From the Visit Sweden Newsletter
Gothenburg is big enough to make you feel that you are in a major international destination, but small enough that you can do it all on foot. Or take a short tram ride between the shopping districts and discover a wide variety of Swedish food, clothes, furniture, and art. Here are the highlights of the area:
Nordstan
Nordstan is Sweden's largest shopping centre with around 150 stores, boutiques cafés and eateries; the Swedish retailing giants like H&M (try them on their own turf), Åhléns (department store), Pub (department store), Twilfit (women and children's clothes) and Hemtex (interior decoration) are all here.
Brands to look out for include Swedish quality fashion – Odd Molly, Filippa K, WE, J. Lindberg, Björn Borg, Fjällräven, Peak Performance, Nudie "“ and children's toys from Brio and children's clothes from Polarn O. Pyret. Swedish-made kitchenware, household objects and interior decoration items are always worth a look. Nordstan also puts on many events and activities for shoppers in the unlikely event that they get tired of shopping.
Innerstaden
Innerstaden is made up of shopping streets, Magasingatan, Vallgatan, Södra Larmgatan, Drottninggatan, Fredsgatan, Kungsgatan, , Östra Hamngatan and Västra Hamngatan .
For the latest fashion, design, interior and gift shopping, Magasinsgatan is the place to go. On and around this street there is an eclectic mix of fashionable boutiques, shops, cafés, arcades and shopping malls. Highlights include the totally charming 'Méli de Mélo', a small boutique that sells accessories, jewelry, antiques and flowers. Others include 'Vilda Änglar' which sells French and Danish interior decoration items and 'Norrgavel' on Magasingatan which sells Swedish made, high-quality furniture fittings and lighting. For fun, vintage and second-hand fashion check out Miss Ragtime on Magasingatan and Mouche, a lifestyle store on Södra Larmgatan.
Avenyn
'Avenyn' as the locals call it, is Gothenburg's main thoroughfare, a boulevard if you want, where you will find 200 high-end retailers and department stores. This where the locals come to meet, chat, drink coffee and shop, go to the cinema, go to the theatre in the evenings etc. Some new shops in the Avenyn area include the Designers Remix Collection and My Flower.
In the Haga area beside Avenyn you'll find many exciting shops covering fashion, handicrafts, design and antiques, as well as a number of good cafés, bars and restaurants.
The beautiful Saluhallen food market at Kungstorget is a must see of you visit. It opened in 1889, offers a wide range of tempting shellfish, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and various regional specialities.