Göta Canal Highlights

A cruise on the most beautiful stretch of the Göta Canal

With our aptly named cruise Highlights Cruise, you’re guaranteed to see the very best parts of the famous Göta Canal as your cruise takes you to the most beautiful stretch of the canal over the course of three unforgettable days. Our cruise goes between the city of Mariestad on the shores of Lake Vänern to Norsholm in the province of Östergötland with the choice of route entirely up to you. Of course, full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner is included. You can also book a connecting bus transfer between Gothenburg and Mariestad as well as Norsholm and Stockholm.

This cruise is perfect for those who want to experience the most beautiful parts of the canal at a relaxed and leisurely pace that harkens back to the historical way of travelling where the experiences made on the way are just as important as the destination itself. A big part of that is our ship itself: built in 1912, the M/S Wilhelm Tham is a true maritime marvel that has been carefully preserved and renovated for over a century now. To make sure that you get to enjoy the most spectacular views on your cruise, the ship will remain moored each night so you will see the canal in broad daylight.

Sights along the waterway

One of the things the Göta Canal is famous for is its intricate system of historical locks and lock systems of various sizes. Over the course of the cruise Göta Canal Highlights, we pass through a total of 44 locks. Among the most well-known of these are the Göta Canal’s two longest lock staircases – the Carl Johan’s lock staircase at Berg with seven connected locks and Borenshult’s lock staircase with five locks. In addition to these sights, you may also follow along on a guided tour of the Forsviks Bruk – one of Sweden’s most interesting industrial communities. And finally, the cruise also includes a visit to the Motala Motor Museum, Sweden’s most visited automobile and adventure museum.

From SEK 11 280 - this is included in your cruise:

Book the Göta Canal Highlights Cruise>>

More information about departures and prices can be found further down the page.

M/S Wilhelm Tham

M/S Wilhelm Tham was built at Motala Werkstad and was launched in 1912. She was listed in 2004 by the National Maritime Museums, considering her historically important. This distinction naturally makes us quite proud as it proves our efforts to preserve the ship have succeeded.

highlights of the cruise

  • Sweden's smallest ferry, "Lina", in Töreboda
  • Forsviks Bruk 
  • Motala and the Motor Museum
  • The convent church of Vreta and the remains of Sweden's first convent
  • The Carl Johan lock staircase in Berg

Docking for the night

Mariestad – Norsholm:
Day 1: Vassbacken
Day 2: Borensberg

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The whole itinerary

highlights of the cruise

  • Sweden's smallest ferry, "Lina", in Töreboda
  • Forsviks Bruk
  • Motala and the Motor Museum
  • The convent church of Vreta and the remains of Sweden's first convent
  • The Carl Johan lock staircase in Berg

Docking for the night

Norsholm – Mariestad:
Day 1: Borensberg
Day 2: Hajstorp

See the itinerary for the opposite direction

Go back to the cruise

The whole itinerary
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From Mariestad

Departs from Mariestad at 11:30 (bus departs from Gothenburg at 09:00). Arrives at Norsholm day 3 at approx. 13:30 (bus arrives in Stockholm at approx. 16:00).

June
Friday 14th
Thursday 20th

July
Sunday 14th
Monday 29th

For information on other train and bus connections to/from Mariestad and to/from Norsholm, please visit www.sj.se.

From Norsholm

Departs from Norsholm at 11:30 (bus departs from Stockholm at 09:00). Arrives at Mariestad day 3 at approx. 13.30 (bus arrives in Gothenburg at approx. 16:00).

June
Monday 17th

July
Thursday 11th
Friday 26th

August
Saturday 10th