Cruising Sweden’s most scenic canal
Take a cruise on the most charming canal in Scandinavia. Running 190 kilometres from the east to west coast of southern Sweden, the Gota Canal is a meandering strip of water surrounded by pretty woods and charming fishing villages. The canal was opened in 1832 and, even today, the pace of life on the water remains much the same as it was then. This is the place to really switch off, forget about the internet or telephones, and immerse yourself in the world that’s drifting slowly past your window.
The world’s oldest registered passenger ship, M/S Juno, regularly plies the waters of the Gota Canal. Built in 1874, the ship is tiny, custom built for the canal’s seven-metre width and carrying just 44 passengers. She brings to mind a train more than a ship, with guests sleeping in cosy, compact cabins and spending their days reading in the library, playing cards or sitting on the deck with a drink in hand. There are five similar ships making the journey, each offering a sedate, intimate and one-of-a-kind voyage.
It took almost 60,000 workers more than 20 years to construct the canal, blasting their way through rock to create one of the great wonders of Swedish engineering. It was originally an important trade route but in the 1980s was refitted for leisure boats. There are 58 locks along the canal’s length, slowing the ships down to almost walking pace. Passengers can even disembark as the ship is crossing through them to walk or cycle along the canalside path or take a dip in a crystal clear lake.
During the three-day journey from Stockholm to Gothenburg (or vice versa) passengers can head out each day for excursions, visiting a medieval convent or the impressive Karlsborg Fortress that dates back to the Napoleonic Wars. There are plenty of museums along the way, dedicated to everything from vintage toys to cars, cameras and the history of the canal itself. Or you can just wander the pretty cobblestone streets of small towns like Motala, Hajstorp and Vadstena.
Cruising the Gota Canal is one of Europe’s most unique journeys. It’s on the travel bucket list of most Swedes who see the canal as one of their country’s great icons. The small size of the ship means passengers and crew quickly become friends, making this voyage the opposite of the anonymity of a vast megaliner. The beauty of the scenery and the company of your fellow passengers make this cruise something very special.
Have you ever taken a cruise in Europe? If so, how did you find the experience? Do you think you’d like to go again?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
Related links:
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