Swimming in Stockholm: water quality, safety and types of beach
The City of Stockholm has 36 official beaches, where the water is tested in weeks 22–33. In the harbour area you may only swim at marked places, and no more than 10 metres out from the shore.
Before you pack your swim bag, it's worth knowing what sets the beaches apart and where to check the water. In and around the city there are lakes, Lake Mälaren and the brackish water of the Baltic.
Lake or sea: what's the difference?
Lake swimming (Mälaren and inland lakes)
- Fresh water
- Sheltered bays
Fresh water and mostly sheltered bays. The City of Stockholm, for example, describes the lake Flaten as one of Stockholm's cleanest swimming lakes.
Sea swimming (Saltsjön and the archipelago)
- Brackish water
- Big sandy beaches further out
Brackish water and more open bays, where the wind has more effect. Further out are the big sandy beaches, such as Schweizerbadet on Dalarö and Grisslinge on Värmdö.
Check the bathing water quality and algal blooms
Test results and classifications for the registered beaches are published by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. The agency itself points out that analysis takes several days – so the latest sample is no guarantee that the water is good today.
The City of Stockholm asks visitors to get in touch if the water is very cloudy (greenish or yellowish-brown) so that you can't see the bottom at more than 0.5 metres' depth, or if the surface is covered in algal scum.
Don't swim then – and don't let your dog go in.
The City of Stockholm's water testing
36 official beaches
within the City of Stockholm, along Lake Mälaren, Saltsjön and in smaller lakes.
Testing
runs from week 22 to week 33. If the water is unsuitable, an "Avrådan från bad" (swimming not advised) sign is put up at the beach.
Swimming in the harbour area
Large parts of Mälaren and Saltsjön in the city are harbour area where swimming is generally prohibited. At marked places swimming is allowed, but you may not swim more than 10 metres out from the shoreline.
The best beaches in central Stockholm
In the city centre there are sandy beaches at Smedsuddsbadet, Långholmen and Tanto, and the cliff bath Fredhällsbadet is open to the public every day 09:00–19:00 in June–August.
The city-centre beaches are small and busy, and almost none have parking. Plan to get there on foot, by bike or by SL.
Kungsholmen
Smedsuddsbadet on Kungsholmen – sandy beach and open lawns
- Shower
- Toilet
- Ramp into the water
Smedsuddsbadet is next to Rålambshovsparken in a bay of Riddarfjärden.
- Type of beach
- Beach, a large lawn, a jetty with a ladder and an accessible ramp into the water. Sun loungers on the lawns.
- Facilities
- A public accessible toilet and a shower. A kiosk is open during the swimming season. Water play for children on the beach.
- Parking
- Only a small car park for disabled visitors in front of the entrance.
Långholmen
Långholmen's beach and cliff bathing spot – sand on the west side, rocks on the east
- Beach on the west
- Cliff bathing on the east
- Dogs: the cliff spot
Långholmen has two swimming spots with completely different characters.
- Långholmens strandbad (west side): Sand and grass, a ramp and a shower. There are several toilets, but no changing room. Café, ice cream and a restaurant nearby, and parking nearby.
- Långholmens klippbad (east side): A cliff bathing spot with two small sandy beaches. There is no toilet, changing room, kiosk or parking – but it is one of the few spots in the city where dogs may swim.
Årstaviken
Tanto strandbad in Tantolunden – an accessible beach on Årstaviken
- Accessible
- Shower
- No parking
Tanto strandbad is on Årstaviken, near Drakenbergsparken.
- Type of beach
- An accessible beach with a shower.
- Facilities
- There is a toilet, but no changing room. Café, ice cream and a restaurant nearby.
- Parking
- None next to the beach.
Fredhällsbadet – cliff bathing for confident swimmers
Fredhällsbadet on western Kungsholmen, facing Tranebergssundet, is owned by the city but leased to Fredhälls badklubb.
- Type of beach
- A fenced cliff bathing spot with jetties, a small lawn and a wooden deck. The water is deep and you must be able to swim.
- Opening times
- June–August open to the public every day 09:00–19:00.
- Facilities
- Temporary toilets outside the entrance in summer and a summer café. The swimming club's sauna is not open to the public, and barbecues are not allowed.
- Good to know
- The entrance is reached by steps from Snoilskyvägen; from Birger Sjögrens väg there is a longer paved park path.
