Click here to see the itinerary for the direction Gothenburg-Stockholm
The first lock on our journey divides Saltsjön from Lake Mälaren.
0.3 metres above sea level. Sweden’s third largest lake.
Drottningholm Castle, the home of the Royal family since 1981, is on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.
Södertälje lock, 135 metres long, is the largest lock in Scandinavia.
The archipelago of St Anna and Södermanland.
The small town of Trosa dates all the way back to the 14th century. It was then known as a fishermens’ village. Regular steamer traffic from Stockholm and Nyköping began in 1860, bringing large numbers of summer visitors. Enjoy a walk around the canals and alleys of Trosa (app. 2.5 km).
Overnight stop.
The ruins of the Stegeborg Fortress are beautifully situated on a small island overlooking the bay of Slätbaken. The fort dates from the early Middle Ages and was built to guard the inlet to Söderköping. We are given a guided tour through the interesting history of Stegeborg. The walk is short, but somewhat uneven.
On 26th September 1832, the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Mem amid great pomp and circumstance in the presence of King Karl XIV Johan and his family. We enter the Göta Canal through the first of the 58 narrow locks.
The idyllic town Söderköping was founded in the early 1200s and was very important during the Hanseatic period. The town also has a long and very interesting history as a spa. Söderköping is yours to explore on your own. Don’t forget to try the famous ice cream!
There are eight locks in the short distance of around two kilometres. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs between the locks.
27 metres above sea level.
Here the canal crosses the main railway line Stockholm – Malmö.
33 metres above sea level.
The Carl-Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks. We dock for the night at the bottom lock. Overnight stop.
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 Its importance was later superseded by the convent founded by Saint Bridget (St. Birgitta) at Vadstena.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 is used as a parish church and is therefore not always open to visitors. The tour guide will take us on a walk (app. 3 km) to see the church and the remains of the convent. As an alternative you can walk along the canal or take a swim in Lake Roxen.
The ship has passed all 15 locks in the Berg lock system. It is time to board for departure.
We pass the first of two aqueducts in the canal. The Ljungsbro aqueduct was built in 1970.
The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 as part of the national route 36.
At Borensberg you will see one of the hand-operated locks still in use in the canal. Shortly before the lock we pass a small gazebo leaning out over the canal in a sharp bend known as the "Helmsman's Horror". We walk the short distance to the well-known Göta Hotel, from 1908, where we are served coffe and waffles.
73 metres above sea level.
Lock staircase of five locks where you might hear the nightingale sing.
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.
We leave Motala and head out into Lake Vättern.
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 here and take us with the sightseeing train to see the Abbey and the castle. You will also have time to walk around the town on your own, or go for a swim in the lake.
89 metres above sea level. Sweden’s second largest lake.
We pass Karlsborg and will be able to see the roof of the fortress, which was built in 1819-1909.
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 somtimes greeted with songs and flowers by the Kindbom family, a religious group.
Through two narrow, wood-lined passages and small lakes full of water lilies, we steer out into 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.
At Tåtorp there is another hand-operated lock. From here on we will be going downwards!
An obelisk marks the highest point (91.5 metres above sea level) of the Göta Canal. This part of the canal is called the Berg Canal and originally had a sharp bend which was straightened in 1930-33. After dinner we will be entertained by a music group.
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.
A lock system consisting of four locks. In 1822 the western section of the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp. The ship berths for the night, close to what used to be the home of the Canal Engineer. Overnight stop.
If you are an "early bird" you can take a wonderful morning walk from Hajstorp to Riksberg, app. 4 km.
Jema Studioglas is located right by the canal and the guest harbour of Lyrestad. Here we experience at close hand the transformation of art glass sculpture from molten glass to its solid form.
At Sjötorp there is a set of eight locks, and also the remains of some old shipyards. Here it is possible to take a pleasant walk along the locks.
44 metres above sea level. Sweden’s largest lake and the third largest lake in Europe, after the Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia.
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. 2 km walk.
The Trollhättan Canal Museum is located in a storehouse from 1893. Learn more about the fascinating history of the Trollhätte Canal through the interesting exhibition and film shown here. You can also take a walk through the beautiful old lock area.
The impressive lock staircase at Trollhättan 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.
The lock at Lilla Edet, built in 1916, is the last on our journey. The original lock was opened in 1607 and was the first lock in Sweden.
Our cruise ends at Packhuskajen 10, near the spectacular Opera House and the Maritime Centre in Gothenburg.
Subject to changes. Note! All times stated are approximate.
The Great Swedish Cruise from Stockholm, click here to open the itinerary as a pdf-file >>
12 March M/S Juno in the Daily Telegraph Read more
19 September Article in the Sydney Morning Herald Read more
15 September Telford's Swedish Delight Read more
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