Cycling along Sweden’s Kattegat Cycle Route

Trip Report: Gothenburg & the Kattegat Cycle Route – June 2025

I booked my flights just a few weeks in advance. They were just £40 return with Ryanair for the first weekend in June. The destination: Gothenburg, Sweden. It was significant, as this was the trip I had originally planned back in 2020 before the pandemic cancelled everything, so I have been waiting to make a return ever since.

The primary aim was to ride the Kattegattleden (Kattegat Route), a 390 km cycle route running from Gothenburg Central Station to Helsingborg. As cycling holidays gain popularity across Scandinavia, this route has become increasingly attractive to both experienced tourers and casual riders alike.

There’s also something simultaneously familiar about Sweden as well, thanks to its global exports—Volvo, H&M, IKEA, and unmistakable Scandinavian design (as well as lovely pastries!). However, by bike, the country is a bit of an unknown destination for me.

Arrival in Gothenburg from Landvetter Airport

I flew out on Thursday afternoon, landing at Landvetter Airport around 40 minutes outside the city. The weather greeted me with a mix of heavy rain and bursts of sunshine which is typical for this region. However, why did it have to rain so hard when I was there?!

First stop: the Pressbyrån kiosk opposite the bus station, where I grabbed a cheap, tasty hot dog for less than £2.50. Honestly, these convenience stores should give Greggs a run for their money in the UK!

The size and spread of Gothenburg immediately struck me. Green, clean, and immensely walkable and cycle-friendly, the city blends historic architecture with modern infrastructure. It reminded me a bit of Liverpool or Glasgow due to the city’s industrial roots, but with better planning and well-maintained public spaces.

Despite a concert by Sweden’s most famous singer, Håkan Hellström, at the Ullevi Stadium making hotel rooms scarce or overly pricey, I managed to find accommodation near the trendy Haga district. Usually, our customers stay at the ultra-modern Scandic Central (below), right by the station.

Riding the Kattegattleden to kungsbacka

The next morning, I collected an electric bike from the Scandic via our local partners, Active Scandinavia. Fully charged and keen to get ahead of the forecasted rain, I set off early and rode to the starting point of the Kattegat. I also installed a GPX route of the stage to Kungsbacka on my Garmin.

To my amazement upon setting off, the Kattegat route was almost entirely traffic-free with about 97% segregated cycle path, including former railway lines. Only the occasional car park or golf course broke the traffic-free paths.

I passed the Stena Line ferry terminal with ferries to both Denmark and Germany and followed the coastal curve out of the city past the Älvsborg Bridge.

The scenery gradually shifted from suburban sprawl to modern detached houses with real “Grand Designs” appeal and their own personal sauna / outdoor swimming cabins.

My goal was Kungsbacka, a wealthy commuter town 67 km away and the endpoint of the first stage. I took photos until the weather turned for the worse with torrential rain by the route split point.

Faced with a choice between a 26 km loop or a 4 km shortcut, I chose the latter, arriving in Kungsbacka completely drenched. I was immensely grateful for the electric assist. No more touring on a standard bike for me. I’ll always aim to ride an an electric bike now when on a cycling holiday as they have helped me beat the rain in Sweden and also the wind in the Netherlands!

I took the regional train back to Gothenburg and headed to the excellent World of Volvo Museum for lunch. It was both nostalgic and fascinating strolling around the ultra-modern museum, especially seeing the classic Volvo 480 ES which was a favourite car of mine as a teenager.

Exploring Gothenburg by bike

After returning the bike to the Scandic, I spent the rest of the afternoon cycling and walking around the city. The weather was hit and miss, and I was starting to feel tired and cold, so I grabbed a quick bite at MAX Burger, Sweden’s answer to a national burger chain and very good quality.

On Saturday, I hired a city bike from the hotel in the morning (150 SEK) and explored the redeveloped Frihamnen port area, home to Scandinavia’s tallest building, the 246 m high Karlatornet, and a major Swedish urban regeneration project. The new public sauna and outdoor swimming pool in the new Jubileumsparken are popular with locals in an area surrounded by post-industrial buildings and docklands infrastructure.

I hopped on a harbour ferry back to the centre that offers great views of the Barken Viking sailing ship, the naval museum, and wider cityscape. I then cycled to the stadium for coffee and free Wi-Fi before heading to a quieter residential area with a small second-hand market. Riding along the River Göta over the Hisingen Bridge, I battled the wind but had no trouble navigating thanks to excellent cycling signage. Once you get your bearings, Gothenburg becomes easy to navigate, even without a map.

Trams, buses, and walking routes all work in harmony here, and cycling is built into the city fabric with many segregated routes. Despite the many tram tracks that cover the city centre, you never have to cross them at a bad angle on the bike. It’s one of the most sustainable cities in the world and Gothenburg is a great example of a fully integrated urban transport network. Retro trams also run between the Central Station and the vast Liseberg theme park as well at weekends.

That said, it’s not all perfect in Sweden. Taking bikes on Swedish trains can be surprisingly restrictive despite the country’s integrated public transport network, with blackout dates and various rules about being able to take bikes on certain trains. Fortunately, the EU is working on improving this odd situation.

Also, be prepared for a fully digital experience. Most payments are contactless or via QR codes, so make sure your bank card works seamlessly upon arrival. Overall, the quality of life and infrastructure is superb in this part of Sweden.

Final Impressions of cycling in gothenburg

I changed back into normal clothes at the cycle hire point and spent the afternoon strolling through museums, art galleries, and the buzzing city centre. Gothenburg’s vibe on a Saturday is fantastic with a mix of café culture, shopping, and relaxed energy. There are plenty of tourists, but the city doesn’t feel touristy when compared to other major cities. In Gothenburg, you have to dig a little to discover its treasures.

In my opinion, Gothenburg is one of Europe’s best mid-sized cities and I think the city is underrated like Utrecht in the Netherlands or Nantes in France. For cycling holiday customers, it’ll likely be just a starting point or quick stopover as part of a longer tour from either Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo or Helsingborg. But with low-cost Ryanair flights, it’s an ideal gateway to exploring Sweden by bike.

The Kattegat route is perfect for more experienced cyclists: long distances, remote sections, unpredictable weather. But for those willing to embrace the challenge, it offers unforgettable views and a mainly traffic-free journey along Sweden’s stunning west coast.

Riding around Gothenburg rivals the best cycling experiences in the Netherlands where I went riding recently. I left with a brand new appreciation for the city and excitement for expanding our cycling holiday offerings to both Sweden and Denmark in 2026.

You can view the full 2025 Kattegat Cycle Route (Helsingborg to Gothenburg) tour itinerary here.