Sponsored
There are so many things you can do with your September weekend. You could do a thorough cleaning of the garden shed, mow the lawn (perhaps for the last time), go shopping… It all needs to be done. Alternatively, you could do what we did and take a quick trip to Gothenburg. Just for a weekend. And maybe you’ll be lucky enough to enjoy some sunshine on the deck.
We’ve taken this trip before. This time, we were fortunate enough to be invited by Stena Line for a weekend getaway across the Kattegat, from Frederikshavn to Gothenburg. We live in Aarhus, but you can easily drive to Frederikshavn, park your car (or take it with you), and then hop on the ferry to Gothenburg for a day trip, or like us, for a full day and night.
We did wake up quite early this morning. The clock was on the wrong side of 5 o’clock, but we wanted to make the most of our trip, so we chose the early route, which departed at 8 am.
September’s morning mist greeted us as we drove through the fields of Jutland, so the adventures began early that day.
We had to arrive half an hour before departure. We just managed to park the car and buy a parking ticket in time. The sun was already welcoming us through the windows of the gangway as we made our way out to the ferry.
What makes the journey Frederikshavn-Gothenburg an adventure?
There’s something special about sailing from one port to another. The act of boarding a sailing vessel and traversing the waves of the sea evokes a sense of wanderlust, which I often feel within me. A ferry ride offers something different from, for example, a flight, where you zoom off without really sensing the movement. On a boat journey, you move at a manageable pace, allowing the mind to keep up.
Once you’ve departed from the dock and you venture out over the sea, your phone loses its internet connection (though there was onboard Wi-Fi, which we opted out of). You disappear into a present time capsule where you have the chance to look up from your phone and be present. You get around 3 hours of internet freedom. It’s a limitation for those dependent on the internet, but for us, traveling as a family, it’s a delightful break.
Furthermore, there’s something captivating about looking out over the harbor, both in Frederikshavn but especially at the entrance to Gothenburg. Here, you sail through the Swedish archipelago, which takes around 1-1½ hours. You might think you’ve reached the port when you see land, but instead, you receive a magnificent welcome (especially from the deck) of Swedish islets, lighthouses, archipelago houses, and villages, with boats sailing back and forth between the cliffs.
How is the food on the ferry?
Well, our family is quite fond of food. We talk a lot about food, and we love engaging in activities that involve delicacies and treats. So naturally, we were very excited to see what the food was like on board the ferry.
Since we sailed early in the morning, the breakfast buffet in the restaurant was open. Here, we could enjoy a Nordic breakfast consisting of: fruit, yogurt, muesli, herring, salmon, scrambled eggs, meatballs, bacon, pancakes, bread, rye bread, crispbread, cheeses… soft drinks, tea, and coffee were available ad libitum.
Sebastian finished the meal by visiting the free soft-serve ice cream bar 3 times.
On the return journey from Gothenburg, we had the evening buffet, which included: a seafood buffet (shrimp, herring, crayfish, mussels, and salmon), lasagna, fried chicken legs, meatballs, boiled cod, a salad bar, bread, strawberry cake, and ice cream for dessert. Once again, soft drinks, tea, and coffee were available ad libitum.
We have a varied experience with food on ferries, and we must say that we were pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality offered.
What can you do during the ferry crossing?
The journey from Frederikshavn to Gothenburg takes about 3½ hours. The ferry offers various activities for you to choose from:
- Eat and drink in the cafes and restaurants.
- Enjoy your own packed meal.
- Walk on deck and enjoy the view.
- Play cards/games.
- Shop in the tax-free shop.
- Play on the slot machines in the gaming hall.
- Take the little ones to the Duplo area.
But if we may offer you a piece of advice, don’t forget to enjoy the fantastic view you get when sailing from Frederikshavn to Gothenburg round trip. It’s truly something special. And perhaps you’ll also be lucky enough to have the sun shining on the day you sail.
In our eyes, the journey is definitely an adventure.
Tips for the trip
- Remember to bring your passport or driver’s license.
- For those parking their cars: If you’re coming by car from Aarhus, be patient. Don’t take the first exit towards the harbor marked Stena Line. Go one intersection further and turn right – you’ll find the parking lots there.
Links
-> Stena Line
