Söderköping on the Göta Canal – Culture, History and Trails

The Göta Canal runs directly through Söderköping.

For further travel planning: Söderköping, Sankt Anna.

Culture and History

Söderköping has been designated a cultural environment of national interest. This includes the largely unchanged medieval street network, churches, small-scale wooden buildings, and the town’s relationship with the water, Ramunderberget and the surrounding landscape. In the Drothemskvarteren, low wooden houses and narrow lanes preserve Söderköping’s medieval appearance.

In 1235, the Franciscans founded a monastery with an associated monastery church in Söderköping. The present-day Drothems kyrka dates from the late 13th century and houses a medieval altarpiece. S:t Laurentii kyrka, also known as S:t Lars kyrka, was first mentioned in writing in 1253; the present church was built towards the end of the 13th century as a three-nave basilica.

The Söderköpings stadshistoriska museum is located in the town’s oldest school building and presents Söderköping’s development from the early Middle Ages to the present day. At Söderköpings sluss, visitors can see several original Göta Canal warehouses and other preserved canal buildings. Söderköpings sluss was built in 1847; the upper lock gates still have their original cast-iron framework.

Town Life and Culture

Söderköpings Gästabud has been held every year since 2006 and includes medieval music, tournament games, a medieval market, workshops and guided tours. In the Inga Lindström series, the Drothemskvarteren and the Göta Canal in Söderköping can be seen as filming locations. Sparven offers workshops and courses in felting, tin-wire embroidery and watercolour painting. At Fixområdet, at least five businesses operating in the textile sector have established themselves within walking distance of one another.

Water and Trails

The Göta-kanalleden cycle route runs directly through Söderköping and along the entire Göta Canal. Large sections are car-free and particularly suitable for families. At the Göta Canal, Smultronstället has around 200 seats and 60 ice-cream desserts assembled in-house.

Nature and Trails

Ramunderberget rises 70 metres above sea level and forms a distinctive backdrop to Söderköping. A large coniferous forest area with numerous trails stretches across Ramunderberget. The 9-kilometre Borgbergsleden leads to the Ramunderborgen hillfort; a challenging hike takes you up 318 steps to a viewpoint. Flora- och Faunaleden is around 5 kilometres long and has approximately 30 information boards. Hälsans stig is a 4-kilometre circular route in the centre of Söderköping, suitable for walks. For planning purposes, the different lengths and types of trail can be compared directly.

When comparing hotels in Söderköping, you can first check the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions side by side on the respective offer pages. Which of these details matters to you depends on your own travel plans.

Getting There

Söderköping can be reached by car, boat, plane, bus or train via Norrköping.

For the higher-level travel overview: Östergötland.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for your travel planning:

Söderköping - Sankt Anna.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Norrköping, Motala, Finspång, Åtvidaberg, Boxholm.