Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, is situated off the Göta älv river on the country's west coast. An important seaport, it's known for its Dutch-style canals and leafy boulevards like the Avenyn, the city's main thoroughfare, lined with many cafes and shops. Liseberg is a popular amusement park with themed rides, performance venues and a landscaped sculpture garden. It has a population of 580,000.
Gothenburg was founded as a trading colony in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus and is now the largest port in the Nordic countries. We have 2 visits here with the ship. Our first visit one was a hop on hop off bus. We have done a few and this one was not the best. The city runs a lot of trams, and the buses can also travel in the same lanes if they chose. We visited the biggest indoor market in town, Saluhallen. It has been here since the second half of the 19th century. You find spices, coffee, cheese, fruit, meats, fish and wine as well as other delicacies from all over the world. The Market Hall (Saluhallen) is home to around forty shops and places to eat.
We visited the shopping centre Nordstan with 200 shops. Gothenburg has approximately 30 microbreweries as is known as the beer capital of Sweden.
On our second visit we booked a guided lunch cruise in the archipelago. The boat sailed under the main harbour bridge, through the Gothenburg harbour, past the Älvsborg Fortress and down towards the islands of Gothenburg archipelago. Gothenburg archipelagoes consist of dozens of islands, which stretch into the sea next to the city's coastline. Charming villages, stunning nature and beaches. Seal safaris, deep sea fishing and boat excursions are just some of the activities available here. The small islands have 5,000 permanent and another 6,000 summer residents. The archipelago is completely car free. Transportation is carried out by means of cycles, delivery mopeds and ferries. Lunch was included today and comprised of some soggy school prawns (you had to peel yourself) (well Mark peeled mine)and a tub of seafood sauce. They went to very little trouble to prepare lunch but it was nice way to spend the a couple of hours. Beers on board we A$18 which we didn’t realise until the end of the cruise so it was lucky Mark didn’t like them and only had one! They pay higher taxes here, but you have free healthcare, 1 year maternity leave and free education.
The large ferries sail past our cabin and transport cars, goods and people between Sweden, Denmark,Norway and Germany.
Panther and Vicki
2022-07-05
Thanks for the head's up on the Lunch Cruise ! You both look very relaxed.
Suey
2022-07-06
Great information! That would have been an interesting stop! Not sure about the alcohol prices!! I’m sure that you will be able to remedy that at another stop??