Experiences
Göta Canal: by boat or bike across Sweden
Fifty-eight locks, vintage steamers and cycle paths along the water. How to experience the Göta Canal, from Gothenburg to Söderköping, and the hotels along the way.
The boat glides into the lock, the gates close behind you, and the water begins to rise. Slowly you are lifted up, while people on the edge eat ice cream and wave. Then the gates open ahead, and you glide on through fields, forest and small towns with wooden houses. The Göta Canal is Sweden in slow motion, and that is the whole point.
The canal links western and eastern Sweden and was one of the country’s greatest engineering projects. Today it is a summer favourite for boaters, cyclists and anyone who wants to experience Sweden at an unhurried pace.
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What is the Göta Canal?
The Göta Canal was built between 1810 and 1832 and has 58 locks. Together with the Trollhätte Canal and the Göta River it forms a waterway from Gothenburg in the west to the Baltic Sea at Söderköping, through the great lakes of Vänern and Vättern.
The Berg lock flight: seven locks in a row near Linköping, the canal’s most famous spot.
Vadstena: a pretty town on Lake Vättern, with a castle and an abbey church.
Söderköping: a charming canal town near the Baltic, known for ice cream and wooden houses.
How to experience the Göta Canal
Book the experience: See tours and activities in Gothenburg
Canal cruises
Classic canal boats sail all the way between Gothenburg and Stockholm in four to six days, with cabins on board. There are also day trips on shorter stretches, for example through the Berg lock flight.
Cycling along the canal
The old towpaths along the canal are now flat, smooth cycle paths. Many cycle the route over several days, staying in small towns along the way with their luggage sent ahead.
Your own boat or kayak
You can hire a boat and work your way through the locks yourself, or paddle a kayak on parts of the route. The season runs from May to September.
Where to stay along the Göta Canal
Vadstena Klosterhotel
Vadstena Klosterhotel occupies the old abbey by Lake Vättern, next to the abbey church. It has a spa, and the atmosphere is calm and historic.
Book your stay: See rooms at Vadstena Klosterhotel
Söderköpings Brunn
Söderköpings Brunn sits right by the canal in Söderköping, in a former spa. Breakfast is included, and there are two restaurants.
Book your stay: See rooms at Söderköpings Brunn
Clarion Hotel Post
Clarion Hotel Post by Gothenburg Central Station.
Clarion Hotel Post, Gothenburg
If you start in Gothenburg, Clarion Hotel Post occupies the old post office by the Central Station, with a rooftop pool and several restaurants.
Book your stay: See rooms at Clarion Hotel Post
Grand Hôtel
The lobby of the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm.
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
If you finish in Stockholm, the Grand Hôtel is the city’s classic, on the waterfront opposite the Royal Palace. It has five restaurants and a spa.
Book your stay: See rooms at Grand Hôtel
When is the best time to visit the Göta Canal?
The season runs from May to September, when the locks are operating. June and August bring long days and fewer crowds than July, when Swedes are on holiday.
Göta Canal FAQ
How long is the Göta Canal?
The canal itself is about 190 kilometres, much of it dug by hand. The full waterway from Gothenburg to the Baltic is much longer.
How many locks does the Göta Canal have?
The Göta Canal has 58 locks. The most famous is the Berg lock flight, with seven locks in a row.
How long does a Göta Canal cruise take?
The full journey between Gothenburg and Stockholm takes four to six days. There are also day trips.
Can you cycle along the Göta Canal?
Yes, the old towpaths are flat cycle paths, and many people cycle the whole route over several days.
Where should I stay along the Göta Canal?
Vadstena Klosterhotel and Söderköpings Brunn are by the canal. In Gothenburg, Clarion Hotel Post is a good choice, and in Stockholm the Grand Hôtel.