While Sweden is a popular destination for the great outdoors, northern lights and big city sights of Stockholm, few connect the country with a beach holiday. Here are ten reasons to think again.
At Daily Scandinavian we have decided that something needs to be done to promote Sweden’s coast which, while often lashed by bracing waters, is graced by long stretches of golden sand with plenty of space to plant a parasol. Here are our favourite Swedish Beach hot spots.
Bohuslän is a Swedish province in Götaland, on the northernmost part of the country’s west coast. It is bordered by Dalsland to the northeast, Västergötland to the southeast, the Skagerrak arm of the North Sea to the west, and the county of Østfold, in Norway, to the north.
Bohuslän is named after the Norwegian medieval castle of Båhus. Båhuslen was a Norwegian county from around 1050 until the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658, when the kingdom of Denmark-Norway lost this area as well as Skåneland to Sweden. (Wikipedia)
Gotland is a province, county, municipality, and diocese of Sweden. It is Sweden’s largest island. The island of Gotland and the other areas of the province of Gotland make up less than one percent of Sweden’s total land area. The province includes the small islands of Fårö and Gotska Sandön to the north, as well as the even smaller Karlsö Islands (Lilla and Stora) to the west. The population is 57,221. of which about 23,600 live in Visby, the main town.
The island’s main sources of income are agriculture along with food processing, tourism, IT solutions, design and some heavy industry such as concrete production from locally mined limestone. (Wikipedia)
Stenshuvud is a hill in the southeastern corner of Sweden, in the province of Skåne, close to Kivik in Simrishamn Municipality. Since 1986, it is one of the National parks of Sweden. The park covers an area of about 3.9 km².
The hill is 97 metres high and faces the Baltic Sea. Since the surrounding landscape is relatively flat, it can be seen from a great distance and has traditionally been used as a landmark for seafarers. Many visitors trek up the hill to enjoy the view which is very good in clear weather.
Most of the area is covered with broadleaf forest, especially European hornbeam. The park also contains heaths, meadows and swamps. Because of the mild climate and varied habitats, many different animal and plant species can be encountered in the park. The park contains unusual Swedish wildlife such as the hazel dormouse, golden oriole, European tree frog and agile frog. There are about 600 vascular plant species, including several types of orchids and the very rare barren strawberry. (Wikipedia)
Hellasgarden. Located just 15 minutes from Slussen in the Nacka nature reserve, Hellasgården boasts a pristine lake, endless expanses of forest, an inexpensive sauna, and extensive walking, running, cycling and skiing tracks.
Below the hill there is a popular swimming beach. Close to the top one can find the remains of a ruin of a 5th- or 6th-century fortress.
According to local folklore, the hill got its name (Sten’s head) from a giant living in the cave Giddastuan.
At the north of the hill you will find the arboretum of Hällevik.
Ribersborg open-air bath (Ribersborgs kallbadhus in Swedish, also known as Ribban by the older and Kallis by the younger generation) is an open-air public bath on the Ribersborg beach in Malmö, Sweden approximately one kilometre southwest of Turning Torso. The bathhouse is open for a skinny dip all around the year and has separate areas for men and women and each area is equipped with two saunas. There is also one mixed sauna (fkk-sauna) between the ladies and gentlemen’s area. There are a cafe and a restaurant.
The bath was inaugurated in June 1898 with initiative by C.A. Richter, who bought the old bathhouse at Nyhamn port, which was being sold because of the port’s expansion. Four years later a storm damaged the new bath during Christmas and it was rebuilt. During the refurbishment a diving tower was added to the men’s department, with a view of the strait and the women’s department. During the 1930s it was modernised with nude bathing and confidentiality was added between the departments. In 1966, the City of Malmö purchased the baths. It was again damaged by a storm in 1988 and in 1995 it was declared a historic building. (Wikipedia)
Skanör with Falsterbo. The beaches are several kilometres long and shallow with an array of caramel-coloured bathing huts, now permanently erected up on the dunes, in place of the original dismountable huts that the owners took home every autumn. Today most bathers visit Kämpinge in the east, even though the crowds diminish further west, via Ljunghusen all the way to Falsterbo and Skanör.
Mellbystrand has one of Sweden’s longest sand beaches – 12 km.
The sandy beach stretches between Stensån at Båstad up to the Lagan. North of the River Lagan continues sandy beach up to Halmstad.
In addition to swimming, you can play ball and other ball games, playing in the sand, sunbathing, windsurfing, kite surfing.
Orbaden is the most famous beach in Hälsingland.
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Pite Havsbad is one of the biggest tourism and conference centres in Northern Europe.
Relaxation is a constant theme at Pite Havsbad. Whether you prefer the cooling sea breeze on the beach or a massage by candlelight, there is a stress-free environment around the corner. Lazy days on the beach are spiced up with activities such as the Amusement Park, golf, go-carts, beach volleyball and street basket. And if that’s not enough, the events city of Piteå offers the street festival Piteå Dansar och Ler (Piteå Dances and Smiles), Pite Summer Games (one of Sweden’s biggest football tournaments for youths), the Music Festival (music and culture) and much more.
Varamon Beach, Ostergotland is the “Pearl of Vättern” and is blessed with 80 more hours of sun per year than the rest of Sweden. You can play various sports – windsurfing, volleyball -, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants. It’s a good option for families with children.
