How to do a long weekend in the Gothenburg area
The Journeys team just got back from a long weekend in Gothenburg, and we're not keeping it to ourselves. Three hours by car, bus or train from Oslo, close enough to be easy, just far enough to feel like a proper escape.
Our advice: a few days in the city, and at least one night out on the coast. You'll understand why when you get there.
A lighthouse turned luxury resort
Pater Noster sits 20 minutes by RIB boat from Marstrand, roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Gothenburg by car. It's an island in the open sea, with the old fortress of Marstrand visible behind you and nothing but open horizon ahead. Nine rooms, no distractions.
The lighthouse has been a landmark for over a century. Today it's a beautifully done resort with a kitchen that more than holds its own. Few things beat settling into the sauna with what might genuinely be the world's most spectacular view, or soaking in the hot tub filled with heated seawater while staring out at the horizon.
They currently have a special offer on selected dates in May. For bookings and enquiries, please contact travel@journeys.no.
A place for those in the know: Pigalle
Right in the centre of Gothenburg, Pigalle is a boutique hotel with a clear point of view. The inspiration is the elegant brasseries and quiet decadence of Paris, interpreted with enough restraint to feel genuinely sophisticated rather than themed. Just 88 rooms, each designed with care, warm lighting, rich textures and the kind of interior that makes you want to linger rather than rush out the door.
The restaurant of the same name is where you want to spend at least one of your evenings: proper brasserie atmosphere, attentive service without formality, French cooking with a confident Swedish sensibility, and a wine list we're happy to stand behind. Breakfast here the morning after is also not to be skipped.
Step outside the hotel doors and you're immediately in the thick of it. Gothenburg has one of Scandinavia's best restaurant scenes right now, and we know exactly where you should have your name on the list.
Are you thinking about a long weekend in Gothenburg this May or June? Reach out to Greta at travel@journeys.no and we'll take it from there.
As part of the Virtuoso network, we're able to offer benefits at both properties that you simply won't get booking on your own: complimentary room upgrades when available (subject to availability), hotel credits to spend as you like, and the kind of attention that tends to make a stay noticeably better.
