Travel tips · Gothenburg · Sweden
Gothenburg travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Gothenburgers have a reputation in Sweden for being friendly, informal and fond of puns, and the local dialect is a source of jokes nationwide. Social life revolves around fika, outdoor life and the sea, and summer evenings are spent on terraces, rocks and island jetties.
Key facts
- Language
- Swedish
- Currency
- SEK
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink and of very high quality.
- Emergency
- 112
Things to know
- Queue patiently and take a ticket number where a machine is provided, such as at pharmacies and some shops.
- Take your shoes off when entering someone's home.
- Stand on the right on escalators and let passengers off before boarding trams.
- Swedes value punctuality; arrive on time for reservations and tours.
- Respect the right of public access (allemansrätten) in nature: leave no litter and keep a distance from private houses.
- Book Liseberg ahead: Prices and opening days vary by season; check the park's calendar and buy tickets online before Christmas-market weekends and summer holidays.
- Eat your main meal at lunchtime, when dagens rätt set menus cost far less than dinner.
Tipping
Service is included in Swedish restaurant prices. Rounding up or adding about 5–10% for good table service is common but not expected; tipping in cafés and bars is optional.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hej | Hello |
| Tack | Thank you |
| Tack så mycket | Thank you very much |
| Ursäkta | Excuse me |
| Ska vi fika? | Shall we have coffee and cake? |
What to wear
Dress is casual and practical; bring a waterproof jacket year-round and warm layers for windy ferry rides, even in summer.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink and of very high quality.
- Emergency number
- 112
- Phone and internet
- Mobile data coverage is excellent, EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and free Wi-Fi is common in cafés and hotels.
- Time zone
- Europe/Stockholm
Gothenburg is generally calm for visitors, but pickpocketing can occur in crowded places such as Nordstan, Central Station and busy trams. On the archipelago rocks, take care on wet stone and watch the weather before swimming.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Sweden's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Gothenburg?
Service is included in Swedish restaurant prices. Rounding up or adding about 5–10% for good table service is common but not expected; tipping in cafés and bars is optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Gothenburg?
Tap water is safe to drink and of very high quality.
+What plugs are used in Gothenburg?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Gothenburg?
Swedish.