Last Updated on April 23, 2026

Gothenburg is Sweden’s second-largest city known for its rich history and commitment to sustainability. In 2016-2019 and 2021-2023 Gothenburg held the highest score in the Global Destination Sustainability Index* and has recently been named the UN Hub for Sustainable Lifestyles in 2026. The index did not appoint any cities in 2020.

What I loved on my short visit recently is that these aren’t just titles. Sustainability is embedded into the ‘wonderful everyday’ as the IKEA slogan goes.

• 95% of Gothenburg’s public transport runs on renewable energy.  
• 96% of hotel rooms in Gothenburg are also eco-certified.
• Fashion recycling is a real trend with 125 vintage and second-hand shops.

And the food? It’s thriving and boasts an incredible selection of restaurants serving locally caught seafood as well as locally sourced meat and veg. Zero-waste policies are standard practice, eco-friendly practices are second nature and building a human-centred approach in the kitchen is the new norm.

What to do and what to eat

Friday is the day to make the most of the gourmet lunch deals

Gothenburg has some very reasonably priced lunchtime menus – even at the top-end restaurants so my suggestion is to take an early flight so you can make the most of these.

Noot – Nordik Kitchen & Bar at the Radisson is a light and airy space on the ground floor of the hotel. There is a daily lunch special with meat, fish and vegetarian options for just SEK195. The quality of cooking and creative presentation is as outstanding as the restaurant’s sustainability credentials. They have their own plots at a local co-operative farm, strive for zero waste and are big fans of composting. The Radisson Blu itself composts all food waste daily in the basement of the hotel. This is then distributed across the city’s flowerbeds.

At Bar Bulot, you’ll squeeze into countertop seating or into little tables for two. Either way, the vibe is convivial and the food excellent. The menu changes daily but if you see it order the floating swan meringue. A tasty, visual spectacle!

Bhoga is a recently refurbished, former one-Michelin-star restaurant. After extensive renovations, it reopened last summer and is hoping to win that star back. From what I tasted, it’s certainly on the right track. For lunch choose a main of meat, fish or veg and this arrives with a host of side plates for just SEK295. It’s a great value taster for the larger 5, 7 or 9-course menus they offer in the evenings.  

Spend the afternoon getting an orientation of the city at the Museum of Gothenburg

The city has a very interesting past and there is no better place that brings it to life than the Stadsmuseum. It’s located inside the original Swedish East India offices and you can learn about the history of West Sweden, how Gothenburg came to be and walk around a recovered Viking ship.   

After all that knowledge, you’ll be wanting a drink and to kick off your weekend in style head to Champagnabaren which is in a delightful courtyard in a cluster of other bars. Note – bars in Gothenburg must serve food so you could have some nibbles here too.

There are so many gastronomic delights to choose from in Gothenburg for dinner, including six that have been awarded a Michelin star – pretty good going for a small town. My recommendation for your very first fancy meal in the city would be Vrå. It draws on the pristine produce of Sweden’s west coast, weaving it through a distinctly Japanese lens.

Many of the vegetables on the menu come from their own rooftop farm and the seafood comes mostly from the wild instead of fish farms. Head Chef Sofia B Olsson is known for her focus on social rights, zero tolerance against discrimination and a circular approach to sustainability. It shows. The atmosphere here is calm and contemplative. The dishes on the tasting menu come with as much or as little explanation as you’d like and you can wander over freely to the open kitchen to watch the Sofia and the team at work.  Try the wine pairing as this not only has excellent wines but also draws out some of the sake from Gothenburg’s largest sake bar. Oh and if they are not already on your menu, be sure to get a side of the Okifries. Sofia’s take on Okonomiyaki.

Start Saturday like a Swede and get outside!

Trädgårdsföreningen is one of Europe’s best-preserved 19th-century parks. During Summer the Rosarium is filled with several thousand colourful, fragrant roses. Even out of season it’s wonderful to marvel at the names of all the varieties.

Walking all the way through Kungsparken will bring you into Hage via Hage Church Park and out onto Haga Nygata which is a charming, cobbled street full of independent shops and cafes. Don’t be tempted. Head out a little further down Linnegatan to Borgskogs for their pastries. You can work off the calories by climbing up the old fort Skansen Kronan afterwards which has the added benefit of fantastic views.

For lunch head to back the way you came towards Feskekörka – one of Gothenburg’s most famous landmarks. Literally translated as ‘the fish church’, it’s the go to destination for those who appreciate seafood as well as great architecture. Locals come here to buy fish and seafood but it’s also a fantastic place to eat with perhaps the best if not biggest Toast Skagen in the city. On the weekend, you’ll also find buffet brunches and live music.

Next, head over to Stora Saluhalen – a gourmet food hall with vendors offering cheese, breads and …gelato! Gelaterian Gothenburg has won awards for it’s gelato, so regardless of weather, a scoop here is a real treat. Pistachio for me always.

Next up is Fika time! This Swedish tradition combines coffee, pastries and some kind of social connection and the best place to partake – as they have the best cardamom and cinnamon buns in the city IMHO – is Da Matteo. There are various outlets but I’d recommend the Magasinsgaten as there is a beautiful outdoor courtyard to people watch.

