Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
London to Gothenburg by Train Scenic Journeys, Spectacular Seafood and Serene Shores
Sweden – Gothenburg – Marstrand – Ljungskile
Embark on the first section of your train journey from London to Brussels, Brussels to Cologne and finally, Cologne to Hamburg. After an evening spent taking advantage of the city’s bustling bar scene, it’s just two more speedy train journeys to Copenhagen and then, finally, to Gothenburg, where you’ll spend a day exploring the city on foot and sampling world-renowned cuisine.
Next, swap culture for cuisine as you visit the idyllic island of Marstrand, where you can delve into local history, before heading to Ljungskile for a seafood safari (yes, really). While here, you’ll have the chance to harvest and sample blue mussels and forage for your own food in a lush garden.
Then, it’s time for your train journey home, with another overnight in Hamburg. Simply sit back, relax and take in the scenery as you journey across four different countries in two days – now that’s the magic of train travel.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine: your train trip from London to Gothenburg begins bright and early today with a morning Eurostar train from London St. Pancras station to Brussels. The journey takes around two hours, so nab a seat by the window and watch the world go by as you wind your way across the tip of France and through Belgium to its capital.
From here, it’s just a speedy platform change to the second stage of your journey, a two-hour ICE (InterCity Express) train from Brussels to Cologne. Then it's another relaxed connection and a final four-hour ICE train to the pretty port city of Hamburg, where you’ll be staying for the night.
You'll arrive in the early evening, so after checking into your hotel, head out for a wander along the city’s picturesque canals before grabbing a bite to eat – our Concierge can recommend a lovely local spot in town.
After filling up on a hearty breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to board the train again for a scenic five-hour journey from Hamburg to Copenhagen Central Station. The railway heads north across the border from Hamburg into Denmark, then cuts east to Funen Island, Zealand Island and, finally, the Danish capital, across a series of complex bridges and tunnels.
From Copenhagen, it's a four-hour train to Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city. After checking in and freshening up, enjoy a leisurely evening meal in the city, washed down with an ice-cold glass of wine. And, relax…
After all the travelling over the past few days, take the time to stretch your legs this morning as you explore Gothenburg on foot. This charming canal-lined city is wonderfully vibrant, boasting a fun-loving student population and world-renowned food culture.
Wander the cobbled streets of Haga – home to the 17th-century Skansen Kronan fortress – then duck into a bakery for fika, a local tradition involving a cinnamon bun and a cup of coffee (yes, please).
After your caffeine hit, dive into the city’s culture at the Gothenburg Museum of Art, marvelling at the almost 70,000 artworks on display.
Suitably wowed, head back to your hotel and pack your bags ready for your afternoon ferry to the seaside town of Marstrand. The three-hour ferry ride includes a stop on the pretty archipelago island of Kallo-Knippla, where you can enjoy a scenic guided walk before continuing on to Marstrand, your home for the next two nights.
Formerly a playground for the Swedish royals, the idyllic island of Marstrand is now a dreamy holiday destination, where travellers can sail, relax and soak up the jet-set lifestyle.
After a leisurely island-style start to your day, set off to see the sights. Begin with a guided tour of the 17th-century Carlsten's Fortress, learning all about its hostile history, before hopping on a boat to the tiny neighbouring island of Hamneskar to see the ruby-red Pater Noster Lighthouse.
Back on Marstrand, wander along the pretty cobbled streets, admire the ornate wooden houses that dot the island and browse the shops before settling down for a delicious dinner at one of the many charming local restaurants.
After a hearty breakfast, grab your bags for the 40-minute private transfer to Ljungskile, a quaint seaside town on the Bohuslan coast. Check into your hotel – your home for the next two nights – and spend some time settling into your new surroundings.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon, whether you’d rather delve into your holiday read in your hotel or wander along the rugged coastline, keeping your eyes peeled for the spotted seals that call these waters home. Come evening, head out for an authentic dinner – this region is known for its spectacular seafood, so order up and dig in.
Caught (sorry) a taste for Ljungskile’s seafood yesterday? You’re in luck. This morning, take to the water as you venture out into the fjord aboard a steel trawler to harvest blue mussels, one of the world's most sustainable (and delicious) delicacies.
Alongside a private guide, head out by boat to a vast offshore farm, where you’ll learn about the life cycle of the blue mussel and even try your hand at harvesting them yourself. Then, back on dry land, enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh mussels, cooked up by an expert chef in a giant mussel pan and served in the historic clock tower at Lyckorna. It doesn’t come much better than this.
Give breakfast a miss this morning as you hop in a car for the 45-minute transfer to Gunnebo House and Gardens, a 240-acre nature reserve which works to preserve traditional landscape management. Here, you’ll have the chance to forage for food, learn how to conjure up a tasty seasonal meal with the help of a local chef, and, of course, taste your delicious creations al fresco, among rolling hills and lush forests.
Back in Ljungskile, grab your bags and meet your driver for the 45-minute transfer back to Gothenburg, where you’ll be staying for the night.
Okay, we have good news and bad news. The bad news? It's sadly time to begin your journey home. The good news? It’s another day of relaxing train journeys across complex bridges and through scenic landscapes. That sounds like a win to us…
Pack your bags and depart from Gothenburg, taking the same route as your outbound journey via Copenhagen and towards Hamburg. After a whirlwind week of activities, savour the chance to relax and soak up the views on the eight-and-a-half-hour train ride.
Come evening, you’ll arrive in Hamburg with time to spend one last night in the city. Head out for dinner before rounding off the day with a nightcap in one of the many buzzing bars.
Enjoy one last German breakfast before heading back to the station for the final leg of your train trip home. After departing from Hamburg this morning, travel for four hours through Germany to Cologne, arriving in the early afternoon. From here, it's a quick two-hour journey to Brussels and another speedy two-hour Eurostar back to London St. Pancras, arriving in the evening.
It might sound long, but each train ride is the perfect opportunity for some guilt-free R&R, alternating between dozing, daydreaming, gazing at the passing views and scrolling through your holiday snaps. That’s enough to give anyone a taste for train travel…
Why visit Sweden with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Sweden
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
