Autumn break in Gothenburg - things to do all week

When is the autumn break?

The Swedish autumn break, höstlov, normally takes place in week 44, around the end of October and beginning of November. The exact dates are set by each municipality and can differ between neighbouring areas. If your children attend school in Gothenburg, check the confirmed dates with the City of Gothenburg. If you are travelling from nearby municipalities such as Mölndal, Partille or Härryda, check their dates too. 

Indoors when the weather turns

When the rain arrives or the autumn chill sets in, there are plenty of places to explore indoors. Here are a few ideas that work well for a full afternoon, whatever is happening outside.

• World of Volvo – an interactive experience where you travel through Volvo’s history and onwards into the future. Feel the wind in the windtunnel, operate a real electric excavator and explore iconic Volvo vehicles from different eras. In Traffic School, younger visitors can discover the basics of road safety through play. See what awaits in the exhibition.
• Universeum – a science centre with a living rainforest, aquariums and space, where children can learn through hands-on experiences.
• Paradox Museum – optical illusions and interactive rooms that challenge the senses.
• Maritiman – a floating museum of ships on the riverside, where you can step aboard and explore life at sea.
• The City Library at Götaplatsen – a warm and welcoming place to spend a rainy afternoon, with activities and spaces for children. 

Museums and curiosity

Autumn is a good time to explore Gothenburg’s museums. Discover art, design, history and the natural world while staying warm and dry.

• The Museum of Natural History – home to the famous whale Malm and collections of animals from around the world.
• The Maritime Museum and Aquarium – explore Gothenburg’s maritime history alongside aquariums featuring marine life from the west coast and the tropics.
• Gothenburg Museum of Art – home to an impressive collection of Nordic art, including works from the Fürstenberg Gallery.
• The Museum of World Culture – exhibitions and perspectives from around the world.
• Röhsska Museum – a museum of design and craft, ideal for anyone with an interest in Scandinavian design and creativity. 

Dark evenings and pumpkins

The autumn break often coincides with Halloween, bringing plenty of seasonal activities to Gothenburg.

• Liseberg – the park transforms for Halloween with pumpkins, decorations and rides in the dark. Check the season’s opening days before you visit.
• Slottsskogen at dusk - a lantern walk through the park as the light goes costs nothing and is a great activity for all ages.
• The district libraries – many libraries organise crafts, storytelling and other activities for children during the autumn break.
• The city’s holiday programme – Gothenburg gathers activities for children and young people under Lovaktiviteter. Check the programme before the week begins. 

Outdoors activities

Autumn is also a great time to explore Gothenburg outdoors. The Swedish right to roam, allemansrätten, gives you access to nature all year round, so put on a few extra layers and head outside.

• The Delsjön area – forest, lakes and marked trails, close to the city and easy to reach by public transport.
• Änggårdsbergen – a nature reserve next to the Botanical Garden, with trails and views across the city.
• The Botanical Garden – explore the gardens and step inside the glasshouses when the weather turns.
• Skatås – tracks and trails for families who want to stay active during the break.
• The southern archipelago – take the boat out to the islands for walks, fresh air and autumn views.

The children’s week

Looking for things to do with children during the autumn break? These places offer plenty to explore for younger visitors, older children and curious families.

• World of Volvo – interactive experiences where children can experiment, explore and get hands-on with technology. Feel the wind in the wind tunnel, test your attention behind the wheel and try Traffic School.
• Alfons Åbergs Kulturhus – play, theatre and creative activities for younger children.
• Universeum – rainforest, animals and experiments that turn learning into an experience.
• Slottsskogen zoo – meet the animals and make time for the Plikta playground.
• The Museum of Natural History – meet the whale Malm and discover animals from around the world.

Easy to get around

You do not need to stay in central Gothenburg to make a day of it. Public transport makes it easy to explore the city without a car.

• Tram to World of Volvo – take tram 4 or 12 to Liseberg Södra or Almedal and you are there. See Directions for travel tips.
• Several attractions within walking distance – World of Volvo, Liseberg and Universeum are all close to one another, making it easy to combine more than one experience in a day.
• Coming in for the day – Gothenburg is easy to reach from nearby towns such as Alingsås, Kungsbacka and Lerum, making a day trip a simple option during the autumn break.

The autumn break is short and the weather can be unpredictable, but there is no shortage of ways to fill the week. Start with a visit to World of Volvo: buy your exhibition tickets in advance and see what’s on at World of Volvo during the autumn break before you visit. See you this autumn.