Shopping in Gothenburg
Everything from vintage fashion to homeware is up for grabs in Gothenburg’s smorgasbord of shops.
Key areas
The greatest concentration of shops in Gothenburg lies within the city's old moat (Vallgraven), where you’ll find fashion galore, among them the ubiquitous European and American high street chains. Along Vallgatan and Magasinsgatan, there are several design, furniture and arts and crafts shops as well as restaurants and cafés. Exclusive fashion shops and art galleries line the city's main boulevard, Avenyn, or, as it’s officially known, Kungsportsavenyn. Haga (old town) and the Linné district just to the west of it, is the place to go for arts and crafts, antiques and vintage emporia. The area has a bohemian feel to it, and is popular with locals at the weekend.
Markets
At Kungstorget there is a lively market square that includes Saluhallen market hall, where all kinds of fresh foods are available. To the north of Haga, near the Rosenlunds canal, the Feskekörkan (Fish church) attracts vast crowds of tourists, thanks to its top-quality seafood.
Shopping centres
Nordstan, with 180 specialist stores and all the major high street chains, is to be found in Vallgraven, near to fashion mall, Arkaden. For a more upmarket experience, try department store NK, where the big international names, among them Dior, YSL and Prada, rub shoulders with top Swedish names such as Acne, Whyred and crystal-manufacturers, Kosta Boda. For food, try Kungstorget’s charming little food hall, Saluhallen. The shopping centre V The Quarter Femman Gothenburg (www.femman.com) with around 50 shops in the northern part of the city is the renovated version of the former Femmanhuset.
Opening hours
Generally, shops are open Monday-Friday between 0930–1800/2000 and Saturday 0930-1600/1800 and are closed on Sundays.
Souvenirs
Both organic denim label Nudie and high street favourite Monki originate in Gothenburg. Both are cheaper in their hometown, so don’t forget to pick up a fabulous pair of jeans. Look out for the big names in Scandinavian furniture design, among them Wegner, Mogensen, Jacobsen and Juhl, which appear in vintage form in shops all over the city. For those who are so inclined, there’s Viking memorabilia (much of it amusing tat), moose-themed cushions and traditional wooden cooking implements to be had.
Tax information
Swedish VAT is set at 25% with the exception of food and essential services.
