WILHELM THAM

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

The traditional cruise in either direction between Gothenburg and Stockholm has been on the schedule almost every year since the shipping line was established in 1869. On the shorter cruises, the boat usually travels on during the night while you are asleep; only one night is spent in harbour. The 6 day cruises allow time for more stops and shore excursions along the way. The choice of stops is determined by the direction in which you are traveling.

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

For other cruise options see:

Gota Canal 6 Day Cruise from Stockholm

Gota Canal 2 Day Cruise from Motala

Gota Canal 2 Day Cruise from Soderkoping

Gota Canal 4 Day Cruise from Gothenburg

Gota Canal 4 Day Cruise from Stockholm

Itinerary

10.00 Departure from Gothenburg, Packhuskajen 10

14.00-14.15 Lilla Edet The lock at Lilla Edet, built in 1916, is the first on our journey. The original lock was opened in 1607 and was the first lock in Sweden.

15.30-16.30 Trollhttan, locks. The impressive lock staircase at Trollhttan consists of four locks, and has a total drop of 32 metres. Of the three parallel lock systems here, only the biggest one (from 1916) is still in use.

16.30-18.30 Trollhttan The Trollhttan Canal Museum is located in a storehouse from 1893. Learn more about the fascinating history of the Trollhtte Canal through the interesting exhibition and film shown here. You can also take a walk through the beautiful old lock area.

20.30 Arr. Vnersborg We visit lgens Berg (Elk or Moose Hill) with the Royal Hunts Museum, where you can learn more about the Swedish elk, the king of the forest. There are also exhibitions on the unique flora, fauna, geology and history of the Halle- and Hunneberg area. Overnight stop.

04.45 Dep. Vänersborg

05.00 - 15.10 Lake Vänern 44 metres above sea level. Sweden’s largest lake and the third largest lake in Europe, after the Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia.

09.30 - 11.30 Läckö Castle Läckö Castle was built in 1298 as a bishop’s residence. Its golden age was during the reign of Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie, who transformed it into a baroque castle in 1652. We are given a guided tour of the castle and the exhibitions (lots of stairs). App. 1 km walk.

15.10 - 17.30 Sjötorp We now enter the first of the 58 narrow locks on the Göta Canal. At Sjötorp we have a set of eight locks and also the remains of some old shipyards. We visit the old warehouse, where you can find a shop selling, among other things, clothes and home décor, a café and the Sjötorp Canal Museum. In the museum you can see old pictures of Sjötorp, the interiors of several old ships, a large collection of ships’engines, etc. There is also a map of all the sunken ships in the Lake Vänern. It is also possible to take a walk along the locks.

19.50 - 21.30 Godhögen–Hajstorp övre

We pass a lock system consisting of four locks in very beautiful surroundings. In 1822 the western section of the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp.

21.30 Arr. Hajstorp At Hajstorp our ship berths for the night, close to what used to be the Canal Engineer’s home, now privately owned. Overnight stop.

06.00 Dep. Hajstorp

07.00 Töreboda The railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg crosses the canal here. Töreboda also proudly presents Sweden’s smallest ferry, ”Lina”, which travels back and forth across the Göta Canal.

09.00 The Berg Canal This part of the canal is called the Berg Canal and originally had a sharp bend which was straightened in 1930-33.

09.30 The Obelisk An obelisk marks the highest point (91.5 metres above sea level) of the Göta Canal.

10.00 - 10.10 Tåtorp One of the canal’s two hand-operated locks is found at Tåtorp.

10.10 - 12.15 Lake Viken The beautiful Lake Viken (91.8 metres above sea level) serves as a water reservoir for the western section of the Göta Canal.

11.15 - 12.15 The Spetsnäs Canal/ Billströmmen

We steer through two narrow, wood-lined passages and small lakes full of water lilies.

12.15 - 12.30 Forsvik Forsvik has a very interesting industrial history. The lock, built in 1813, is the oldest one in the canal. The impressive iron bridge dates from the same year. In the lock we are sometimes greeted with songs and flowers by the Kindbom family, a religious group. From here on we will be going downwards!

13.15 Karlsborg Before our ship enters Lake Vättern, we pass Karlsborg and will be able to see the roof of the fortress, which was built in 1819-1909.

13.15 - 15.00 Lake Vättern 89 metres above sea level. Sweden’s second largest lake.

