The guide to great swimming spots in central Stockholm

The guide to great swimming spots in central Stockholm

When the summer warmth finally spreads over Stockholm, you need to know where you can cool off with a refreshing dip. There aren't many capital cities where you can swim from sandy beaches and bathing rocks right in the city centre, but Stockholm is a real outdoor urban swimmer's paradise. Follow our guide to the best places around town to jump (or creep) into the cooling waters of the Baltic or Lake Mälaren on a hot summer's day.

Tatty Good, Content Writer UK & Translator SE, Thatsup Tatty Good, Content Writer UK & Translator SE, Thatsup
Tatty Good
  1. Bathing spots in Stockholm
    1. 1
      Fredhällsbadet Evening sun on Kungsholmen
    2. 2
      Långholmens bad Popular sandy beach on Södermalm
    3. 3
      Smedsuddbadet Child-friendly swimming beach in Rålambshovsparken
    4. 4
      Tanto strandbad Born again in Årstaviken
    5. 5
      Brunnsviksbadet Lovely swimming beach close to the university
    6. 6
      Ekhagens strandbad "Lappis Beach"
    7. 7
      Lilla Essingebadet Island life
    8. 8
      Vintervikens badplats Beautiful summertime favourite
    9. 9
      Flatenbadet Diving platform, cliffs and sandy beach south of the city
    10. 10
      Söderbysjöns friluftsbad Surrounded by nature
    11. 11
      Trekantens strandbad Beach and jetty

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Bathing spots in Stockholm

Fredhällsbadet

Evening sun on Kungsholmen

Fredhäll's bathing spot is on the island of Kungsholmen and the water quality here is generally better than the other inner city swimming spots. There's a wooden bathing hut surrounded by rocks and jetties surrounded by a high wooden fence. The bathing hut is open during the daytime, but closes in the evenings. So if you fancy an evening dip, you'll need to swim from the rocky shore outside the official bathing area. Fredhäll gets gorgeous evening sun.

Långholmens bad

Popular sandy beach on Södermalm

Långholmen's beach is a popular bathing spot among local city-dwellers. There's a kiosk near the beach, and if you don't want to swim from the beach you can launch off from the pontoon jetty or cliffs a short walk away. Långholmen also has great views over Riddarfjärden and Stockholm City Hall.

Smedsuddbadet

Child-friendly swimming beach in Rålambshovsparken

Smedsuddsbadet, also known as Smedis, is in Rålambshovsparken in Kungsholmen. There's a beach, large grassy area and a jetty with a bathing ladder as well as a shower. There's also a nice walking path along the beach. You can rent kayaks and SUPs nearby. Smedsuddsbadet is particularly popular with families and young people.

Tanto strandbad

Born again in Årstaviken

The swimming beach in Tantolunden became an official public bathing spot in 2010 thanks to its improved water quality and since then it's had a major upgrade with a diving platform and jetties. If you want a break from swimming, there's also a climbing wall, minigolf and kiosk on site, as well as grassy areas for picnics.

Brunnsviksbadet

Lovely swimming beach close to the university

Brunnsviksbadet in Frescati Hage is a popular sandy swimming spot on Lake Brunnsviken. Its proximity to Stockholm University's campus means you'll often find plenty of students here, as well as young families.

  • Var: Frescati Hage, Norra Djurgården

Ekhagens strandbad

"Lappis Beach"

Close to the Lappkärrsberget, or "Lappis", area of northern Djurgården, you'll find Ekhagens beach bathing spot, also known as Lappis Beach. The swimming area is run by the crown estate and is surrounded by forests and rocky outposts.

Lilla Essingebadet

Island life

Lilla Essingen is surrounded by water, and anyone who fancies a dip while on the island will find a jetty with a bathing ladder close to the boat clubs. There are two portaloos in the summer, and nice grassy areas to sunbathe on next to the bathing spot.

Vintervikens badplats

Beautiful summertime favourite

Vinterviken's swimming place is a real summer draw with beautiful views over the bay. Most swimmers jump into the water from the jetty, but there's also a little sandy beach hidden away. The rocks above are a great spot for a picnic spot.

Flatenbadet

Diving platform, cliffs and sandy beach south of the city

Flatenbadet is south of Stockholm close to Älta and Skarpnäck. There's a swimming beach as well as rocks you can jump and swim from, from various different heights. You can also jump from the diving platforms. As well as swimming, there's minigolf, a climbing wall, a kiosk and grill and parking spots.

Söderbysjöns friluftsbad

Website

Surrounded by nature

Söderbysjön is a swimming lake in the Nacka nature reserve, right next to Björkhagen. It has a child-friendly sandy beach and large grassy areas, which fill with swimmers and sunbathers on sunny days. If you get hungry or just fancy a coffee, the golf club's restaurant is close by. There are also toilets available during the summer season.

Trekantens strandbad

Website

Beach and jetty

This child-friendly swimming spot is on the western side of Lake Trekanten in Liljeholmen. Swim from the beach or the jetty, and have a wander in the lovely surrounding park area.

Swimming – About the guide

Central Stockholm's best swimming spots - The guide to great places to swim in central Stockholm is updated regularly. Feel free to contact us if you know of any bathing places we've left out and ought to include in the guide. Please also let us know if you spot any errors in the guide.

 

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