SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

DISCOVER SWEDEN

How to find Sweden’s cleanest and best beaches in the summer of 2022

Although most Swedes are back at work by now, that doesn't mean summer's over. Here's how to find the country's cleanest and best beaches to visit on your next day off.

How to find Sweden's cleanest and best beaches in the summer of 2022
The beach at Falsterbo in Skåne has been approved by the international Blue Flag scheme. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

The number of beaches in Sweden which are checked and graded is growing every year, making it easy to make sure that where you are swimming is clean and safe. 

The number of ‘EU bathing spots’, which are monitored as part of the union’s clean bathing water scheme, increased to 457 this year from the 445 registered last summer, according to a press release issued in June by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.

At the same time, 14 harbours and seven beaches in Sweden qualified this year for the international Blue Flag scheme, which is awarded to beaches and small ports with a high level of environmental friendliness, water quality and safety. 

For a bathing spot to qualify for the EU scheme, more than 200 people must swim there a day on average during the bathing season. The local municipality is then responsible for checking the water quality and posting the results up on a sign at the beach. 

This year, 356 of the Swedish bathing spots, or about 78% qualified as having “excellent quality”, the highest possible classification, whereas 89 percent had “good quality”. 

The bad news this year is that the number of bathing spots which have received the worst “poor quality” classification has risen to 15, up from only one back in 2019, something Emma Glad, the agency’s beach investigator, said could be connected to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bathing spots get a “poor quality” rating if levels of bacteria from human and animal faeces are too high, leading to a risk that swimmers get infected with  E. coli or other bacteria. 

Because so many people holidayed at home in Sweden in 2020 and 2021, she said, there were more visits to beaches. The number of dogs in Sweden also rose during the pandemic, increasing the risk that dog poo gets into the water.

Finally, heavy rain may have led sewage to spill into the sea at some spots. 

You can find the quality classification, algae levels, and even the water temperature of swimming spots near you on the agency’s interactive map, which you can find here

Source: Screenshot/Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.

Blue flag beaches 

Here is a list of the beaches and harbours in Sweden which have received the blue flag certification. 

Harbours: 

Båstad Hamn

Båtfjordens hamn 

Burgsviks hamn

Fyruddens hamn, Gryt

Gästhamnen Stavsnäs 

Gävle Gästhamn

Getterön Marina, Varberg

Hälleviks Hamn, Sölvesborg

Heleneborgs Båtklubb, Stockholm

Torekovs hamn,Torekov

Pampas Marina, Solna

Trosa Gästhamn

Uvmarö Hamn

Varbergs innerhamn

Beaches

Falsterbo strandbad

Kämpinge strandbad, Höllviken

Lagunen Camping, Strömstad

Långa Bryggan, Bjärred

Rydebäcksstranden, Rydebäck

Skanörs havsbad, Skanör

Trosa Havsbad

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

FOOD AND DRINK

Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in Malmö

For Eurovision visitors, students or anyone else looking to have a good evening without breaking the bank, Malmö has plenty of pubs – which is good news for beer drinkers, as alcohol is famously expensive in Sweden.

Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in Malmö

Most of these are around the Möllan neighbourhood, which is more or less the centre of the city’s nightlife.

A general tip if you’re buying a beer anywhere in Sweden and aren’t too bothered about the exact one you get is to order a stor stark, literally a “big strong one”. These are usually half a litre of beer at around 5.5 percent ABV, so bear that in mind if that’s more than what you’re used to.

Nobes

Technically known as Gamle Nobes Bodega, everyone in Malmö calls it Nobes. Originally opened in 1937, Nobes is the closest you’re going to get to a British-style pub or German Bierhalle, with its tiled floor and rustic dark wooden décor.

As far as food is concerned, Nobes has some of the best traditional Swedish food in Malmö, with its kålpudding cabbage casserole, served with gravy, potatoes, pickled cucumber and lingonberry jam a must (it’s better than it sounds, we promise).

They have a dart board and sometimes have live music, and you can choose from a range of draft or bottled beers, ciders and wines.

Expect to pay a minimum of 60 kronor for a beer and around 160 kronor for food.

Address: Kristianstadsgatan 36

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 2pm-midnight, Fri 2pm-1am, Sat noon-1am and Sun noon-midnight

Ölkaféet

This is one of the most popular pubs in the Möllan neighbourhood, and that’s not just because it’s the unofficial supporters bar of the local football team, Malmö FF.

They’re cheap and cheerful, with reasonably priced pub grub, a heated outdoor seating area with views over the Möllan square and football matches on the TV, if that’s your kind of thing.

They even have a small library, a gallery wall with works by local artists, and board games like backgammon, checkers and chess, which you can borrow.

If there are no seats (it can get busy on the weekend), Vegan Bar next door is a good alternative, even for non-vegans.

A standard 50cl beer (veckans öl or “beer of the week”, despite the fact it hasn’t changed in years) costs around 65 kronor, with a burger costing around 140 kronor.

Address: Södra Skolgatan 43 – or just walk to the Möllevångstorget square and look for the bright blue awnings.

Opening hours: All days 10am-1am

Rex Pizzeria

Rex, on Nobelvägen, is probably the best example of a classic Swedish pizzeria that you can find in Malmö.

A warning: leave any expectation of Italian-style pizzas at the door, as Rex is firmly in the Swedish-style fulpizza category.

Their pizzas, such as the Tropicana, with cheese, tomato, ham, banana and curry powder, almost make a Hawaiian pizza look tame – although you can get more normal pizza toppings too if banana and curry is a bit too wild for you. They also have vegetarian and vegan options, for groups with allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Pizzas aside, Rex is also a popular pub with cheap drinks, shuffleboard and pool tables, and a nice outdoor serving area in summer. They often host quizzes, standup or other entertainment in their event room in the basement.

Beers cost around 60 kronor and pizzas range from 70 to 140 kronor.

Address: Nobelvägen 107

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 11am-1am, Sun-Mon 11am-11pm

Azalee

If you’re looking for a cheap bar which also provides the evening’s entertainment, Azalee’s your best bet.

This bar is a bizarre mix of casino, karaoke bar and pub, and an evening of karaoke here is equally as entertaining whether you’re getting up on stage yourself or just listening to the other guests get progressively worse at singing as the night goes on.

They offer classic pub fare at around 150-200 kronor and reasonably priced drinks.

Address: Claesgatan 8

Opening hours: Weds-Tors 4pm-1am, Fre-Sat 4pm-3am

Karaoke: Weds and Thurs, 8pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 8pm-3am

Blackjack Weds-Sat 6pm-close

Entry fee: 50kr after 11pm on weekends

Lion Bar

The picturesque Lilla Torg area of Malmö is not known for being cheap, but Lion Bar (a national chain) is an exception, offering a 40cl beer for under 40kr.

Food wise, they offer standard pub grub – nachos, buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks, burgers and so on – with deals on some food items.

Unsurprisingly, the prices rise if you stray from the special offers, particularly if ordering cocktails or wine.

Address: Landbygatan 4

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 3pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 3pm-1am

SHOW COMMENTS