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    Motala

    Sweden

    Motala

    CityNatureCultureFor FamiliesBeach

    Motala is situated on the northeastern shore of Lake Vättern, where the Göta Canal exits the lake. The town, home to just over 30,000 inhabitants, grew around the construction of the canal and the Motala Verkstad engineering works.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Sweden
    7. Östergötland
    9. Motala
    Motala is situated on the northeastern shore of Lake Vättern, where the Göta Canal exits the lake. The town, home to just over 30,000 inhabitants, grew around the construction of the canal and the Motala Verkstad engineering works. Today, visitors come for the locks, the technical history museums, and the long sandy beach of Varamobaden.

    Sights in Motala

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Göta Kanal und Motala Slussar

    In Motala, the Göta Canal leaves Vättern. At the locks, you can watch boats being locked through, and stroll or cycle along the banks. In summer, boat trips on the canal also start here.
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    2Motala Radiomuseum

    The Broadcasting Museum in Bondebacka district is at the longwave transmitter, a national station operational from 1927-1962, and a protected monument since 2014. See the historic transmission system, old radios, and broadcasting technology.
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    3Motala Motormuseum

    The museum in the harbor, opened in 1995, displays on around 2,000 square meters about 250 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and mopeds, plus around 300 radios and televisions with a focus on the 1950s and 1960s.
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    4Varamobaden (Vätternstrand)

    Long, flat sandy beach on Lake Vättern northwest of the centre and Motala's most famous swimming spot. In summer, it's a popular meeting point for bathing and picnicking.
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    City walks in Motala

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Motala: to the Varamobaden Beach

    From Motala harbour, head northwest to Varamobaden, considered the longest inland beach in the Nordics. On the shallow, sheltered sandy beach, you'll find playgrounds, beach volleyball, and mini golf; on the water, you can paddle and surf.

    ~1 Std. 40 Min.
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    Stops (4)

    Restaurants & Cafés

    Channel, Industry & Broadcasting

    Motala is closely linked to the Göta Canal, which Baltzar von Platen planned and was built from 1810 to 1832. In 1822, **Motala Verkstad** was founded on his initiative, initially for lock mechanisms and repairs during the canal construction. It grew into one of Sweden's most important engineering workshops, building over 400 ships, around 1,300 locomotives, and more than 800 bridges, among other things. Motala gained market town status in 1823 and city rights in 1881. Von Platen is buried by the canal in Motala.In 1927, Motala's national long-wave transmitter began operations, broadcasting until 1962. Today, the transmitting station, with its historic tube transmitters and two 124-meter-high masts, is a museum. By the water, 19th-century locks and bridges define the scene, and every June, Motala is the destination for the 315-kilometer Vätternrundan cycling tour around the lake.

    Exploring locally

    The center, harbor, and canal are all nearby and are easily explored on foot.Train: Motala is on the Hallsberg–Mjölby railway line, with connections to Mjölby, Linköping, and Hallsberg.Bus: City and regional buses are operated by Östgötatrafiken; tickets are available in the app. From Motala, you can also take the bus to Vadstena.Cycling: Cycle paths run along the Göta Canal and Lake Vättern. In June, Motala is the start and finish point for the Vätternrundan (2027: June 18-19), and the town gets very busy.

    Accommodations in Motala

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    Campgrounds in Motala

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      • 1Göta Kanal und Motala Slussar3 days
      • 2Motala Radiomuseum4 days
      • 3Motala Motormuseum5 days
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    Nearby

    Vadstena

    Vadstena

    Vadstena is a small town on the eastern shore of Lake Vättern. Here, in the 14th century, Saint Birgitta founded the mother convent of her order, and Gustav Vasa had a castle built on the lakeside, which later became a royal residence. The abbey church, castle, and medieval buildings are all clustered together in the old town.

    Östergötland

    Östergötland is situated between Lake Vättern in the west and the Baltic Sea in the east. The Göta Canal traverses the province from Mem on the Baltic Sea to Motala on Lake Vättern, featuring lock staircases like those in Berg and the canal town of Söderköping; on the shores of Lake Vättern lies the monastery town of Vadstena. The fertile Östgöta Plain, hilly forest and lake districts in the south and north, and an archipelago coast characterize the landscape.
    Vänern and Göta Canal

    Vänern and Göta Canal

    Around Lake Vänern, Sweden's largest lake, lake landscapes, maritime history, and small towns unite. At Sjötorp on the eastern shore, the Göta Canal begins, spanning over 190 km and 58 locks to Mem on the Baltic Sea; in the southwest, the Göta älv flows from Vänersborg, en route to Trollhättan. Towns like Mariestad, Åmål, and Läckö Castle invite stops; in summer, archipelagos, boat trips, and water sports offer great variety.
    Sjötorp

    Sjötorp

    Sjötorp, on Lake Vänern's shore, is the Göta Canal's western end, stretching 190 km to Mem on the Baltic Sea with 58 locks. Many canal journeys begin or end here, and visitors come to watch the boats pass through the locks and take a break in the harbour. The first lock by the lake is popularly known as Sjöslussen. The canal season for boats is limited to summer. In 2026, the high season ran from June 16th to August 12th; find current times at gotakanal.se.
    Mariestad

    Mariestad

    Mariestad lies on the eastern shore of Vänern, Sweden's largest lake. This small town boasts a well-preserved old quarter with wooden houses and cobblestones, dominated by the cathedral tower. The harbour and promenade offer direct water access. In summer, boats visit Vänern's archipelago.

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