With their generally cooler temperatures compared to the Mediterranean, the Nordic countries offer refreshing swimming spots (wetsuit optional – depending on your tolerance), unspoiled landscapes off the beaten track (hiking boots are just as appropriate as flip-flops), innovative restaurants, and stylish accommodations. These six Nordic summer beaches are definitely worth keeping in mind – for a cool getaway in the far north.
From golden beaches and refreshing swims in clear fjords to soothing baths in geothermal water – naturally with a visit to the bastu or sauna: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland are perfect destinations for anyone who prefers to spend the summer relaxing rather than sweating it out.
1. Tylösand Beach, Halmstad, Sweden
Thanks to the Ice Age, when mountain formations were ground into the finest sand, Halland on Sweden’s west coast boasts some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. Particularly impressive is Tylösand, with its seven-kilometer-long, powder-white strip of sand, bordered by grassy dunes and the Haverdal Nature Reserve. In summer, pleasant water temperatures of 15 to 20 °C and mild air temperatures around 21 °C beckon visitors.
Those seeking social interaction rather than tranquility will find themselves in the perfect place: Tylösand is considered the Swedish St. Tropez – mojitos in beach clubs with house music, and beach volleyball in the evening sun. The sauna culture at Hotel Tylösand is also refreshingly different: hot sauna sessions alternate with ice-cold plunge pools – a true energy reset.
Food lovers will find their paradise at Fyr , located right on the beach – chef and owner Jacob Holmström serves exquisitely prepared fish here. In summer, Fyr på Stranden also opens – a casual offshoot with no reservation required, offering creative small dishes.
Gothenburg is about 90 minutes away and is an excellent base for day trips to the beach. For a stylish stay, the boutique Hotel Pigalle offers a charming blend of 1920s Parisian flair, a touch of extravagance, and a delightful rooftop terrace.
2. Yyteri Beach, Pori, Finland
Yyteri Beach near Pori on Finland’s west coast is another natural wonder by the sea. With around three kilometers of protected, golden sand and gentle dunes covered in marram grass, Yyteri is currently the first and only beach in Finland to receive the international Blue Flag certification. The shallow water, with temperatures between 15 and 18 °C, is perfect for swimming – lifeguards are on duty from mid-June to mid-August. Stand-up paddleboarding and windsurfing are also possible here (the average summer temperature is a pleasant 22 °C). For beginner surfers, Merisatamatie 13 Dog Beach offers suitable wave conditions.Approximately 30 kilometers of hiking trails crisscross the Yyteri region, leading along sandy paths, through pine forests, and along the shallow mudflats. These mudflats attract large numbers of wading birds such as plovers and redshanks – a paradise for nature observers.
A good starting point for excursions: the Lapland Hotel Tampere in Finland’s second largest city, about a 90-minute drive away. The rooms exude Nordic flair with dark wooden floors and “Arctic Dream” beds; some suites offer private saunas.
Culinary highlights in Tampere include the celebrated restaurant Kajo : The constantly changing “Ode to Nature” menu combines seasonal Finnish ingredients with Asian techniques – such as char with plum and shiso , aromatic mushroom broth with glazed sourdough brioche or rhubarb granita with elderflower sabayon and ginger oil .
3. Ingierstrand, Sætre and Tofte: Beaches in and around Oslo, Norway
After a mix of city and beach experiences, a beach-to-beach adventure around Oslo and the greater Oslo area is well worth considering. Just about 30 minutes from the city center lies the family-friendly Ingierstrand, where rocky outcrops give way to a gentle sandy beach – bordered by flat slabs of stone along the Bunnefjord.
A true highlight: the striking diving board from the 1930s in functionalist style, with platforms at heights of 3, 5, and 10 meters. It’s particularly atmospheric to watch the daredevils plunge into the approximately 20°C warm water at sunset.
About an hour’s drive south of Oslo lies the small, naturally situated Sætre beach – a tranquil stretch of coastline with rocky terrain, birch and pine trees, perfect for relaxation.
Further south, at the tip of the Asker Peninsula, you’ll find more secluded beaches like Tofte, which entice visitors with dramatic coastal hiking trails and unspoiled nature. The Tofte–Sandbukta–Østnestangen trail through the nature reserve of the same name is particularly worthwhile – with a bit of luck, you might spot seals or seabirds along the way. For
a stylish overnight stay, consider the Amerikalinjen , right in the heart of Oslo. This historic neo-Baroque building was once the headquarters of the Norwegian America Line, and today its interior charmingly reflects this maritime past. The hotel’s café serves excellent bagels, including a version with Brunost (Norwegian brown cheese) and a striking magenta version with beetroot. In the evening, a New York-inspired jazz club awaits in the basement.
Culinary standards are set by the 2-Michelin-starred restaurant Kontrast (also awarded a Green Star ): Chef Mikael Svensson reinterprets Nordic cuisine – with narrative flair and ingredients from responsible, small-scale farming. Those who prefer experimental and exotic fare should visit Plah – a fixture in Oslo for over 20 years, known for its modern fusion of Norwegian and Thai flavors.
4. Haukland Beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Ready for a secluded beach paradise? Haukland Beach on the island of Vestvågøy in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago boasts dazzling white sand, imposing mountain scenery, and crystal-clear azure waters. Getting there isn’t entirely straightforward, but it’s well worth the effort. Options include flying to Bodø, taking a ferry to Moskenes, and then driving for about an hour – or taking an additional flight from Bodø to Leknes, followed by a short 15-minute drive. The reward: landscapes that could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean.
The water, however, is considerably more refreshing – in July the average temperature is around 12°C, with annual temperatures ranging between 3 and 15°C. Wetsuits and sit-on kayaks can be rented on site. While you shouldn’t expect gourmet cuisine, a seasonal beach café offers tasty snacks such as smoked salmon sandwiches, bacalao (salt cod), and banana bread from June to September.
For accommodation, head to Moskenes and Holmen Lofoten , which also hosts culinary events with guest chefs like Simon Rogan and Ana Roš under the name ” Kitchen on the Edge .” Guests stay in modern fishermen’s cabins and Scandinavian-style suites, some with panoramic sea views.
5. Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach, Reykjavík, Iceland
For those who love the interplay between cool fjord dives and warm, relaxing baths, the man-made beach of Nauthólsvík, not far from Reykjavík’s city center, is a dream come true. On the Atlantic coast, with water temperatures between 10 and 15 °C, stretches a golden-yellow sandy beach – a rarity in Iceland, where most beaches have black sand. The fine sand grains come from Morocco.
The tidal lagoon, filled with seawater, is particularly appealing, warmed to a pleasant 17 °C in summer thanks to geothermal energy.
Even warmer is the hotel’s own whirlpool in the lagoon, which is kept between 35 and 38 °C. Those who visit between midday and the evening hours of 5 to 7 pm will often encounter members of the Reykjavík sea swimming community, who use Nauthólsvík as their base.
Nearby, the hilly, wooded hiking trails of Öskuhlíð and the Perlan Museum invite exploration. Reykjavík also offers a wide range of culinary options: from extensive menus at the MICHELIN-starred and Green Star- awarded ÓX , where foraged and preserved ingredients are prepared according to the nose-to-tail philosophy, to the newcomer Hosiló , recently listed in the MICHELIN Guide. This industrial-style restaurant is run by three friends—Númi Þorkell Thomasson, Atli Ottesen, and Aðalsteinn Ragnar Benediktsson—and features a weekly changing menu.
Accommodation is available at the centrally located Hotel ION City on Laugavegur, which features design-oriented rooms that combine recycled wooden floorboards, mid-century style furniture and lava stone showers.
