What you need know
I can’t say it’s much cooler here in the north. The Sveriges Meteorologiska och Hydrologiska Institut (SMHI) recently issued a class-two alert for “extremely high temperatures” (their most serious temperature warning) in several Swedish counties including Stockholm. This means that the developing weather could be dangerous, causing considerable structural damage and significant disruption to public services.
But if you’re looking for places to cool off, Sweden is the place to be. There are about 96,000 lakes and plenty of rivers and streams. And not to forget, Sweden has a coastline of 3,218 km. Or find your way up in the mountains. Just be aware that there’s a barbecue/bonfire ban in place for most counties, even for private gardens. Sweden is fighting huge forest fires and nearly all of Sweden is considered a risk zone.
Between summer houses and diving in the city
Most Swedes escape the heat by spending their weekends and holidays in their summer houses. Apparently, about 20% of Swedes own a sommarstuga and more than 50% have access to one through family or friends. It often looks like a family affair. Most cabins are owned by extended families and are handed down from generation to generation. We all know the red wooden cottages. They are often to be found at the coast, in the forest or near a lake.
But don’t fear if you don’t have a sommarstuga to chill out and if you’re spending most of your summer in Stockholm like I do. We’re never far from water or green spaces, although it’s hard to find green grass at the moment because of the drought. With 26 city parks, summer in Stockholm offer plenty of opportunities to find a shaded place with (hopefully) a nice breeze. Since Stockholm is situated on fourteen islands and on the banks to the archipelago, there’s water all around us. The waterways of Stockholm are so clean that summer in Stockholm often means taking a dip anywhere in the city. I don’t see the Parisians swimming in the Seine or Londoners in the Thames. But here in Stockholm, we can choose between rocky diving points, wooden piers, beaches and outdoor pools.
Finding the best swimming spots
You can easily find swimming spots online. Check for instance this guide. I personally like Fågelöuddebadet, north-east of Lidingö. There’s grass, a sandy beach, a jump tower and a snack bar. You can get there by car or public transport. If you’re looking for a bit more action during summer in Stockholm, try the Cable Park by Arlanda Airport at the Lake Halmsjön. Here you can wakeboard, water-ski or knee-board for more than 600 meters. With a beach-volley course, a large trampoline and a nice terrace it’s a cool place to hang out during a hot summer.
And when you feel like going out for a bite or a drink at the end of the day, this is the time. With most residents having fled the city you often don’t even need a reservation.
