Did you know that Gothenburg was named Best Sustainable City Stay 2021 by Lonely Planet? The city is particularly proud of this award and continues working towards making your stay in Gothenburg as sustainable as possible. Another reason for celebration in 2021 is the city’s 400th birthday on June 4. See our list below of highlights and interesting events taking place in Gothenburg in 2021.

Every event will be following local rules and regulations to make sure everyone is as safe as possible, therefore all events might be changed or cancelled with short notice if necessary.

Visit the Best Sustainable City in the world 2021
When Lonely Planet published its annual Best in Travel list, Gothenburg came out top in the sustainability category, and has therefore been named the world’s Best Sustainable City Stay! Lonely planet writes: “Gothenburg has held the top ranking in the Global Destinations Sustainability Index since 2016 and its progressive, measurable solutions for sustainability wowed our expert panel.”

On the same subject, Gothenburg was also chosen as European Capital of Smart Tourism 2020. The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative champions EU tourism destinations striving for inclusivity, creativity, digitalization and sustainability. Gothenburg and Málaga, the 2020 capitals, are leading the way.

Gothenburg celebrate its 400th birthday 2021
The city celebrates its 400th birthday on June 4. Although the big spectacular celebrations are postponed to 2023 due to the COVID pandemic, there will still be some birthday events and tributes to the city during this year. Interesting events to look out for:

– During the birthday weekend June 4 there will be historical spectacles out in the streets of the oldest parts of Gothenburg.
-New exhibitions about the history of Gothenburg open at the City Museum on June 4 (the museum is closed at the moment due to COVID)
-Walk on the brand new bridge Hisingsbron, designed by the prestigious
Danish architect firm Dissing+Weitling, that will be inaugurated spring 2021.
-Listen to the anniversary song played every day the whole year from the church bells at the German Church in the city centre.

New Hotels

Scandic Landvetter (Opens May 31)
The new hotel at the Landvetter airport opens on May 31 and has 223 rooms, flexible meeting places, a restaurant and a jacuzzi & sauna area with take-off and landing views. This is a great family hotel since kids under 13 years old stay for free! Scandic Landvetter is located in the middle of the terminal and one can reach the gate in just a few minutes.

Quality hotel Weaver (Opens March 15)
Just south of Gothenburg city center, in Mölndal, Quality Hotel The Weaver will soon open. The large hotel consists of 21 floors filled with 370 hotel rooms, a restaurant, bar, gym and a large conference and congress facility. The tram takes you from the hotel to the city centre and popular Liseberg in just 8 minutes.

New luxurious penthouse rooms at design hotel Riverton (Opened Dec 2020) The family owned design hotel Riverton in central Gothenburg has in December 2020 finalized its extensive two-year renovation to a value of 220 million SEK. The hotel now boasts with a new SPA and gym, a remarkable sky bar & restaurant and 24 brand new rooms, including five luxurious penthouse rooms each with their own terrace with astonishing views of the harbour.

Penthouse room starting at 4995 SEK (2 persons, including breakfast and Wi-Fi) Deluxe Double room starting at 1495 SEK (2 persons, including breakfast and Wi-Fi) A tip: book directly with the hotel and they will include a visit at their Serenity Spa and a welcome cocktail for free.

New Restaurants & Bars

Despite the COVID pandemic, that has hit the hospitality industry hard during 2020, many new restaurants and bars have opened in Gothenburg in the last months. When the time is right, these are some of the most exiting places to try out. (At the moment, they are all open and are following the Swedish rules and regulations set due to the pandemic, for example max 4 persons at each table and no alcohol can be served after 20.00)

Pils beer bar by Dugges (Opened 19 Jan)
The well known brewery from Gothenburg is now opening a new beer bar in the area of Linne in central Gothenburg. Here you have a great possibility to try a lot of local beers as well as enjoy some Swedish design since the bar is created by local designer Staffan Holm. They will also serve lighter food and the menu, which is focusing on “new Swedish food”, has been created by famous Swedish chef Gustav Trädgård.

Kajutan (opened Dec 2020)
After 14 years in the iconic fish market “the Fishchurch” restaurant Kajutan has now moved into new fantastic premises on the mezzanine floor of the local market hall “Stora Saluhallen”. Here you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood in an historic and unique atmosphere (the building dates back to 1889).

Boqueria (opened Dec 2020)
The lively and acclaimed restaurant Boqueria has now opened in Gothenburg following their success in Stockholm and Åre. Located on the main boulevard Avenyn in the city center, this is the place to enjoy Spanish and Catalan tapas and pinxtos.

Balambaras – cocktail bar (opened autumn 2020)
Gothenburg’s newest cocktail bar and nightclub, on the trendy street Teatergatan, is open every Friday and Saturday from 19:00 starting with “Early Nights” serving easy food and tasty cocktails. The cocktail menu consists of six different cocktails with origins from Ethiopia. Later in the night, the beautiful lounge is transformed into a nightclub with various types of music and DJs.

More news

Let’s Boat
Sail through the historical canals with your own electric boat! There are no requirements for a license to rent the boat and you can fit as many as 12 persons onboard. Ride as a couple, family, friends, colleagues or explore Gothenburg on your own. Drinks and snacks are allowed to bring on so why not enjoy a picnic with local delicatessen onboard. You can rent the boat 1,2 or 3 hours from April 2021 and prices start at 695 SEK.

Lync & Co has just opened its first club in Sweden, in its hometown Gothenburg. The global mobility brand launched its membership concept in Europe in the autumn of 2020. Although Lync & Co is a new car brand from the Volvo Group, it is not the car that is the main attraction. Instead, the focus is on design and sustainability where guests can feel welcome, have a coffee, sit and work or shop for clothes, art and furniture from carefully selected local creators.

Women’s Champions League Final May 16
For the very first time, Sweden will host a Champions League final. One of the most prestigious matches in the football calendar will be played at Gothenburg’s Gamla Ullevi arena on May 16, 2021, the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The UEFA Champions League is Europe’s largest club football tournament and the best team in Europe will be crowned. We will not know which two teams will play in the final until after the semi-finals in early May, but you can expect to see football of the finest quality. Naturally, the hopes are that the match can be played in front of spectators, but that is yet to be decided.