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OutUK's Adrian Gillan takes a gay gander around Gothenburg (Goteborg), Sweden’s second city.
If Stockholm is largely grand and occasionally bland; then Sweden’s ½-million-strong second city, Gothenburg, is smaller and cooler. Founded in 1621, it’s a compact gem of cafes, culture and history – perched on the West coast, between wild forest and harbour, then sea – and of a size that makes it perfect for a weekend gay getaway, just 90 minutes from London via a range of budget flyers. |
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Home to Volvo: but you won’t need a car to get around. In fact, you might just
want to slump over a coffee ogling some of Europe’s finest male talent. Swedish lads are excruciatingly
and quite unselfconsciously stylish and sexy.
Thus diverted, it's time to relax and rest your sore eyes. |
The Main Canal.
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Why not glide through
the canals and harbour on an hour-long trip aboard the Paddan - a sightseeing boat
departing regularly from Kungsportsplatsen, by the bridge across the moat.
Then find your land legs exploring the Old Town within the main canal loop, including the German Church and quirky Fish Market Hall. A little west, saunter around Haga – the revitalised 19th Century workers’ district, with its cobbled streets, Bohemian feel and heady mix of boutiques and student digs. | |
| Cool off in any of the many parks that line the canals’ banks, just across from the Old Town. Get sultry in the humid Palm House and flirty in its surrounding Rose Gardens – in full, flagrant bloom come June. Stroll up The Avenue – Gothenburg’s café-lined artery, ending in three cultural treasures - the Concert Hall, Art Gallery and Theatre, all clustered around the statue of a naked, glistening Poseidon. Walk just five minutes further to Liseberg Amusement Park, Scandinavia’s most popular tourist attraction, with more than three million visitors a year – and Sweden’s emphatic answer to Denmark’s Tivoli! |
A naked glistening Poseidon.
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Check out the old wooden rollercoaster; the more
modern high-speed Canon coaster; the gasp-inducing 3-D IMAX cinema; the breath-snatching
vertical-drop towers; the rotating high-level viewing platform; oh, and the good
old-fashioned dodgems, to laugh away all those nerves!
There are so many parks in town that you’ll hardly feel hemmed in. However – for those with excess of wanderlust – five minutes by car and you are in wild ever-green forests; and a half hour by tram and boat and you are out in Gothenburg’s island-strung archipelago. Take the number 11 tram westbound to the Saltholmen ferry terminus to sail away to sun yourself on any of the twelve nearby inhabited islands. | |
| As darkness falls, as it scarce does throughout Gothenburg’s long, steamy summer nights, line your tum at Bliss Resto - popular, gay-friendly and trendy restaurant in the heart of the Old Town, offering a modern fusion menu with Swedish, Mediterranean and Asian influences; hot DJs; and waiters to die for. Then mosey mere minutes down the road to Greta’s, Gothenburg’s gay heart – open 5pm-3am and functioning as a spacious bar on weekdays, combined with a busy club at weekends. Note: Swedish boys may seem initially reserved, yet – with minimal encouragement and persistence – really let rip! |
Having fun at Bliss. |
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Gossip, a five minute walk away over the canal on Parkgatan, offers a trendy, slightly more mixed, bar alternative “for gay & other happy people”. And restless, bushy boys take nocturnal airs in the massive Slottskogen park - on the hill by paths and rocks around the old observatory tower. Offering some stunning views – and not just over the city below - the stars shine down and are not shocked!
ESSENTIAL INFOThe Mornington Hotel delivers classy, gay-friendly accommodation, with that relaxed British touch, on Gothenburg’s main “Avenue”, near all scene and sights. For a choice of other gay-friendly hotels at special online rates check out our hotel partners Bookings.
Get more information about Gothenburg and the great-value Gothenburg Pass which gives
free public transport and entry to most major attractions at
www.gothenburg.com. FlyMe, Sweden’s low-cost airline, fly direct to Gothenburg from
London Stansted every morning and evening (evening only on Saturdays), from just £28 one-way,
including taxes. Get more info at Flyme.com
. Check out more flight deals at
eBookers.com.
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Bliss Resto (Magasinsgatan 3; T: +4631 13 85 55; Website)
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