Where to Stay in Gothenburg with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Hotels by Neighbourhood

Gothenburg is my home city, and whenever I go back I feel lucky as there is so much natural beauty here. It's a great place to visit with kids as there are plenty of family friendly activities, the standard of English is really high and as it's a relatively small city it's very easy to navigate with plenty of public transport options.

There are a number of different areas you can choose to stay in and each neighbourhood has a different feel, so choosing the right base for your family can make the difference between a trip that flows effortlessly and one spent dragging a buggy further than you'd like. This guide covers the main areas families tend to base themselves in, with recommendations at different price points.

For everything to do once you arrive, see our full guide to Top 10 Toddler-Friendly Activities in Gothenburg.

Where to Stay in Gothenburg with Kids: By Neighbourhood

Korsvägen: For Liseberg, Universeum and Easy Transport Links

Korsvägen is where the action is if you're visiting with young children for the first time. Sweden's largest amusement park, Liseberg, is here, as is Universeum science centre. There are both tram and bus stops making the rest of the city easy to reach, and it's also the first place the airport shuttle stops.

1. Gothia Towers (from around £130/night)

Directly opposite Liseberg, Gothia Towers is impossible to miss - three towers rising above Korsvägen, connected to the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre. Family rooms and connecting rooms are available, breakfast is included, and the hotel has a Kids Corner with toys and a play kitchen for younger children, and a Kids Hangout with ping pong, shuffleboard and table football for older ones. Children under 12 stay free, which makes a real difference to the overall cost. Also in Gothia Towers is the bar and restaurant Heaven 23 on the 23rd floor which is famous for having the best räkmacka (the classic west coast open prawn sandwich with egg and mayonnaise) in Gothenburg, and I definitely would agree!

2. Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel (from around £140/night)

If you want an unforgettable experience for your kid then you have to stay at Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel. It's by far the most family friendly hotel on the list and it is directly connected to the entrance of Liseberg amusement park. The standard Grand Curiosa room sleeps five, with a double bed for the adults and a separate sleeping alcove with bunk beds. It's a place full of imagination with a carousel in the breakfast restaurant, a slide which winds from the second floor down to the lobby and three playrooms, a cinema for children, and crafts sessions. It's incredibly popular for families and the type of place your kids will always remember so I would highly recommend booking early as it tends to sell out quickly.

Haga & Järntorget: For Old Town Charm, Cosy Cafes and the Waterfront

The area around Haga Nygata (Gothenburg's old town) and the nearby Järntorget square is probably my favourite part of the city to walk around. Cobblestoned streets, old wooden houses, quirky shops and plenty of cosy cafes to pop in for a fika (my favourite spot is Kafé Magasinet on Tredje Långgatan!). Haga is also where you'll find the famous Hagabullen, a giant cinnamon bun the size of a small plate. From Järntorget you can also access the Linné area and the waterfront, and there are frequent trams and buses to the rest of the city.

3. Clarion Hotel Draken (from around £150/night)

An old theatre, Clarion Hotel Draken only opened a couple of years ago and has become one of the most talked-about hotels in Gothenburg - a 34-floor tower rising above Järntorget with views across the city and the Göta Älv river. The location is excellent for families - you're a 5-minute walk from Haga Nygata, close to the tram network, and within easy reach of places like Sjöfartsmuseet (the Maritime Museum and Aquarium), which is one of my daughter's favourite places in the whole city (perfect for a rainy day activity!). Family rooms and connecting rooms are available, which is useful if you're travelling with older children who need their own space. There's also a rooftop bar on the 34th floor, should you get the chance to use it after the kids are asleep. For a first-time visit to Gothenburg, the location is exceptional.

Linné: For Slottsskogen Park, a Free Zoo and Natural History Museum

Linné is just west of Haga, spreading out around the long boulevard of Linnégatan and up towards the large city park Slottsskogen. It's a residential neighbourhood with a relaxed, slightly bohemian feel with lots of independent restaurants and coffee shops, old apartment buildings, and access to Slottsskogen which is great if you're here with kids. IN slottskogen you'll find the Natural History Museum, a free zoo with animals like moose, reindeer, penguins (and in summer a seasonal petting zoo with farm animals) and Plikta, the enormous main playground in the park will keep your kids entertained for hours!

