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Things to do in Gothenburg in summer: garden and archipelago

Summer in Gothenburg: the Botanical Garden, one archipelago island trip, and balancing gardens with the coast.

Summer in Gothenburg is a good excuse to divide your time between gardens and the sea. Start with Botaniska’s outdoor collections, keep one day for a single archipelago island, and use the city’s parks for slower hours in between. These four outings give you room for a picnic, a swim or a coffee without spending the whole visit moving between places.

1. Gothenburg Botanical Garden

Give Botaniska time for more than a quick loop near the entrance. Its outdoor collections include a rock garden and a large arboretum, so you can choose between detailed planting displays and a longer tree-filled walk. It is a good summer outing in its own right, not just a stop on the way to somewhere else.

Good to know

  • The outdoor garden is open daily, year-round; there is a voluntary admission contribution.
  • The main greenhouses are closed during rebuilding: plan an outdoor visit and check construction access updates before going.
  • The garden recommends arriving by public transport, bicycle or on foot; parking is limited.
  • Use the garden’s map or app to choose a route, and check café hours separately.

2. Take the ferry to Styrsö

Choose Styrsö for one unhurried archipelago day. You can walk through villages, find a swimming place or climb to Stora Rös for a view across the islands. Staying on one island leaves time for the quiet bits between the ferry ride and lunch, rather than spending the day chasing connections.

Good to know

  • The southern islands are car-free; plan your trip using public transport ferries from Saltholmen.
  • Check the current outbound and return departures before leaving, including the correct Styrsö landing for your walk.
  • Bratten and Uttervik are swimming options listed by the tourism board; bring swimwear if you want a dip.
  • Check café and restaurant hours before relying on a particular meal stop, and carry water and a windproof layer.

3. The Garden Society of Gothenburg

For a garden outing without a trip out of the centre, head to Trädgårdsföreningen. The rose garden brings summer colour, while the historic Palm House offers a very different world of tropical plants. Bring a picnic, find a bench or leave time for coffee rather than treating the park as a shortcut.

Good to know

  • Both the park and Palm House have free entry and open daily.
  • The Palm House has different hours from the park; check both before an evening visit.
  • The park is close to Centralstationen, Brunnsparken and Kungsportsplatsen, making it an easy stop between other plans.
  • Cafés and a playground are available if you are visiting with children.

4. Slow down in Slottsskogen

Slottsskogen gives you space for a picnic, a walk and a less scheduled summer afternoon. The mix of lawns and natural woodland feels different from the botanical collections, and the zoo introduces Nordic animals such as moose and Gotland ponies. You can keep this outing as simple as a short stroll and time on the grass.

Good to know

  • The park zoo is open all year and free to visit.
  • Children’s zoo activities and pony rides are seasonal; check the city’s current arrangements before promising them to children.
  • The park hosts events including Way Out West; check the programme before choosing where to spend a quiet afternoon.

Quick tips

  • Keep Botaniska and the island trip on separate days so neither becomes a rushed extra.
  • Check ferry departures before the island day and keep the order of your outings flexible for the weather.
  • Check upcoming events in Gothenburg on Socroo below and find someone to go with.

Upcoming events

Family days out in Gothenburg Gothenburg Botanical Garden: visit Gothenburg tourism: Styrsö Gothenburg tourism: archipelago travel The Garden Society of Gothenburg Slottsskogen city park