When you’ve had enough socialising and your stomach is grumbling again, it’s time to head to dinner

Wine and spirit lovers should head out to Gamlestan. The ‘old city’ now home to street art, second-hand shops and micro-breweries like Ego Distillers who not only make great gin but have an ever evolving, playful menu of cocktails. Wine lovers will love Wine Mechanics – an urban winery producing outstanding wine from grapes transported in refrigerated trucks. All the wines are vegan with labels designed by local artists. The food at both places is relaxed and low-key. Pizza lovers should opt for Totale. As well as good pizza, the menu boasts local oysters, creative arancini and seasonal small plates. Reserve ahead as even at 5pm it was already full!

Sunday is for sightseeing and shopping

If you’re into cars then head over to the World of Volvo. It’s a tram ride away but once inside you’ll do nothing but geek out on the cars and trucks past, present and future. Highly interactive and though provoking this is a worthwhile trek.

If you’re a Gardener’s World fan, the Rock Garden at the Botaniska– the city’s botanical garden – is a real treat. There are 5000 species to get lost in as well as explore the Rhododendron Valley, the Japanese and Korean Glades and the Bamboo Walk which takes you upwards for views over to Alvesborg Suspension Bridge.

Brogyllen is the place to go for brunch. Here you can feast on salads or open-top sandwiches followed by a myriad of cakes and buns. Try the traditional or Vanilla Semla – a soft bun filled with marzipan and topped with cream, or the different varieties of Prinsesstårta or Swedish Princess Cake – layers of sponge cake filled with jam and topped with whipped cream under a casing of colourful marzipan. Don’t forget to grab some loaves of bread to devour at home.

Both the Rohsska Museum and the Gothenburg Museum of Art are a short walk away and well worth a potter around. The former has a fascinating permanent exhibition called ‘Design Stories’ featuring Nordic design objects from the past 150 years but also explores modern day themes such as sustainability. The latter has an emphasis on Nordic art as well as passing exhibitions. The Hasselblad Gallery here is a must for photography fans.

Alternatively, you can channel more sustainable vibes with some conscious shopping. Thrift shopping here is on a different level. You’ll find shops selling not only clothes, shoes and bags but also furniture and kitchenware that channels chic vs charity shop.

And for your final dinner in the city – as you have to head this way to pick up your luggage anyway – is the Hotel Pigalle Signature Menu. Four starters, a main and dessert for SEK745. Pair this with The Beer Journey. It was a revelation! Get right in there for a 5pm booking and you’ll have plenty of time to catch the 7.30pm bus back to the airport for your late flight home.

Where to stay

There is a full list of eco-certified hotels on the very comprehensive city website. If you want something conveniently located 10 minutes walk from where the airport bus comes in then I’d suggest the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel for a modern vibe or Hotel Pigalle for a quirky, boutique option.

The Radisson is a large, modern hotel very close to Gothenburg Central Station and several tram stops. The design is sleek and Scandinavian, the rooms are spacious and it’s easy access to shopping and museums. The breakfast buffet is huge and the hotel staff work hard to ensure food waste is minimal. There is a beautiful spa and gym, the meeting facilities and business centre are on the first floor and the ground floor bar has plenty of lounging space.

Hotel Pigalle is small, boutique hotel just a few steps from the Radisson but has a completely different vibe. Expect bold and theatrical design inspired by Paris. It’s quirky and informal on arrival with a glass of their own champagne on offer as you fill in the forms. It feels very intimate and cosy and all the rooms are individually styled. There is a small gym and a library but the star is the restaurant on the top floor with live music on weekends and a fantastic food and cocktail menu.

Getting there and getting away

Of course, to get to Gothenburg sustainably is likely not going to be an option from the UK – especially for a long weekend. Ryanair and British Airways have routes from Stansted and Heathrow respectively but neither provide a carbon offsetting option. You can however, offset these flights with Atmosfair or MyClimate.

You’ll fly into Göteborg Landvetter Airport which is one of the friendliest and most efficient airports I have been to. Even with the new EU screening checks, it barely took 30 minutes to collect my bag and head for the airport coach Flygbussarna into town. The journey takes 20 minutes to the central train station at a cost of SEK198 return.

Getting around

Gothenburg is a very walkable city but also has an extensive and inexpensive tram network if you get tired. As the trams are electric, you’ll have to be extra diligent to listen out for them when crossing the road. The planting on the tracks also really dampens the sound so you’ll never hear one coming! You don’t need to buy tickets as your contactless card will do.

Gothenburg really delivers as a short break destination. I was left wanting more and plotting a longer trip. Stay tuned!

For more information visit the very comprehensive website from the Gothenburg Tourist Board

For more weekend inspiration check out Copenhagen for Art Lovers and a luxurious Culinary Weekend at South Lodge Hotel, Horsham

Disclaimer : The author was a guest of Visit Goteburg and the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel

Check out Copenhagen for Art Lovers