If you are thinking about Norway, the fjords and the beautiful nature might be the first things that come to mind.
There are also many lakes throughout the country, and with its long coastline, you might be inclined to go for a swim. But can you actually swim in Norway?
As a matter of fact, yes, however, the experience is certainly more enjoyable in the summer. In this article, we will go through your options to go for a swim in Norway.
Where to go for a swim in Norway
First of all, you have numerous public pools available throughout the country. You can also go for a dip in the ocean.
The gulf stream passing through the Norwegian coast helps to heat up the water, making it a great place to take a swim.
The temperature varies, of course, depending on the time of year and location. Your best bet is to go swimming in mid-summer when temperatures reach about twenty degrees celsius.
Where can you swim in Norway? The options are virtually endless. The only restrictions are private pools, lakes that are used for drinking water, as well as highly trafficked areas, such as ports for example.
But let’s take a look at the different places where you actually can swim.
Public baths
There are over a hundred public baths to visit during your stay in Norway. Unless you’re planning to spend all your time exploring them all, here are some examples and what they have to offer:
If you are staying in the capital city of Oslo, you might try Frognerbadet. They are open during the warmer parts of the year, so your best bet is to go visit during the summer months.
They have a 50-meter-long outdoor pool, a separate pool for young children, and a slide.
If you want to try something else, there is also Tøyenbadet in the Oslo area. In addition to having outdoor pools, you can also take a swim indoors, if that’s more to your liking.
Are you visiting some other places in Norway, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Alexander Dale Oen arena in Bergen, or maybe Pirbadet in Trondheim. Or you can go to Tromsøbadet when in Tromsø.
Coastal areas
You can swim pretty much along the entire Norwegian coastline. There are some areas that are better though, in terms of temperatures for example.
Particularly the southeastern coast, around the Oslofjord coast, and further south to Kristiansand. In addition to this, some cities have public swimming areas.
Some of these areas are free, for example, Nordnes Sjøbad in Bergen, or Sørenga Sjøbad in Oslo.
Then there are places where you have to pay a fee to enjoy them, for example, Sjøbadet in Trondheim, where you pay 60 NOK. Another place like this is Nordnes Sjøbad in Bergen, which costs 85 NOK.
Norway’s stunning nature of course includes beaches. Unfortunately, most of them are situated on the western coast, which has a bit harsher weather than other areas.
Due to the dramatic scenery, they are well worth a visit, and some have excellent conditions for surfing. However, it might not be the most ideal place to get to use your swimsuit.
Lakes
Finland may be known as the land of a thousand lakes, but in this regard, Norway has a lot to offer as well.
Over 65,000 lakes are spread out across the country, and some of these have designated swimming areas. Some great lakes to visit are:
- Mjøsa in Hamar
- Sognsvann in Oslo
- Krohnegården badeplass in Bergen
- Theisendammen in Trondheim
Make a day of it, and go swimming in a Norwegian lake. Some places have public spaces to barbeque, and several are easily accessible via public transport.
If you want to do something else after you’re done swimming, there are also hiking trails around some lakes.
Can you swim in the Fjords?
There are no restrictions if you want to swim in the Norwegian fjords. One thing to remember though is that the water tends to be a bit colder than the water you find along the coast.
Best season for swimming in Norway
For the best swimming experience, the summers in Norway are probably your best bet.
June through August will serve you well, but July usually has the best weather and therefore warmer water.
The southernmost parts of the country will usually have warmer temperatures, and the further north you go, the colder it will get.
Spring and autumn can be cold as well, and if you want to swim in the freezing water in winter, you’re one of the brave ones.
So even if you’re not visiting in summer, there are still opportunities to go for a swim. You might just need something hot to drink to warm you up afterward.
Sources
Det nye Tøyenbadet – Oslo Kommune
