Five connected locks make Borenshults slussar the second-largest flight of locks on the Göta Canal. Motala’s history also spans archaeological traces, a castle and workers’ housing to the history of broadcasting. When planning your days, you can choose from a range of themes: industrial heritage and museums, routes along the canal or time on Lake Vättern.

A castle, workers’ housing and broadcasting history

Charlottenborg Castle dates from the 17th century and was built in 1652. Archaeological finds from Motala are on display in the castle. You can also see wood carvings and other works by Sophia Isberg, a craftswoman from Motala. Kanaljorden offers another glimpse into the area’s distant past: the oldest remains found there are 11,000 years old.

The Museilägenheter on Verkstadsön recreate workers’ housing from 1850 and 1903 at Motala verkstad. A guided tour of the museum apartments takes about 30 minutes and can be part of a Verkstadsvandring. This tour covers the development of Gamla Motala Verkstad and the history of the Göta Canal. It takes place mostly outdoors on the old factory grounds and ends in the workers’ apartments.

The Sveriges Rundradiomuseum offers a different focus. It is housed in Motala’s listed broadcasting station, built in 1927, and tells the story of broadcasting from Motala. The exhibition features numerous radios, gramophones and other products made by the Luxor company. The themes differ considerably: while the museum apartments explore workers’ lives, the Rundradiomuseum delves into the history of communication and its devices.

The Göta Canal, cycling routes and Lake Vättern

The Östergötland section of the Göta Canal begins in Motala and can be explored by boat, bicycle or on foot. At Borenshults slussar, five connected locks form the second-largest flight of locks on the canal. Motala runt is an 18.6-kilometre circular route.

Within Motala Municipality, the Östgötaleden has 15 stages of varying character and difficulty. The number may change as route maintenance is revised, so check the current stage overview when planning. The landscape along the Östgötaleden includes forests, oak woodlands and open plains; the trail also runs along the shores of Lake Vättern and the Göta Canal. There are recommended cycling routes in and around Motala for both mountain biking and road cycling.

Varamobaden on Lake Vättern is a beach that Motala Municipality describes as the largest inland lake beach in the Nordic region. The wide sandy beach, shallow water and paved promenade shape the area. In Varamon, Varamon Beach Boats rents pedal boats and SUP boards on the beach next to Sjövik Restaurant. Near the old Motala verkstad, KAYAKOMAT Motala Mallboden rents kayaks and SUP boards.

Fishing is also possible in two designated stretches: in Motala ström, between Motala harbour and the power station, and in the Göta Canal, between the Borenshult locks and the harbour.

Getting here and choosing a focus for your stay

Motala central is the hub for bus and train services and is about a five-minute walk from the centre of Motala. The Östgötapendeln connects Motala with Mjölby, Linköping and Norrköping. Check the timetable for your travel dates if you are planning to arrive or continue your journey by train.

It may help to decide on the main focus of your stay before choosing accommodation. If you are particularly interested in industrial history, consider visiting the museum apartments and taking the Verkstadsvandring; for broadcasting and technology history, visit the Sveriges Rundradiomuseum. If you mainly want to spend time outdoors, you can plan around the designated cycling routes, the Göta Canal or Varamobaden.

Discover more destinations: Borensberg, Nykyrka, Tjällmo, Bona.

Back to the main travel overview: Motala.