Previous Sailing Legs
What was it like to sail and live on an East Indiaman in the 1700s? Today, we sail with the comforts of modern life, but the experience of sailing is still as adventurous as when the original Götheborg set sail. Below you can find the previous sailing legs in 2022 and 2023.
Sailing legs in 2023
Sailing leg one
Springtime Passage – Barcelona to Sète
This first sailing leg of the European Tour 2023 is the perfect opportunity for the tallship rookie who wants to experience a short sailing adventure of only a few days. It includes the preparations on board and rigging up before heading out from Barcelona in Spain, and a typical portstop with visitors on board in Sète in southern France.
It’s ideal for you who want to compress the experience of sailing on board into a shorter time frame, and a trial run.
Sail into spring in the Mediterranean!
Total number of days: 9 days
Days at sea: 3 days
Days in port: 6 days
Sign on: Barcelona, Friday 17 March 2023
Sign off: Sète, Sunday 26 March 2023
Price: €390
Photo: Krzysztof Romanski. From sailing leg 2, 2022, Helsingborg–Helsinki.
Sailing leg two
Heading for the straights – Sète to Gibraltar
On the second sailing leg this year, we head towards the straights of Gibraltar. It's unfortunately not within our power to control the weather, but with a full nine days of sailing along the Spanish coast, we can almost promise excellent sailing in different weather conditions, as well as very good chances marine wildlife spotting of dolphins or whales.
The destination for this sailing leg is Gibraltar, with its iconic rock and the unique view of two continents from the same spot.
Join us as we head south!
Total number of days: 14 days
Days at sea: 10 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Sète, Sunday 26 March 2023
Sign off: Gibraltar, Sunday 9 April 2023
Price: €890
Photo: Josef Götherskjöld. From sailing leg 12, 2022, Malta–Barcelona.
Sailing leg three
Bay of Biscay 2.0 – Gibraltar to Jersey
Last year when we sailed across the Bay of Biscay, we had sunny weather and calm seas. However, this route is maybe more likely to offer both wind and waves for proper, adventurous sailing. This is also why it’s on the bucket list for many sailors.
This three-week adventure through the Straights of Gibraltar, along the coast of Portugal and across the Bay of Biscay is for you who want to experience a real sailing adventure and the true experience of this amazing ship. Like the original 1700’s Swedish East India Company ships, Götheborg is built to sail big oceans, and this sailing leg offers the biggest ocean that we will sail this season.
Sign up for a real North Atlantic adventure on board Götheborg and let’s see how she sails!
Total number of days: 22
Days at sea: 18 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Gibraltar, Sunday 9 April 2023
Sign off: Jersey, Monday 1 May 2023
Price: €1290
Photo: Krzysztof Romanski. From sailing leg 2, 2022, Helsingborg–Helsinki.
Sailing leg four
Navigating the Channel - Jersey to Rotterdam
Leaving the Channel Islands behind, this sailing leg will offer a beautiful stretch of sailing with nine days at sea. Going through the narrow English Channel, which is one of the world’s busiest waters, will mean exciting night navigation and a busy time for whoever is keeping watch at the bowsprit or standing at the helm.
The stopover at the end of this sailing leg will take us to one of the largest ports in the world, also known for its modern architecture and design – Rotterdam.
Don’t miss out on a channel adventure!
Total number of days: 13 days
Days at sea: 9 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Jersey, Monday 1 May 2023
Sign off: Rotterdam, Saturday 13 May 2023
Price: €990
Sailing leg five
The North Sea Spring Adventure – Rotterdam to Hamburg
During this sailing leg you will not only experience North Sea sailing in some of the busiest waters in Europe, but also the exciting hustle and bustle of going out of Rotterdam, one of the world’s largest ports. Even though this is one of the shortest sailing legs this year, we aim to follow weather and wind for some great sailing.
This sailing leg is perfect for anyone who only has time for a shorter sailing adventure.
Head out with us on a great spring sail!
Total number of days: 10 days
Days at sea: 5 days
Days in port: 5 days
Sign on: Rotterdam, Saturday 13 May 2023
Sign off: Hamburg, Monday 22 May 2023
Price: €690
Photo: Dan Norrå. From sailing leg 6, 2022, Oslo–London.
