Mem - The Baltic Sea Gateway to the Göta Canal

Mem is a small town by the deep bay of Slätbaken, just outside Söderköping. The small town serves as the Baltic Sea gateway to the Göta Canal and it was also here that the canal was once inaugurated. For us, this is the place where we start our motorhome journey to follow the Göta Canal.

Table of contents

Meme

On 26 September 1832, the entire Göta Canal was inaugurated in Mem. The festive occasion was attended by no less than King Karl XIV Johan, the Queen and the Crown Prince couple. Today, this is a quiet little town, which still feels alive thanks to the canal and boat traffic.

Mem is close to Söderköping, and the closest you can get is by boat on the canal. By car, you have to take a small detour on winding but nice roads.

Mems lock, Göta Canal

Mem's lock was built in 1831-1832, and was the last lock built in the Göta Canal. The lock, built of granite, has a head of three metres and is a single lock controlled by hydraulic operation. The baptismal name is Bengt Erland Franc Sparre.

Our visit to Mem

When we arrived in Mem, we parked by the canal. We knew there would be a car park, and immediately saw a sign saying to ask for a space before driving on. We arrived relatively late and suspected that it would be full, but started with a little walk to look around.

The artwork Outpost

Along the Göta Canal is a sculpture trail that has been developed through the art project 'Visions by Water'. There are several different artworks, one of which is "Outpost" by Richard Johansson, from 2004.

There are four bronze sculptures on the roof and, according to the artist, they symbolise farewells and reunions (the sailor), viewers of their canal (Baltzar von Platen), nature experiences along the journey (the tree) and something annual (the bird).

The canal warehouse in Mem

At Mem's lock there is an old warehouse, which today has been converted into a café and hostel. There is also a lunch and pub menu, and people were sitting on the outdoor terrace when we passed by.

RV park in Mem

After a short walk we came down to the site. It looked really nice with spacious pitches and electricity (price: 185 SEK/day). But the four sites were of course occupied. We wonder if this is how it will be for the whole trip, now that many people are on holiday in Sweden? Anyway, it was just to roll on ... Continuation follows!

See more nearby: Söderköping and Stegeborg

Not far from Mem is Söderköping, a charming town with historic buildings and cosy neighbourhoods. Here you can also climb the Ramunderberget mountain, eat ice cream at Smultronstället or maybe try beer from the microbrewery. Another interesting excursion is to the Stegeborg castle ruins. Here you can immerse yourself in history or perhaps relax at the harbour tavern. If you also want to visit Norrköping, we have lots of tips!

READ MORE: Söderköping - 9 tips for things to see and do
READ MORE: Stegeborg - Castle ruin, harbour, tavern and campsite
READ MORE: Things to do in Norrköping - 16 sights and experiences

Have you been to Mem?

Have you been to Mem? If so, have you been here by boat, car or perhaps by bike?

Facts about Mem

Landscape: Östergötland
County: County of Östergötland
Municipality: Norrköping municipality
Population: About 50 (2015)

Facts about Mems lock

Year of construction: 1831-1832
Baptismal name: Bengt Erland Franc Sparre
Technical facts: Single lock controlled by hydraulic operation, with a fall height of three metres.

Finding the Mem

Car: If you come from Norrköping and drive towards Söderköping, turn east between Norrköping and Söderköping.

All our top tips about Sweden! Click on the image

READ MORE: Campsites and pitches in Östergötland
READ MORE: Things to do in Östergötland - sights and experiences

Helena

12 July 2020 6:00

Sweden

history, Motorhome holidays Sweden, Östergötland

Helena

Administrator

23 Comments

Add yours →

Kenneth Risberg says:

Is probably easier to get a parking space a little earlier in the day but probably many who are out in good time. Yes, I have cycled along the Göta Canal in 2017 when I circulated with the motorhome. Sjötorp, Borensberg, Norsholm, Söderköping, Bergs locks, Ljungsbro and Mem.
One stage was Norsholm to Mem, but it was not only along the canal because you pass Lake Asplången and then you have to go into nature on other roads.

12 July 2020 - 8:15

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, it is certainly easier to get a place if you come earlier, it's true! It's exciting to see all these places that we've heard and read about!
  
  12 July 2020 - 8:34
  
  Reply
Solan says:

We have been to Mem a number of times. But then there were more motorhome pitches. Residents in the neighbourhood protested against motorhomes, so there are only four pitches today. So we have skipped the resort.
I think there are far more motorhomes than boats along and in the Göta Canal these days...?

12 July 2020 - 8:30

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Oh, is that so? We were just thinking that there should be room for more motorhomes ... It's sad that the residents perceived the motorhomes as something negative ...
  
  12 July 2020 - 8:35
  
  Reply
Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

We have done as you did and realised that it was full. Drove to Söderköping and took the bikes back to Mem. Nice bike ride along the canal!

