An Evening Walking Tour of Gothenburg
Althea’s TYRI Sweden Trip – A Gothenburg travel blog!
On my first night visiting TYRI Sweden in Gothenburg, my colleague and friend, My Nilson Bark, offered to show me around. With the entire TYRI Sweden team based in Gothenburg, it quickly became clear how proud they are of their beautiful home city, Sweden’s second largest. My’s tour was the perfect introduction, and after just a short walk, I could easily see why everyone speaks so highly of it, with its charm, history, and hidden gems.
A harbour in Gothenburg
We set off from my base for the week, the new Scandic Göteborg Central, conveniently located near the Central Station. Our route took us along Norra Sjöfarten, sticking carefully to the pedestrian lane and avoiding the busy bike path! We passed the impressive Göteborg Opera House, a striking building right on the water. After pausing for a moment to take in the small harbour, we cut into the city, weaving past one of the many construction sites currently dotted across Gothenburg. My filled me in on the city’s ambitious plans to tunnel beneath the streets, improving train links with the west of Sweden without damaging the city’s infrastructure and aesthetic.
Stone lions guarding the canal steps
Gustaf Adolf’s Square
We wandered down a lively street lined with shops and restaurants, eventually arriving at Gustaf Adolf’s Square (photo credit to goteborg.se) and Brunnsparken. Here, a statue of Gustav II Adolf (the founder of Gothenburg) looks out over the City Hall, and stone lions guard the steps leading down to the canal. This canal is part of the original moat that protected the city in the 17th century. Brunnsparken is also Gothenburg’s transport hub, with trams from across the city converging at this busy point.
From there, we continued past inviting side streets, too many to explore in just one evening. Crossing another bridge, we were treated to a view of the beautiful Stora Teatern and its buzzing outdoor seating area, clearly a local favourite on warm evenings like this one.
Götaplatsen
The famous Poseidon statue at Götaplatsen, Gothenburg
As we made our way up towards Götaplatsen, we passed an abundance of cafés and restaurants offering every kind of cuisine imaginable. It was tempting to stop, but we had a destination in mind. Götaplatsen is the cultural heart of the city, often hosting public events. At its centre stands the iconic Poseidon statue, created by Carl Milles in 1931, a tribute to Gothenburg’s maritime heritage. He is surrounded by three of the city’s major institutions: the Gothenburg Symphony Hall, the City Theatre, and the Art Museum. Sadly, we didn’t have time to explore more, but that just gives me a reason to come back!
From Götaplatsen, we headed to a district my well-travelled friend Kasia had insisted I visit: Haga. We walked through the charming Vasa neighbourhood, sometimes nicknamed “Little London”. The tree-lined boulevards were rich with historic buildings, including the grand former City Library, now the Social Studies Library of Gothenburg University.
Haga
A quiet Haga street in the evening.
When we reached Haga, I instantly saw the appeal. This is Gothenburg’s oldest district, dating back to the 17th century. Its charming ‘landshövdingehus’ – the unique buildings with a brick ground floor and wooden upper stories – give the area a warm and welcoming character. Today, Haga is filled with independent shops, cozy cafés, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it a favourite for both locals and visitors (though we arrived too late for the shops!).
On our way back to the hotel, we passed the beautifully renovated “Fish Church” (photo credit to Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co), surprisingly the building had never been a church and always a fish market – now the Feskekörka has fish restaurants and shops to enjoy. It was the perfect final stop on a lovely evening stroll through Gothenburg, a city that left a lasting impression with its charm, character, and unexpected discoveries.