- June–August, every day: 09:00–19:00
Toilets at the city-centre beaches: how it looks
The bars count the five city-centre beaches listed in the table above, based on what the City of Stockholm publishes about toilets.
5 city-centre beaches in the table above
Toilet available 3
Smedsuddsbadet · Långholmens strandbad · Tanto strandbad
Temporary, in summer 1
Fredhällsbadet
No toilet 1
Långholmens klippbad
Facilities at the city-centre beaches according to the City of Stockholm
| Beach | Toilet | Changing room | Shower | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smedsuddsbadet | Yes | No | Yes | Disabled visitors only |
| Långholmens strandbad | Yes | No | Yes | Nearby |
| Långholmens klippbad | No | No | Not stated | No |
| Tanto strandbad | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Fredhällsbadet | Temporary, in summer | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Beaches in Stockholm's nature reserves by bus and metro
Bus 401 takes about 15 minutes from Slussen to Hellasgården, and Brunnsviken beach is within 500 metres of the metro and the Roslagsbanan train.
If you want to swim with forest or parkland around you, without taking the car, there are three good options. Find the stop and travel time in SL's journey planner – the routes below are only the ones the venues themselves give.
Nackareservatet
Hellasgården on Källtorpssjön: forest swimming, sauna and kayaks
- Bus 401, approx. 15 min
- Sauna 90 min
- Paid parking
Hellasgården is in Nackareservatet. According to Hellasgården, bus 401 from Slussen takes about 15 minutes to the stop Hellasgården.
- Swimming
- In summer there is a sandy beach with a swimming jetty. The jetty by the sauna is only for paying sauna guests.
- Sauna
- Separate women's and men's saunas, booked on Hellasgården's website. A visit is 90 minutes.
- Other
- Café, kayaks and SUP are among the activities. Parking is paid.
Skarpnäck
Flatenbadet in Skarpnäck: diving tower, jetties and sauna
- Separate children's beach
- Barbecue
- Large car park
Flatenbadet is in the Flaten nature reserve. The City of Stockholm describes Flaten as one of Stockholm's cleanest swimming lakes.
- Swimming
- Beach, rocks, jetties in several places, a diving tower and a ramp down to the water. There is also a separate children's beach.
- Facilities
- Toilets open during the swimming season, an accessible toilet by the café. In summer a kiosk with food and minigolf.
- Sauna
- Run by the non-profit Flatens bastuförening – open to the public at certain times, booked on the association's website.
- Parking
- A large car park at the main entrance and a few spaces at the entrance to the children's beach. Barbecues are also allowed.
Frescati
Brunnsvikens strandbad at Frescati: a quiet beach near the metro
- Within 500 m of the metro
- No parking
Brunnsvikens strandbad is run by the City of Stockholm together with the Royal Djurgården Administration and is within 500 metres of the metro and the Roslagsbanan train.
- Swimming
- A child-friendly beach with rocks and small lawns. Two floating jetties with a ladder and a swimming raft.
- Facilities
- A temporary toilet in summer. No shower, no changing room, no kiosk, no barbecue.
- Parking
- None.
Shallow beaches near Stockholm for families
Schweizerbadet on Dalarö is known for being very shallow, and Grisslinge havsbad is right by the bus stop. Ängbybadet is about 700 metres from Ängbyplan – but the city has advised against swimming at Östra Ängbybadet all season.
With small children, it's the facilities that set the beaches apart: a toilet, a kiosk and parking close to the beach. Here are four beaches that the municipality itself describes as child-friendly or shallow – or where the facilities are unusually complete.
Ängbybadet in Bromma: two sandy beaches and big lawns
Check the bathing water first: The City of Stockholm has advised against swimming at Östra Ängbybadet all season because of poor water quality. Check the current situation with the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.
Swimming: Two sandy beaches, several jetties, big lawns and two concrete ramps for wheelchairs and walkers.
Facilities: An accessible toilet at the western beach, two dry toilets at the eastern one. A shower at each. A restaurant and kiosk with outdoor seating, beach volleyball and a small playground.
Getting there: Ängbyplan metro station is about 700 metres away. There is parking for visitors with reduced mobility.
Magelungen
Farsta strandbad on the lake Magelungen: a child-friendly beach with an outdoor gym
- Child-friendly
- Parking at the swimming hall
- Swimming
- A child-friendly beach with a jetty.
- Facilities
- Toilets and a kiosk. No changing room. Outdoor gym, boules court and volleyball.
