Well, they're not secret, but the following attractions are less known or not as obvious reasons to visit. I’ve put together my favorites, including two that are actually located in the suburbs of Gothenburg, but are easily accessible by public transport.
Gothenburg public transport
First of all, if you’re only in Gothenburg for a few days and have limited time for sightseeing or feel that the distances are too large, it’s worth using public transport and purchasing a 24 or 72-hour ticket. You can do this at the train station or in boutiques located at major hubs. You’ll find all the information you need on the following website: www.vasttrafik.se/en/
On the site, under the "where to where" section, you can find the bus number or name, departure point indicated by letters in Gothenburg (e.g., Track B). It explains what kind of zone ticket you need, how much it costs, how to purchase it, and provides other current transport information.
Overall, getting around the city is straightforward and not too complicated. For example, the mini ferry operating from Stenpiren to Lindholmen is free, as indicated by the green flag on the boat.
My favorite lesser-known places in Gothenburg
Ängholmen Island
Slatholmen, from where boats depart to the southern islands, is already a super cute area in itself, but it’s not obvious which islands are worth visiting or even accessible. My favorite small island, which offers a great view, is Ängholmen. It’s located above Saltholmen, accessible via a small wooden bridge, and is solely residential. Without disturbing the residential areas and gardens, you can climb the rocks on the island to enjoy the view. The area above the island towards Långedrag is very island-like, so I definitely recommend taking a walk here.
Stegerholmens small boat harbor
Näset and its surroundings are a little oasis of tranquility beneath the city, yet still part of Gothenburg. Here, you’ll find a small marina where you can hike up the rocks and enjoy the view from a bench, while getting a close look at a real fisherman's cottage, or fiskestuga.
Not far from here is Gothenburg’s cutest little sandy beach, Näsetbadet, which is worth visiting even if it’s not swimming weather. You can reach the area by taking bus 92 or 94 to the Näsbovägen stop.
Gathenhielmska Cultural Reserve
When we first visited Gothenburg, I didn’t really understand what was so interesting about the city; in fact, I didn’t even like it that much. But over the course of a year, I realized that the city is full of charming places that are often right in front of us, though some are hidden from curious eyes. One such place is the Gathenhielmska area, where houses built in the 16th and 17th centuries are still inhabited today, and many people don’t even know about it. This tiny neighborhood is located on a street called Pölgatan, close to the more central parts of the city.
Victoriapassagen
Most tourists typically walk past the Victoria Passage, even though it’s located in the main shopping area. However, we don’t always pay attention to every entrance, making these passages easy to overlook, even though there are very charming cafés and shops inside that are worth a stroll through.
While walking down the street, occasionally looking up reveals interesting things, and this way you can also catch a glimpse of the gate leading to the Victoria Passage.
Kronhusbodarna
The old Kronhuset behind Gustaf Adolfs square is one of the city's oldest preserved buildings, along with several smaller structures and a park. The building was constructed in the mid-17th century as a storage facility for military uniforms and other equipment. Today, it houses a vibrant craft center within the historical buildings, as well as a restaurant, Café Kronhuset, where you can find a lunch menu for 110 SEK on weekdays that includes a main dish, salad, and coffee.
Landala Högreservoar
The water reservoir located in the Landala district is not easily recognizable from the outside, as it is cloaked in a mini castle-like design. The building is better known by locals, yet the view from the top step is quite beautiful.
The following two locations are not entirely in Gothenburg, but they are easy to reach and each is worth a little detour.
Mölndals Kvarnby
Mölndal, as a suburb of Gothenburg, is easily accessible by public transport. There, a walk through the old industrial district reveals a frothing body of water amidst and beneath the old factory buildings. You’ll find secondhand boutiques and charming cafés if you visit in the summer. In winter, however, the waterfall transforms into a frozen wonderland.
Kungälv
A city of the past and present, located 22 km from Gothenburg. The city’s fortress was started by the Norwegians in the 14th century. Beneath the fortress, you can stroll along cobblestone streets among 17th-century buildings. If you’re arriving by public transport, you can take a bus, but make sure you’re aware that you’ll be crossing into a different zone, so your ticket should be valid for both Zone A and Zone B, or purchase a ticket that covers both zones.
I hope these tips have helped a bit to make your visit to Gothenburg more interesting and to help you get to know the city better.
-Gothenburg's hidden attractions-