Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: October 2026 | A picnic boat was a wonderful way for us to experience Stockholm from the water. On a sunny day in August 2016, we rented an electric GoBoat and drove from Strandvägen through the Djurgård Canal, with lunch on board. GoBoat is no longer in Stockholm, but here we tell you about our trip and give you some tips on alternatives today.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareTable of contents
By picnic boat from Strandvägen
On our visit, GoBoats boats departed from Strandvägen. We were warmly welcomed and given both a map and instructions on how the boat worked before we set off.
The concept was simple: a small, self-driving electric boat with seating around a table in the middle, where you could set up your picnic and socialize while the city glided by.
We were incredibly lucky with the weather. Sun, water and a few free hours ahead of us – it felt like a really nice way to spend a day in our own city.
Through the Djurgård Canal
The staff recommended we drive through the Djurgård Canal, and it turned out to be a very good tip.
From Strandvägen we headed towards Djurgårdsbron and further along the water. The city's facades gradually turned into green, lush surroundings. Even though I, Helena, had lived in Stockholm for a long time, it felt like discovering a new side of the city.
There's something special about seeing a familiar place from the water. The perspective changes, and you get time to look at your surroundings in a different way than when you're walking or driving by.
The greenery of Djurgården and the calm ride made it easy to forget that we were in the middle of Stockholm. Of course, the camera had to work a lot!
Picnic on board
The table in the middle of the boat was the whole point of the picnic concept. You didn't have to find a place to go ashore, but could eat together on board. We had packed a fairly simple lunch of chicken, potato salad and tomatoes. Nothing fancy was needed to make it really cozy.
For us, it was the combination of good food, nice weather and new views that made the experience so wonderful. An ordinary lunch suddenly had a bit of a holiday feel, even though we were back home in Stockholm.
Is GoBoat available in Stockholm today?
GoBoats rental in Stockholm no longer exists. The starting point, boats and setup we describe above are from our visit in 2016.
We haven't found any confirmed current rentals in Stockholm with exactly the same concept: a self-driving electric boat with seating around a large picnic table. However, there are other ways to get out on the water.
Polka Boat at the Town Hall Bridge
PolkaBåt started renting out its boats at Stadshusbron in the summer of 2026. There are rowing boats with and without electric motors for those who want to discover Stockholm from the water on their own. It is a different arrangement than GoBoat's picnic boats, but can be an alternative for a private boat trip.
Boat rental at Djurgårdsbron
At the pier next to Djurgårdsbron you can rent rowing boats, pedal boats, kayaks and canoes, among other things. Here too the boats are different from the ones we tried, but the location is suitable for those who want to experience Djurgården from the water.
GoBoat remains in Malmö
If you want to try the GoBoat concept itself, it is still available in Malmö. There you can rent an electric boat, drive yourself through the city's canals and bring your own picnic. The boats have space for up to eight people and a table in the middle.
We haven't tried GoBoat in Malmö, but the setup is similar to what we enjoyed during our Stockholm trip. Read more and check availability at GoBoat Malmö.
READ MORE: Things to do in Stockholm – attractions and experiences
This boat trip was organised in cooperation with Goboat. The opinions, thoughts and pictures are, as usual, our own.
You might also like:
Art in the Stockholm metro - 16 stations to discover
Art in Stockholm - 12 art experiences
Swedish Museum of Natural History - Grandma Anna's secret winter journey
Nothing in Solna - is there anything there?
Today, Äventyrs opens in Stockholm - a modern adventure museum in the city centre
Fotografiska in Stockholm – photographic art that provokes thought
English (UK) 
Svenska
Lennart says:
Stockholm is a beautiful city!
24 August 2016 - 7:05
åsa i åsele says:
Stockholm is a beautiful city.
I am extremely afraid of boats,
think it's spelled phobia 😉 I get seasick on a pier....
but it looks undeniably nice.
24 August 2016 - 7:23
Frida says:
How cosy, lovely picture 🙂
24 August 2016 - 7:32
Anita says:
Wonderful 😀
24 August 2016 - 7:35
nils-åke hansson says:
This was a little different.
