Swedish Bath Road - FREEDOMtravel Themed Roads

Svenska badvägen is a themed road that takes you through the west, south and east coasts. It starts in Kosterhavet on the Norwegian coast and goes around in a loop, ending up in Grisslehamn on the east coast and inland to Karlsborg on Lake Vättern to Djäknesundet. Travel on your own and at your own pace - by car, motorhome, caravan or motorbike.

Sweden's unique waterway

The Swedish Bathing Road is a FREEDOMtravel Theme Road that runs from the Koster Sea on the coast of Norway, down the west coast, and goes around in a loop in the south of Sweden, up to Grisslehamn on the east coast and inland to Karlsborg on Lake Vättern to Djäknesundet You can follow it from any direction you like, or pick your favourite part (your favourite spots) in the middle. This is an idea to make it easier for you to go on a little adventure. Happy travelling!

Brief facts about the Swedish waterway

• Length: 2300 km long
• Start: The Koster Sea on the coast of Norway
• Stop: Djäknesundet outside Karlsborg

1. Kosterhavet National Park (North Koster)

Visiting the Koster Islands can be a really wonderful excursion! The scenic Koster Islands are located just outside Strömstad, close to the border with Norway. Here you can cycle, hike, swim or enjoy good food in nice restaurants. You'll also find the Kosterhavet National Park - Sweden's first marine national park - and what bathing spots!

2. Strömstad Kallbadhus

What to see and do in Strömstad? Sweden's westernmost city, this Bohuslän town offers everything from art to seaside excursions. Here you'll find our best tips for sights and experiences in Strömstad and the surrounding area, in addition to swimming in the lovely cold bath house.

3. Hållö marble pool from Smögen, Sweden

One boat excursion you can do is to take the Hållö ferry to Hållö. The ferry journey from Smögen to Hollö takes about 10 minutes. On the island you can experience nature and swim, for example in the popular Marble Pool. In the summer there is also a waffle café.

4. Lysekil cold bath house on Svenska badvägen

In the mid-19th century, the bathing doctor Carl Curman was commissioned to build a new bathing facility. A society house, sea bathing park, outdoor stage, cold and hot baths were built in the area, and Lysekil became an extremely popular spa.

5. Gustafsberg bathing hotel and hostel

The big boost for Gustafsberg as a bathing and health resort came in 1804, when Gustav IV Adolf and Queen Frederica's sickly son Crown Prince Gustav recovered after a stay here. Suddenly all to Gustafsberg! Two hot bath houses were built, as well as many other beautiful buildings for the rich guests.

6. Saltholmens cold bath house

Saltholmens cold bath house. has existed as a nude bath in Gothenburg for over 100 years. It offers salty baths in a relaxing environment. The baths have three sections that are divided into ladies, men and communal baths.

7. Ulricehamn swimming pool centre

Ulricehamn Kallbadhus offers relaxation for body and soul. You can take a refreshing dip in the beautiful lake Åsunden - every day, all year round - 06.00-22.00. Afterwards, you can warm up in the sauna if you need to. Take a break from your busy schedule and relax with a soothing massage or a delicious dinner with friends.

8. Varberg kallbadhus

Varberg's cold bath house was built in 1903 in an oriental style and stands on stilts in the sea at Strandpromenaden in Varberg. Here you can swim naked in separate men's and women's sections, both equipped with a sauna. Since breakwaters were built from the north-west corner of the fortress and Klöven, Getterön, the cold bath house is located within the harbour area.

9. Båstad kallbadhus

At Hotel Skansen you have Båstad's iconic cold bath house right outside the door. 60 metres out into the sea, warm sauna baths and refreshing sea dips await you. Warm outdoor pool and relaxation area with panoramic windows facing the sea, separate areas for men and women.

10. Pålsjöbaden cold bath house

Pålsjöbaden is a cold bath house located at the end of Strandvägen in northern Helsingborg, the current cold bath house was opened in 1909 by the Hälsan well establishment. From 1922-55 there was a tramway connection to Pålsjöbaden. 

11. Kallis bathhouse

Dating back to 1865, Kallis is one of the city's oldest cold baths, and is located at Gröningen in Helsingborg. There are separate nude baths with a dry sauna. You sauna and bathe with a view of Öresund in a familiar and cosy atmosphere.

12. Råå cold storage centre

Rååbadarna is a non-profit organisation with around 1600 members who swim, sauna and enjoy Rååbadet. You are always welcome to try a few times, but to swim regularly you must be a member of the Rååbadarna organisation. As a guest here for a week or two, you are of course welcome to swim and sauna without being a member.

13. Bjereds saltsjöbad cold bath house & restaurant

Bjerreds Saltsjöbad was built in 2004 as one of the first new cold baths in modern times. The bath is located 600 metres out in Öresund and is open all year round with delicious dishes in the restaurant.

