Clubs and Associations
Sweden has many different clubs and associations (föreningar) that arrange events and activities. They are a great way to meet people with similar interests.
You can search for clubs and associations through a web search or your municipality. Many municipalities including Gothenburg, Trollhättan and Uddevalla, have a register of the various clubs.
Sports clubs and gyms
Sports clubs are another great way to meet new people. Football, handball, floorball (bandy), badminton, athletics, climbing, horse riding and basketball are just a few of the many sports played here. You can search for local clubs through a web search or your municipality. Another option is Korpen, a national organisation for amateur sport.
Gyms are also popular in West Sweden and some of the biggest gyms include Nordic Wellness, Friskis & Svettis, SATS and Fysiken.
Here is a list of some of the international sports clubs in West Sweden:
Göteborg Beserkers Australian Rules Football Club
Göteborg Sharks/Hajarna (baseball & softball)
Göteborg Marvels (American football)
Religious congregations
West Sweden is highly multicultural with over 130 nationalities among its residents. Despite Sweden being highly secularised, many religions are represented here.
The Church of Sweden, which is Lutheran, is the largest Christian church in Sweden and it has churches in most major towns and cities. The Catholic Church and other Christian denominations are also common. Islam is widespread in Sweden and there are mosques in Gothenburg, Trollhättan and Skövde. Judaism and Buddhism are also well established.
Here is a list of some of the churches offering services in English:
St Andrew's Church (Anglican)
Hvitfeldtsplatsen 2, Gothenburg
Fishers Creek International Christian Church
Önnereds Byvägen 84, Västra Frölunda
Smyrna International Church
Haga Kyrkogata 2, Gothenburg
Photo credits: Dylan Gillis / Unsplash