Guest Harbours
Guest Harbours
Guest harbours along the Göta Canal
Your first trip on the Göta Canal is exciting: you probably do not know what awaits around the next bend. A bridge, a lock or a long straight stretch? That is part of its charm.
Even so, it is reassuring to know where you can next stop for the night or stock up on supplies, as boaters say.
There are no fewer than 21 guest harbours along the Göta Canal that are included in the canal fee you pay when hiring a boat. They all provide the facilities you need for a comfortable trip at no extra cost: water, shore power, septic-tank emptying, fresh water, toilets, showers, laundry facilities, tourist information and more.
Plan your trip
Find guest harbours along your route
Explore guest harbours along the Göta Canal and find the right stops for overnight stays, services, food and experiences. Filter by the Green, Blue or Red Route to see which harbours suit your canal trip.
Green Route
Blue Route
Red Route
Motala verkstad
Your canal trip starts and ends here. A small guest harbour with showers, toilets and parking close to the canal’s historic surroundings.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Visit the Göta Canal Museum, Mallbodens café and the restaurants in the area.
Green Route
Blue Route
Borenshult
Guest harbour below the Borenshult lock staircase on Lake Boren, right next to the canal’s second-largest staircase of five locks.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A peaceful stop for a break or an overnight stay near Motala.
Green Route
Blue Route
Borensberg
Guest harbour in the traditional canal village of Borensberg, with 20 guest berths and one of the Göta Canal’s two manually operated locks.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Good facilities, with restaurants and grocery shops nearby.
Green Route
Blue Route
Berg
The locks at Berg are one of the Göta Canal’s major attractions. There is a guest harbour, restaurants, cafés and the well-known Carl Johans lock staircase.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A natural overnight stop with facilities, food and an ICA Nära grocery store just a short walk away.
Blue Route
Norsholm
Guest harbour east of the lock, with a restaurant, hostel and facilities at Kapten Bille’s. An ICA Nära grocery store is only a few steps away.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A convenient stop to spend the night or stock up on supplies.
Blue Route
Söderköping
The canal harbour in Söderköping is one of the most popular on the Göta Canal, with restaurants, cafés and summer shops directly beside the waterway.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Visit Smultronstället and explore the town’s restaurants, shops and summer activities.
Green Route
Blue Route
Malfors
A small guest harbour by Malfors Bridge in Ljungsbro, within walking distance of services and Cloetta’s factory outlet.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A quiet alternative to staying overnight in Berg.
Red Route
Karlsborg
Guest harbour on Lake Vättern, with berths on both sides of the road bridge. Karlsborg Fortress and the town centre are nearby.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: The harbour is popular in summer, so plan your stop around bridge openings and berth availability.
Red Route
Forsvik
The Göta Canal’s first lock was built here in 1813. Attractions in the area include Forsviks Bruk and the paddle steamer Eric Nordevall II.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Take time to stop: Forsvik offers history, cafés and small shops by the canal.
Red Route
Tåtorp
Guest harbour on Lake Viken, where you will find the only manually operated lock in the Västergötland section and a pleasant garden café.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Perfect for a lunch stop before or after crossing Lake Viken.
Red Route
Vassbacken
Vassbacken has a guest harbour, campsite, cabins and a hostel in a peaceful canal-side setting. There is also a café and summer activities.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A pleasant, family-friendly alternative to Töreboda.
Red Route
Jonsboda
A peaceful guest harbour by Jonsboda Bridge east of Töreboda, with a summer café, waffle café and access to a sauna.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A good choice if you prefer a little more peace and quiet.
Red Route
Töreboda
A centrally located guest harbour with jetties on both sides of the canal, close to shops, restaurants and other services.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A good stop to stock up on supplies and take a break during your trip.
Red Route
Hajstorp
Guest harbour by Hajstorp’s historic lock area, where several locks are grouped along a short stretch together with a café and craft shops.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A pleasant guest harbour with a well-maintained service building and a traditional canal atmosphere.
Red Route
Norrkvarn
Guest harbour by the Norrkvarn lock area near Lyrestad. There is a restaurant, waterfront dining and the Children’s Mini Canal.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: One of the most family-friendly stops along the western section of the canal.
Red Route
Lyrestad
A popular guest harbour and meeting place for boaters and cyclists. In summer, there is also a small museum in the old harbour warehouse.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A good stop for shopping, a meal and stocking up before continuing your trip.
Red Route
Sjötorp
Guest harbour in the dock basin where the Göta Canal meets Lake Vänern. This lively canal village has a shop, cafés, restaurants and summer shopping.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Take time to explore Sjötorp before your trip turns back towards Motala.
Not on any standard route
possible detour from Lake Vättern
Vadstena
The guest harbour is right beside Vadstena Castle and just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre, shops and several historic sights.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Do not miss Vadstena if your itinerary allows a detour across Lake Vättern.
Red Route
Motala hamn
The largest guest harbour on the Göta Canal is centrally located in Motala, close to restaurants, shopping, the Motala Motor Museum and the canal company’s head office.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: There is plenty to see and do here, as well as good opportunities to stock up before your trip.
Ready to plan your trip?
See available boats and find a week that suits you.