24 August 2016 - 8:11
Linda says:
But god so wonderful <3
24 August 2016 - 8:20
Jessica says:
Have long thought to test these boats! Seems cosy! But now it seems that we will buy our own boat instead - that's how it can go 🙂.
24 August 2016 - 8:34
4000mil says:
Great tip! I'd love to try it sometime when I'm in Stockholm.
24 August 2016 - 8:38
Dryden - Traveler's Edition says:
Stockholm is beautiful and perhaps best of all Djurgården. I've been out there running a few times when I've been in the city and it's quiet and nice. Nice contrasts with the rest of the city.
24 August 2016 - 8:51
Ama de casa says:
What a great idea! But a bit too expensive, I think. Of course, if there are a lot of people ...
But how could you have missed the Djurgårdsbrunn Canal? Surely you must have at least walked along it? Fantastic environment 🙂
24 August 2016 - 9:00
admin says:
Lennart, really!
Åsa in Åsele, sad to be afraid of boats, but I understand what you mean. I myself am afraid of heights 😉
Nils-Åke, a little different perhaps, and cosy 😉 .
Jessica, your own boat? How wonderful! What kind of boat?
4000 miles, fantastic when the weather is good, so it can be recommended 🙂.
Dryden, yes I remember you running there sometimes. Djurgården is really nice! We saw many people running when we passed by.
Ama de casa, we thought so first about the price, but then we thought that if you are 6-8 people who share, it will not be much per person at all. And haha, yes I actually think I have walked past there. But still, I did not understand at all that it looked like this ...!!!!
24 August 2016 - 9:19
Ditte says:
Great idea! And what a nice day! Looks very cosy! Because Stockholm and water belong together! Few cities can compete with Stockholm and I think that applies in many contexts.
It's nice to take a boat through the Djurgårdsbrunn Canal and bring a picnic.
But I thought the cost was probably too high for the boat, but if you are eight, it is more reasonable.
I guess it's not possible to go that far with the electric motor, but the feeling of being at sea is what counts.
We occasionally cycle along the Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen and take the ferry over to Djurgården from Söder and you can then continue by boat (and bring the bikes) to Nacka Strand and Lidingö, the SL card is valid. )
24 August 2016 - 9:22
Marina says:
What a fun thing! I'm going to Stockholm this weekend. There are seven of us who will do something on Saturday and I will definitely keep this in mind if there is nothing planned! (and if it does, I will definitely try this some other time - thanks!)
24 August 2016 - 9:25
Åsa says:
Good idea!
24 August 2016 - 9:27
Geddfish says:
Fun idea for a party 😀
I would have liked to be part of a large group, but I can't do it myself 😉 and then it's a struggle, and skaraborgaren is economical, haha....
24 August 2016 - 9:33
Steve says:
A pleasant excursion. Peaceful and quiet in the centre of the city.
24 August 2016 - 9:33
JoY says:
Looks really cosy and it's certainly beautiful in the Djurgård Canal.
Hugs
24 August 2016 - 10:42
Ruth i Virginia says:
I have travelled by sightseeing boat in the Djurgård Canal several times.
Djurgården is beautiful both on land and from the water.
Sightseeing by boat in Stockholm is always great.
Love the photo of the Gobboat's cutter jewellery !!!! 🙂 🙂
24 August 2016 - 11:44
Emma, Sol som sol? says:
We rented a small boat in Menorca about 7 years ago. For 4 hours we paid about 1200 SEK. So in comparison, I don't think it was that expensive.
And there is something special about travelling on water by yourself.
I think it was a great idea! I hope it works out well for them.
24 August 2016 - 12:31
Johnny Friskilä says:
A concept I haven't heard of before. Also seems nice! 🙂
24 August 2016 - 12:54
admin says:
Ditte, you were given a map of where you could go, and the furthest you could go was to Fjäderholmarna. The price per person is quite different depending on how many you are. If you are few, it is of course not completely free, but I think it usually costs a little to rent a boat....
Marina, fun if this would fit, it's definitely a nice thing 🙂 .
Geddfish, there is a big difference in price depending on how many people are sharing!
Steve, yes it was really peaceful even though we were in the centre of the city!
