Discover Motala: Göta Canal, Varamobaden and industrial heritage

Motala combines shores on Lake Vättern with the Göta Canal and a rich industrial and cultural history. Depending on your travel interests, beaches, cycling routes, historic sites, or travelling by bus and train may take centre stage.

Varamobaden and water activities

Varamobaden is a beach on Lake Vättern that the Municipality of Motala describes as the largest inland-lake bathing area in the Nordic region. A wide sandy beach, shallow water and a paved promenade define the area. These features offer a different focus from the city’s historic sites and make spending time by the water a highlight.

Rental options also vary by location and equipment: at the beach next to Sjövik restaurant in Varamon, Varamon Beach Boats rents pedal boats and SUP boards. At the old Motala Verkstad, KAYAKOMAT Motala Mallboden rents kayaks and SUP boards. Visitors interested in water activities can therefore choose between two named locations with different offerings.

Routes through Motala’s landscapes

In the Municipality of Motala, the Östgötaleden trail includes 15 stages of varying character and difficulty. The route passes through forests, oak landscapes and plains, as well as along the shores of Lake Vättern and the Göta Canal. The number of stages and variety of landscapes offer a different way to orient yourself than Motala runt: this circular route is 18.6 kilometres long, giving a specific total distance.

There are recommended routes for both mountain biking and road cycling in and around Motala. The section of the Göta Canal in Östergötland is a separate option: it starts in Motala and can be explored by boat, bicycle or on foot. These details point to different ways of experiencing the area, without combining them into a single route.

Castles, workshop history and museums

Charlottenborg Castle dates back to the 17th century and was built in 1652. The castle hosts an exhibition of archaeological finds from Motala; visitors can also see wood carvings and other works by Sophia Isberg, a craftswoman from Motala. Kanaljorden dates back much further: the oldest remains found there are 11,000 years old.

The museum apartments on Verkstadsön recreate workers’ homes from 1850 and 1903 at Motala Verkstad. A tour of the museum apartments takes about 30 minutes and can be part of a Verkstadsvandring. This guided 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’ museum apartments. In the Gamla Motala Verkstad area, visitors can also scan QR codes on Storyspot signs and listen to historical stories about the area.

The locks and the history of broadcasting offer other distinct highlights. Borenshult Locks are the Göta Canal’s second-largest flight of locks and consist of five connected locks. The Swedish Broadcasting Museum is housed in Motala’s listed transmission station, built in 1927, and tells the story of broadcasting from Motala’s perspective. Its collection includes numerous radios, gramophones and other products made by Luxor.

Getting here and finding your way around

Motala Central Station is the hub for bus and train services and is about a five-minute walk from central Motala. From Motala, the Östgötapendeln offers connections to Mjölby, Linköping and Norrköping. As timetables may change, it is a good idea to check current departures before travelling.

Motala harbour has floating pontoons and a stone quay beside the Göta Canal’s headquarters. Two fishing stretches are designated: on the Motala Stream between Motala harbour and the power station, and on the Göta Canal between the Borenshult locks and the harbour. The different waterways and endpoints help you identify the fishing stretch that suits you.

If you are travelling by bus or train, Motala Central Station provides a useful reference point for planning. When making your choice, consider which themes and connections matter for your stay.

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