Gothenburg was founded on 4 June 1621 but its 400th anniversary celebrations were delayed because of the pandemic. This year Gothenburg’s anniversary festivities finally get to happen, starting with a big festival in Frihamnen from 2-5 June, with a royal visit, well known artists, food and activities for all ages. The celebrations continue all summer until 3 September, when the finale will include Frihamnsdagarna, the Kulturkalaset culture festival and GöteborgsVarvet Marathon. You’ll find the whole events’ calendar via the link below.
Liseberg gets a new roller coaster and a new hotel in 2023
The Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg is celebrating its centenary by opening a completely new family friendly hotel – Grand Curiosa Hotel, right by Liseberg’s south entrance. All the 457 rooms have at least five beds, but there are also six and seven bed rooms, and “connecting rooms” for really big groups.
On top of that this summer will see the opening of the new Luna roller coaster, which will be the longest and highest of its kind. The train is drawn backwards and then shot forwards at 68 km/h along the 242 metre long track, till it reaches the 33.5 metre top. It will then travel backwards back along the track, resulting in a ride time of around one minute.
New boutique B&B with restaurant and farm shop on Koster island
On 15 May Kläpphagen opened its boutique Bed & Breakfast on the island of South Koster, in northern Bohuslän. You can get there by ferry from Strömstad. Kläpphagen also has a restaurant where food is cooked over an open fire, a grill, or in the wood-fired oven. As well as accommodation, and locally produced seasonal food, there is a farm shop, glamping and activities like cycling, hiking, boules and fishing.
The island of South Koster is located in Kosterhavet National Park, Sweden's first marine national park.
Restaurant Signum chosen as Destination of the Year 2022
Restaurant Signum, which opened in 2022, was chosen as Destination of the Year 2022 by the Swedish financial newspaper Dagens Industri. Signum is situated at Hällsnäs Hotell & Restaurang just outside Mölnlycke, around 15 km east of Gothenburg. The food concept, which focuses on the four elements, the Nordic seasons and local ingredients, has been created by the Swedish celebrity chef Thomas Sjögren, winner of Chef of the Year.
Kläpphagen and Signum – part of Stepping up Sustainability
Both the above businesses, Kläpphagen and Signum, are affiliated to Stepping up Sustainability, which is West Sweden’s joint initiative for a sustainable tourism and hospitality industry, run by the West Sweden Tourist Board. Stepping up Sustainability is based on four fundamental principles:
1. As little environmental impact as possible 2. Good for both residents and visitors 3. More visitors when and where places aren’t full 4. More full time jobs and more robust businesses
If you want to know more about how the affiliated businesses work with these principles click the link.
There’s loads of street art in West Sweden, and now it’s all been mapped by a new tool created by West Sweden Street Art Trail (WSSAT). With an interactive planning tool for your own art excursions, guidance and suggestions for art trails as well as information about the artworks, WSSAT is hoping to inspire both little and big trips for art’s sake.
Strömstad spa and resort opens again after renovation
After being closed for two years, Strömstad spa and resort is reopening. The hotel has been refurbished with a new kitchen, lobby and bar. In a great coastal location, the hotel is conveniently close to many activities as well as to the Koster Islands and the Kosterhavet Marine National Park.
This year British tour operator KE Adventure Travel will be offering a week long walking holiday to Gothenburg and Bohuslän, with a number of exciting highlights. You can hike along the coast with breathtaking views of the islands, get into the Swedish way of life and enjoy the art of ‘fika’, hike through the spectacular Dynes Ravin on the island of Dyrön, and discover Sweden’s ‘second city’- Gothenburg.
In less than a month it’ll be time for one of the Swedes’ most beloved festivals, Midsummer. You’re all invited to come and celebrate the classic Midsummer here in West Sweden, with typical dishes, traditional dances around the midsummer pole and all the fun and festivities that go with it.
All of us here at the West Sweden Tourist Board hope you have a great summer!
