Guides

Family days out in Gothenburg

Ideas for days out with children in Gothenburg: science centres, parks, the archipelago and rainy-day plans.

A family day in Gothenburg does not have to mean fitting everything in. You can choose rainforest discoveries, a storybook play session or a ferry outing, then leave room for snacks and a slower afternoon. These six ideas give you a mix of indoor and outdoor plans to suit your family.

1. Universeum

Let your children’s questions lead the way through rainforest, underwater life and hands-on science. Universeum gives you different worlds to explore under one roof, so you can follow an interest rather than rush through every exhibition.

Good to know

  • Book an arrival time online; check the official site for current prices and opening hours.
  • Even children under three need their own free admission ticket. Wisdome films require a separate ticket.

2. Liseberg

Make the amusement park the main event rather than squeezing it between other stops. Kaninlandet, the Rabbit Land, gives younger children their own area of rides and play, while the wider park gives you more choices as a family.

Good to know

  • Check Liseberg’s date-specific opening calendar before promising a visit; the park has seasonal opening.
  • Compare admission and ride-pass options before buying. Check the official site for current prices and what your ticket includes.

3. Slottsskogen

Choose Slottsskogen when your family needs space to move at its own pace. You can wander between parkland and woodland, look for Nordic animals in the zoo and settle down for a picnic without making the day all about tickets.

Good to know

  • The park zoo has free admission and is open year-round.
  • Playgrounds include Plikta and Naturleken. Treat the children’s zoo and pony rides as seasonal extras and check availability before going.

4. Alfie Atkins Cultural Centre

Step into the world of Gunilla Bergström’s books and let play take over. You can explore the story-inspired interiors together, with theatre and storytelling adding something different to a day indoors.

Good to know

  • Book a session through the cultural centre; check current session times and prices on the official site.
  • Programme activities are included in admission. Check the day’s programme before choosing your session.

5. The Maritime Museum and Aquarium

Follow the sea from living coral and fish to the stories of people who sailed it. The children’s exhibitions give you imaginative spaces to explore together, making this more than a visit where everyone has to stand still and look.

Good to know

  • Find the museum at Karl Johansgatan 1. Check the official visitor information for current admission and opening hours.
  • There is a café on site, useful if you want a break between the exhibitions and aquariums.

6. A southern archipelago ferry outing

Let the boat ride be part of the adventure rather than just a way to get somewhere. The car-free southern islands give you a change of scene from the city; choose one island and leave time simply to wander together.

Good to know

  • Ferries run year-round from Saltholmen, with limited departures from Stenpiren. Check both outward and return sailings before setting off.
  • A Västtrafik Zone A ticket covers the tram, bus and ferry journey. Check the official site for current fares.

Quick tips

  • Choose one main attraction and leave space for food, play and changes of mind.
  • Keep Universeum or the Maritime Museum as an indoor alternative, checking ticket availability first.
  • For an island outing, plan around your return ferry rather than trying to visit several islands.
  • Check upcoming events in Gothenburg on Socroo below and find someone to go with.

Upcoming events

Gothenburg in summer Universeum: tickets Liseberg: opening calendar Slottsskogen visitor guide Alfie Atkins Cultural Centre Maritime Museum and Aquarium Getting to the archipelago