Sailing leg six
The Jubilee Run – Hamburg to Gothenburg
Join the ship as she arrives as one of the center pieces of her home port Gothenburg’s 400-year jubilee! With ten days at sea, this last sailing leg of 2023 allows plenty of time to follow the winds and the opportunity of great sailing. Departing from Hamburg through the river Elbe, we will head north and sail around beautiful Skagen before heading towards Gothenburg.
In Gothenburg, the ship will take part in Gothenburg’s Jubilee Festival, and with lots of activities on the ship as well as on the quayside, we can promise great days!
Join us for this year’s great finale!
For this sailing leg we offer all deckhands the opportunity to stay on board for an extra ten days as volunteers, to help rig down the ship after the expedition. Read more below.
Total number of days: 14 days
Days at sea: 10 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Hamburg, Monday 22 May 2023
Sign off: Gothenburg, Sunday 4 June 2023
Price: €990
Photo: Dick Gillberg. From 9 June 2007.
SAILING LEGS 2022
Sailing leg one
The Pioneer Leg – Gothenburg to Helsingborg
This first leg of the two-year expedition is the leg to be a part of – if climbing, getting the ship ready, learning about the rig, and taking her for the first run of the year is your thing, that is. And let’s not forget the spectacular departure from the Port of Gothenburg!
Before leaving shore, the ship needs to get ready for a very long voyage. To make the final preparations happen, we need the help of committed deckhands. Yes, that’s you, guys – and we welcome beginners as well as old seadogs. Also, don’t get fooled by how short the leg looks on the map. We will be making a detour, follow the weather, set as many sails as possible, and really test the ship! Should we save you a berth on the Pioneer Leg?
Days sailing: 6 days
Days in port: 6 days
Sign on: Gothenburg, Saturday 4 June 2022
Sign off: Helsingborg, Thursday 16 June 2022
Price: 9.700 SEK
Photo: Leaving Gothenburg to sail to Asia in 2005. Kent Hallgren.
Sailing leg two
Midsummer Run – Helsingborg to Helsinki
Helsinki, here we come! Leaving Helsingborg in southern Sweden, Götheborg will work its way through waters less and less salty the closer we get to the capital of Finland. This second leg of the expedition will be six days of sailing, and what six days it will be. The Baltic Sea in summer is magical! The sun hardly sets before it’s on the rise again, in colours so grand it’s breathtaking – a timeless experience that Northern seafarers share across the millenniums.
But let’s not romanticize too much. The deckhand life is full of chores, too, and that’s what you sign up for when joining us for the Midsummer Run. Ready to sail?
Days sailing: 6 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Helsingborg, Thursday 16 June 2022
Sign off: Helsinki, Sunday 26 June 2022
Price: 9.800 SEK
Photo: Sailing from Helsinki to Riga in 2013. Adrian Nordenborg.
Sailing leg three
The Archipelago Tour – Helsinki to Stockholm
Important, please note: The number of sailing days on the sailing leg from Helsinki to Stockholm has been shortened, and will be seven days instead of ten. This is due to a drydock visit (in Stockholm) that we want to make while we are still in Northern Europe.
The seven days of sailing will still be great sailing, but unfortunately a bit shorter than planned.
Revised cost for sailing leg: 9.480 SEK
Description of sailing leg
The route between goes through the Helsinki Archipelago and the Stockholm Archipelago, both famous for their beauty.
While the linear distance in itself may be limited, this is actually one of the more extensive legs. There will be plenty of open sea, or in other words a lot of sailing. We will follow the winds and set as many sails as possible, which is an experience in itself. All deckhands will need to prove their skills climbing the rig, scrubbing the deck and mastering the art of keeping the world’s largest ocean-going wooden sailing ship fit. All in all, the Archipelago Tour might prove to be the experience of a lifetime for the deckhands on board. Could that be you?
Days sailing: 10 days
Days in port: 3 days
Sign on: Helsinki, Sunday 26 June 2022
Sign off: Stockholm, Saturday 9 July 2022
(It is possible to stay on board and help out on the ship until 13 July).
Price: 9.480 SEK (previously 15.800 SEK)
Photo: Sailing from Stockholm to Helsinki in 2008. Adam Lithner.
Sailing leg four
The Danish Leg – Stockholm to Copenhagen
First time in Copenhagen! Sailing from the capital of Sweden to that of Denmark, anything could happen. Signing up for the Danish Leg will mean a full week of climbing the rig, carrying out your daily chores – and tarring the ship, a vital task to keep Götheborg of Sweden in shape for what’s to come. The characteristic scent of tar is of course part of the experience, so grab a bucket and get to work.
