14 magical cold water swims

Salty and freshwater winter swims in West Sweden & Gothenburg  

Salty sea swimming on the west coast, lake swimming in Dalsland’s enchanting forests, or a refreshing dip in Lake Vättern. You’ll find tips here for places to go swimming in both salty and fresh water. Directions to all the places can be found at the bottom of the page. 

- Hönö, Gothenburg’s northern archipelago

On the island of Hönö in Gothenburg’s northern archipelago you’ll find Hästen beach, just 10 minutes walk from Klåva. There’s both a beach and bathing ladders off the rocks. After your swim you can enjoy a lovely walk in the Ersdalen nature reserve, which is on the north side of the island. On a windy day it’s really exciting watching the waves crash against the rocks there. 

Tips!

• Lunch, fika or dinner at Klova Hamnkrog or Tullhuset
• Buy some delicacies from the sea at Klåva fisk.
• Combine with an overnight stay at Skärgårdshotellet Hönö.

2. Nimbus on Öckerö

- Öckerö, Gothenburg’s northern archipelago

At the end of the jetty by Nimbus Öckerö you can have a winter dip overlooking Kalvsund. Take the opportunity to combine your cold water swim with a warming sauna which can be booked here. During the day you’ll be able to get a fika or some food after the swim and if you want to stay the night you can book one of the cottages along the jetty.  

Tips!

• Book the sauna at Nimbus Öckerö
• Stay the night at Nimbus Öckerö or Havskatten, which also has a bathing ladder outside the accommodation. 

- Vrångö, Gothenburg’s southern archipelago

On Vrångö there are several bathing spots with fantastic views of the archipelago. One of the jetties in Djupvik has a bathing ladder to enjoy a winter dip from. Combine your swim with a walk along Vrångö’s lovely scenic paths. 

Tips!

• Book a package at Kajkanten with overnight stay, winter swim and sauna, as well as the best seafood. 

- Marstrand, one hour north of Gothenburg 

There are lots of places to go winter swimming here.  At Hedvigsholmen on the island of Koön there’s both a ramp and a ladder. On the actual island of Marstrand there are bathing ladders in both the south and north of the island, and the northern bathing ladder is not far from Kurhotellet. 

Tips!

• Combine swimming with walking around Marstrandsön.
• Stay the night at Marstrands Kurhotell

- Short boat ride from Rönnäng’s jetty or Rökan’s jetty 

On the south side of the little island of Dyrön there’s a swimming area with a ladder, where you can also easily reach the island’s sauna nearby. Combine your trip with a walk around the Dyröleden trail.

Tips!

• Combine your swim with a stop at the sauna, book the sauna on Dyrön here.
• In Sydhamnen you’ll find Dyrön’s Våffelcafeet, a self service waffle cafe where everything you need to make your own waffles is provided. Payment is via the Swedish mobile payment system, Swish. 
• Ica Dyrön is a ToGo shop which is open 24/7. You can buy fika and ready meals to warm on site. On Fridays and Saturdays pizza is served in the shop. 

- Klädesholmen on Tjörn

At Klädesholmen’s swimming area there’s a little sandy beach, rocks, and a jetty with a ladder. At other local swimming areas from the rocks ladders are taken up during the winter. Not far from the swimming area lies the floating hotel Salt & Sill where you can have a stay with a swimming ladder right outside your hotel door. 

Tips!

• Book a stay at Salt & Sill with accommodation, winter swimming and dinner in the evening. 
• More cold water swimming tips in the area 

- Lysekil och Skaftö

There a several lovely swimming spots here. One is Pinneviken, with a sandy beach and rocks with a ladder. In central Lysekil there’s a cold bath house, Trampen, and just north of Lysekil, along the Kuststigen Coastal Path, lies Govik, all three with swimming ladders all year round. From the centre of Lysekil you can take the passenger ferry over to Skaftö or you can also drive there by car. Cold swims can be enjoyed from the Bökevik swimming area. 

Tips!

• Lysekil: Book a stay at Strandflickorna or Grand Hotel Lysekil with winter swim, sauna and two course dinner. 
• Fiskebäckskil: You’ll find good food and cosy accommodation at Gullmarsstrand and Slipens Hotell. 

- Hunnebostrand

Plan a daytime activity at Nordens Ark Zoo. By the old steamboat jetty, Ångbåtsbryggan, just outside the park at Nordens Ark, you can get into the sea from a ladder for a chilly dip. 

- Hjo by Lake Vättern

Have a refreshing dip in Lake Vättern from Guldkroksbadet beach, where you can hire beach huts via Hjo Tourist Information Centre all year round. Along the Strandpromenaden walk, south of the main square, Stora Torget, there are several swimming jetties. Combine your dip with a walk around the 600 year old wooden town then reward yourself with a hot chocolate with whipped cream from one of Hjos many cosy cafes. 

Tips!

• Book a winter swim package at Hotel Bellevue where you can combine your passion for swimming with good food, relaxation and cosy accommodation. 

- Mariestad by Lake Vänern

Just a few kilometres from the centre of Mariestad the Ekudden swimming area stretches along the shore of Lake Vänern. There are great opportunities to go cold water swimming here. Choose between a ladder down from the swimming jetty or going in from the beach or the rocks. 

Tips!

• Next to the swimming area is First Camp Ekudden with insulated cabins to stay the night in. 

- Mariestad by Lake Vänern

Snapen outdoor recreation area is about 4 kilometres from the centre of Mariestad. Right on the shoreline of Lake Vänern there’s a changing room with a shower and public sauna, which is open three days a week during winter. 
There’s a shallow beach at Snapen as well as a swimming jetty with a ladder. When there’s plenty of snow, ski tracks are prepared in the jogging trails which are otherwise great for running or walking. 

Tips!

• During summer the cafeteria at Snapen where you can buy home baked fika is open every day between 10.00-14.00. During the rest of the year it’s open on Sundays from 10.00-14.00. 
• In Mariestad there’s lots of accommodation to choose from for anyone wanting to stay the night and eat good food. 

- Mörttjärn nature reserve in Dalsland

In Kroppefjäll Park, a stone’s throw from Kroppefjäll B&B, lies Mörttjärn tarn, in the middle of the Mörttjärn nature reserve. From the jetty there’s a swimming ladder perfect for having a refreshing winter dip. If the lake isn’t frozen you can also walk into the water from the little beach at Huberstvik, about 100 metres away.

Tips!

• Combine a winter dip with a winter package at Kroppefjäll B&B. As well as accommodation and food it also includes bathrobe and sauna.