Gothenburg, a vibrant city nestled on the west coast of Sweden, offers a harmonious blend of urban charm and natural beauty. Known for its sustainable practices and commitment to environmental conservation, Gothenburg celebrates green living. Read on to explore the city’s eco-friendly initiatives, sustainable attractions, and opportunities for travelers to experience the best of Gothenburg.
Gothenburg works hard for its seven-time title of top eco-friendly city in the world. In this coastal archipelago – Sweden’s second-largest metropolitan area – 92 percent of hotels proudly hang international environmental certifications. Göteborg Landvetter Airport powers its shuttles with vegetable oil as it transitions to net-zero emissions – it’s one of only ten airports in the world to receive the highest Airport Carbon Accreditation.
Public transportation in the city runs almost entirely on renewable energy, carrying locals and visitors to Gothenburg’s car-free islands. An entirely new emission-free transport system in the Gothenburg Green City Zone provides wireless charging stations for taxis, electrified freight transport for shipments, and fully electric buses for commuters. Beyond this cutting-edge infrastructure, Gothenburg’s natural beauty shines. After all, it’s the Swedish city with the most parks per inhabitant. Start or end any trip with a stroll along the waterfront Kungsparken to enjoy the verdant oasis at the heart of the metropolis.
Blue skies and clear water are evidence of Gothenburg’s sustainability initiatives.
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Eat
Chefs at Japanese-Swedish fusion restaurant Vrå harvest vegetables from the Clarion Hotel Post rooftop farm to serve in dishes such as miso-roasted cabbage. The seven-course tasting menu at Vilda uses wild-sourced ingredients in dishes such as duck with parsley root and apple. Perhaps the most adventurous of Gothenburg’s sustainable restaurants, Restaurang Svinn, located east of the city, takes food “waste” – products nearing expiration, incorrectly marked packages, and imperfect produce – and creates lamb tikka masala, beef stroganoff with pickles, and other hearty but climate-smart menu items.
Cum Pane, an organic bakery certified by KRAV (the regional organization promotes animal health and toxin-free farming), sells its famous cinnamon rolls and stone-oven-baked sourdough in Gothenburg’s Majorna and Olskroken neighborhoods.
Drink
Behind the scenes, Wine Mechanics’ organic and vegan winery removes any animal products from the traditional fining process and reuses grape skins and vines to reduce waste. Behind the bar, the winery’s Real Bad Lookin’ chenin blanc tastes like summer in a can.
Those who prefer stouts or IPAs gravitate toward the organic Poppels City Brewery, which produces the largest quantity of eco-beer in Sweden. The brewery harnesses wind power, packages beer in recycled glass bottles, and upcycles spent grain as livestock feed.
Bruno’s bartenders take neighboring restaurants’ cast-offs to muddle in seasonal cocktails such as the In-House Confusion, made with vodka, soju, and a veritable vegetable garden of tomato, ginger, garlic, cucumber, and spices. The KRAV-certified Yaki-Da nightclub whips up more-traditional cocktails – including whiskey sours and espresso martinis – using farm-fresh and organic ingredients.
Shop
Minimalist with a mission: Nudie Jeans’ transparent manufacturing practices extend to free lifetime repairs on accessories, shirts, and denim made of 100 percent organic cotton. Natural yarns make up Maska’s handknit sweaters, trousers, and jackets, which are as stylish as they are long lasting. And Dedicated uses Fairtrade cotton and recycled polyester in its Scandi streetwear, from swimsuits to graphic tees.
Icebug is the world’s first climate-positive outdoor shoe brand adhering to the Climate Neutral Now initiative by using natural rubber for its durable footwear. Runners look to Axel Arigato, which traces suppliers’ environmental footprints and reduces carbon emissions during manufacturing. And an activewear haul from Houdini Sportswear, specializing in cold-weather gear, is always 100 percent recycled, recyclable, or biodegradable.
Vibrant agriculture thrives at Gothenburg’s Botanical Garden.
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Tour
Get to know Swedish pastimes, starting with allemansrätten (the freedom to roam), on a self-guided coastal drive to Gothenburg with 50 Degrees North. Once you’ve reached the archipelago, step outside to explore the city’s 400-year history, from its car-free islands to cubby-size cafés. Stop for fika, a traditional coffee-and-cake break.
Virtuoso advisors can organize a walking tour of the city’s 430-acre Botanical Garden through on-site tour connection Delta of Scandinavia. At the garden, some 12,000 plant species – among them, 1,500 orchids – showcase northern Europe’s biodiversity. Take in the best of this nature reserve at the rock garden waterfall and in the rhododendron valley during a late-spring bloom.
Let’s Boat’s electric fleet winds visitors through Gothenburg’s historic canals on a self-guided tour of more than 30 stops, including the Gothenburg City Museum, Casino Cosmopol, and Maritiman Museum.
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Reference: [https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/articles/green-city-guide-gothenburg-sweden]