As the second biggest city located on the west coast of Sweden, Göteborg has a special character. Nature and places of interest are never far away. Despite its cosmopolitan stamp though, it still has a typical smalltown charm. Göteborg Book Fair takes place in the heart of the city centre.

The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre is located in the middle of a line of venues, museums and other attractions that cuts through town, from Ullevi Stadium, a 43 000 seat arena hosting concerts and sports events, to the Museum of World Culture. A short stroll away you’ll find Göteborg’s main street, popularly known as The Avenue, surrounded by museums, theatres, a concert hall, shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

Göteborg is the largest university city in Scandinavia with 60 000 students, and as a result, the local music scene is considered to be one of the most progressive and dynamic in Europe. Gothenburg is also home to a variety of international events such as the Göteborg Film Festival and Way Out West.

Outside influences are nothing new for this port city, where the shipping industry remained the largest employer until the 1970s. Close ties with Britain gave rise to the sobriquet ‘Little London’, as well as the city’s English name of Gothenburg. The maritime character of the city still remains today, with daily ferries to Denmark and Germany, although many of the docks and shipyards are being converted to seaside residential areas. This proximity to the sea is also reflected in the number of top quality seafood restaurants. No fewer than six restaurants have been awarded stars in Guide Michelin (one of which is located at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre).

Find more information about what to do during your stay at goteborg.com.

Photos by Frida Winter and Anders Wester/goteborg.com, Liseberg