The Swedish Hurtigrutten – Söderköping to Nyköping

Product description

M/S Svea Lejon departs at 10:00 from Söderköping and cruises through the first two locks of the Göta Canal: Tegelbruket and Mem. The Swedish construction project of the millennium, the Göta Canal is one of Sweden’s most famous and most visited tourist attractions with over four million visitors. The canal was built between 1810 and 1832. A total of 58,000 enlisted soldiers took part in the work. The initiator and builder was Baltzar von Platen. The inauguration took place on 26 September 1832 in Mem by the then King Karl XIV Johan.

As we leave the canal, Slätbaken opens up – a long Baltic Sea inlet lined with castles and manor houses. We pass the ruins of Stegeborg Castle dating from the 15th century. The journey continues through the Ettersund and out towards the archipelago. Soon we reach Capella Ecumenica, where we stop for 30 minutes to experience Hilding Bielkhammar’s unique church, built as a replica of old Saint Anna Church, in the peaceful silence of the archipelago. From there we continue through the Saint Anna archipelago, passing Kåreholm Castle and Vårdkasen at Lönshuvud.

As we pass Arkösund, Vikbolandet’s own “Sandhamn”, the Bråviken archipelago opens up. Islands such as Arkö, Gränsö and Marö glide by as we continue our cruise. Further out in the outer archipelago, Hävringe with its well-known lighthouses can be seen, once a lively pilot station. We continue inland, passing the Femöre lighthouse station before reaching Gamla Oxelösund, where charming wooden houses stand close together and the historic archipelago restaurant overlooks the water. The captain tells the story of Ledskär and the lighthouse keeper family Sjögren who lived there for 24 years.

We cruise out onto Örsbaken where the beautiful sea bay stretches out before us. We pass Skanssundet and smaller fjärds before the landscape narrows and we glide into Nyköping harbour. Here we see the impressive canoe stadium with its 1,500-metre floating jetty – a training ground for many of Sweden’s top canoeists, not least the legendary Gert Fredriksson.

In Nyköping our modern touring coach awaits for the return journey to Söderköping.

Included in the price: Guided cruise, morning coffee with baguette, lunch including soft drink/light beer and coffee. Return coach transfer to Söderköping.

Departure with M/S Svea Lejon from Söderköping at 10:00, arrival in Nyköping at 18:30. Return by first-class touring coach to Söderköping with arrival at 19:30.

Would you prefer to travel from Nyköping to Söderköping? Book here!