- Parking
- A larger car park at Farsta sim- och idrottshall (the swimming and sports hall), a short walk down to the beach.
- In winter
- According to the City of Stockholm, a popular place for ice skating.
Dalarö
Schweizerbadet on Dalarö: a very shallow sea beach
- Very shallow
- Stop Schweizerparken
- Dog beach at Vadviken
Haninge Municipality describes Schweizerbadet as a large beach by the sea known for being very shallow. The beach is not run by the municipality.
- Facilities
- Toilet, kiosk and barbecue area.
- Getting there
- Large car park. The nearest bus stop is Schweizerparken.
- Dogs
- There is a dog beach at Vadviken.
Grisslinge havsbad on Värmdö: the most facilities of all
- Kiosk
- Restaurant and bakery café
- Changing cubicles
- Toilets and accessible toilet
- Outdoor shower
- Beach volleyball
- Playground
- Barbecues
- Ramp into the water
- Stop Grisslinge
Sandy beach and lawns on Grisslingefjärden on eastern Farstalandet. The beach is owned and run by Värmdö Municipality.
- Facilities
- Kiosk, restaurant and bakery café, changing cubicles, toilets and an accessible toilet in summer, outdoor shower, beach volleyball, playground, barbecues and a ramp into the water.
- Getting there
- The beach is right by the bus stop Grisslinge. By car there is long-term parking near the beach.
Family beaches – what's there according to the municipalities
| Beach | Water | Toilet | Changing room | Kiosk/café | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ängbybadet | Lake Mälaren | Yes | Not stated | Restaurant and kiosk | For reduced mobility |
| Farsta strandbad | Magelungen | Yes | No | Kiosk | At the swimming hall |
| Schweizerbadet | Sea | Yes | Not stated | Kiosk | Large car park |
| Grisslinge havsbad | Sea | Yes, in summer | Changing cubicles | Kiosk, restaurant, bakery café | Long-term parking |
Dog beaches in Stockholm: rules and safe swims
Dogs are banned from the City of Stockholm's beaches from 1 June to 31 August, and in the countryside they must be on a lead from 1 March to 20 August. In Nacka, dogs on a lead are welcome at the beaches 1 October–30 April.
The rules for dogs differ between municipalities and between individual beaches. Go by the signs on site – below is what the municipalities and venues themselves say.
No dogs on the City of Stockholm's beaches 1 June–31 August
Under the City of Stockholm's local regulations, dogs are not allowed on the city's beaches from 1 June to 31 August. The ban does not apply to guide and assistance dogs.
Other public places in the City of Stockholm
Dogs must be kept on a lead all year.
In nature
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency requires dogs on a lead 1 March–20 August. In nature reserves and national parks, dogs must always be on a lead.
Nacka Municipality
(Hellasgården and Söderbysjön, among others, are in Nacka): dogs are not allowed at municipal beaches in the summer half of the year, but are welcome on a lead 1 October–30 April. Away from the beaches, the municipality says it is always fine to swim with your dog in lakes and along the coast.
Other venues
have their own rules. At Saltsjöbadens friluftsbad, for example, dogs are not allowed in the bathing area.
Where can your dog swim?
We have not been able to confirm other places marketed as dog beaches with the municipality or the venue. Check the signs before you let your dog in.
Långholmens klippbad
- All year
The City of Stockholm says dogs are welcome here all year. A cliff bathing spot on eastern Långholmen with no toilet or parking.
Schweizerbadet, Dalarö
- Dog beach at Vadviken
Haninge Municipality lists a dog beach at Vadviken.
Safety and algal blooms
Algal blooms are especially dangerous for dogs, which like to drink the water.
Keep your dog on land if the water is cloudy, greenish or has a surface layer of algal scum, and check the bathing water status with the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management before you go.
Winter swimming and waterside saunas in Stockholm
At Hellasgården you can swim in an ice hole all year, with 90-minute sauna visits booked online. Tanto bastu has a few public sessions a week – tickets cost SEK 60 and are released three days before each session.
You can find a sauna with a dip in the lake or sea outside the summer too – but several of the places are associations with limited hours for the public. There is more on winter trips on the winter page.
Källtorpssjön
Hellasgården on Källtorpssjön
- Ice hole all year
- 90 minutes
- Bus 401
- Ice hole
- From the sauna you walk to the swimming jetty and can swim all year. In winter the hole is kept open with a pump.