4. Linnéplatsens Hotell & Vandrarhem (from around £45/night)

Right on the edge of Haga and Linné, this hostel opposite the entrance to Slottsskogen is Gothenburg's most budget-friendly family option. Family rooms are available with cribs at a small additional charge. As it's a hostel the bathrooms are shared but the rooms are clean, the communal kitchen is well-equipped, and the position right at Linnéplatsen tram and bus hub gives you easy access to the whole city. Breakfast is available for a small fee. If you're happy with shared facilities and want maximum freedom to spend your budget on activities rather than accommodation, the location is hard to beat.

5. Ewa & Maude Hotel (from around £90/night)

A small, characterful hotel in a beautiful early 20th-century villa near the Linné/Majorna border, Ewa & Maude has only 10 rooms and feels more like staying in a well-loved Swedish home than a hotel. The garden is lovely in summer, the breakfast is homemade and thoughtful, and the Botanical Garden is right on the doorstep with Slottsskogen a 10-minute walk. It suits a couple with one young child rather than a larger group (the rooms are comfortable but not enormous) and it's worth being aware that cots are not available here.

Majorna: For Playgrounds, Waterfront Walks and a Quieter Pace

Majorna is a residential district west of Haga, running along the waterfront toward the old dockyard area. It's not a typical tourist base, but it has a lot to offer families - several excellent playgrounds, the Sjöfartsmuseet (Maritime Museum and Aquarium) is here, and the neighbourhood has a free communal splash pool which my daughter loves playing in during the summer. The antique shops and independent cafés along Karl Johansgatan give it an arty, quirky atmosphere. From Majorna, the archipelago ferry terminal at Saltholmen is also a short tram ride away, so very convenient if you're planning a day out on the islands.

6. Thon Hotel Dockyard (from around £100/night)

Thon Hotel Dockyard offers something different from the standard city hotels as the property is in a cluster of historic 19th-century harbour buildings with some of the rooms spread across annexes connected to the main building. There are harbour views, a restaurant and bar, and free private parking. Family rooms are available with layouts that sleep four comfortably and breakfast buffet is included in the rate.

The Gothenburg Archipelago: For a Coastal Experience Unlike Anything in the City

If you have the time and flexibility, staying out on one of the islands in the south archipelago is something I would strongly recommend for at least one or two nights. Having grown up on the island Styrsö, I am obviously biased when I say it's my favourite place in the world, but even putting that aside, there is nowhere else that combines ease of access (a tram from the city centre to Saltholmen, then a short ferry ride) with such a complete sense of escape. There are no private cars on the islands so people get around by golf cart, moped, bicycle, or on foot. The rocks are smooth, the water is clean and warm enough to swim in from around June through August (around 20°C at peak summer).

The one practical consideration is logistics - you are on an island, and if you forget something or need a pharmacy, you'll need to plan ahead. Most of the bigger islands have small supermarkets, but it's worth bringing what you need.

7. Kusthotellet Styrsö (from around £180/night)

Kusthotellet Styrsö opened on Styrsö island in 2025 and is the most polished accommodation option in the south archipelago. The hotel has 50 rooms including suites, a restaurant, a spa, a gym, and a heated outdoor pool. Family rooms are available with sea views, and breakfast is included. The outdoor pool is open to hotel guests, and the setting itself is hard to beat with smooth granite rocks and old wooden fishing houses in red and yellow.

8. Cabin with Sea View, Brännö (from around £120/night)

For a more self-contained archipelago stay, this cabin on the island of Brännö is a simpler and more affordable option than Kusthotellet. Brännö is one of the most popular of the south archipelago islands and has a well-loved beach, cafés, a legendary midsummer dance, and that same car-free island atmosphere. The cabin has sea views, a kitchen, and private outdoor space. It suits a couple with one or two young children who want an authentic island-house experience rather than a hotel. You'll need to bring groceries (there is a small shop on the island, but stock up before you go), and factor in that the ferry runs on a timetable.

Our Verdict

For most families visiting Gothenburg for the first time, especially with kids, I'd suggest basing yourself in the Korsvägen or Haga/Järntorget area for the majority of the trip. The proximity to Liseberg and Universeum makes Korsvägen the most practical choice if those are your priorities, and the Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel is genuinely one of the most thoughtfully designed family hotels I've encountered. There is something magical about waking up and walking straight into the park - it's an absolute must when visiting Gothenburg with kids.

And if you can build in two nights on one of the islands, do it! In my opinion visiting the archipelago will be the best part of your trip to Gothenburg.

For more on what to do once you're there, read our Top 10 Toddler-Friendly Activities in Gothenburg.