours of blooming inspiration. Working as a research garden as well as a recreational/educational park with sections like the Japanese valley, the cliff garden, and the Rhododendron garden, this is the place for everyone who loves plant life. And also for children, since the park seems to be full of Pokémons!"

"Top Class Coffee Guaranteed Enjoy the coffee of masters! It started as one small café and is now a chain under the same name, but preserving the same high quality. How do we know? Well, because some of the winners of the 2017 Swedish Barista Championships work at da Matteo. This is serious coffee with sustainability in mind and lovely latte art, all roasted in their own facility. It also serves as a bakery. Oh yes, the cardamom buns are to die for! You can find da Matteo in several places but the ones at Magasinsgatan or in the little lane Viktoriapassagen are particularly nice."

"Craft Beer and Pizza Brewers serves upscale sourdough pizza and a good selection of craft beer (including local brews) in the relaxed Långatan area. In the summer, the whole street is for pedestrians only, turning it into a very long outdoor terrace for the bar and their neighbors."

"Music Festival in Comfort Gothenburg's music scene is lively on all levels, from small cafés that host acoustic sessions to large festivals showcasing all kinds of music. Way Out West is a three-day festival conveniently situated in a central park, Slottskogen, and has hosted such sought after international acts as Kanye West, Prince, Neil Young, and Lana del Rey. This is a comfortable way to live the festival life without the hassle of camping, since it’s a short walk or tram ride from major hotels. And when the music is over in the festival area at night, the party continues in clubs all over the city."

"Ten-Day Film Fest The Gothenburg Film Festival takes place each February, just as you are wondering why you live in a damp, cold city entangled in gray fog from the sea. This welcome respite started in 1981 as a project by film loving friends, but soon developed into the most important event for Nordic cinema in northern Europe. Each year the festival follows a theme, showing movies from around the world but with a special focus on the Nordic scene. It's more Sundance than Hollywood, and although part of the festival has turned into a marketplace for professionals, the heart of it is still the same: ten days of film screenings from early morning till late at night for film lovers of all kinds. Visiting directors are sometimes awed by the fact that a crowd of 700 people can turn up at nine in the morning to see their film."

"Discover the Beauty of the Coast The sea has always played a big part in the lives of the people of Gothenburg. When you want to relax from city life this is where you go. A tram ticket will take you all the way out into the southern archipelago to enjoy the harsh beauty of the gray granite cliffs. Pack your swim gear and a book and head to an island such as Vrångö, Brännö, Styrsö, or Vargö. Take a walk to find your own private cliff or bay and then dive into the sea. It might be cold, but the cliffs are perfect for warming up against with their smooth, round shapes and ability to keep the heat from the sun. For a Swede, the combination of sea, cliffs, and solitude is bliss. Hungry? Bring a picnic or visit a restaurant like Brännö Värdshus or Vrångö Värdshus."

"Dancing without Borders The impressive opera building on the harbor houses one of the major ballet companies in northern Europe—GöteborgsOperans Danskompani—with dancers from 16 countries and a good reputation when it comes to modern dance. Lovers of modern operas, musicals, and classics will also find interesting, first-rate shows here."

"Tropical Plants The impressive Palmhuset greenhouse in the middle of Trädgårdsföreningen park hosts a large number of tropical plants and butterflies. It was built in 1878 with the famous Crystal Palace in London as its inspiration. It's named after the middle area of the building, where palm trees (the tallest one is 14 meters!) and ferns grow."