Liseberg Park, Gothenburg, Sweden

We took a train from Oslo Central Station to Gothenburg Station in under four hours. Travelling as a group of nine proved challenging, especially with 12 pieces of luggage. The overhead compartments were overcrowded with passengers’ belongings, making it a frustrating experience. I have resolved never to attempt such a journey with both elderly and young travellers again.

From our hotel, Radisson Blu Scandinavia, we took a 30-minute Uber ride to Liseberg Park to visit their Christmas market. Little did we know that entrance tickets were required to access the market, and they were quite expensive – rides were not included in the ticket price. It’s highly recommended to buy tickets online beforehand to avoid queues at the entrance.

If you are visiting Gothenburg, Liseberg Park is a must-see destination. During the Christmas season, it transforms into a magical wonderland, hosting one of the most enchanting Christmas markets in Scandinavia. The iconic amusement park becomes a haven of festive lights, traditional decorations, and holiday cheer, making it a favourite for both locals and tourists.

Over 80 stalls were offering a variety of holiday goods, from handcrafted ornaments and unique gifts to traditional Swedish foods and treats like gingerbread, saffron buns (lussekatter), and mulled wine (glögg). I was surprised to find that sales were quite limited, even though it was the last day of the market on 29^th December. While the items were tempting, they were also pricey.

The park is illuminated with millions of twinkling lights, creating a magical atmosphere. The Christmas trees, snow-covered pathways, and festive displays make every corner Instagram-worthy.

A picturesque ice-skating rink is set up for the season, allowing visitors to skate amidst the festive glow. Skates can be rented onsite, and there’s no time limit for skating.

Some of Liseberg’s iconic rides remain open during the Christmas market, including the Ferris wheel and select roller coasters. However, we didn’t go on any rides since our tickets didn’t include them.

Fire pits and seating areas are scattered throughout the park, offering cosy spots to warm up. Perhaps because it was the final Sunday of the season, the park was extremely crowded. The arcade games were popular, with opportunities to win massive boxes of snacks and chocolates.

We had a late lunch at one of the park’s restaurants, but not all the food met our expectations. The fish was overly salty, and the meatball portion was disappointingly small. Additionally, the toilets were overcrowded, which added to the inconvenience.

Liseberg Park perfectly combines the charm of a traditional Nordic Christmas with the excitement of an amusement park. It is worth a visit but always check online for ticket details and operating hours before going.

After leaving the park, we walked toward ICA Focus to pick up some last-minute gifts before heading back to our hotel. The supermarket was massive and impressive, even growing its own herbs onsite. It stocked a variety of international foods, including Italian pistachio cream, Asian ingredients, and green tea.

The one thing I couldn’t find was Swedish Fish candy. My sister eventually found it at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport! To this day, we still haven’t opened the package to try it.