14. Dalby quarry on the Swedish waterway

A popular swimming and picnic spot with a cosy environment around the entire quarry. There are also rocky ledges that you can jump from straight down into very clear water.

15. Ribersborg cold bath house

Ribersborg cold bath house is a bathing facility on Ribersborgsstranden in Malmö, about 1 km southwest of Turning Torso. The younger ones call the bathhouse Kallis by younger and older ones as Ribban which is also the entire beach known since the 1920s. A café and restaurant with full rights can be found in the nude baths. There are separate sections for men and women and each section has a wood-fired and a regular sauna. As of summer 2009, men and women can also steam together.

16. Sibbarp cold bath house

We are the small bath by the big sea with a wood-fired sauna and cold baths all year round. The café is open with the same opening hours as the baths.

17. Skanör/Falsterbo cold storage centre

In July 2020, Skanör Falsterbo Kallbadhus was inaugurated! Here you can enjoy bathing and swimming with a view of Öresund and the bridge. There are separate women's and men's areas with changing rooms, showers and a sauna. From a large wooden deck there are two separate piers and entrances to the water.

18. Ystad saltsjöbad on the Swedish bathing route

On Skåne's most beautiful coast at Österlen is Ystad and right on the beach is Ystad Saltsjöbad, dating back to the 19th century. Beach, activities, fantastic views, pools, long breakfasts, unforgettable dinners, all in wonderful surroundings.

19. Karlshamn's cold bath house

The Vägga swimming pool has a swimming hall, outdoor pool, sea baths and now also a cold bath house. The facility is located in the beautiful Vägga Park between the city centre and Vägga Fishing Harbour. The cold bath house offers showers, toilets, sauna and sea bathing in separate sections for women and men.

20. Borgholm cold bath house

Borgholm's cold bath house was originally built in 1882, at a time when the city was a renowned spa. The bathhouse has since been repeatedly destroyed in storms, but has always been rebuilt, albeit on a slightly smaller scale over time. The latest bathhouse was built in 2003 and is in a beautiful location, right next to Borgholm's harbour.

21. Visby Kallbadhus

Visby Havsbad has become Kallbadhuset which has become Kallis, a gem for festivities during the summer in Visby for the younger generation. During the summer, the area is full of life with many people walking, socialising, having a drink or food at an outdoor restaurant, sunbathing, perhaps taking a dip in the sea at Kallis or partying at Kallis.

22. Blue lagoon on the Swedish waterway

The Blue Lagoon is one of the larger limestone quarries and the water in some quarries has a special colour, a beautiful turquoise colour. The quarry is located right next to Bästeträsk (lake) and there are a lot of people in the summer because it is incredibly popular. 

23. Nynäs sea baths

Nynäs Havsbad offers lovely accommodation, culinary experiences and an inviting spa and relaxation area on the cliffs by the sea. This early 20th century hotel is located in Nynäshamn, on the island of Trehörningen. It offers spa treatments, delicious food and panoramic sea views.

24. Saltsjöbaden open-air swimming pool

Saltsjöbadens outdoor swimming pool is a bathing facility that is divided into a women's and a men's section, with a common beach in between. It is located in Baggensfjärden in the Baltic Sea with two cold bathing houses located on Restaurangholmen in Saltsjöbaden. The women's pool was built in 1895 and the men's pool in 1925.

25. central bath

Centralbadet is a bathing establishment on Holländargatan in the Islandet neighbourhood, on Norrmalm in central Stockholm. The facility was designed in 1904 in the Art Nouveau style by architect Wilhelm Klemming. The baths have their main entrance from Centralbadsparken next to Drottninggatan. 

26. Sturebadet on Svenska badvägen

Sturebadet has been the most famous spa club in Stockholm for more than 100 years. It is known for many celebrities who visited there such as Oscar II and Greta Garbo. This wonderful spa club was founded in 1885 by Carl Curman who was a doctor. He started Sturebadet to offer people living in Stockholm the opportunity to exercise or swim to improve their health.

27. Hotel Havsbaden Grisslehamn

A fantastically beautiful spa and incredibly popular in the archipelago. There are lots of different small rooms with pools, sauna, jacuzzi and sauna. Here you can stay and eat at their own restaurant.

28. Uskavi limestone quarry

A limestone quarry with green-turquoise water outside Nora or Lindesberg and it is popular to swim here.

Tip: Kvinnersta limestone quarry on the road

With the possibility of hiking nearby, you will find fantastic swimming opportunities in Kvinnersta Kalkbrott. A popular swimming spot with magical blue water outside Örebro.

29. Djäknesundet on the Swedish waterway

There is a small sandy beach with rocks on the sides. Djäknesundet is a very popular bathing spot both for local residents and for more distant guests. On fine summer days, it can therefore be very crowded and difficult with parking facilities.

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