Universeum is a public science centre in Gothenburg, at Södra Vägen 50 near Korsvägen, next to Liseberg amusement park. It opened in 2001 and is the largest science centre in Scandinavia. Its seven floors hold interactive exhibits, live animals and hands-on labs. The tropical rainforest is the highlight: birds fly freely around you, and monkeys, sloths and butterflies share the greenery. The aquarium hall has sharks swimming in a transparent tunnel overhead. Plan at least two hours.
What Universeum is
Universeum is a public science centre in Gothenburg, at Södra Vägen 50 near the Korsvägen junction. It opened in 2001 and calls itself the largest science centre in Scandinavia. The building runs over seven floors, and each one holds interactive exhibits, living animals or hands-on labs.
It sits in the city's event corridor, close to Scandinavium, Ullevi, Svenska Mässan, Liseberg and the Museum of World Culture. Universeum also houses Wisdome, a visualization dome where 3D films are shown for the whole family.
The rainforest and its animals
The rainforest is the part most visitors remember. You walk on wooden bridges through the greenery while birds fly freely around you. Monkeys, marmosets, sloths and butterflies live in the forest. A viewing point at the top of a 25-metre kapok tree looks out over the whole forest, so you can see it from above as well as from the paths below. Visitors can also go on a rainforest safari.
Elsewhere, a reptile exhibit holds venomous snakes and lizards from around the world, and other rooms show live insects and birds. Some animals hibernate in winter, so the animal areas can feel quieter at that time of year.
Aquarium, dinosaurs and labs
The aquarium is built as a hall, and a transparent tunnel carries you under sharks swimming overhead. The tanks hold more than 1,500 species of fish, reptiles and amphibians from around the world.
A large diplodocus stands outside the building, and life-sized dinosaurs are on another floor. A space section includes a space station and displays on space exploration. The Mathrix exhibition looks at mathematical questions from a new angle, and the chemistry lab lets children try experiments with the centre's experts. Other sections cover criminal and forensic science, lasers, the human body, health and technology.
How a visit works
Free lockers at the entrance let you leave bags and coats while you explore. Queues can be long at busy times, so buy tickets online before you arrive. The centre is accessible for visitors with disabilities.
Families with young children can use the Miniverseum on the ground floor. It has a small playground with toys, a slide, a boat and a shop. A lift takes you down to it from the upper floors. Plan at least two hours for the visit, and allow more if you want to see every floor.
Getting there and nearby
Universeum is a short walk from the city centre and is easy to reach by tram or bus. It sits next to Liseberg, so the two can be combined in one day. Liseberg has rides, an ice-skating rink, a stage for concerts and a Christmas market from November, when the park is lit with millions of lights.
FAQ
Is Universeum suitable for young children?
Yes. The Miniverseum on the ground floor has a small playground with toys, a slide and a boat. If young children tire of walking, a lift takes you down to it from the upper floors.
How long do you need at Universeum?
Plan at least two hours. A full visit to all seven floors can take close to five hours.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
Yes. Queues can be long at busy times, so buying tickets online before you arrive is the better choice.
Is Universeum open every day?
Yes. The centre is open every day of the year.