The passage culminates in entering the Port of Copenhagen and mooring at a prime spot. After a job well done, you should definitely treat yourself to a visit to the picturesque Nyhavn district, right in the heart of the city. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; first, you will need to sign up as a deckhand on the Danish Leg. Are you ready?
Days sailing: 7 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Stockholm, Tuesday 12 July 2022
Sign off: Copenhagen, Saturday 23 July 2022
Price: 11.500 SEK
Photo: Sailing from Kiel to Aarhus in 2013. Sarah StClair Renard.
Sailing leg five
The City Hopper – Copenhagen to Oslo
Four full days of historically authentic sailing, that’s what you sign up for. Götheborg of Sweden is built as ships were built three centuries ago, which means the maintenance, too, needs to be old school. In other words, lots of chores, big and small, for all deckhands. Once they’re all completed, you can enjoy the marine scenery as we slowly but surely approach the southern shores of Norway.
One hundred hours after leaving Copenhagen, we will arrive in Oslo. So, are you ready for an adventure packed with keeping watch out on the bowsprit, taking in and setting sails, and climbing down to the gun room during the fire round? Is that a yes?
Days sailing: 4 days
Days in port: 3 days
Sign on: Copenhagen, Saturday 23 July 2022
Sign off: Oslo, Saturday 30 July 2022
Price: 7.600 SEK
Photo: Sailing from Kiel to Aarhus in 2013. Sarah StClair Renard.
Sailing leg six
The Great North Sea Sail – Oslo to London
Götheborg of Sweden will be cruising down the fjord toward the open sea and a full week on board before arriving in London. As our North Sea Sail proceeds, there may well be opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Götheborg of Sweden is a great vantage point for both maritime wildlife and sea sparkle. Although the life of deckhands does include chores, during breaks you just might be lucky enough to spot dolphins not far from the ship. And who knows, if you’re really lucky, maybe you’ll see orcas, too.
As we sail up the Thames to conclude our Great North Sea Sail, at last we see the home of Big Ben appear before us. What a week this will be! Could we interest you in that?
Days sailing: 7 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Oslo, Saturday 30 July 2022
Sign off: London, Thursday 11 August 2022
Price: 12.800 SEK
Photo: Arriving in London in 2007. Philip Adams.
Sailing leg seven
The Crown Jewel Passage – London to Bremerhaven
Signing up for the Crown Jewel Passage will give you an authentic experience of sailing as a deckhand 300 years ago. This passage will not only give you the opportunity to climb high up in the rig, work with setting and taking in sails, and learn about sailing an 18th century ship. It will also give you the unique experience of sailing and steering the ship in waters that are among the world’s busiest. All in all, sailing along the Thames, crossing the English Channel and passing the East Frisian Islands before mooring at the Port of Bremerhaven means a leg packed with action.
Upon arrival, the Bremerhaven Maritime Days, with 80 ships and 350,000 visitors, are just about to start. There will be lots of spectacular ships present, though the one you’re sailing is definitely one of the crown jewels of the festival. Want to join the adventure?
Days sailing: 5 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: London, Thursday 11 August 2022
Sign off: Bremerhaven, Saturday 20 August 2022
Price: 9.300 SEK
Photo: In Bremerhaven in 2010. Marieke de Mink.
Sailing leg eight
The Biscayan Adventure – Bremerhaven to Lisbon
Are you ready for a southbound voyage?
Leaving Bremerhaven and Maritime Days, Götheborg of Sweden will be heading south for its next destination, the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. This will be the longest passage of all our European legs – and easily the toughest one, too. Naming it the Biscayan Adventure is no exaggeration, for adventurous it will be, just as it will be fun and include some really great sailing. Perfect, some would say, for experiencing the life of a deckhand as it should be. Would you agree? Perfect!
Sailing here is on many people’s bucket lists. Is it on yours? Signing up for this leg will give you a most varied experience of challenging sailing and beautiful summer days on the Atlantic. Are you in?
Days sailing: 15 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Bremerhaven, Saturday 20 August 2022
Sign off: Lisbon, Thursday 8 September 2022
Price: 23.500 SEK
(Approximately 2210€)
Photo: Robin Aron Olsson
Sailing leg nine
The Strait of Gibraltar – Lisbon to Malaga
Malaga, we’re on our way!
