Gothenburg with Kids

Gothenburg is widely considered one of Scandinavia's most family-friendly cities, and for good reason. Several of its biggest attractions are practically built for children, the distances between them are short, and much of it can be reached on the same public transport ticket. Travelling with kids here, you can leave the car behind and skip the long transfers. Below are the key destinations with opening hours and prices for 2026.

Liseberg - Scandinavia's largest amusement park

Top of the list is Liseberg, Scandinavia's largest amusement park, with rides for every age. The 2026 summer season runs roughly from 18 April to 20 September. During peak season in June, July and into mid-August the park opens daily, usually from around midday until late evening (about 22:00 to 23:00). Exact daily hours vary by date, it's worth checking the online calendar before you go.

Prices are dynamic and start online at these from-prices:

• Entry (Entré) from 95 kr, doesn't include rides.
• Ride pass (Åkpass) from 310 kr, unlimited rides, sold separately from entry.
• Entry + Åkpass from 365 kr, the usual choice for a full day out.
• Åkpass Kanin from 195 kr, for the children's land, with rides for the youngest visitors.
• Åkpass Kanin Duo from 390 kr, one child plus one accompanying adult.

Children under 110 cm get in free. If you're visiting more than once in a season, a season pass works out cheaper: the Lisebergspasset costs 395 kr (195 kr for seniors 65+), and the Guldpasset, with entry and unlimited rides, is 2,595 kr. For a single family day with younger children, the Kanin pass for the children's land is usually enough, the big roller coasters have height restrictions anyway.

Universeum, science centre with a rainforest and sharks

Right next to Liseberg is the Universeum, a science centre with a rainforest, aquariums and plenty of hands-on stations. In 2026 it's open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 all year round, which makes it a reliable wet-weather option if Liseberg or the archipelago aren't on the cards.

In 2026, entry costs 295 kr for adults and 245 kr for children aged 3 to 16; children under 3 go free. Prices here are demand-based too, and booking online is cheapest, paying at the door adds 30 kr to the online price. An annual pass is 545 kr for adults and 395 kr for children. The Universeum doesn't set a firm minimum age for the visit as a whole; the only documented threshold is the visualisation dome Wisdome, recommended from age 4 because of bright light and loud sound. A visit typically fills half a day to a full day, so Liseberg and the Universeum split comfortably across two days.

Slottsskogen, free animals in the middle of the city

The large city park Slottsskogen has a free zoo open year-round. Animals on show include moose, seals, fallow deer, penguins, plus Gotland pony breeds and Gute sheep. The separate Barnens zoo (children's zoo), with Swedish farm animals, opens in summer, 24 April to 31 August, daily from 10:00 to 16:30.

For families, the fixed daily schedule is especially handy:

• Seal feeding at 14:00.
• Penguin feeding at 14:20.
• Pony rides Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00, with a lunch break from 13:00 to 13:30.

Since entry and the feedings are all free, Slottsskogen works well as a relaxed stop between two bigger attractions, or as a picnic afternoon when the budget needs a break after a day at Liseberg.

Maritiman, climbing through a submarine and a destroyer

At the floating ship museum Maritiman on Packhuskajen, kids climb through real naval vessels. The fleet of nine museum ships includes the Draken-class submarine Nordkaparen, the destroyer Småland, the largest preserved naval ship in Scandinavia, and the lightship Fladen. The narrow ladders and passageways, especially aboard the submarine, make the visit more rewarding for older children; it's less suited to toddlers in a carrier.

The summer season runs 13 June to 31 August, daily 10:00 to 20:00 (10:00 to 14:00 only on Midsummer's Eve). In spring and autumn it's open on weekdays 11:00 to 17:00 at the reduced "Base Day" price, and at weekends as a full programme day, also 11:00 to 17:00; during the autumn half-term (24 October to 1 November) it's 11:00 to 16:00.

2026 prices: adults 175 kr on a programme day or 150 kr on a Base Day, children aged 5 to 15 110 kr or 90 kr; students and seniors pay 150 kr or 135 kr. There's no free tier for any age group. Regular visitors can get a season pass (290 kr adults, 165 kr child); the combined Sjöpasset ticket costs 225 kr for adults and 110 kr for children aged 7 to 18.

Ferry to the archipelago

In good weather, a trip out to the car-free Gothenburg archipelago is an adventure for the whole family. Ferries to the southern archipelago leave from Saltholmen (operated by Styrsöbolaget / Västtrafik) and run year-round, roughly hourly to the larger islands and more frequently in summer. Handy for families: the same Västtrafik ticket covers ferry, bus and tram. From the city centre (Stenpiren), the direct route to Vrångö takes around 1 hour 35 minutes in total. Stops include Brännö, Styrsö, Vrångö, Asperö and Köpstadsö.

There's no official ranking of which island suits young children best, but the islands are all car-free and quiet, with swimming spots and short distances to cover. For more on routes and how to choose, see the guide Gothenburg archipelago.

Public transport, tickets and eating out with kids

The city is flat and easy to navigate with a tram and a pushchair - Västtrafik's tram network is the largest in Scandinavia. Ticket age rules are straightforward:

• Children under 7 travel free when accompanied by a paying passenger.
• Young people aged 7 to 19 (the Ungdom category, up to their 20th birthday) pay 25 percent less
  • a single Zone A ticket costs 28 kr instead of 37 kr.
• The adult fare applies from age 20.

For a day full of trips, the 24-hour ticket (Dygnsbiljett) for Zone A is good value, covering Gothenburg, Mölndal, Partille and Öckerö plus the archipelago ferries; a three-day pass (72 hours) is available for longer stays. For the best way to combine tram, ferry and bike hire, see the guide Getting around Gothenburg; if you're planning a lot of sightseeing, check the Gothenburg City Card.

Restaurants and cafés are easygoing about kids. A well-known option with its own all-day kids' menu and a view is Heaven 23 in the Gothia Towers; relaxed, with its own children's menu (burgers, pizza, mac and cheese, milkshakes), is Corner. Kid-sized portions are also available at Moon Thai Kitchen, and Bamba in Fixfabriken is casual and family-friendly. Exact prices for the day vary, and for fika, there are cinnamon buns everywhere in any case. More in the guide Food and drink in Gothenburg.