9 Boat Trips in Gothenburg to Build a Day Around

1.Archipelago cruise with guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,002 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $47Our pick

Set out from Lilla Bommen for a 2.5-hour guided cruise through Gothenburg Harbor, past Älvsborg Fortress and into the southern archipelago. You will travel aboard M/S Carl Michael Bellman or M/S S:t Erik, with Swedish and English commentary, outdoor deck seating, indoor areas, restrooms, and a café serving snacks and drinks.

“Absolutely superb trip, highly recommended. Lots to see and enjoy, from the old shipyards out to the islands on the archipelago. The English commentary was very informative too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.City Canal Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 470 reviews · 50 min · from $30Best value

Take Gothenburg’s classic Paddan boat from Kungsportsplatsen through 17th-century canals, under 20 bridges, and into the harbor. A Swedish and English guide covers city building, defense, shipyards, and daily life with plenty of humor. The open boat offers clear views, but you’ll need weatherproof layers and good mobility.

“A very enjoyable and informative cruise. Commentary in both Swedish and English. Scenic.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the River Säveån

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 60 reviews · from $39

You’ll leave Kungsportsplatsen aboard an open Paddan boat, pass through Gothenburg’s narrow canals and harbor, then follow the Säveån River into a green area known for birds and beavers. A live guide speaks Swedish and English. Guide Victor has earned special praise for his humor and easy bilingual commentary.

“Absolutely fantastic canal/river cruise. Our guide Victor was engaging, funny, knowledgable and so easily transitioned between Swedish and English. The boat was really smooth, even on the open water.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Self Drive Electric Boat in the Canals

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 58 reviews · 1 to 6 hours (approx.)

Drive your own 12-seat electric boat through Gothenburg’s historic canals and central waterfront. No license is needed, and you receive written instructions, a digital tour guide, seat cushions, and life vests. Bring drinks and snacks, and bring your dog if you like. The boat returns to Snäckan at Christina Nilssons gata 1.

“This experience was very Fun et easy to drive ! A good way to discover Goteborg. A good ride with the family !”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Gothenburg city center: Electric selfdrive boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 50 reviews · 1 - 2 hours

Let’s Boat gives you a private, license-free electric boat for 1, 2, or 3 hours in central Gothenburg. You steer a slow, quiet 12-seater past bridges, museums, the Opera House, Feskekorka, and the Garden Society, using a free digital guide with more than 30 stops. Bring snacks, drinks, and even your dog.

“Virkelig en hyggelig oplevelse! Og alt fungerede som det skulle”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.24 Hour Hop On–Hop Off Bus and Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 37 reviews · 1 day · from $55

Explore Gothenburg by double-decker bus and open sightseeing boat for 24 hours. Hear multilingual audio on the bus and live Swedish or English commentary on the boat. Stops include Avenyn, Liseberg, Feskekôrka, Haga, Lilla Bommen, and Eriksberg, with four places to change between routes.

“Båten var definitivt best med personlig guide som fortalte om stedene og stoppene. Bussjåføren stoppet ikke slik den sa de skulle på båndet, og visste ikke helt hvor de forskjellige stoppene var. men ellers var begge turene veldig bra.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $40

Board the Paddan boat at Kungsportsplatsen and explore Gothenburg by water for 24 hours. Your ticket covers the sightseeing cruise, live English and Swedish commentary, and stops near Lejontrappan, Lilla Bommen, Eriksberg, and Feskekôrka. Guides such as Sandra and Hannah have been praised for making the ride engaging. Bring a raincoat for the open harbor.

“Enjoyable trip - there isn't very much to see in Gothenburg but the guide made the most of it. The trip ventures out of the harbour onto the open water a lot more than I expected, which was way more fun than just pottering around the canals. Very enjoyable in good weather!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private Boat Ride in Gothenburg with pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $120

You’ll be collected from your Gothenburg hotel, driven to Lejontrappan, and guided on a private one-hour boat ride past Gustav Adolfs Square, Christinae Church, Lilla Bommen, and Feskekörka. The tour runs in English and includes hotel transport, bottled water, snacks, and WiFi in the vehicle.

“Our private tour was fun and enjoyable. Our guide answered all of our questions and more. It rained a little but nothing could dampen our spirits on this tour. Highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 8 reviews · from $39

Take a live-guided boat from Lilla Bommen in Gothenburg to Vinga, a small island with trails, a famous lighthouse, sea swimming, and open coastal views. The ride takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way. You will have free time ashore, though the published schedule varies between one and two hours, so confirm the timing before booking.

“We had booked a trip to Vinga, and it started out nice.After the first stop at a fortress, the captain announced that, waves was expected for the next 15 minutes. It turned out to be 45 minutes of one h... of a rollercoaster ride. Way beyond what iRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review