Categories Small Ship Cruises Scandinavian Cruises River & Canal Cruises Gota Canal Cruises Cruises

The Gota Canal Waterway across Sweden passes Archipelagos with thousands of small islands, sails lakes both large and small and passes through 65 narrow locks. The steamer travels slowly past ruins, medieval churches, picturesque small towns and lush forests. You have the chance to get off and walk or bike along the way. Interesting land excursions are also planned.

It is also possible to take this cruise from Motala to Soderkoping or to take 4 and 6 day versions of this cruise.

It is also possible to take this cruise from Stockholm to Gothenburg or to take 2, 3, 4 and 6 day versions of the cruise.

Please see

Gota Canal 4 Day Cruise from Stockholm

Gota Canal 2 Day Cruise from Motala

Gota Canal 2 Day Cruise from Soderkoping

Gota Canal 6 Day Cruise from Gothenburg

Gota Canal 6 Day Cruise from Stockholm

Gota Canal Highlights - 3 Day CruiseGota Canal Highlights - 3 Day Cruise

Itinerary

11.00 Dep. Soderkoping.

Soderkoping is an idyllic town, which was founded in the 13th century and it was one of the most important during the Hanseatic era. The town also has a long and fascinating history as a spa.

12.00-13.00 Dufkullen-Mariehov-Carlsborg.

A set of nine locks.

14.45-15:15 Lake Asplongen. 27 metres above sea level.

16.45 - 17:00 Norsholm.

The railway line between Stockholm and Malmo crosses here. There is also a lock at Norsholm.

17.15-18.45 Runstorp

Runstorp is a manor house dating from Sweden's period of greatness. You will given a tour by the owner himself, telling you about the exciting history of the mansion. Runstorp is not open to the public which makes this an exclusive visit.

17:00 -20.30 Lake Roxen. 33 metres above sea level.

20.30 Berg

We dock for the night below the impressive lock staircase at Berg. The evening offers the possibility to take a walk along the canal or to go for an evenng swim in Lake Roxen.

07.25 Dep. Berg (the basin)

We leave the harbour basin and continue our ascent in the Berg lock system. Here it is possible to take a walk along the canal to the Vreta convent ruins and church. The convent of Vreta dates from about 1100 and was the first nunnery in Sweden. Its importance was later superseded by the convent founded by Saint Bridget (St. Birgitta) at Vadstena. The old convent church at Vreta is one of Sweden’s most interesting, offering many medieval treasures. Today, it serves as a parish church and is therefore not always open to visitors.

09.00 Berg (Heda) We pass through the last lock in the Berg lock system.

09.00 - 12.30 Långkanalen We travel 20 kms without passing any locks through the astonishing Östgöta scenery. We pass two aqueducts, eight bridges, Ljung castle and Brunneby manor.

09.20 Ljungsbro, aqueduct

Two more recent aqueducts have been built to carry the canal. The Ljungsbro aqueduct was built in 1970 over the new road into the community.

12.10 Kungs Norrby,aqueduct

The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 as part of the national route 36. Shortly after the aqueduct there is a small gazebo leaning out over the canal in the sharp Västanå Bend, also known as the “Helmsman’s Horror”.

12.30 - 12.40 Borensberg Borensberg has one of the canal’s hand-operated locks. Right by the lock you can also see the wellknown

Göta Hotel from 1908.

12.40 - 13.45 Lake Boren 73 metres above sea level.

13.45 - 14.30 Borenshult Lock staircase of five locks where you might hear the nightingale sing.

15.30 - 15.45 Lake Vättern We take a little jaunt on Lake Vättern, 89 metres above sea level, to get a better view of Motala.

16.00 Arr. Motala It was Baltzar von Platen who drew up the plans for Motala, and today it is called “the Capital of

the Göta Canal”. In 1822 an engineering works, Motala Werkstad, was established here to serve the canal, and is today considered to be the cradle of Swedish industry. Here you also find the head office of the Gota Canal Company, as well as a number of museums, including the well-known Motor Museum. Our cruise ends here.

Notes