15.00 - 18.00 Vadstena Today Vadstena is an idyllic little town. It evolved around the 14th century convent of the Saint Bridget (St. Birgitta), becoming a spiritual, cultural and commercial centre. The Abbey was built according to St. Bridget’s plans, and was consecrated in 1430. The Castle was built in the 1540s by King Gustav Vasa. Local guides will meet us and take us with the sightseeing train to see the Abbey and the castle. You will also have time here to walk around the town on your own, or go for a swim in the lake. 19.30 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 Göta Canal and is today considered to be the cradle of Swedish industry. Here you also find the head office of the Gota Canal Company, responsible for operation and maintenance. We visit the Motor Museum, with its large exhibition of antique cars and motorcycles in authentic surroundings, collection of radios, toys, household appliances and more. You can also walk to see Baltzar von Platen’s grave, about 1 km along the left side of the canal. Overnight stop.

08.00 Dep. Motala Possibility to take a beautiful morning walk from Motala to Borenshult, app. 4 km.

09.00-09.40 Borenshult Lock staircase of five locks where you might hear the nightingale sing.

09.40-10.40 Lake Boren 73 metres above sea level.

10.40-10.50 Borensberg At Borensberg there is another hand-operated lock. We walk the short distance to the well-known Gta Hotel, from 1908, where we are served coffe and waffles.

11:10 Kungs Norrby, aqueduct. The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 and leads over the national route 36.

14.20 Ljungsbro, aqueduct We pass the second aqueduct on our journey. This one was built in 1970.

14:40 Berg (Heda) At Berg we pass through a system with a total of 15 locks. 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 Swedens most interesting, offering many medieval treasures. Today, it is used as a parish church and is therefore not always open to visitors. The tour guide will take you on a walk (app. 3 km, partly uneven) to see the church and the remains of the convent. As an alternative you can walk along the canal or take a swim in the warm water of Lake Roxen.

16.00-17.00 Berg (Carl-Johan) The Carl-Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks. Here we board the ship again before steering out on the lake.

17.00-19.00 Lake Roxen 33 metres above sea level.

19.00 - 19:10 Norsholm lock Here the canal crosses the main railway line Stockholm Malm.

20:20 - 21:00Lake Asplngen 27 metres above sea level.

21:30 Arr. Klmman We stop for the night at the idyllic lock Klmman, a water regulating lock. Take the opportunity to enjoy the total stillness. Overnight stop.

07.45 Dep. Klmman

08.35-09.50 CarlsborgMariehovDuvkullen. At the lock Carlsborg vre we have the first of the eight locks taking us down to Sderkping. Here you can stretch your legs between the locks, or, if you want more exercise, walk all the way down to Sderkping, app. 4 km.

10.15-12.45 Sderkping The idyllic town Sderkping was founded in the early 1200s and was very important during the Hanseatic period. The town also has a long and interesting history as a spa. Sderkping is yours to explore on your own. Dont forget to try the famous ice cream!

14.15 Mem Passing through the last narrow lock before Sltbaken, an inlet of the Baltic, we leave the Gta Canal. On 26th Sept. 1832, the Gta Canal was inaugurated at Mem amid great pomp and circumstance in the presence of King Karl XIV Johan and his family.

14.15 The Baltic We cross open water for a short bit and then weave through the archipelago.

15.00-16.00 Stegeborg The ruins of the Stegeborg Fortress are beautifully situated on a small island overlooking the bay of Sltbaken. The fort was constructed during the early Middle Ages and was built to guard the inlet to Sderkping. We are given a guided tour through the interesting history of Stegeborg. The walk is short, but somewhat uneven.

20.30 Arr. Svsundet We await dawn at the old pilot station. Overnight stop.

04.40 Dep Svsundet

08.40-08.50 Sdertlje Sdertlje lock, 135 metres long, is the largest lock in Scandinavia.

08.50-15:20 Lake Mlaren 0.3 metres above sea level. Swedens third largest lake.

10:15 -12:15 Birka The Viking community of Birka on the island of Bjrk is often regarded as Sweden's first town. The town was then an important harbour for international shipping and trade. It was in use for about 250 years and was abandoned before the year 1000. Birka features on UNESCOS World Heritage list. The archaelogists on the island show us around (app. 3 km, uneven terrain). We also visit the museum.

14:15 Drottningholm Castle. Drottningholm Castle, home of the Royal family since 1981, is also found on the World Heritage list. We pass the castle if time admits.

15.30 Hammarby lock The final lock on our journey delivers us from Lake Mlaren into Saltsjn.

16.00 Arr. Stockholm, Skeppsbrokajen. Our cruise ends at Skeppsbrokajen 103, in the Old Town of Stockholm.

Notes