Carry-On Packing List for Gothenburg: Sweden's West

Gothenburg — Göteborg in Swedish — is Scandinavia's most underrated major city. Sweden's second-largest city is friendlier and more relaxed than Stockholm, home to one of Europe's best restaurant scenes for its size, and the gateway to the west coast archipelago, a labyrinth of rocky islands and fishing villages that is one of Sweden's best-kept secrets. Packing for Gothenburg is about adapting to maritime Scandinavian weather and being ready for both excellent urban dining and island exploration.

Airlines and Carry-On Rules at Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT)

All flights to Gothenburg use Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT), about 25 km east of the city centre. Gothenburg City Airport (Säve) is permanently closed. Key carriers:

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) operates domestic routes across Sweden and many European routes from Landvetter. SAS carry-on allowance is typically one cabin bag (55 × 40 × 23 cm, 8 kg) plus one personal item in Go and SAS Go Light fares — though SAS Go Light may restrict to a personal item only. Check your fare tier. SAS Plus and SAS Business are more generous.

Norwegian Air Shuttle serves Landvetter with domestic Norwegian routes and some European routes. Norwegian's carry-on weight limit (typically 10 kg for cabin bag) is enforced. The cheapest Norwegian fares (LowFare) may include only a small personal bag under the seat, with the cabin bag as a paid add-on.

Ryanair operates from Landvetter with standard budget carry-on rules: personal bag (40 × 20 × 25 cm) included in all fares; larger cabin bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm) requires Priority or paid add-on. Note that Ryanair previously used Gothenburg City Airport — this is now closed; Ryanair flights use Landvetter.

British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, easyJet, and Finnair also serve Landvetter, generally including a cabin bag in most fare classes.

Packing for Gothenburg's Climate

Gothenburg's climate is maritime — warmer and wetter than Stockholm, milder than Stockholm's winters, and surprisingly pleasant in summer. The city sits on the coast where the Göta älv river meets the Kattegat, and Atlantic air keeps temperatures moderate year-round.

Summer (June–August): Temperatures regularly reach 22–25°C with long daylight hours. Light layers are appropriate — a T-shirt or light shirt for the day, a light jacket for evenings when sea breezes cool things down. Waterproof layer for occasional rain (not Bergen-level, but rain happens). Swimwear if you're visiting the archipelago or west coast beaches.

Autumn (September–October): Beautiful and often golden. Temperatures drop gradually to 10–15°C. A mid-weight jacket, layers, and a waterproof outer layer cover the range. Autumn is excellent timing for Gothenburg — fewer tourists and the food scene is at its best.

Winter (November–March): Cold but manageable. Temperatures typically 0–5°C, sometimes dropping to -5°C. A proper winter coat, warm layers, gloves, and a hat are needed. Gothenburg winters are significantly milder than Stockholm or northern Sweden — it snows, but it also thaws. The Liseberg Christmas market in November and December is one of the reasons to visit in winter.

Footwear: Gothenburg's city centre is flat and well-served by trams, so extensive cobblestone walking is less of an issue than in Bergen or Amsterdam. Comfortable walking shoes cover most needs. For the archipelago, bring shoes that can handle wet rocks and boat decks.

The Gothenburg Archipelago

The cluster of islands west of Gothenburg — Styrsö, Donsö, Brännö, Vrångö, Asperö, and others — is one of Sweden's finest natural assets and is almost unknown outside Scandinavia. Ferries (Styrsöbolaget) depart from Saltholmen at the end of tram line 11, about 30 minutes from the city centre.

In summer, the islands are ideal for swimming, cycling, and exploring car-free village life. Bring swimwear for the natural bathing spots. A light windproof layer is useful on the boats and at the exposed western sides of the islands. The archipelago is at its best from late June through August.

Outside summer, the islands become quiet and atmospheric — worth visiting if you prefer solitude over swimming.

Haga District: The Essential Neighbourhood

Haga is Gothenburg's preserved 19th-century neighbourhood, a grid of cobblestone streets and low wooden buildings now filled with independent cafes, vintage clothing shops, and small galleries. It is compact enough to explore in an afternoon.

The essential Haga experience is the hagabulle — a giant cinnamon bun, significantly larger than the standard Swedish kanelbulle, sold at the district's cafes. Fika (the Swedish concept of a coffee break with something sweet) is practiced with particular sincerity in Haga. Pack casually for this neighbourhood.

Gothenburg's Food Scene

Gothenburg has more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than almost any other city in Europe — a fact that surprises visitors expecting Stockholm to dominate Swedish food. The city's maritime location means exceptional access to west coast seafood: shrimp, crab, herring, oysters, and lobster (in season from September).

Feskekörka ("Fish Church") is Gothenburg's covered fish market in a distinctive building that resembles a Gothic church. Inside is an exceptional selection of fresh west coast seafood, fishmongers, and seafood restaurants. It is one of the best food markets in Scandinavia and a must-visit. Dress is entirely casual.

For the Michelin-level restaurants, make reservations well in advance. Gothenburg's top dining scene is not large in absolute terms, and tables at the best places go weeks or months ahead.

Getting Around

Gothenburg's tram network is excellent and covers the city comprehensively. A city card or single-journey tickets work on trams, buses, and the Styrsöbolaget archipelago ferries. The city is compact enough that most attractions are accessible by tram or on foot.

The train station (Gothenburg Central) connects to Stockholm (about 3 hours by high-speed rail), Malmö (about 3 hours), and Oslo (about 4 hours) — useful for multi-city Scandinavian itineraries.

What to Leave Behind

Gothenburg does not require formal attire. Sweden's dress culture is smart-casual at most levels. Leave heavy formal wear at home. The city's tram network means you are not walking for hours on difficult surfaces, so prioritize comfort over ruggedness in footwear compared to, say, a Bergen hiking trip. Pack one nicer outfit for dinner if you plan to visit the Michelin-level restaurants; otherwise, smart casual covers everything.