The Göta Canal is one of Sweden's best known and most popular tourist attractions, and has been named the Swedish Construction of the Millennium.
The canal was built between 1810 and 1832, employing a total of 58,000 conscripted soldiers. Construction was initiated and headed by Baltzar von Platen.
The Göta Canal stretches between Sjötorp on Lake Vänern and Mem at the Baltic, with 58 locks along the way. The total length of the canal is 190 km, of which 87 km are man-made. The canal's highest point, 91.8 m above sea level, is Lake Viken.
Facts |
| Maximum length of boat |
30 m |
| Maximum beam |
7 m |
| Maximum draught |
2,8 m |
| Maximum height |
22 m |
| Maximum speed on the Canal |
5 knots |
| Year of construction |
1810 - 1832 |
| Number of locks |
58 |
| Length |
190 km |
| Highest point a.s.l. (Lake Viken) |
91,8 m |
Chart Göta Canal, Mem-Sjötorp and Lake Vättern
New nautical chart for recreational boating, Göta Canal, Mem–Sjötorp including Lake Vättern. National Administration of Shipping and Navigation.
Covers the whole route from Mem to Sjötorp and all of Lake Vättern. Also features canal and guest harbour descriptions in Swedish and aerial photos of the guest harbours in the Göta Canal and Vättern.
Complementet by charts 133 and 135 of Lake Vänern and 1352 and 1353 of the Trollhätte Canal.
Chart No. 8. Göta Canal & Trollhätte Canal (Swedish/German)
Nautical Publications. Covers section between Mem-Gothenburg incl. channels across Lakes Vättern and Vänern.
The charts are for sale at the entrance points to the Göta Canal in Mem and Sjötorp as well as in Motala.
Wireless internet
is available against fee in the following guest harbours
Söderköping
Norsholm
Berg locks
Motala
Norrkvarn
Sjötorp (Wharfs basin)
Feul along the Göta Canal
To help you plan your trip on the Göta Canal, we have compiled a list of guest harbours with a marineservice station or fuel tank on the wharf. Read more
Slipways along the Göta Canal
Here you will find information about slipways along the Göta Canal. Read more.