- Sauna
- Women's and men's saunas, mixed at certain times. Book online – a visit is 90 minutes.
- Good to know
- The jetty easily gets slippery in winter when water from the swimmers freezes.
- Getting there
- Bus 401 from Slussen to the stop Hellasgården.
Saltsjöbaden
Saltsjöbadens friluftsbad
- Two cold bathhouses
- Sauna included in admission
Two cold bathhouses with a beach between them. Dambadet (the women's bath) was completed in 1913 and Herrbadet (the men's bath) in 1925, and both are listed buildings today.
- Sauna
- In both bathhouses and included in the admission fee.
- Dambadet is for women (and boys up to 7). Herrbadet is for men only until 11:00, then open to all.
- Season
- The association says the baths are open to the public in summer. We have not been able to check what applies in winter – see saltisbadet.se.
Årstaviken
Tanto bastu on Årstaviken
- SEK 60
- 12 people
- Released three days before
The sauna stands on a raft at Tanto, is owned by the municipality and run by the non-profit Tanto bastuförening. Members book their own sessions, but a few times a week there are sessions for the public.
- Tickets
- Sold on Billetto and released exactly three days before the session. A ticket costs SEK 60.
- Condition
- A session only goes ahead if a member volunteers as sauna host.
- Good to know
- The sauna holds 12 people and there is no drinking water on the raft. It cannot be hired privately.
Safety rules and checklist for cold-water swimming
- Hat
- Something on your feet
- Roomy bathrobe
- Flask of something hot
- Never swim alone
- Always have someone with you on the jetty.
- Go in slowly
- Use the ladder and dip in a controlled way. Never jump into an ice hole.
- Listen to your body
- Get out before you start to feel properly cold.
Good to bring: a hat, something on your feet for a slippery jetty, a roomy bathrobe to change under and a flask of something hot.
Practical tips and rules for beaches in Stockholm
Smedsuddsbadet, Tanto, Brunnsviken, Ekhagen and Långholmens klippbad have no public parking, while Flatenbadet, Farsta strandbad, Schweizerbadet and Grisslinge do. By public transport, bus 401 goes to Hellasgården.
A few things that decide whether your beach day goes smoothly – and that vary more between beaches than you'd think.
Public transport or car and parking
City centre: Don't count on parking. Smedsuddsbadet, Tanto, Brunnsviken, Ekhagen and Långholmens klippbad have no public parking at all.
By car: Flatenbadet, Farsta strandbad, Schweizerbadet and Grisslinge have parking according to the municipalities. Hellasgården's parking is paid.
By SL: Search for the beach's name in SL's journey planner. Routes given by the venues themselves: bus 401 to Hellasgården and the bus stop Grisslinge right by Grisslinge havsbad.
Barbecues, litter and consideration
Barbecues: Allowed at Flatenbadet, Söderbysjön, Schweizerbadet and Grisslinge, among others. Not allowed inside Fredhällsbadet because of the fire risk, and Brunnsviken and Ekhagen have no barbecue facilities. Always follow any fire ban.
Litter: The City of Stockholm is trying to reduce the number of geese at the beaches for the sake of water quality. Put litter and food scraps in the bins or take them home, and don't feed the birds.
Official sources for a safe beach day
The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management
Test results and classifications for registered beaches.
The City of Stockholm (parker.stockholm)
Facilities, accessibility and dog rules for each municipal beach.
SL's journey planner
Current routes and stops.
Frequently asked questions
5 questions
01Where can you find information about the bathing water in Stockholm?
Test results and classifications are published by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. The City of Stockholm tests the water at its 36 official beaches in weeks 22–33 and puts up Avrådan från bad (swimming not advised) signs if the water is unsuitable. Analysis takes several days, so look at the water yourself too: if it is cloudy or covered in algal scum, stay out.
02Which beaches in Stockholm are best for families?
Haninge Municipality describes Schweizerbadet on Dalarö as very shallow. The City of Stockholm describes Farsta strandbad and Brunnsvikens strandbad as child-friendly. Grisslinge havsbad on Värmdö has the most facilities – changing cubicles, toilets, a playground and a kiosk – and is right by a bus stop.
03Can dogs swim at public beaches like Smedsuddsbadet?
