Gothenburg has a compact city centre saturated in life, energy and alternative possibilities, making it one of the most creative and original districts in Sweden, in addition to being the second largest city in the country. Located on the west coast with a population over 550,000 people, Gothenburg is a significant cultural hub of Sweden and at its heart is the lively city centre offering a range of attractions and entertainment. As the fifth largest city in the Nordic countries, Gothenburg city is also a centre of Nordic culture providing insight into the heritage and life of Scandinavia as well as the nation.
Gothenburg is a popular place for students enrolled at the many institutes in the city centre, including the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, which visitors can explore for themselves. Visitors can enjoy the main boulevard of the city centre, called Kungsportsavenyn, by discovering its many shops and restaurants or by following it into the old town area which holds a unique feel. Along the road, there is the Gothenburg Museum of Art, the city theatre, library and concert hall, which visitors can experience by watching a local performance or learning about local culture. With its unique, artistic energy, the city centre is home to many independent businesses and creative projects, which blend with the historic surroundings like Skansen Kronan, a 17th century hilltop fort, and Haga, an area of old wooden houses surrounded by Bohemian style streets.
Gothenburg city centre is home to the main train station of the city, which provides links to other Swedish cities and the rest of Northern Europe. Once in the city centre, visitors can travel using the Gothenburg tram network which navigates the main areas or by local buses and some ferry services. About 20 kilometres away, there is Goteborg Landvetter Airport which serves the city and connects to local and central transport services.
In 1621, a Dutch trading colony founded Gothenburg and fortified the area as King Gustavus Adolphus fuelled money into the town and encouraged a rise in its population by attracting German and Scottish allies. The result was a strong coastal city in a strategic defensive and trading location, with the Port of Gothenburg now a prominent port of the Nordic countries influencing the economy and culture of the city centre.