Free things to do · Gothenburg · Sweden
9 free things to do in Gothenburg
Gothenburg without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rolf Broberg ( Rolf B ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Gothenburg without paying an entry fee: Haga and Haga Nygata, Skansen Kronan, Slottsskogen and Götaplatsen and the Poseidon statue are all free. Eat your main meal at lunchtime, when dagens rätt set menus cost far less than dinner.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and October
Free sights and experiences
Neighbourhood · Haga
1.Haga and Haga Nygata
Share one giant cinnamon bun between two, then climb the stairs at the end of Haga Nygata to Skansen Kronan for the view.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Architecture
- Iconic
Castle · Haga
2.Skansen Kronan
Come in the early evening on a clear day and bring a picnic; the hill catches the late sun over the rooftops.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Park · Linnéstaden
3.Slottsskogen
Time your visit for the seal and penguin feeding at the pond enclosure, and use the Linnéplatsen tram stop for the north entrance.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Landmark · Lorensberg and Avenyn
4.Götaplatsen and the Poseidon statue
Stand on the art museum steps for the classic photo down Avenyn, then check the museum's own programme before planning a visit inside.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Garden · Slottsskogen
5.Gothenburg Botanical Garden
Visit in late May or June for the rhododendron valley in flower, and take the tram to the Botaniska Trädgården stop.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
Garden · Inom Vallgraven
6.Trädgårdsföreningen and the Palm House
Use it as a green short cut between Central Station and Avenyn, and come in July when the rosarium is in full bloom.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Couples
- Rainy day
Religious site · Majorna
7.Masthugget Church
Walk up from Stigbergstorget and visit at sunset, when the harbour and the Älvsborg Bridge are lit from the west.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Norra Älvstranden
8.Ramberget and Keillers park
Take the Älvsnabben ferry to Lindholmen and walk up for an evening view, then return across the river for dinner.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Eastern outskirts
9.Delsjön nature reserve
Walk the trail around Stora Delsjön for an easy loop, and swim from the bathing area at the north end on warm summer days.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Haga | Haga and Haga Nygata and Skansen Kronan | 1–2 hours + 45 minutes |
| Linnéstaden | Slottsskogen | 2–3 hours |
| Lorensberg and Avenyn | Götaplatsen and the Poseidon statue | 30 minutes |
| Slottsskogen | Gothenburg Botanical Garden | 1.5–2 hours |
| Inom Vallgraven | Trädgårdsföreningen and the Palm House | 1 hour |
| Majorna | Masthugget Church | 45 minutes |
| Norra Älvstranden | Ramberget and Keillers park | 1 hour |
| Eastern outskirts | Delsjön nature reserve | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
Island · Saltholmen
Southern archipelago islands
Head to Vrångö, the furthest island, for a nature reserve and sandy coves, and pack lunch and swimwear as island cafés keep limited hours outside summer.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Museum · Slottsskogen
Gothenburg Natural History Museum
Pair it with the free animal enclosures in Slottsskogen for an easy family day out on a showery afternoon.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
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Market · Haga
Feskekôrka
Buy a box of freshly cooked shrimp and eat it on the canal steps outside, or order a räkmacka at one of the counters for lunch.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Inom Vallgraven
Gothenburg City Museum
Go straight to the Viking galleries for the Äskekärr ship, then look at the East India Company's porcelain trade rooms.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Vasastan
Röhsska Museum
Combine it with a walk along Vasagatan's central promenade and coffee in Vasastan or Haga afterwards.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Market · Inom Vallgraven
Stora Saluhallen
Come for a weekday lunch at one of the stalls and pick up picnic supplies for the archipelago or Slottsskogen.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
More ways to save
- Eat your main meal at lunchtime, when dagens rätt set menus cost far less than dinner.
- The archipelago ferries use ordinary Västtrafik tickets, making an island day one of the best-value outings in the city.
- Slottsskogen's animals, the Botanical Garden, Trädgårdsföreningen and the viewpoints are all free.
- Buy picnic food at supermarkets or Stora Saluhallen and eat outdoors in summer.
- Hotel prices often drop on summer weekends and in July, when business travel slows, though they rise for big events and congresses.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Gothenburg expensive to visit?
Gothenburg is expensive for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Gothenburg?
Haga and Haga Nygata: Share one giant cinnamon bun between two, then climb the stairs at the end of Haga Nygata to Skansen Kronan for the view.