The Best Things to Do in Gothenburg in July
If you are visiting Gothenburg this year then congratulations, you have made an excellent choice. Gothenburg has long been one of Scandinavia's most vibrant city break destinations, and a recent wave of investment in sustainable tourism and locally run independent businesses has firmly cemented its place alongside Stockholm and Copenhagen as a city worth writing home about.
Before we dive in, a quick disclosure: I am the owner of Plums Kayak Tours, based in central Gothenburg. Everything you'll find in this article is based on the genuine recommendations I share with customers when we're out on the water together. Having moved to the city around three years ago, I've had the pleasure of slowly uncovering what makes Gothenburg so special, and I hope this guide gives you a solid head start. I look forward to seeing you on the water.
Tours and Activities
Explore the City by Kayak
In the seventeenth century, Gothenburg was constructed as a fortress city and a moat was dug around the old town to defend residents from Danish and Norwegian invasion. Hostilities between the Nordic countries have long since given way to mutual appreciation and a healthy rivalry in football, but the moats themselves remain very much intact and are one of the most distinctive features of the city.
Since the 1930s, the famous Paddan boats have been looping around the city center providing a narrated tour of Gothenburg's history. More recently, kayaking through the same canal network has grown into one of the city's most popular activities, with groups of up to 30 paddlers often seen making their way through the heart of the city. Both options offer a wonderful way to see Gothenburg from the water. The Paddan tour is a great choice for those who prefer a more relaxed experience; for anyone looking for something a little more active and hands-on, it is genuinely hard to compete with a kayak.
At Plums, our Guided City Kayak Tour takes small groups through Gothenburg's historic vallgravar and canals, with guides on hand to share the history of the city and offer paddling tips along the way. It's a brilliant way to spend an afternoon regardless of your experience level, and requires no prior kayaking knowledge whatsoever.
Downstream Säveån
If you want to see a side of Gothenburg that most visitors never discover, the Säveån river is one of the city's best kept secrets. Often described as Gothenburg's own stretch of the Amazon, the river winds through lush woodland just outside the city center, and paddling it downstream feels a world away from the urban bustle just a few kilometers away.
Our Downstream Säveån experience begins at Partille train station, just a short trip from central Gothenburg, where our guides run through everything you need to know before setting off. From there, the group paddles approximately 10 km downstream, finishing at Lilla Bommen right in the heart of the city. The full experience takes around two and a half hours and is suitable for all abilities thanks to the gentle downstream current. Groups are capped at 16 people, which keeps things relaxed and personal. It's a particularly popular choice for after work groups and team building events.
Kayak and SUP Rental
Not everyone wants a guided tour, and that's absolutely fine. Our rental fleet at Lilla Bommen includes over twenty quality kayaks suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers, as well as stand-up paddleboards for those who fancy something a little different. We also have tandem kayaks available, which tend to be a hit with families. Our base is right next to Lilla Bommens gästhamn, directly opposite the Gothenburg Opera, a five minute walk from Centralstationen and a short stroll from Nordstan.
Sunset Kayak Tour
For something a little more atmospheric, our guided sunset kayak tour takes you through central Gothenburg as the city settles into the evening. Paddling through the canals as the skyline reflects on the water is a genuinely special experience, and one that photographs particularly well if that matters to you.
Nature and Getting Out of the City
One of the things that surprises visitors most about Gothenburg is how quickly nature begins once you step away from the center. The city's tram network is genuinely excellent and makes it very easy to combine city exploration with time outdoors. The Säveån river mentioned above is a perfect example; a short train ride to Partille and suddenly you are surrounded by forest, birdsong and river.
Cycling
Gothenburg takes cycling seriously. Step into a bike lane without checking and you will learn this quickly. The city has around 800 km of dedicated cycle paths, making it one of the most bikeable cities in Scandinavia.
Cycle tours are available to book via Bikegothenburg.com, a well-reviewed local operator that provides bikes and helmets and takes you around the city with a local guide.
For independent exploration, Gothenburg operates a city bike hire scheme called Styr och Ställ, where you can pick up and drop off bikes at various stations around the city. The bikes are well maintained though on the heavier side, so be prepared for a little extra effort on the hillier stretches. The Styr och Ställ app is available on both iOS and Android.
Mountain Biking
For those who want to get properly off road, the area around Gothenburg has a fantastic range of trail riding options. The Delsjön nature reserve provides a wilderness feeling just outside the city limits, with a 10 km all-weather gravel loop around the city's largest reservoir. Nearby, Lackarebäck offers a more technical experience and hosts a national Enduro competition each year. Änggårdsbergen has marked and graded trails across blue, red and black routes depending on your ability level.
All the city's trails are uploaded to the Trailforks app, which makes route planning straightforward. If you need a hire bike, MTB Store is centrally located and offers both electric and traditional bikes, as well as organised group rides on Wednesday afternoons.
Food and Drink
Gothenburg is home to around 900 restaurants, making it one of the most densely populated food scenes in Scandinavia. I'll be honest, I am far from a food critic, but I can point you in the right direction. The city's tourism website, gothenburg.com, has an excellent overview of pretty much every restaurant in the city. The Instagram account gb.food.se is also worth following if you want to find some of the more hidden gems amid what can be an overwhelming number of options.
Avenyn
Built in the early twentieth century as Gothenburg's answer to the Champs-Elysees, Avenyn remains the city's most prominent eating and drinking street. Restaurants here tend to have the capacity and setup to cater for larger groups, and the proximity to the Gothenburg Concert Hall and the Scandinavium arena makes it a natural choice for a pre-show dinner or a group meal for business travelers.
Andra Långgatan
If you enjoy a busy bar street with genuine character and don't mind things getting a little lively, Andra Långgatan is the place. With over 50 bars along a single stretch, the street has historically been associated with the student and backpacker crowd thanks to competitive pricing, but recent years have seen a significant improvement in quality across many of the venues. These days it's become synonymous with a proper Gothenburg night out and you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to stop in for at least one stör stark while you're there.
Inom Vallgraven
The area inside the moat, the same canal network we paddle our kayaks through, forms the historic island at the very heart of Gothenburg. This is where you'll find the widest range of restaurant options, from my personal favourite late-night kebab shop (City Kabab, highly recommended after a long day on the water) to some of the city's most prestigious fine dining, including several Michelin-recommended options.
Hisingen
The once heavily industrial north bank of the Göta river has been quietly transforming for several years and has become one of the most interesting areas in the city for an alternative evening out. The recently opened Vassan street food area is positioned as Gothenburg's answer to the hugely popular Reffen in Copenhagen, with a wide range of food vendors, live music and a relaxed waterside atmosphere, particularly good on a Friday evening.
Also worth mentioning is Ringön, a still-raw industrial district that has developed a genuine creative scene around local breweries, many of which have their own taprooms and regularly host weekend events. Follow made_in_ringon on Instagram for updates on what's on.
I hope this gives you a useful starting point for your time in Gothenburg. If you have any questions about the city or want to book a kayak tour or rental, you can find us at plums.se or come and say hello at Lilla Bommen. We'd love to get you out on the water.
Med vänliga hälsningar,
Plums Kayak Tours