Welcome to Ecsite 2026.

Universeum is proud to host the Ecsite Conference 2026, which brings together over 800 professionals from more than 50 countries to share knowledge and experiences in science communication.

Ecsite offers a comprehensive program of over 75 sessions ranging from exhibition development and pedagogy to science communication and community engagement. Attendees can choose from panel discussions, interactive workshops, inspirational keynotes, and immersive Deep Dives. At the same time, the Trade Show is taking place, a lively trade fair where over 50 companies and organisations showcase the latest innovations.

The practicalities.Date: 2–4 June 2026
Place: Universeum and the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, Gothenburg
Notification: Via Ecsite, opens February 2026

You are invited.

The conference brings together a broad mix of science engagement professionals: CEOs and leaders from the world's leading science centers, exhibition designers who create tomorrow's experiences, educators and developers who develop programs and educations, researchers from academia, communicators and science purnalists, experts and policymakers who influence the role of science in society. Whether you work at a museum, science center, university or with community involvement in business or the public sector, there is something for you at Ecsite.

... to a conference that makes a difference.

Ecsite is more than a conference – it's a platform to shape the future of science communication. Here, practice and research meet to work together:

Promote science communication. Share methods and tools for communicating science to the public.
Strengthen collaborations. Networking science communication and education actors in Europe and the world.
Explore trends. Discuss current themes such as sustainability, technology, art and social issues in relation to science.
Inspire innovation. Show new exhibitions, interactive technologies and innovative learning methods.

Gothenburg as a conference city.

Universeum is centrally located in Gothenburg, with the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre literally across the street. All conference rooms and evening events are within walking distance. All conference rooms and evening events are within easy walking distance of the city's Green City Zone. Many hotels, restaurants and attractions in the city centre are easily reached on foot.

Hotels and accommodations

Gothenburg offers a wide range of hotels and accommodation in different price ranges, from budget to luxury. Most hotels in the city centre are within a 10-15 minute walk of the conference area.

On the Ecsite page you will find a list of recommended hotels with special offers for Ecsite delegates.

See recommended hotels

Transport to Gothenburg

Train: Direct trains from Stockholm (3 hours), Oslo (3.5 hours) and Copenhagen (3.5 hours). Good connections from continental Europe via Copenhagen and Hamburg. The Central Station is located in the middle of the city, just a few minutes' walk from the conference area.

Flight: 1.5 hours flight time from central Europe. Landvetter Airport is 20 minutes from the conference centre by airport bus and taxi. Good connections via European airports for international travelers.

Public transportation in Gothenburg

Gothenburg has a well-developed public transport system with trams and buses. From the Central Station, there are trams directly to the conference area. Västtrafik's ToGo app makes it easy to buy tickets and plan trips.

Utforska Göteborg.

Konferensen pågår tisdag till torsdag, men om du anländer måndag eller stannar kvar över helgen finns det gott om tid att upptäcka staden.

Oavsett om du är här för kanelbullar eller skärgård, museer eller nöjesparker, har vi satt ihop några förslag för att hjälpa dig få ut det mesta av din extra tid. Välj vad som låter bra, skippa vad som inte gör det, och kom ihåg: om det regnar, då upplever du det äkta Göteborg.

Monday (pre-conference)

Half or full day to explore before the conference starts Tuesday morning.

Beatrice Törnros/Göteborg & Co

Gothenburg Greatest Hits.

This is Gothenburg's classical highlights – canals, cobblestones, and cinnamon buns the size of your head. The stuff postcards are made of, but better in real life. Pick and mix from:

Universeum - Sweden’s national science centre and the second most visited indoor experience (2-4h)
Paddan Canal Tour - Classic Gothenburg from the water (50 min)
Hop-on Hop-off - Get oriented and see the city (full loop ~1h, or hop strategically)
Feskekôrka - Historic fish market & seafood lunch
Haga - Charming wooden houses, cafés, and shops
Linnégatan - Trendy neighborhood with restaurants and vintage shops

Botaniska Trädgården

A Walk in the Park.

Gothenburg is surprisingly green for a city. This is where locals go to breathe, walk, and explore. Pick and mix from:

Slottsskogen - Large park with free zoo, walking paths, and cafés (1-3h)
Botaniska trädgården (Gothenburg Botanical Garden) - 16,000 plant species, beautiful greenhouses, and a garden pavilion with restaurant and bakery (1-2h)
Trädgårdsföreningen (The Garden Society of Gothenburg) - Historic park and palm house in the city center (1-2h)

Friday (after conference).

Enjoy Gothenburg before heading back home.

Utställningen Hav av historier på Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet.

Kristin Lidell

Culture Deep Dive.

You've been talking about science all week. Now go see what else Gothenburg does well. Spoiler: quite a lot. Choose your must-sees:

Universeum - Full visitor experience if you want to see it all (2-4h)
Sjöfartsmuseet (Maritime Museum) - On the waterfront with great views (1-2h)
Göteborgs Konstmuseum (Gothenburg Museum of Art) - Nordic art collection (1-2h)
Röhsska Museum - Design and craft (1-2h)
Göteborgs Stadsmuseum (Museum of Gothenburg) - City history (1-2h)

Weekend (if you're staying).

For those extending their trip Saturday-Sunday.

Liseberg

All the Fun.

The city comes alive on weekends. This is where Gothenburg shows off a little – in the best way possible. Choose your favorites:

Liseberg - Scandinavia's largest amusement park
Avenyn - Grand boulevard with shops, restaurants, bars
Magasinsgatan - Hip shopping street and food court
City Centre - Dining and nightlife

Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Nature Escape.

The sea is never far away in Gothenburg. This is coastal Sweden at its most beautiful – islands, gardens, and the kind of views that make you consider relocating. Choose your favorites:

Archipelago boat trip - Southern archipelago boats from Saltholmen
Botaniska trädgården (Gothenburg Botanical Garden) - The perfect stroll – or peaceful pause
Trädgårdsföreningen (The Garden Society of Gothenburg) - Beautiful all year round
Coastal cafés - Saltholmen, Styrsö, or island stops

Människor vid hållplats Korsvägen framför Gothia Towers och Svenska Mässan.

Happy Visuals/Göteborg & Co

Recommended hotels.

We can offer discounted rates for Ecsite delegates at three hotels: Gothia Towers, Liseberg Grand Curiosa and Quality Panorama. All are 0–7 minutes' walk from the conference venue at Svenska Mässan.

Sustainable above all.

Gothenburg has been named a leading destination for sustainable meetings and events since 2016 according to the Global Destination Sustainability Index. The city was named the European Capital of Smart Tourism in 2020 and ranked as one of Europe's smartest tourist cities in 2022.

Sustainability is also one of Universeum's core values. As host of Ecsite 2026, the conference will be conducted with a focus on sustainability and serve as inspiration for participants to implement sustainable practices in their own businesses.