Motala: Holiday apartment between the Göta Canal, museums and Lake Vättern

Motala combines early history, technical culture and the landscape around Lake Vättern. The town is considered one of the most interesting sites of the Early Stone Age in Northern Europe. At the same time, museums, preserved industrial facilities and the Göta Canal tell of later eras – complemented by beaches, nature reserves and paths for walks and bike rides.

Culture and history

At Charlottenborg Castle, the timeline “From the Ice Age to the Present Day” begins 11,000 years ago. It covers Stone Age settlements, medieval church construction and the Göta Canal. The castle also displays wood carvings by Sophia Isberg, art from various periods and an exhibition about archaeological finds from Motala.

The radio station in Motala, which houses Sveriges rundradiomuseum, dates from 1927 and is protected as a listed building. The “Radio Through the Ages” exhibition presents the development of radio, from crystal receivers to mobile telephony. Motala Motormuseum focuses on a different area of technology, with a fully functioning car workshop from the 1920s or 1930s. Around 125 motorcycles and mopeds are also displayed, 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. Old overhead cranes and Falu-red buildings have been preserved, and visitors can walk among them. The “Workshop Walk” tour covers the origins of Gamla Motala Verkstad and the history of the Göta Canal. It takes place mostly outdoors on the old industrial site and ends at the Museum Apartments. These recreate workers’ homes from 1850 and 1903 and offer insights into the family life of the workers at Motala Verkstad.

Water

The Göta Canal was built from 1810 to 1832, is 190 kilometres long and has 58 locks. Through Motala, it was dug alongside Motala ström because the river’s water was too fast for canal boats; this created Kvarnön. Motala Harbour is located in Lake Vättern’s harbour basin and, in addition to the headquarters of the Göta Canal, has floating jetties and a stone quay.

The M/S Kung Sverker offers a trip on the Göta Canal from Motala Harbour to Borensberg. The route passes through Motala and the historic quarter of the old Motala Verkstad area. Fishing is possible in Motala ström between Motala Harbour and the power station.

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

Nature

The Staffanstorp Nature Reserve features a hilly landscape with varied forests, open pastureland, 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.

The Sjöbo-Knäppan Nature Reserve has accessible barbecue areas and toilets; several paths have been adapted for wheelchairs.

Paths and activities

The historic loop around Motala ström and Kvarnön is just under 3 kilometres long, can also be cycled and runs along paved and gravel paths. The section between Motala and Ljungsbro forms part of the Östgötaleden trail. It runs along a car-free gravel path on the northern shore of the Göta Canal and through the open landscape on the southern shore of Lake Boren.

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

Getting there and local breaks

Motala central station is served by Östgötapendeln and Tåg i Bergslagen. For a break, Ubbes Bageri in Motala offers a retro-style café resembling an old-fashioned pastry café. There, you can enjoy fika indoors and outdoors in summer, or buy pastries to take away.

More local pages

In addition, open the local pages for Motala, Nykyrka, Tjällmo, Bona and Borensberg.

For the overarching travel overview: Östergötland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Finspång, Boxholm, Vadstena.