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Bathing water sampling at Stockholm’s public bathing sites is carried out from week 22 to week 33. There are 36 official bathing sites within the City of Stockholm, located along the shores of Lake Mälaren, the Baltic Sea (Saltsjön), and several smaller inland lakes. Overall, the bathing water quality is good.
Every year, from June through August, the Environment and Health Department monitors the water quality at the city's official bathing sites.
The Environment and Health Department collects bacterial water samples on behalf of the city district administrations.
The samples are analysed for indicators of faecal contamination, including E. coli and intestinal enterococci.
The inspector also measures the water temperature and records other factors that may affect bathing water quality. The sampling is carried out in the same way throughout the EU.
Samples are collected at one or two fixed sampling points at each bathing site, for example at the end of a jetty and in the shallow part of the beach. They are then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Bacterial levels are assessed in three ways
Tjänligt (=Safe for bathing) – The bacterial levels are low, and the water is safe for swimming.
Tjänligt med anmärkning (=Safe for bathing, with a remark) – The water contains slightly higher levels of bacteria, but there is no risk of illness from swimming.
Otjänligt (=Not safe for bathing) – The water contains high levels of bacteria, and you should avoid swimming until new samples show that the water is safe again. A new sample will be taken as soon as possible.
Algal bloom
Signs of an algal bloom – If the water is very cloudy (greenish or yellowish-brown) so that you cannot see the bottom at depths greater than 0.5 metres, or if the surface of the water at the bathing site is covered with a layer of algae.
The reporting form is in Swedish, but you are welcome to fill it in English.
The City of Stockholm is expanding opportunities for swimming at several locations across the city. During 2026, the following sites will be open for swimming:
Munkbrohamnen
Söder Mälarstrand
Norr Mälarstrand
The water quality at these locations is not tested or monitored to the same extent as at the city's official bathing areas. Depending on the results of the ongoing evaluation, these sites may in the future be developed into official bathing areas.
Swimming at these locations is at your own risk.
The swimming ban that applies to large parts of Stockholm's harbour area has been lifted at these locations.
The Transport Department is responsible for these sites and can answer any questions about them.
Visitors can find information about bathing water quality on signs at the bathing area and on the website of the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.
All EU bathing waters must display signs with symbols indicating the bathing water quality.
Bathing water quality classifications
Swedish
English
Utmärkt
Excellent
Bra
Good
Tillfredsställande
Sufficient
Dåligt
Poor
Every year, all EU bathing waters are classified based on the bathing water quality results from the previous four years. A bathing area is classified as an EU bathing water if it has more than 200 bathers per day during the bathing season.
The classification provides a historical assessment of the bathing water quality and also indicates what the water quality is likely to be in the future.
Swimming is not recommended for the entire bathing season.
If a bathing water is classified as "Poor" under the EU bathing water classification, signs advising against swimming for the entire bathing season must be displayed.
These signs must remain in place throughout the bathing season, even if the latest water quality tests show low levels of bacteria and that the bathing water is of good quality.
Advice against swimming following an unsatisfactory water quality result
A sign advising against swimming is always displayed if the latest water quality test carried out by the Environmental Administration shows an unsatisfactory result. This means that the levels of bacteria are high and there is an increased risk of becoming ill.
A sign advising against swimming may therefore be displayed even if the EU bathing water classification sign shows the water quality as, for example, Excellent. The sign can be removed once a new water quality test shows that the bacteria levels have decreased.
You can still swim even if there is advice against swimming. It is not a ban on swimming.
The latest bathing water test results are available on the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management's website. In Swedish.
We test for the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and intestinal enterococci. These bacteria are normally found in the faeces of humans and other warm-blooded animals.
High levels of these bacteria in bathing water indicate that the water has been contaminated with faecal matter. If you swallow the water, there is an increased risk of becoming ill.
We do not carry out laboratory analyses to detect cercariae (parasites that cause swimmer's itch), algal toxins or other environmental pollutants.
The information on the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management's website is always the most up to date. Because it takes time for us to receive the test results and update the signs, the information on the website and at the bathing area may sometimes differ.