Ruth in Virgina, yes it is nice on Djurgården! And thank you, haha 🙂
Emma, we also have experience of renting a boat abroad, which has cost a lot. I think the price is quite reasonable, but of course, it makes a big difference if you are 2 or 8 who share the cost 😉.
Johnny, we haven't known about it for so long either, but it was very nice! 🙂
24 August 2016 - 12:55
Marias Memoarer says:
but what a great thing!!! Never heard of this before 🙂
24 August 2016 - 12:55
Ida says:
Such a great concept! Have tried Goboat in Copenhagen and was really cosy. Fun way to experience a city from a different angle and at your own pace.
24 August 2016 - 13:03
Znogge says:
What a nice and affordable alternative if there are a few of you!
24 August 2016 - 16:21
BP says:
Talk about a coincidence! We actually walked past the boats the other day and wondered what the fun stuff was. Now I got the answer. Thank you so much! Love the blog world:-)
24 August 2016 - 17:35
Rolle o Carina says:
Yes boating can be fantastic in all its forms!
Enjoy and tick on .....:-)
24 August 2016 - 19:12
Villa Freja says:
How cosy it seems. Beautiful environment.
24 August 2016 - 19:44
Matts Torebring says:
Can you just write? How nice!
24 August 2016 - 19:45
Kicki says:
But so beautiful. Something you might want to try at some point in your life. Wonderful nature and environment. Thank you for this. Take care, hugs
24 August 2016 - 20:55
Veiken says:
Lovely pictures and a nice idea with picnic boats! If you are price sensitive, you can fill the boat to the brim with people! 🙂
24 August 2016 - 21:00
Ämma says:
What a cosy thing that seemed to be!
24 August 2016 - 21:02
Petra says:
Was at the inauguration last year and took a premiere tour! Really like the concept as it is environmentally friendly and easy to enjoy Stockholm! ☀️
24 August 2016 - 22:28
admin says:
Maria, we also discovered these boats quite recently. Nice concept!
Ida, great that you tried it in Copenhagen! Yes, just this with a different angle made Djurgården look completely different than I am used to seeing it!
Znogge, yes, if there are several people sharing, it's not so much per head.
BP, but how funny! Perfect that we could give an answer then, haha 😉 .
Rolle and Carina, we agree, we like boating!
Villa Freja, you get both city and nature and boating, so really nice!
Matts, you can of course, it was nice! 🙂
Kicki, it was a nice experience, perfect in the beautiful weather!
Veiken, yes, but exactly, haha. There is a big difference if you are one in the boat or eight, so to speak 😉.
Petra, how nice that you were at the opening! We liked it too!
24 August 2016 - 23:26
Mias Mix says:
What a fun idea! Must say that Stockholm is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe!
Thank you for your comments about the wedding! I have a year to prepare and rehearse.
25 August 2016 - 4:41
Lena - gott för själen says:
But oh how lovely! Great idea! We have travelled our own boat once from Stäket to Djurgården. We were also struck by how nice it is and how different everything looks from the water.
Hug Lena
26 August 2016 - 6:44
admin says:
Mia, I agree, Stockholm is an incredibly beautiful and charming city!
Lena, isn't it a bit different when you see everything from the water? Must be wonderful to go with your own boat too!
27 August 2016 - 20:55
Elisabeth says:
Looked great!
29 August 2016 - 13:04
Camilla says:
Lovely! Sthlm is really a beautiful city, can miss living there sometimes. Went on one of those sightseeing boats a few times, an experience every time 🙂.
30 August 2016 - 10:10
Anni says:
I saw those boats for the first time on Saturday, I thought it looked great! If you are eight in the boat, it will not be very expensive either. Wonder what it costs to rent a canoe nowadays? I know that I paddled in the canal a lot of years ago, since then I have both walked along it and participated in the Tjejmilen - it is a fantastically beautiful part of the city!
31 August 2016 - 22:37
Kare says:
Is this service still available?
12 March 2019 - 13:58
Helena says:
Thanks for your comment Kare! The service is no longer available in Stockholm, but still in Malmö. We have now updated with this information. Thanks for letting us know!
13 March 2019 - 7:56