Top ten Swedish beaches

With summer in the air and the holiday season approaching, Ulrika Österlund pulls on her sunglasses and takes a look at ten of Sweden's best beaches.

• Topless woman to be lifted from Swedish map (21 May 13)
• Topless Swedish beach bunny sparks outrage (20 May 13)
• SAS now cheapest on several European routes (18 Apr 13)

Sudersand
Gotland’s most beautiful and popular beach has a little bit of everything for everyone, from the young family seeking unspoiled sands and leisure activities to the player checking out the local talent.

With pedal boats for hire, a mini golf course, restaurants, a café, kiosk and ice cream bar on the beach, visitors have plenty to keep them busy should they tire of the long, wide stretches of soft sand.

The adjacent holiday village has cottages and rooms for rent.

For further information: www.sudersand.se

Böda
Öland’s longest beach stretches almost 20 km, the ultimate destination for the sun worshipper.

Comforts such as sun loungers and showers are available, as well as dog bathing areas for the vacationing pooch.

KronoCamping Böda Sand is a great place to stay with countless activities, including water sports, golf, cycling and beach volleyball as well as relaxation in saunas and steam baths.

For further information: www.bodasand.se

Smedsuddsbadet
The closest thing you will find to a beach in the capital, Smedsuddsbadet is actually a real sandy beach.

Located on Kungsholmen (metro: Fridhemsplan) by the calm waters of Riddarfjärden, the beach is very popular with locals and is perfect for al fresco lunching.

Facilities include changing rooms, toilets and showers.

For further information: www.stockholmtown.com

Långholmsbadet
Another Stockholm gem can be found on the capital’s seventh biggest island (metro: Hornstull).

Luscious green areas and bare cliffs make this city beach very attractive. An outdoor café serves grub for those who do not bring their own picnic.

For further information: www.stockholmtown.com

Skutberget
Situated on the northern shore of Lake Vänern, also known as the “Riviera of Värmland”, Skutberget is the most well known beach in Karlstad.

There is plenty for everyone at the accompanying campground, including football, mountain biking, hiking, a sauna and a playground for children.

With a restaurant, café, kiosk and corner shop there are lots of ways to keep hunger at bay.

For further information: www.firstcamp.se/karlstad

Varamon
The “Pearl of Vättern” in Motala boasts 80 more hours of sun on average per year than the rest of the country.

Cafés, restaurants and ice-cream kiosks line the beachfront. For the sporty type there is windsurfing, kayaking and volleyball.

Children have tons of space and fine sand to make sandcastles.

For further information: www.varamon.se

Tylösand
Flashy beach in Halland where people flock to see and be seen.

Lifeguards à la David Hasselhoff line the crowded surf and turf.

Should the mood strike, windsurfing, beach volleyball and football are all optional activities.

Tons of restaurants, fast food stands and ice-cream vendors ply their trade in the area.

The camping facilities next door make for easy living.

For further information: www.firstcamp.se/tylosand

Skanör-Falsterbo
Upmarket seaside resort links the white windswept beaches of these Skanian twin towns.

Shallow waters make it perfect for children to bathe and play.

Beachside eateries cater to various tastes. There is also a nudist beach.

A nightclub and jazz evenings keep things going after dark.

For further information: www.skane.com

Sandhammaren
At the southeastern tip of Sweden lies this white beach, complete with rolling dunes and fine grained sand.

The waters surrounding it can be somewhat temperamental.

For further information: www.ystad.se

Ribersborg
Real city beach in downtown Malmö with wooden piers jutting out into shallow waters.

Ribersborg has everything a visitor could need for pure relaxation: from restaurants, showers, green areas and barbecues to the famous old bathing house.

Also caters for nudists and dogs who each have their own separate stretches of sand.

For further information: www.visitsweden.com