Gothenburg — the city of diversity
“-Where are you from? “-Sweden”
“-Oh, Stockholm?”
“-No, I’m from another city in Sweden”
I won’t mention my city here now since it is not relevant. My point is that visiting or talking about Sweden should not always have to include Stockholm!
Although Stockholm has a lot to offer as the capital of Sweden, with its fancy places and way of being very international, it is something more special with the second largest city in Sweden!
When you come from a smaller city, and desire to move somewhere else in Sweden, most of my friends and people I know from home move 3 train hours away.
They dream about a place that is vibrant and relaxed at the same time
They dream about a place that is situated just by the water and where the coast is easily accessed in summer
They dream about a place where people are down to earth and everyone is accepted
They dream about this place Gothenburg.
Not too big but Not too small
In Swedish there is a word called “lagom” which describes when something is in the “perfect” amount or condition, with other words not too big or too small, not too much or too little etcetera. The word also describes the swedish society pretty well, perfection in the eye of a swede is always something lagom, something in between, which obviously is a hard thing to measure.
Talking about Gothenburg, the word “lagom” describes it pretty well.
It is a big city but not so big that you feel lost or that it does not feel cosy.
It is a city with some city centre feeling mixed with some nature and some see and water. Just the perfect amount of everything.
If Gothenburg would have been a person it could have been described as one with character, a very open minded and relaxed one who likes to have fun but also enjoy relaxed activities.
Something for everyone
Do you like shopping? There are loads to choose between for this!
Hang by the coast? (and enjoy some fresh caught shrimps straight from the sea!)
Are you the club type? Or prefer bar crowling? It is mandatory to do one of these, especially if you wish to get to know some swedes since this is one of few circumstances it is socially accepted to talk with strangers in Sweden!
Or do you want to go in Winter to see some snow? Do not expect too much (or anything at all..), keep in mind that Gothenurg is located in south of Sweden!
Hear the cute dialect called “göteborska”? (which is the charmiest one in the whole country) (obviously a matter of taste but it is a big scale of swedish people who would agree with me about this.)
Do you want to take a “fika”? (a swedish way of saying a cup of coffee or afternoon tea if you like.)
If you wish to combine the visit to Sweden with the neighbouring country Norway this is very possible and easily accessible too!
Embrace diversity
In Sweden all people are blonde This is a prejudice you will notice is far away from reality! Sweden have a big diversity of people from all around the world and is one of the most accepting countries when it comes to gender equality, skin colour, homosexuality etc.
Gothenburg is one of the most popular cities for immigrants to move to when arriving to Sweden, which makes it a very diverse and tolerant city.
Welcome to Gothenburg, Sweden! NO ONE will talk to you (since you are a stranger. Haha.) -But EVERYONE will accept you!