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Inom Vallgraven

Historic town centre with canals and shopping

The historic old town within the former moat is Gothenburg's centre, with canals, the cathedral, Kronhuset, market halls and the main shopping streets.

Gustaf Adolfs Torg with the equestrian statue of King Gustav II Adolf and the city hall in the background under a blue sky.

The city within the walls

Inom Vallgraven, literally "within the moat", is Gothenburg's historic core, founded in 1621 and laid out by Dutch town planners with a grid of streets and canals. Remnants of the old moat still line the district today, crossed by small bridges and the sightseeing boats of the Paddan line.

Sights close together

The city's key historic sights sit within easy reach of each other here: the Domkyrka cathedral, Kronhuset, the city's oldest building with its craft courtyard, the Feskekôrka fish market hall on the edge of the district, and the central square Gustaf Adolfs Torg with the city hall. In between run the main shopping streets and the Stora Saluhallen market hall.

A practical base

As Gothenburg's centre, Inom Vallgraven is the most convenient base for first-time visitors: centrally located, well served by trams and within walking distance of almost everything. The large Nordstan shopping centre borders it directly to the north, while the Avenyn begins to the south.

Around Inom Vallgraven

The neoclassical Gothenburg Cathedral with its distinctive tower shapes the city skyline.

Gothenburg Cathedral

The neoclassical cathedral from 1815 in Inom Vallgraven, a bright white-and-gold interior with an angel altar and columns. Free entry, a quiet stop in the centre.

Kronhuset, Gothenburg's oldest surviving secular building from the 17th century, with its distinctive red-brick facade and green copper roof.

Kronhuset

Kronhuset, once a military arsenal, is Gothenburg's oldest surviving building, with a courtyard, craft shops (Kronhusbodarna) and a café, free to visit.

Feskekôrka (the fish church) with its distinctive zigzag roof on the Rosenlundskanal, seen from the side.

Feskekôrka

Feskekôrka, Gothenburg's fish church, is a market hall shaped like a neo-Gothic church, fresh fish at the stalls and restaurants on the Rosenlundskanal.

A tram on Kungsportsavenyn

Kungsportsavenyn

Kungsportsavenyn, known to everyone as the Avenyn, is Gothenburg's central boulevard: about 1 km from the canal to Götaplatsen, lined with cafés, restaurants and bars.

The Helix roller coaster at Liseberg at dusk

Liseberg

Scandinavia's largest amusement park: historic wooden coasters, modern rides, gardens and open-air concerts. A hit with families in summer, at Halloween and in December.

The historic full-rigged ship Barken Viking moored on the Göta älv in front of the landmark red high-rise Lilla Bommen in Gothenburg's harbour.

Maritiman

Floating ship museum in Gothenburg's harbour: around a dozen historic vessels, from the submarine Nordkaparen to the destroyer Småland, open to explore.

Röhsska Museum

Sweden's only design museum, near the Avenyn, holds an open chair store with over 500 chairs, East Asian art and a hall for Nordic design.

The Palm House of the Garden Society behind flowering borders

Trädgårdsföreningen

Historic city park from 1842 opposite Gothenburg Central Station, with a large rose garden and an 1878 glass palm house. Free entry to both.

The space corridor at Universeum with the sign 'Meddelanden till rymden' and an atmospheric mirrored ceiling.

Universeum

Ten-floor science centre with a living rainforest, a large ocean aquarium full of sharks and countless hands-on stations, one of Gothenburg's most family-friendly attractions.