No, not in summer. There is a dog ban on the City of Stockholm's beaches from 1 June to 31 August (it does not apply to guide and assistance dogs). One exception is Långholmens klippbad, where dogs are welcome all year. Outside the city, Schweizerbadet on Dalarö has a dog beach at Vadviken.
04Where are good spots for cliff bathing and deep water?
Fredhällsbadet on Kungsholmen is a fenced cliff bathing spot with deep water where you must be able to swim, open June–August 09:00–19:00. Ormbergets bryggbad in Gröndal has a big jetty by the rocks with ladders. Långholmens klippbad is on eastern Långholmen. Always check the depth before you jump.
05Which beaches have changing rooms?
Few. According to the City of Stockholm there are no changing rooms at Långholmens strandbad, Tanto, Farsta strandbad, Brunnsviken, Ekhagen and Söderbysjön, among others. Grisslinge havsbad on Värmdö has changing cubicles. At Hellasgården the changing rooms belong to the bookable sauna.
Sources
Details checked against these sources in September 2026.
The facts on this page are based on these sources. Under each one you can see which details we took from it. Opening times, prices and departures change – always check with the source before you go.
- City of Stockholm: Bathing water quality36 official beaches; testing week 22 to week 33; results with the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management; signs of algal bloom
- City of Stockholm: Places where swimming is permittedharbour area; max 10 metres from the shoreline
- Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management: Beaches and bathing water quality in Stockholm Municipality · in Swedishanalysis takes several days
- City of Stockholm: Smedsuddsbadet · in Swedishtoilet, one shower, kiosk during the swimming season, parking for disabled visitors only; dog ban 1 June–31 August
- City of Stockholm: Långholmens strandbad · in Swedishseveral toilets, no changing room, shower, parking nearby
- City of Stockholm: Långholmens klippbad · in Swedishno toilets or parking; dogs may swim
- City of Stockholm: Tanto strandbad · in Swedishtoilet, shower, no changing room, no parking
- City of Stockholm: Fredhällsbadet · in Swedishcliff bathing, must be able to swim, open June–August 09:00–19:00, no barbecues
- City of Stockholm: Brunnsvikens strandbad · in Swedishtemporary toilet, no kiosk, no parking, within 500 m of the metro and Roslagsbanan
- City of Stockholm: Ängbybadet · in Swedishswimming not advised at Östra Ängbybadet; Ängbyplan approx. 700 m
- City of Stockholm: Farsta strandbad · in Swedishtoilets, no changing room, kiosk, parking at the swimming and sports hall
- City of Stockholm: Ekhagens strandbad · in Swedishbeach without a jetty, no toilets, no parking
- City of Stockholm: Flatenbadet, public beach · in Swedishdiving tower, ramp, kiosk and minigolf in summer, sauna via Flatens bastuförening, parking
- City of Stockholm: Ormbergets bryggbad · in Swedishswimming jetty with sun deck, seasonal toilet, walking distance from Tvärbanan in Gröndal, little parking
- City of Stockholm: Söderbysjön's swimming spot · in Swedishtoilet during the swimming season, no changing room, parking at Dammtorp and Hellasgården
- City of Stockholm: Dog exercise areasdogs not allowed at public bathing areas 1 June–31 August; Långholmen cliff bathing area an exception all year
- Hellasgården: Swimming, sauna and ice hole · in Swedishsandy beach and swimming jetty in summer; sauna visit 90 min, booked online; the hole kept open with a pump
- Värmdö Municipality: Grisslinge havsbad · in Swedishstop Grisslinge by the beach; long-term parking; changing cubicles, toilets/accessible toilet in summer, kiosk, restaurant, bakery café
- Haninge Municipality: Swimming in Haninge – Schweizerbadet · in Swedishvery shallow; toilet, kiosk, barbecue area, large car park; stop Schweizerparken; dog beach at Vadviken; not municipal
- Föreningen Saltsjöbadens Friluftsbad · in SwedishDambadet 1913, Herrbadet 1925, listed buildings; sauna in both bathhouses; no dogs in the bathing area
- Tanto bastuförening: Sauna for everyone · in Swedishtickets on Billetto three days ahead, SEK 60; requires a sauna host; holds 12 people
- Nacka Municipality: Beaches and dogs · in Swedishno dogs at municipal beaches in the summer half of the year; dogs on a lead welcome 1 October–30 April; swimming with dogs away from beaches always allowed
- Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: Dogs in nature · in Swedishdogs must always be on a lead in national parks and nature reserves; lead required 1 March–20 August