Gothenburg, Sweden
Description
View cruises with Gothenburg, SwedenSweden's second largest city - and the largest port in Scandinavia - was founded by King Gustavus Adolphus in 1621 at the mouth of the Göta River. Gustavus Adolphus hired Dutch architects and builders to lay out Gothenburg, so it should come as no surprise that the city is laced with a network of gracious canals lined with elegant buildings. Like all great seaports, Gothenburg is a cosmopolitan city with a wealth of cultural attractions, from its ancient University to its beloved pleasure garden at Liseberg Amusement Park. The city is also the gateway to the archipelagoes and picturesque fishing villages of Sweden's West Coast - the country's favorite vacation playground.
Gothenburg's cultural hub is the Götaplatsen. Here Carl Milles' dramatic bronze figure of Poseidon stands watch over the central square, home to the city's Museum of fine Arts, Concert Hall, Municipal Theatre and City Library.
Points of Interest
- Botanical Garden
- Tjolöholm Castle
- City Shopping
- Masthuggs Church
- Poseidon Fountain
- Boat Tour on Canals and Harbour
- Klädesholmen
- Skärhamn
More about Gothenburg, Sweden Points of Interest
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Botanical Garden -
One of Europe's leading botanical gardens has earned two stars in the Michelin Green Guide for its 98 acres of sweeping lawns, verdant forests, shimmering glades, and 16,000 plants.
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Tjolöholm Castle -
Perched on a peninsula with phenomenal ocean views, this unique castle was built between 1898 and 1904 in an architectual blend of 16th century Gothic and Arts and Craft styles.
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City Shopping -
Not only is Gothenburg home to Scandinavia's biggest shopping mall but a variety of small shops flourish in the city's center. Here, you'll find stores selling everything from vintage and couture to electronics and swedish designs.
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Masthuggs Church -
This lovely 100-year-old landmark sits high on a hill overlooking the city. Its 203-foot tower dominates the skyline while the interior's pegged timber ceiling is reminiscent of ancient stave churches from the Viking Age.
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Poseidon Fountain -
On Avenyn boulevard in Götaplatsen Square sits the city's famous fountain. Designed in bronze by noted Swedish artist Carl Milles, the fountain features the sea god Poseidon rising from the center.
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Boat Tour on Canals and Harbour -
Witness the beauty of Gothenburg from a waterside perspective on a unique paddan boat. A Swedish word meaning "toad," paddans leisurely travel down quiet canals, under low bridges and along picturesque streets.
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Klädesholmen -
This small island's fame as a major herring producer dates back 600 years. Even today, salting houses and canneries dot the tiny harbor while the town welcomes visitors with charming restaurants and breathtaking scenery.
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Skärhamn -
A seaside village on Tjörn Island boasts a pretty harbor that's full of yachts during the summer. In town, you'll find the Nordic Watercolor Museum.
