Situated on the southwest coast of Sweden, where the Göta River (Göta älv) meets the North Sea, Gothenburg has the largest harbour in Scandinavia and longstanding trade, industry and seafaring traditions. Accordingly the city has an open, outward-looking mentality and maintains extensive contacts with other cities, countries and continents.

Home to Volvo, Ericsson and several other Swedish industry giants, Gothenburg is an affluent city with a high standard of living, and increasingly over the last decade or so it has developed a new urban and metropolitan feel, with plenty of hip bars, cafes and clubs lining the streets. At the same time it has managed to retain a strong local character and a down-to-earth cultural robustness that is both authentic and attractive.

Gothenburg comes alive in spring and summer. Big crowds flock to Liseberg Amusement Park, Sweden's most popular tourist attraction, and in the evenings and weekends the city's main streets are full of people out enjoying themselves in the warm weather. Many restaurants put tables outside, so that punters can enjoy the city's culinary riches in the bright summer sun, which keeps shining until late in the evening.

Gothenburg's restaurant scene has long been something of a local secret, but increasingly the outside world is waking up to the many gastronomic pleasures it has to offer. The city is particularly famous for its fish and seafood restaurants, but it also sports a great number of excellent eateries specialising in other kinds of cuisine.

Like many Swedish cities, Gothenburg is very well laid out, and visitors will immediately notice its spaciousness. The sea air blowing in from the harbour and the city's wide streets and many open spaces combine to create a feeling of openness, lightness and freshness.

What also helps make the cityscape pleasant is the great number of parks and green spaces. The Horticultural Society Garden (Trädgårdsföreningen) is particularly attractive, a green oasis in the city centre with a lovely rose garden and open-air concerts in summer.

As if the beauty and vibrancy of the city itself wasn't enough, however, there is also the archipelago with its lively and charming islands and islets offering great opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and sailing. It is a true summer paradise.