I suppose Gothenburg could be as well called the green city, so don’t miss an opportunity to stroll along its beautiful parks and gardens.
Botaniska Tradgarden
This park is the beauty oasis of Gothenburg, and is in fact the most dramatic, cultivated bit of nature in western Sweden. The botanic gardens were first opened to the public in 1923 and have been improved considerably over the years with better landscaping and more stunning plantings. Winding paths stretching for a few kilometers have been cut through the gardens and you can stroll along at leisure, absorbing the beauty of nature at every turn. There are plants and landscape scenes from around the world: You can wander into a Bamboo Grove evoking Southeast Asia, or explore a Japanese Dale. In spring the Rhododendron Valley bursts into bloom, one of the most stunning sights of Gothenburg. The splendid Rock Garden, with its ponds, rugged rocks, cliffs, rivulets, and a cascade, is alone worth the journey.
Hours: Garden, daily 9am-sunset. Greenhouses, May-Aug, daily 10am-5pm; Sept-Apr, daily 10am-4pm
Address: Carl Skottsbergsgata 22
Transportation: Tram: 1, 2, or 7
Phone: 031/41-37-50
Prices: Garden, free; greenhouses, 20 SEK ($2.55), free for children 16 and under
Slottsskogen
With 274 acres, this is the largest park in Gothenburg. First laid out in 1874 in a naturally wooded area, today it has beautiful walks, animal enclosures, a saltwater pool, bird ponds, and an aviary, as well as a children's zoo (open May to August). A variety of events and entertainment take place here in summer. There's an outdoor cafe at the zoo, plus restaurants at Villa Bel Park and Bjorng?rdsvillan.
Hours: Daily 24 hours
Address: Near Linneplatsen
Transportation: Tram: 1 or 2 to Linneplatsen
Phone: 031/61-18-90
Prices: Free admission
Tradgardsforeningen
Located across the canal from the Central Station, this park boasts a large Rosarium that flourishes with about 10,000 rose bushes of 4,000 different species. The park's centerpieces are the Palm House, a greenhouse maintained at subtropical temperatures even in the depths of winter, and a Butterfly House containing beautiful butterflies that flutter through a simulation of a natural habitat. The city of Gothenburg sometimes hosts exhibits, concerts (sometimes during the lunch hour), and children's theater pieces in the park.
Hours: May-Aug, daily 7am-9pm; Sept-Apr, daily 7am-6pm
Address: Entrances on Slussgatan and Sodra Vagen
Location: across from the Central Station
Phone: 031/61-18-83
Prices: Park, 10 SEK ($1.30) adults, free for children 16 and under, free for everyone Sept-Apr; Palm House, 20 SEK ($2.55) adults and children; Butterfly House, 35 SEK ($4.50) adults, 10 SEK ($1.30) children
