Removals to Gothenburg with The Moving Partnership
This article highlights the Swedish port of Gothenburg, which is widely known as the home of car manufacturer Volvo. However, the city, which was built on international trade, has plenty of other points of interest and is one of the most sustainable places in Europe.
There’s a look at how to get there and get around the city, its main attractions, and a taste of some of the local dishes you should try.
And if you are considering moving to the city, then The Moving Partnership will be able to offer you a tailored removals package.
This article is a four-minute read.
The Swedish city of Gothenburg is perhaps best known for its links to Volvo – the car maker was established here just under 100 years ago and its main HQ is still based here. However, there’s much more to Gothenburg than the automotive industry, as The Moving Partnership has been finding out.
Removals to Gothenburg with The Moving Partnership
The Moving Partnership offers removals to Gothenburg, Stockholm, Malmo, Uppsala, Linkoping and all the major towns and cities in Sweden. For more information, click here.
The History and Heritage
Gothenburg, on the western coast of Sweden, close to Denmark’s northern tip; its name is taken in part from the Gota river which flows through the city. It was officially founded in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus as a way of underlining the area’s trading links with the North Sea (although there had been a settlement in the area long before the 17th century).
International trade is an essential part of the Gothenburg story. The Swedish East India Trading Company was established here in 1731 for the purpose of conducting trade with India, China and the Far East.
Shipbuilding was a major contributor to the city’s economy. These days it has been overtaken in importance by the banking, finance, hospitality and tourism sectors – and Volvo, which was founded in 1927 and remains the city’s largest employer.
Getting There and Getting Around in 2025
Stena Lines and DFDS Torline both run shipping services to the city’s port, although the latter is largely for cargo. Most people arrive via Gothenburg’s Landvetter Airport, which is about 25km east of the city centre. London Heathrow, Milan, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Paris are among the destinations. There are regular buses from the airport into the city centre.
Centralstationen is the city’s main railway station. There are regular services to and from the country’s capital Stockholm, and the Danish capital Copenhagen, as well as the more northerly Swedish cities.
The major roads E6, E20 and E45 pass through Gothenburg, but parking can be difficult and expensive. It’s easier and cheaper to rely on public transport when you get to the city – one company, Västtrafik, operates everything – trams (pictured), buses, ferries and commuter trains.
And there are more than 500km of cycle lanes across the city, and bikes can be rented for short trips and commutes through a sharing scheme called Styr & Stall at various stations.
The Main Attractions
You don’t even need public transport to see some of the main sights – it’s such a compact city centre many tourist hotspots can be seen on foot. These include the Universeum, an interactive science centre, and Liseberg, a vast amusement park with plenty of rides for the children (and adults too!)
For something more traditional, the Gothenburg Museum of Art focuses mainly on Scandinavian and Nordic artists, but there are also pieces by Monet, Picasso and Rembrandt; and the Gothenburg City Museum tells the city’s story throughout the centuries.
The Botanical Garden contains more than 4,000 different varieties of plants on its 400-plus acre site, while the World of Volvo (which replaced the Volvo Museum) is an interactive venue which tells the story of the company from its early years right up to the present day.
Shopping Around and Eating Out
If you want your major brands under one roof, visit the Nordstan shopping centre or the Frolunda Torg shopping mall. For something more independent or artisan, try either the Haga District or Magasinsgatan, a trendy street famous for its vintage shops and concept boutiques.
The best markets in Gothenburg are widely acknowledged to be the Feskekörka for fresh seafood, and the weekly Backa Market for antiques, second-hand and home décor goods.
Traditional Gothenburg dishes include (unsurprisingly, given its coastal location) seafood such as prawns, crayfish, oysters, mussels and lobsters. However, the city’s most famous dish is the Halv Special – a hot dog covered in mashed potato.
If you want something to drink with your meal, then the city has plenty of craft breweries selling lagers, ales and porters, but if you are eating out the tap water is perfectly safe.
Removals to Gothenburg with The Moving Partnership
If you are considering domestic or commercial removals to Sweden, contact us at The Moving Partnership. We offer a part-load or groupage service which is ideal for smaller loads or individual items, or a dedicated sole use service for larger removals which will provide you with your own vehicle and our special service allows you to specify your removal date.
What you want in your removals package is up to you – it could include packing, unpacking, storage and insurance, or just the transportation of your belongings. Our network of contacts in the international removals industry mean we will come up with a comprehensive, competitively priced package which will meet your exact needs.
FAQS:
What are the visa entry requirements for removals to Gothenburg from the UK?
You do not need a visa for the first 90 days, but you must apply for a Swedish residence permit before arriving if you want to stay longer than 90 days. If you are working, you will need work permit, and your employer needs to kick-start this process. You must also have a valid passport and be prepared to show proof of financial means and accommodation to qualify for the permit. The application process for a work or residence permit is handled through the Swedish Migration Agency.
What is the cost of living like in Gothenburg compared to the UK?
The cost of living in Gothenburg is generally comparable to or slightly higher than in the UK, with accommodation being a significant factor, especially in the city centre. While Sweden's cost of living varies, Gothenburg is generally cheaper than the capital Stockholm, and it is on par with other major European cities for essentials like housing, food, and transport.
Why has Gothenburg got a reputation for sustainability?
Gothenburg has been voted the world’s most sustainable destination for seven consecutive years from 2016, and it was second in 2024. This is down to a range of reasons – the city’s public transport system runs largely on renewable energy, there’s an emphasis on recycling and reusing, and it was one of the first cities to issue Green Bonds, a financial mechanism to fund projects that support a transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient growth.