12 July 2020 - 8:35

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  This is also a solution of course! And then you get to experience the canal up close too!
  
  12 July 2020 - 8:36
  
  Reply
  - Elisabeth says:
    
    We have been there many times, with a camper van and parked on the site, but also by car. We have also cycled to Söderköping and back. We like the place but are not in favour when it is high season. Keep up the good work
    
    12 July 2020 - 13:19
    
    Reply
Eva says:

We have stayed at Mem....off season. ? For the first time, during high season, we tried to go out there, we had to drive all the miles back again as it is of course full.
https://mecamping.se/men-det-blev-visst-mem/

12 July 2020 - 9:22

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It gets full quickly when there are only four seats ... Thanks for the link and reading! ??
  
  12 July 2020 - 12:43
  
  Reply
A little more pink - Cornelia Tonéri says:

Too bad about the car park. But wonderful with Mem. Welcome to Östergötland.
We were in Mem for the first time not long ago. Then by car and also took the opportunity to visit Å ödekyrka and Stegeborg castle ruins at the same time.
https://litemerarosa.com/2020/06/22/en-dagsutflykt-till-orterna-med-de-lustiga-namnen/

Can't wait to follow you on your journey?

12 July 2020 - 9:49

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you! ? We missed the church ruin ... But Stegeborg we look at today! ?
  
  12 July 2020 - 12:44
  
  Reply
Ama de casa says:

I have never been there, but it looks really nice 🙂.
We have rented a canal boat and travelled in both England and France and it is a very nice way to tour. A bit like a motorhome on water, I can think (who has never travelled around in a motorhome) 🙂.

12 July 2020 - 9:51

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Canal boat sounds super cosy! ?
  
  12 July 2020 - 12:45
  
  Reply
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

We have stayed at Mem a few years ago. Was ugly we had to stand a little on the side of the canal reservoir at the edge of the canal. But the best is to stay in Söderköping and cycle to Mem.

12 July 2020 - 11:56

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Cycling from Söderköping sounds like a great idea!
  
  12 July 2020 - 12:46
  
  Reply
Ditte says:

Have been here when we went through the Göta Canal by boat and locked here. Fun! And we stayed nearby one night and looked around before our canal journey continued. There were many locks and a lot to see. You have a nice trip ahead of you. (Have also done it by car and bike. But by boat was best, we think. )
Keep up the good work.

12 July 2020 - 13:25

Reply
Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

We haven't been to Mem! Maybe time to take the Göta Canal all the way for us? We have travelled by motorhome from Borensberg to Lilla Edet and further Göta Älv to Gothenburg. Nice trip!

12 July 2020 - 13:27

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Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

Don't forget the prawn sandwich at the Karlsborg canal at Klanghamns fisk!!!

12 July 2020 - 13:31

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bmlarstravellingblog says:

How nice for you to be on the road and know that you have three lovely weeks ahead of you! We're enjoying a couple of nights by the Göta Canal with a grandchild and getting to enjoy long weekends for a few more weeks before we get to go on a longer trip.
Keep up the good work!

12 July 2020 - 18:08

Reply
Goatfish says:

It's nice with boat trips. When our eldest son worked as a lock keeper in Håverud, i.e. on the Dalsland Canal, three years in a row, we took the opportunity to take a lock up the canal and one down. It was fantastic.
I have been on a cruise from Karlsborg to Töreboda. Then we have camped along the Göta Canal several times. Sjötorp, Hajstorp, Lyrestad.
I myself lived near the Trollhätte Canal in my youth. The falls, there. Very nice area.
What fun that you are making such a trip, Sweden is wonderful to discover! Now you do not come past Lidköping, so I can not stand there and wave 😀.

12 July 2020 - 19:06

Reply
Lillan Child says:

That sounds like a nice route? I've never thought about following the Göta Canal by motorhome.

12 July 2020 - 20:55

Reply
BP says:

How nice it is! But only four pitches. On the other hand, Mem has only 50 inhabitants so;-) Hope you found a campsite where there were places left.

12 July 2020 - 22:15

Reply
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Haven't been to Mem yet but would love to go there, like the unusual place name and it looks like a cosy place.

14 July 2020 - 19:13

Reply

Mem - The Baltic Sea Gateway to the Göta Canal

Meme

Mems lock, Göta Canal

Our visit to Mem

The artwork Outpost

The canal warehouse in Mem

RV park in Mem

See more nearby: Söderköping and Stegeborg

Have you been to Mem?

Facts about Mem

Facts about Mems lock

Finding the Mem

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23 Comments

Kenneth Risberg says:

Helena says:

Solan says:

Helena says:

Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Eva says:

Helena says:

A little more pink - Cornelia Tonéri says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Goatfish says:

Lillan Child says:

BP says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

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