Swimming in Stockholm
Alexandra Beckwith shares some of the best places to go swimming in Stockholm.
Photo credit: Tove Freiij/imagebank.sweden.se
Sunshine, beaches and splash-pools are three words that are essential for getting the most out of Stockholm’s brief but brilliant summers. Sweden has an amazingly beautiful coastline and thousands of lakes. Throughout the summer months you can spot kids plunging into cool waters and sunbathing on cliff faces. Families flock to lakeside beaches with disposable grills in hand. Parks are filled with splash-pools and toddlers squealing with delight.
The splash-pools are only open during summer months (June through August) but are free to the public and kept incredibly clean. Most of them are only knee deep making them perfect for babies and toddlers. There are plenty of splash-pools throughout the city’s parks, such as at Kristinebergs Strandpark, located on a recently renovated waterfront. At Strandpark there is a playground, a splash-pool and grassy areas to sit. There is also a newly built deck running along the waterfront for sunbaking and for people to swim from. And just a few hundred metres from the splash pools there is a great assortment of restaurants and cafes as well as ice-cream stands.
Marabouparken is next on the list if you want to combine delicious food, an English style park and a relaxing day by the splash-pool. This splash-pool is made to look like part of the gardens, surrounded by hanging trees and blooming flowers. With a beach entry pool it is perfect for small children and babies. The best part about Marabouparken is that it is still a “hidden” spot. Being just a little bit off the beaten track, it is rarely crowded and as there is so much open space within the park, it is very calm and tranquil.
Sweden boasts thousands of lakes, many with sandy beaches and rocky cliffs to jump from. Whether you take the train to the local lake or boat through the archipelago, there are countless places for you to take a dip and relax in Stockholm’s waters.
Photo credit: Viktor Gårdsäter/Folio/imagebank.sweden.se
If you are looking for somewhere close to the city, Tantos Strandbad is a great place to start. A short walk from either Zinkensdamn or Hornstull T-bana, this man-made beach, palm trees and all, has plenty of sandy and grassy areas to sunbathe and swim. If you are looking for something a little more relaxed, but still in the city, take a stroll over to the next island Långholmen and have a dip at Långhomens strandbad. With a nice sandy beach, you can sit and watch tourist steamboats go by or check out the old prison, which has been converted into a hotel.
A little bit further out of the city, in Bromma, you can find several lakeside beaches. Ängbybadet has a waterslide, swing set and a large sandy beach. Solviksbadet is just a 15-minute walk from Ålstens gård’s tram station and has a sandy beach and jetty to swim from. By the tram station is Stockholm’s award winning Gelataria Scarfó that is a great place for a detour on your way to the beach.
So whether you want to go swimming in Stockholm, cool off at the lakes or splash-pools, relax on the beach or the cliffs, remember the land of the midnight sun enjoys a short but brilliant summer for swimming outdoors.