After weighing anchor in Lisbon on 9 September, Götheborg is headed for the Mediterranean with Malaga as our first stop. On the way, we’ll be passing Cadiz, where the original Götheborg and her fellow East Indiamen used to cast anchor to trade Swedish ship building material such as wood, tar, and iron products in exchange for silver, that the Chinese traders wanted as payment for the tea, silk, china wear.
Just after Cadiz, Götheborg will enter the Mediterranean from the west for the very first time. We’ll be sailing through the Strait of Gibraltar, which is a must-do for many sailors. Signing up for The Strait of Gibraltar sailing leg will get you six days of authentic sailing, before slowly cruising into the harbor of sun-drenched Malaga.
Can we promise you dolphins? Well, nature wouldn’t be nature if we could, but it would be quite unlikely if we didn’t get to see them. These waters are where dolphins live and thrive. All in all, The Strait of Gibraltar leg is sure to be an intriguing one. So, a berth aboard Götheborg could be yours. Will you join us?
Days sailing: 6 days
Days in port: 5 days
Sign on: Lisbon, 8 September 2022
Sign off: Malaga, 19 September 2022
Price: 9 800 SEK
(Approximately 925€)
Sailing leg ten
The Riviera Run – Malaga to Nice
Another Side of France
It’s time for the Riviera Run!
Shouldn’t an expedition like ours visit France? Of course! We saved our French stop for the Mediterranean, leaving Malaga 20 September with all sails set for the French Riviera. Fifteen years ago, Götheborg visited Nice for the first time, on the way back from Asia. This time we’re eastbound and still just getting started. As always, we have a need for capable deckhands.
As our Asia Expedition 2022/2023 continues with the Riviera Run, we’ll be sailing either east of the Balearic Islands, or west past the Spanish coastline. It’s bound to be a unique experience, getting to spend a week on a ship like Götheborg in the late summer, slowly approaching the southern French coast.
The turquoise water, the sun and the dolphins all contribute to making this leg spectacular. If this sounds as irresistible to you as it does to us, then we just might have a match. And then you should hurry and try to lay your hands on one of the openings we have for deckhands, experienced or not. Looking forward!
Days sailing: 9 days
Days in port: 5 days
Sign on: Malaga, 19 September 2022
Sign off: Nice, 2 October 2022
Price: 14 800 SEK
(Approximately 1395€)
Sailing leg eleven
The Maltese Connection – Nice to Valletta
Heading South Once Again!
The Maltese Connection coming up
Götheborg will be leaving Nice on 6 October. Destination this time? Valletta, the smallest capital in the European Union. More importantly, the city is a World Heritage site and is often referred to as an open-air museum of, among other things, Baroque architecture.
This leg of our expedition, therefore, should be of certain interest to those who love not only to sail in the beautiful early Mediterranean autumn, but also have a thing for the wings of history. If that sounds like you, you may well be one of the deckhands we are looking for.
The Maltese Connection will see Götheborg sail past Corsica and Sardinia, before passing between Tunisia and Sicily. Upon arrival in Valletta, we will be warmly welcomed. It’s more than likely we will have experienced dolphins along the way to Götheborg’s southernmost destination during 2022.
Days sailing: 8 days
Days in port: 4 days
Sign on: Nice, 5 October 2022
Sign off: Valletta, 17 October 2022
Price: 12 700 SEK
(Approximately 1200€)
Sailing leg twelve
The Autumnal Passage – Valletta to Barcelona
Barcelona Bound
It makes absolute sense to make beautiful Barcelona our next stop after Valletta, both cities being well-known for their extraordinary architecture. This is actually the last leg before our winter break in Barcelona and, in other words, the last chance for deckhands to get on board Götheborg while it’s still 2022.
For the Autumnal Passage to Catalonia, we will be heading west again. On our way through the Mediterranean, we will pass an array of countries and islands. These are once again dolphin waters, and unlike Northern Europe in late autumn, October should still be nice and warm, but can also serve up sailing in strong winds. Entering the port of Barcelona is probably the best way to arrive in the city. Doing it on board Götheborg makes it even more unique.
We’ll be leaving Valletta on 18 October. So, are you up for a week or so of some old-school sailing? We know we are, and we have openings for a number of deckhands to join us, beginners and more experienced ones alike.
Days sailing: 9 days
Days in port: 5 days
Sign on: Valletta, 17 October 2022
Sign off: Barcelona, 31 October 2022
Price: 14 200 SEK
(Approximately 1340€)