Touring a museum is a wonderful way to dig a little deeper into a country’s history and culture and Gothenburg’s museum scene is top notch, packed with wit and wisdom. As well as art, there are spaces that focus on the area’s industrial past, its relationship with the sea, even one of its favourite children’s characters. And thanks to our network of clued-up Concierges and expert guides, you can be sure that you’ll get the very best tips and tours. Read on for our roundup of the ten best museums in Gothenburg.
- Gothenburg Museum of Art
- Roda Sten
- Natural History Museum
- Volvo Musuem
- Aeroseum
- Göteborgs Konsthall
- Museum of World Culture
- Maritiman
- Alfons Åberg Kulturhus
- Universeum
1
Gothenburg Museum of Art
The Gothenburg Muesum of Art deserves top spot on any list of the best museums in Gothenburg. With six floors of art from the 15th century to the present, Gothenburg’s Museum of Art is home to the world’s foremost collection of Nordic painting. The museum also features works by Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh, and there’s a separate room dedicated to Pablo Picasso. Hasselblad - one of world’s finest camera makers - hails from Gothenburg and the museum is home to the Hasselblad Foundation. If you’d like to learn more about the various permanent and temporary exhibitions, we can arrange for an expert guide to take you on a private tour.
2
Roda Sten
You’ll find Röda Sten Art Centre in an old boiler house under the Älvsborg Bridge. It's an alternative venue for contemporary arts in all its forms, featuring exhibitions, workshops, programmes and shows, but also food, drink and music. Venture outside and you’ll discover a giant graffiti wall and when stomachs start rumbling, there’s an excellent restaurant which boasts stunning views over Göta Älv.
3
Natural History Museum
With exhibitions spread over three floors, Gothenburg’s Natural History Museum is a delight for all ages, and whatever you’re interested in, you’re sure to find it here. The city’s oldest museum, which is located southwest of the city centre, houses a collection of ten million preserved animals, insects and reptiles, and activities range from becoming a crime investigator to sleepovers with dinosaurs.
4
Volvo Museum
Alongside Ikea and ABBA, Volvo is one of Sweden’s top exports. And much like the motors themselves, this museum is a dependable place to spend an afternoon, revealing the surprising variety of products and projects the brand has been involved in. The layout is well thought through, providing a walking tour of Volvo through the years, although the building itself is a little out of town so you might need a taxi.
5
Aeroseum
The dramatic setting alone is reason enough to visit Aeroseum. Located in an enormous 1950s subterranean hanger blasted out of the rocks (a top-secret defence facility during the Cold War), this is an exciting and interactive aviation space. In addition to educational exhibitions on spies, atom bombs and much more, you can check out more than 50 aircraft, fighter planes and helicopters. The museum is also an experience centre where you can play pilot in a flight simulator or even cure your fear of flying.
6
Göteborgs Konsthall
Götenborgs Konsthall is one of the best museums in Gothenburg for contemporary art lovers, with exciting exhibitions by new and upcoming artists from Sweden and around the world. The space is small but perfectly formed and visitors can participate in creative workshops, guided tours and artist talks. Once your appetite for art has been met, fill up on tasty grub in one of the many nearby eateries in Gothenburg’s buzzing centre.
7
Museum of World Culture
This contemporary concrete building – which boasts an impressive four-storey glass atrium overlooking the surrounding mountains and woods – is a place for asking big questions. Learn about historical events and current issues through exhibitions, films, seminars and more, and if you time your visit right, you can also enjoy the festivals, drinks events, workshops and live performances that take place here. Entry to the museum is free but most events have a small fee.
8
Maritiman
Maritiman is a floating museum on the Göta Älv that charts the city’s rich maritime history. With an armada of 19 civil and military vessels waiting to be explored, you could easily spend an entire day here. There are some restrictions on access, with certain compartments closed off, but most areas are open to visitors, and you can walk from the submarine’s engine room to the torpedo room and everywhere in between. Guided tours are recommended as the ship is large and there’s a lot to see.
9
Alfons Åberg Kulturhus
If you’re travelling with little ones, this cosy house dedicated to the children’s book character Alfons Åberg offers two floors of fun. Activities include shows, a play area, slides, a maze, and a climbing area. There’s also a cute shop and a great café with an outdoor seating area.
10
Universeum
This interactive science museum brings the universe to you, with animals, nature, chemistry, technology, and loads of experiments under one roof. See the monkeys and sloths, walk through the Swedish wilderness, launch into space and dive to the deepest depths of the ocean. And if you’re still hungry for more, pop to nearby Liseberg amusement park for adrenalin rushes aplenty. One of the country’s top attractions, the park offers rides, music, games, good food and beautiful gardens over three seasons: summer, Halloween and Christmas.
So there you have it, our favourite museums in Sweden’s second city. With so much to see, it’s worth enlisting the help of a dedicated travel consultant to take care of your accommodation, transport and any essential activities. When you book with Original Travel, we’ll take care of everything. All you need to do is relax and look forward to your trip.