Gokartcentralen Göteborg

In Gothenburg, Gokartcentralen runs an indoor karting track that has gone fully electric: every kart there runs on battery, with the crisp, silent acceleration these machines are known for. Set on Bergslagsgatan, the track runs under cover all year, away from the wind and rain of the west coast. The format appeals to families and groups of friends alike, out to test themselves against the clock.

Karting stays open to everyone, no licence or experience needed: a briefing, a helmet, and off you go chasing your best lap. Access is wide: from ninety centimetres in a two-seater alongside an adult, from a hundred and twenty-five centimetres for juniors and a hundred and forty for the standard karts. People come as a drop-in for a session of a few minutes or for an organised race, and happily return to shave off a few tenths. It is best to check the hours before coming.

Gothenburg, the country's second city, unfolds its canals, its Liseberg amusement park and its grand Avenyn boulevard, in the relaxed mood typical of the west coast. The Feskekôrka fish market, the museums and the nearby archipelago, dotted with rocky islands linked by boat, round out a rich visit. The city, one of Sweden's most welcoming, is easily reached by train, road or air from the rest of the country and from abroad.