Gothenburg is a city that I love in December. Not only are there Christmas markets waiting for your visit and many other things to do during Christmas but it is also fully lit with millions of light bulbs. As in Stockholm in Gothenburg it is also possible to take cruises around the archipelago including Christmas buffet tasting. These cruises start at the end of November.
These are some of the boat trips to enjoy during those dates.
Boat Tour with Paddan to Liseberg
An adventure that I have enjoyed and that is very fun for both adults and children is to go aboard the julpaddan, a huge boat that sails the channels of Gothenburg and takes you to the interior of the Liseberg amusement park while you watch the city at night from the water. More information and prices here.
Julpadda Arriving at Liseberg
Photo: stromma.se
Christmas Cruise Aboard M/S Göteborg
The evening begins with a glass of glögg, Swedish mulled wine, as soon as you get on the boat M/S Göteborg, a ship from 1915, and enter the dining room. The 3-hour cruise takes you through a winter Gothenburg while a pianist enlivens the night with the notes of his instrument. On board a maximum of 100 people per event.
Christmas Cruise Through Gothenburg’s Archipelago
Photo: stromma.se
As for the julbord, the well-known Swedish restaurateur Lotta Bäckström is in charge of designing the Christmas menu where seasonal Swedish classics are mixed with new flavors. Thus the temptation of Jansson or the köttbullar, meatballs, are combined with saffron-marinated pears, herring with cranberries, smoked salmon with green pepper and a leek and orange cream or the typical julskinka, the Swedish Christmas ham.
Julskinka on the Gothenburg Christmas Cruise
Photo: stromma.se
The cruise is available from November 19 to December 21, 2019. Departure on cruise days is at 6:00 p.m. from the pier at Lilla Bommen, the “lipstick” building in Gothenburg. The price is 495 SEK (46 € / $51 / £40) for adults. Children from 6 to 15 years pay half price. More information and details here.
Traditional Christmas Buffet at Sankt Erik
On this cruise you will enjoy a boat tour through the archipelago, the music of a troubadour and the traditional julbord.
St Erik Boat Arranged for Christmas Cruises in Gothenburg
Photo: stromma.se
All this in the dining room from the early 19th century on board one of the oldest ships of the Strömma company. The M/S S:t Erik was built in 1881 and was used among other things as a ship to carry the mail. On board 110 guests will enjoy a traditional Swedish buffet.
Inside the Boat
Photo: stromma.se
The cruise is available from November 15 to December 21, 2019. It lasts 3 hours and the departure on cruise days is at 6:30 p.m. from the pier at Lilla Bommen. The price is 495 SEK (46 € / $51 / £40) for adults. Children from 6 to 15 years pay half price. More information and details here.
Winter Cruise with Salmon and Shrimp Buffet
On board M/S Carl Michael Bellman, the cruise includes a welcome drink, a salmon and shrimp buffet, on-board entertainment and the boat tour. Also when booking you can add extras to the menu such as fresh lobster cooked in beer and dill, coffee with truffles and cookie buffet among other things.
Shrimps and Salmon on Board M/S Carl Michael Bellman
Photo: stromma.se
The cruise is available from November 19 to December 21, 2019 although there are not already many places available due to its popularity. The cruise lasts 3 hours and the departure on cruise days is at 6:00 p.m. from the pier at Lilla Bommen. The price is 655 SEK (60 € / $68 / £53) for adults. Children from 6 to 15 years pay half price. More information and details here.
Advent Brunch Aboard M/S Göteborg
During the weekends of December a menu designed by Lotta Bäckström is also served at lunchtime on board M/S Göteborg.
Marinated Herring in the Julbord
Photo: stromma.se
The cruise is available on Saturdays and Sundays from November 23 to December 22, 2019. It lasts 3 hours and the departure on cruise days is at 12:00 (noon) from the pier at Lilla Bommen. The price is 475 SEK (44 € / $49 / £38) for adults. Children from 6 to 15 years pay half price. More information and details about the menu here.
Christmas Lunch at Sankt Erik
Like the Christmas dinner also aboard S:t Erik, Christmas lunch is held for those who want a more traditional julbord during daytime when it is still possible to watch the archipelago with daylight. The traditional buffet is followed by a gottebord, a table with a dessert buffet.
Dessert Buffet on Board the Christmas Cruise
Photo: stromma.se
The cruise is available from November 26 to December 21, 2019. It lasts 2.5 hours and the departure on cruise days is at 1 p.m. from the pier at Lilla Bommen. The price is 475 SEK (44 € / $49 / £38) for adults. Children from 6 to 15 years pay half price. More information and details about the menu here.
