Distance: 5–7 kilometres
Estimated time: 3–4 hours
Level: Medium, quite a long walk but with plenty of chances to sit down and rest along the way.
You can make the walk shorter by skipping Slottsskogen. Keep going straight after the park Seminarieparken and you’ll reach the Botanical Gardens.
The Garden Society of Gothenburg
Begin your walk in the Garden Society of Gothenburg, one of the best preserved 19th century parks in Europe. The exotic palm house and the impressive rose garden attract visitors all year round.
Kungsparken
When you’ve had a look around the Garden Society, head out towards the park Kungsparken via the entrance facing the park Bältesspännarparken. Cross the road and walk past the theatre Stora Teatern, a popular venue for concerts and cultural events. Walk along the canal and admire the magnificent trees of Kungsparken. When you reach the bridge Rosenlundsbron you’ve reached the end of the park. On the other side of the canal you’ll see the famous fish market hall Feskekôrka.
You’re not heading that way though, instead walk towards the church Hagakyrkan along the street Spränggkullsgatan. You’ll pass the bustling pedestrian street Haga Nygata and the School of business, economics and law of Gothenburg University.
Skansen Kronan
If you look up you’ll see the fortress Skansen Kronan, situated on the hill Risåsberget. The fortress was completed in 1697 and had 23 cannons ready for battle, but in the end was never attacked. Today, the fortress is a popular lookout and if you’ve got energy to spare it’s worth taking the many stairs to the top.
To continue the walk, go back to the road you were on (Sprängkullsgatan, which turns in to Övre Husargatan). Follow the road up towards Linnéplatsen. Just before you get to Linnéplatsen you’ll arrive at our next stop, the cosy park Seminarieparken.
Seminarieparken
This small park is a perfect place for a quick break. Sit down on one of the many benches and relax. The park really shines during spring time and the cherry blossoms, but the wide variety of trees and plants mixed with winding gravelled paths makes it a place worth visiting all year. Once you’ve given your leg a rest, head back out and cross Linnéplatsen in to Slottsskogen.
Slottsskogen City Park
Welcome to the main park of Gothenburg. Slottsskogen has a lot to offer, but make sure to stop by the zoo where you’ll find seals, penguins and elk (free admission). Now would also be a good time to sit down at one of the many cafés in Slottsskogen for a traditional Swedish “fika”.
When you’re ready, make your way towards the footbridge that stretches over the busy road Daghammarskjöldsleden. You’ll find it by following the road Fågeldammsvägen in Slottsskogen.
Botanical Garden of Gothenburg
Once you’ve crossed the footbridge, take the stairs down to the street Carl Skottsbergs gata. Walk along the street until you reach the main entrance of the Botanical Garden of Gothenburg. The 30 SEK entrance fee is optional. You are now entering one of the best botanical gardens in northern Europe. Here, more than 20 000 species of plants are spread out in green houses and inviting areas. The Botanical Gardens is a lovely place to just wander about with tranquil spaces such as the Japanese glade.
If you’ve had enough walking for one day, it’s easy to get a tram back in to the city centre from the stop Botaniska Trädgården. If you’d like to do some more walking then the natural area Änggårdsbergen is adjacent to the Botanical gardens, a little bit of wilderness in the middle of Gothenburg.
