THE huge cinnamon bun sitting in front of me is bigger than my head.
It’s a challenge, I’ll admit, to try and tackle this Swede treat.
But I’m not one to shirk from my duty, so, knife in hand, I dig in . . . helped by three friends.
We’re in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city just off the country’s west coast, and we’re ready to eat our way through all the delicacies that it has to offer.
The Swedes definitely know how to eat — especially when it comes to pastries, which often comes smothered in something sweet and sticky like cinnamon, sugar and butter.
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We’re trying out Café Husaren, a spot in the old neighbourhood Haga, which sells some of the biggest buns in the world, hagabullen — they’re famous in the region and exclusive to this cafe, so a must-try for anyone visiting.
And not only are hagabullen vegan, they cost about £4 (great value for money considering the amount of bun you get) and are absolutely delicious with a cup of tea — a tradition known as “fika”.
Ginormous buns
Fika is an important part of the Swedish culture, the name for when you take time out of your day to enjoy a hot drink and snack to help relax and unwind.
And by the end of our three days here, I’m an expert at fika.
If you tire of ginormous buns, another traditional snack that is fun to chow down on (also great for fika) is Chokladbollar — essentially a ball of cocoa mixed with butter and sugar before being rolled in a layer of coconut.
They are a delicious on-the-go pick-me-up, available at gourmet chocolate shops or even the corner store.
When you’re not enjoying fika, Haga is one of the best spots to explore in the city.
The picturesque street is home to sweet wooden shops that sell everything from antiques to children’s toys and knick knacks to chocolate.
And make sure to visit the Gothenburg Botanical Garden.
It’s a sight to behold at all times of year, whether covered in a dusting of snow in the chilly season or lit-up with colourful blooms in summer.
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We visited in winter and the frost certainly didn’t put me and a pal off.
Running through the snowy park, listening to woodpeckers in the distance and watching ducks braving the icy cold water was a magical experience.
If you prefer to move more quickly, the Volvo museum will take you through the Swedish car manufacturer’s history.
It has everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the motor renowned for its safety features.
For kids and thrill- seekers, there’s the Liseberg amusement park, just south of the city centre.
It’s a giant playground with thrilling rides as well as some cracking restaurants, theatre shows and arcade-style games.
It’s also home to Europe’s longest “dive coaster” that plunges you down a near vertical drop of almost 50 metres at a terrifying 65mph.
We were staying a 15-minute walk from here, at the centrally- located Hotel Poseidon.
The renovated 18th century property is bursting with character and sits close to the river, plus it’s just 200 metres from Gothenburg’s main shopping street, Avenyn.
The rooms are a tad on the small side, but comfy — just what you want after a long day pounding the streets.
It’s affordable too. A standard double room costs about £100, which is very reasonable for somewhere so central given Sweden’s costly reputation.
Plus, this price included breakfast, which was a massive highlight — I could eat a whole loaf of their sourdough. And I did.
