10 Best Things to Do This Summer in Gothenburg

Cielo Rooftop Bar is the place to go for great views, good music and fantastic drinks under a clear or sometimes dramatic night's sky. In summer, the dark sky comes alive with fantastic disco lights and you'll be free to boogie the night away under the stars on nights when a DJ is playing. As the fiery sun begins to set, look out over landmarks such as the Crown Sconce (Skansen Kronan) and Masthugg Church.

Cielo is located at the heart of Gothenburg's main boulevard, Kingsgate Avenue (or simply Avenyn) which makes it an easy spot to reach after a meal or before hitting up the clubs. If arriving by public transport, get off the bus at either Heden or Heden Nya Allén, which is just over 100 metres from the bar.

The Garden Society of Gothenburg (Trädgårdsföreningen) is not just an association but a gorgeous park in the heart of the city, full of enchanting corners and historical sights. Stroll through the award-winning rose garden and admire more than a thousand varieties of fragrant and beautiful roses. Grab a spot of lunch at the Rosenkafé before snapping a selfie outside the majestic Palm House which is modelled on Crystal Palace from London's Hyde Park.

The Garden Society is located in the centre of Gothenburg, just over 100 metres away from Gothenburg Central Station. This makes it an easy place to reach on foot from the train station, or take a tram from your hotel.

Kingsgate Avenue (Kungsportsavenyen), known to locals simply as Avenyn, is Gothenburg's liveliest boulevard with lots of exciting shops, affordable restaurants and vibrant nightlife. It's teeming with all sorts of shops, from intimate antique stores to international chains like H&M and independent dressmakers. Be sure not to miss the side streets which are home to popular restaurants, trendy bars and unique shops. For example, on Teatergatan you'll find exclusive second-hand shops specialising in designer brands like Chanel and Gucci.

Avenyn is the beating heart of Gothenburg's centre. You can reach it by tram from Gothenburg Central Station in just 5 minutes or you can walk the same distance in less than 10.

A day trip to the Gothenburg Archipelago promises picturesque swimming spots, excellent fishing waters, and old-timey islands with a slower pace of life. Paddle by the shores of Björkö Island, rent a floating sauna on Vrångö, bake traditional flatbreads on Hönö or check out the lighthouse on Vinga – and wherever you go, be sure to enjoy some super fresh seafood.

An easy way to sample the archipelago is to book a spot on a guided boat trip with an operator such as Strömma, Skärgårdslinjen or the Steamer Bohuslän (Ångaren Bohuslän). Both longer and shorter tours are available from Gothenburg. Alternatively, you can put together your own adventure by water taxi or use public transport to hop between the islands.

Frihamnen Port not only offers swimming from a sharp and modern jetty, sandy beaches and enticing saunas, but also a whole host of different activities for the family. The public lido is a great place to take a dip in the Göta River, even if it's not the actual river itself that you submerge yourself in, but a floating pool filled with clean and purified water. The public sauna occupies a funky-looking building made from recycled plastic. You'll also find a book exchange, a playground, a roller derby track and much, much more.

Frihamnen Port enjoys a central location in Gothenburg along the northern shore of the Göta River. The area is known as Norra Älvstranden and can be easily reached by bus in just 5 minutes from Gothenburg Central Station. Simply hop off at Frihamnsporten Stop. Or if you prefer to arrive by car, you'll find plenty of parking spaces down by the port.

The Crown Sconce (Skansen Kronan) is a distinguished fortress which offers one of the best views in all of Gothenburg. The gorgeous 17th-century structure, the leafy park which surrounds it and the urban landscape below have made this spot into a favourite among locals for picnics in the sunshine. In the 19th century, once the Danes were no longer considered a dangerous fiend and a threat to Sweden's borders, the building was converted into a prison and today you can go on an exciting tour to learn all about what life was like for its prisoners.

The Crown Sconce is located in the central neighbourhood of Haga in Gothenburg. It can be easily reached by public transport. Simply take a 10-minute bus ride from Gothenburg Central Station to Masthugget and you'll find the tower around 400 metres away.

The Ocean Bus is a great way to see Gothenburg from an utterly unique perspective – your ride is actually an amphibious bus which, after a bit of time on land, will glide straight into the water and transform itself into a boat. In just over an hour you will experience sights such as Avenyn, the Fish Church (Feskekôrka), Liseberg Amusement Park, Ullevi Stadium and the Poseidon Statue by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles.

Then the bus will suddenly flop into the water and float down the Göta River before returning to the city's streets and completing your tour. Information is given in both English and Swedish.

The Delsjön Nature Reserve is known for its many family-friendly bathing spots with sandy beaches, jetties, barbecue areas, playground and beach volleyball court, as well as plenty of exercise trails through gorgeous nature with a rich birdlife. Hop on a mountain bike at Brudarebacken or circumnavigate Lake Delsjön, passing leafy trees and rocky ridges. And if you want to enjoy the water without getting wet, you can hire a rowing boat for a tranquil escape or a spot of fishing. If you haven't brought your own food for the barbecue, then why not visit the café cabin and round off your day with a delicious and indulgent waffle?

The Delsjön Nature Reserve is located to the south east of central Gothenburg and is easily reached by car. Or, if you prefer public transport, you can also arrive by train. It's about a 15–20 minute walk from the train station to the area where the trails begin.

Råda Gelato is, according to many Gothenburgers, quite simply the best ice cream parlour in town. The ice cream is made locally and completely from scratch using only genuine ingredients, but the most alluring part is perhaps the unique and special flavours they serve. Early experiments included ice cream flavours such as bacon and pancakes, lingonberries and milk and even Semla, which is a classic Swedish cream and almond bun traditionally eaten before lent.

Råda Gelato is located in the Haga neighbourhood of central Gothenburg, just a stone's throw away from the beautiful Crown Sconce (Skansen Kronan) where you can take your ice cream to enjoy with the views. Buses and trams stop on Prinsgatan, just over 50 metres away.

The Gothenburg Archipelago offers no shortage of adventures – so why not book a ticket for a seal safari and visit some of the many seals who like to sun themselves on the rocks? The archipelago's seals live in colonies of around 50 individuals who hunt together and are most visible whenever they congregate on the rocks. The animals are well used to boats and it is often possible to come up quite close, just so long as you aren't visiting in the spring when the new-born pups are still quite shy.

There are a number of companies which run seal safaris in the Gothenburg Archipelago. Some even combine a seal safari with a visit to the popular lighthouse island of Vinga. A seal safari normally lasts for between 1 and 2 and 1/2 hours with most companies offering tours in both Swedish and English.