The Paddan Tour

Experience the sites of Gothenburg from a new perspective, aboard a Paddan Boat, and head down the river, under historic bridges and out into the iconic harbour

Take the Paddan Tour with Go City®

• With us, there are no entry fees on the day – all you've got to do is show your pass.
• 50-minute tour with live guided commentary.
• Traditional Paddan boat.
• See the Old Moat, Canals, Harbour, Opera House, Bridges, the famous fish market and more.

The Paddan Tour is one of the best ways to see the sites of Gothenburg from a unique perspective. You’ll be taken from Kungsportsplatsen down the canals to see the historic 17th-century moats and iconic low bridges (20 of them!) before emerging out into the bustling harbour where you’ll see fishing boats, shipyards and Gothenburg’s Maritime Museum.

Top tip: During the summer it is a good idea to visit the ticket booth early the same day to collect your sightseeing tour ticket. Sometimes there are a lot of visitors and some tours may be full during the high season. If you do not get a ticket to one of the tours you had planned you can ask for tickets to the next tour on the same day

The Paddan Tour is a unique way to experience Gothenburg from aboard a historic tour boat. These wide flat open top boats can take up to 88 people and are a great way of seeing the sites from a new perspective.

On your tour, you’ll be taken from your starting point at Kungsportsplatsen past the old moat and canals that date back to the 17th century, while your entertaining and informative tour guide will tell you about Gothenburg’s fascinating history up to the present day, as well as some secrets and scandals. You’ll also pass the Opera House, the famous fish market Feskekörka, verdant parks in the city, as well as many of Gothenburg’s low bridges which will lead you out into the vibrant harbor, full of local fishing boats, the shipyard, and Maritiman - a floating ship museum.

Did you know

• Paddan boats can hold up to 88 people
• The first Paddan sightseeing tour in Gothenburg was on the 15th June 1939, making these tours somewhat of a Swedish tradition
• The name Paddan comes from ‘Padda’ which is Swedish for toad, as the first-ever man to start Paddan tours rebuilt a west coast Kosterbåt and claimed it looked like a toad when it was lying upside down
• The oldest boat that still runs today was built in 1947, the Paddan 4
• When the first tours started in 1950 the tour guides were banned from making jokes about people who lived in Stockholm. But today you’ll find that rule no longer stands!

Go City is a better way to sightsee. Your pass includes Paddan Tour tickets, plus admission to dozens of top Gothenburg attractions for one money-saving price.

You cannot pre-book a sightseeing tour and tickets are subject to availability.

Getting in: collect your ticket from Stromma's Paddan ticket kiosk on the departure quay as early as possible. If the kiosk is closed, go directly to the boat approximately 20 minutes before departure and show your pass to the staff onboard.

Top tip: during high season (July-August) it is a good idea to collect your sightseeing tour ticket early the same day from the outdoor sales staff at one of the locations below to avoid your desired tour being fully booked. 

Outdoor sales staff can be found between July 5 - August 11 at the following locations:

Stora Teatern: 09:30AM - 4:45PM (lunch break 12:30PM – 1:00PM)

Kungsportsplatsen: 10:30AM - 5:00PM (lunch break 12:00PM – 12:30PM)

Lejontrappan: 10:45AM - 4:30PM (lunch break 12:00PM – 12:30PM)

Lilla Bommen: 10:30AM - 4:40PM (lunch break 12:30PM – 1:00PM)

In June:

Stora Teatern: 10:00AM - 3:15PM

Tour duration: 50 mins

For more information visit the Paddan Tour's website.