What to do in Göteborg (Gothenburg): Hints for Beginners

Here are some brief suggestions on how to spend your spare time during the conference. More detailed tourist information can be found in the brochure ``Göteborg Guide 1997'' that you will find in your conference package.

Shopping

The main shopping center (claimed to be Scandinavia's biggest) is ``Nordstan'', located on the north side of Brunnsparken, just a hundred meters west of Drottningtorget and the Central Station. The main shopping area extends to the other side Brunnsparken (i.e. south of the canal Stora Hamnkanalen). In this area, next to Kunggsportsplatsen, you will find ``Saluhallen'', the city's well-known market hall.

Restaurants

For lunch places around Chalmers, see the separate lunch guide. In the evening, you might want to go a little further. Restaurants can be found pretty much all over the city, but there are two restaurant streets that we particularly recommend:
  • Kungsportsavenyn (or simply Avenyn}, from Kungsportsplatsen to Götaplatsen. This is the main tourist street, and has among other things a varied international (mainly Asian and Italian) cuisine. It is just a 15-minute walk away from Chalmers.

  • Linnegatan, from Järntorget to Linneplatsen. The Gothenburgers themselves prefer Linnegatan to Avenyn. It is slightly further away from Chalmers, but at a nice walking distance from the hotels Lilton and Vasa.
    • In both cases, there are many nice restaurants on the smaller side-streets. Göteborg is known in Sweden for its superb fish.

    Parks

    There are plenty of parks in Göteborg. The biggest one is Slottsskogen (take tram 1 or 2 to Linneplatsen, or tram 1, 2 or 7 to Botaniska) which is a nice place for a walk, if the weather is OK (admittedly an unlikely event, see below). Look out for the elks! A somewhat more ambitious project is to take tram 4 to Saltholmen, from where there are boats to several of the islands in Göteborg's beautiful archipelago.

    Museums

    There are several museums as well. The arts museum ``Konstmuseet'' at Götaplatsen is definitely worth a visit.

    Cinemas

    Most cinemas are located at and around Kungsportsplatsen. Typically, three quarters of the reportoire consists of American movies, with Swedish subtitles. Check one of the local newspapers (e.g. GT) for the current program.

    Public transportation

    Buy a magnetic tram/bus-card! They are available at the Pressbyrån shops and many other tobacco/newspaper shops, and cost 100 Skr. They can also be bought from the driver at the slightly higher cost of 120 Skr. When you start a trip within Göteborg city, insert the card in the ticket machine and press the "2" button. When changing to a different bus or tram, press the "BYTE" button. The card is valid for approximately 10 one-way trips (the ticket machine will yell at you when the card has run out of credits).

    The weather

    Be prepared for rain and chilly weather.
    Last modified: Mon Oct 20 16:27:23 MET DST 1997