When Visit Göteborg invited me over to spend a few days in town last Christmas, I got pretty excited for many reasons. Firstly, it was my first time in Sweden's second-largest city; secondly, I am deeply in love with all things Swedes - so it's always an immense pleasure to jet off to this beautiful country. Most importantly, though, I wanted to experience first-hand life in the world's most sustainable city.
Anyway, without further ado, here are a few highlights from my journey.
Artilleriet
Taking over a two-storey warehouse in the shopping district of Magasinsgatan in the heart of Göteborg, this store is the place where all design enthusiasts' wildest dreams come true. Founders Christian Divenvoorden and Sofie Hellsing set up an extraordinarily curated selection of furniture, lighting and textiles that mixes contemporary and vintage items as well as objects picked up during their travels. A must-go destination if you're in town.
Palmhuset
I was lucky enough to visit this leafy wonderland on a crisp and sunny afternoon just before the sunset was setting behind the trees of the city's garden society. How magical! Wandering through plant-filled spaces cast in golden light was like stepping inside the pages of an old novel.
Atelier at Hotel Pigalle
Atelier is the rooftop bar and restaurant of the 1920's-inspired Hotel Pigalle - a delightfully decadent haven close to one of Göteborg's most busy thoroughfares. Accessible via a dimly-lit lift, it conjures the bohemian atmosphere of Paris' old-fashioned bistros. Here, European-inspired dishes are served among plush armchairs, lavish chandeliers and soft carpets. Plus, it's an excellent spot for some quality people-watching and aperitif.
Floramor & Krukatös
Tucked away in a hidden courtyard next to Da Matteo and Artilleriet is this adorable flower and pottery shop that looks more like a cabinet of curiosity, with its selection of retro homeware goodies and Christmas decorations piled up throughout its tiny rooms. A great spot to purchase beautiful presents for yourself and your loved ones.
Restaurant Vrå
Japanese flavours meet Swedish sensibility at this modern eatery and sake bar inside Göteborg's Clarion hotel - which takes over a historic post office building in the city centre. Vrå's menu - that changes based on the seasonally available produce - is packed with sustainable seafood-based dishes served up with vegetables sourced from the hotel's own rooftop garden, and a side of sophisticated decor.
Haga Nygata and Kafé Magasinet
It couldn't get any more Nordic than this at Haga Nygata, a picturesque street lined with cosy cafes, independent shops and quaint houses in the former working-class suburb Naga. Undoubtedly one of the charmest areas in town, it is a lovely spot for a weekend walkabout of shopping and Fika with friends.
The leafy Kafé Magasinet takes over a former auction house building on the edge of the area. It’s the ideal place for a weekend brunch or just a cup of good coffee (rigorously organic and ground on an island in the nearby archipelago).
There are two separate seating rooms - the industrial-style indoor corner and the lush and bright conservatory space and goes without saying, the latter is my favourite.
Hotel Bellora
This vintage-inspired bolthole in the city's central Kungsportsavenyn draws inspiration from the golden age of Italian cinema and the economic miracle of the 1950s, among other things. Plus, its spaces ooze some serious Wes Anderson vibes thanks to the pastel-hued communal areas, rooms, receptions and the retro-style uniforms sported by the super lovely staff.
Liseberg
I'm not the kind of person who's usually into amusement parks, family playgrounds, adrenaline-inducing attractions and all that jazz. However, I have to confess I really enjoyed spending an evening at the glistening Liseberg - Scandinavia's biggest amusement park. It might be because I'm a huge Christmas fan and the park is a fantastic winter wonderland, or because of the fairylike atmosphere combined to Goteborg's beautiful sceneries but I genuinely savoured each second spent in this magical place. Special mention to Liseberg's captivating on-ice version of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol and the deliciously 'Christmassy' Christmas market, packed with all Nordic goodies.
Da Matteo
Fancy some relaxing Fika time after a busy morning spent browsing through homeware and furniture? Then bakery Da Matteo is the right place to go for binging on fresh-baked kanelbullar and quality coffee. Don't be fooled by the Italian name; this bakery offers 100% Swedish goodies within an airy and light-filled industrial building next to Artilleriet.
How to get there: we flew directly from London with SAS and British Airways and then used public transports to get to the city centre - which is not too far from the airport - and move around town. Another great way to explore Göteborg is by bicycle, boat or simply by foot.
Disclaimer: although I was a guest of Visit Göteborg , all opinions are my own.