The same applies when there are signs advising against swimming at the bathing area. As soon as we receive a satisfactory result from a follow-up water quality test, we update the information on the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management's website and notify the responsible staff that the signs can be removed.
An unsatisfactory result means that the water contains high levels of intestinal bacteria and that we advise against swimming.
If you swallow the water, you may become ill.
When we receive an unsatisfactory result, we take follow-up water samples. The test does not identify the type of contamination, and it only reflects the water quality at the time the sample was taken. We therefore cannot determine how long the bacteria levels will remain too high.
Always check the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management's website for the latest water quality test results.
Our water quality test results apply only to the city's official bathing areas. They cannot be used to assess the water quality at other locations, such as natural beaches, even if they are nearby.
At larger bathing areas, we collect water samples at two sampling points. One sampling point is always located at the shoreline, while the other is usually located at a jetty. Sometimes the two sampling points produce different results.
This may be because water circulation and sources of contamination differ between the two locations. As a result, contamination may not reach one of the sampling points, or it may be diluted more quickly there.
Bathing water classified as "Satisfactory" is not necessarily free from bacteria, but the bacteria levels are low. Children often swallow more water than adults, which puts them at a higher risk of becoming ill. Because children have a smaller body size, they may also experience more severe symptoms than adults.
During algal blooms, algae may produce toxins that can make you ill. Bathing water may also contain microorganisms or parasites that can cause illness. These may occur naturally or enter the water through contamination or discharges.
If you swallow contaminated water, you may experience stomach pain, diarrhoea or vomiting. The symptoms vary depending on the type of virus, bacteria or parasite involved. You may also develop skin irritation, such as itching or a rash, or get ear infections or infections in open wounds.
Swimmer's itch is caused by cercariae, the larval stage of a parasite that infects waterbirds and lives in freshwater and brackish water. During the summer, when water temperatures are favourable, large numbers of cercariae may develop. Cercariae are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Symptoms
Swimmer's itch causes an itchy rash or small blisters on the skin that resemble mosquito bites. Although the symptoms can be uncomfortable, the condition is harmless and usually clears up on its own. In rare cases, some people may experience a stronger allergic reaction accompanied by a fever. Swimmer's itch cannot be passed from one person to another.
Reduce the risk
Shower as soon as possible after swimming. Change out of wet swimwear into dry clothes. Dry yourself thoroughly as soon as you get out of the water. Notify the Environment and Health Department
You are not required to report swimmer's itch, but we encourage you to let the Environment and Health Department know if you develop symptoms. This helps us understand how widespread it is in an area and enables us to inform the public.
We do not carry out laboratory analyses to detect the presence of cercariae.
The Environment and Health Department is responsible for monitoring bathing water quality, water sampling and supervising the management of the city's bathing areas.
The City District Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the bathing area. This includes putting up signs, cleaning the area and keeping waterfowl away.
Ekhagen, Hässelby Strandbad and Sköndalsbadet are managed by the Royal Djurgården Administration, Stockholm Exergi and the Sports Department, respectively.
The Environment and Health Department only tests bacteria levels at the city's official bathing areas. We cannot therefore provide information about bacteria levels at other locations. Swimming is always at your own risk.
There may be combined sewer overflows, stormwater outlets or other potential sources of contamination nearby. If there is a shipping lane, a marina or a marine fuel station in the area, swimming there may also be hazardous.
Most of Stockholm's inner city waterfront is designated as a harbour area, where swimming is prohibited, with some exceptions.
Dogs are not allowed at the municipality's public bathing areas between 1 June and 31 August. This is to show consideration for people with allergies, people who are afraid of dogs, and to help keep the bathing areas clean.
Dogs are allowed to swim at the rocky bathing area at Långholmen, and there is also a designated dog swimming area north of Sätra Strandbad.
If there are many birds at a swimming area, bird droppings can accumulate on the beach and on piers. Bird droppings can also lead to elevated bacteria levels in the bathing water.
The district administration is usually responsible for addressing bird-related issues by regularly cleaning up bird droppings.
You can report littering or bird droppings using the City's fault reporting service.
