Motala between the Göta Canal, Lake Vättern and industrial heritage

The radio station in Motala, which houses Sveriges rundradiomuseum, dates from 1927 and is protected as a listed building.

The additional selection of localities includes Borensberg, Motala, Nykyrka, Tjällmo and Bona.

Culture, technology and history

The “Från Istid till Nutid” timeline at Charlottenborgs slott begins 11,000 years ago and covers Stone Age settlements, medieval church construction and the Göta Canal. Charlottenborgs slott also displays wood carvings by Sophia Isberg, art from various periods and an exhibition about archaeological finds from Motala.

The “Alla tiders radio” exhibition at Sveriges rundradiomuseum traces the development of radio from crystal receivers to mobile telephony. Motala Motormuseum displays a fully functioning car workshop from the 1920s or 1930s. Around 125 motorcycles and mopeds are exhibited there, including Einar “Motala Linkan” Lindqvist’s complete motorcycle collection.

Gamla Motala Verkstad began in 1822 as a repair workshop for the construction of the Göta Canal and developed into one of Sweden’s leading industries in the mid-19th century. The “Verkstadsvandring” guided tour covers the origins of Gamla Motala Verkstad and the history of the Göta Canal, takes place mostly outdoors on the old industrial site and ends at the Museilägenheterna. These recreate workers’ housing from 1850 and 1903 and provide insights into the family life of the workers at Motala Verkstad. Old overhead cranes and falun-red buildings have been preserved at Gamla Motala Verkstad, and visitors can walk among them.

Motala is one of the most interesting sites for finds from the Early Stone Age in Northern Europe. The Göta Canal was built from 1810 to 1832, is 190 kilometres long and has 58 locks.

Nature and water

The Sjöbo-Knäppan nature reserve has accessible barbecue areas and toilets; several paths have been adapted for wheelchair users.

The Staffanstorp nature reserve features a hilly landscape with varied forests, open grazing areas, small bogs and lakes. It is characterised by abundant wildlife and a profusion of flowers. Staffanstorp can be reached by car and bicycle and is within walking distance of Motala tätort.

Varamobaden is described as Northern Europe’s largest inland beach and is located on Lake Vättern. The beach has a paved promenade, ramps for wheelchair users leading to the sandy beach and a mat extending into the water. The sheltered, shallow bay at Varamobaden on Lake Vättern is suitable for windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding.

Fishing is possible in Motala ström between Motala harbour and the power station.

Paths, the canal and local life

The historic loop around Motala ström and Kvarnön is just under 3 kilometres long, can also be cycled and runs along asphalt and gravel paths. Kvarnön was formed when the Göta Canal was dug through Motala alongside Motala ström because the river’s water was too fast for canal boats.

The section between Motala and Ljungsbro is part of the Östgötaleden and runs along a car-free gravel path on the north shore of the Göta Canal, as well as through the open landscape on the southern shore of Lake Boren.

The M/S Kung Sverker offers a trip on the Göta Canal from Motala harbour to Borensberg, passing through Motala and the historic quarter of the old Motala-Verkstad area.

Motala central station is served by Östgötapendeln and Tåg i Bergslagen.

Ubbes Bageri has a retro-style café in Motala, designed like an old-fashioned patisserie café, where you can enjoy fika indoors and outdoors in summer or buy pastries to take away.

Motala has been the start and finish location of Vätternrundan for almost 60 years.

For the overarching travel overview: Östergötland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Valdemarsvik, Norrköping, Åtvidaberg.