Where can you swim on Ekerö?

Upplev Ekerö lists the municipal bathing spots: Lundhagsbadet, Södran, Stockbybadet, Mörbybadet, Karlskärsbadet and Adelsöbadet among others. Lundhagsbadet has jetties, a kiosk and changing rooms with toilets, and the municipality runs swimming lessons there in summer. All are in Lake Mälaren, in fresh water.

Can you get to Birka without a car?

Yes, that is the usual way: Strömma's boat from Klara Mälarstrand in Stockholm, with the museum and a guided tour included in the ticket. You only need a car if you want to take the short crossing from Hovgården.

Is it crowded in summer?

At Drottningholm and on Birka, yes, in the middle of the day in July. The bathing spots and trails on Färingsö and Adelsö are quiet even then. The ferry from Slagsta can have queues on Friday afternoons.

Can you fish in Lake Mälaren?

Fishing in Lake Mälaren is regulated by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and the county administrative board. Check what applies to rod fishing and where private water begins at svenskafiskeregler.se before you fish.

June to August

Summer

Summer is when the Mälaren islands live up to their name. The boats run to Birka and Drottningholm, the bathing spots open around every island, and the farms on Färingsö and Munsö let people into the fields. All of it within half an hour of Brommaplan.

What to do in summer

Swimming

The municipality looks after bathing spots around all the large islands: Lundhagsbadet and Södran on Ekerön, Stockbybadet by Stenhamra, Mörbybadet and Karlskärsbadet on Färingsö and Adelsöbadet on Adelsö. Eleven spots are monitored for water quality, and Södran has a diving tower, a kiosk and an outdoor gym.

Birka

The boat season to Björkö ran from 1 May to 11 October 2026. The day trip from Klara Mälarstrand takes the whole day with a guided tour and the museum; from Hovgården on Adelsö it is a quarter of an hour across the sound.

Drottningholm from the water

In summer Strömma sails from Klara Mälarstrand to the palace jetty, an hour's journey through the approaches to Lake Mälaren. The park is at its best when the lime avenues are green, and the Court Theatre plays its summer season.

Your own boat

Guest harbours in Jungfrusund, at Rastaholm and on Birka. The commuter boat takes bikes free of charge when there is room, and kayaks and SUP boards are hired at Södran and elsewhere.

Strawberries and flowers

Pick-your-own strawberries and summer flowers on the farms of Färingsö, Munsö and Ekerön from midsummer. The farm shops sell vegetables and the first apples of the summer. See the shopping page.

Golf

Three courses in the municipality: the Royal Drottningholm Golf Club by the palace, Mälarö Golf Club at Skytteholm and Troxhammar on Färingsö.

Walking

Lovö runt, about 17 kilometres along the shore past the palace; the Adelsö hiking trail, 16 kilometres past Hovgården; the Ekerö-Munsö trail through the Huvududden and Bonavik reserves; and the short nature trail on Eldgarnsö.

Hilma af Klint

The Hilma af Klint's studio association holds a summer exhibition at its visitor centre in the old vicarage on Adelsö, and arranges tours around the area where she lived and painted on Munsö.

The water is fresh

What sets Ekerö apart from the archipelago is that Lake Mälaren is a lake. The water is fresh, it warms up earlier than the sea and there are no salt winds. Almost half the municipality's area is water, 167 km² of 384 km², and it shows: wherever you are, a jetty is close by.

Common questions

Where can you swim on Ekerö?: Upplev Ekerö lists the municipal bathing spots: Lundhagsbadet, Södran, Stockbybadet, Mörbybadet, Karlskärsbadet and Adelsöbadet among others. Lundhagsbadet has jetties, a kiosk and changing rooms with toilets, and the municipality runs swimming lessons there in summer. All are in Lake Mälaren, in fresh water.
Can you get to Birka without a car?: Yes, that is the usual way: Strömma's boat from Klara Mälarstrand in Stockholm, with the museum and a guided tour included in the ticket. You only need a car if you want to take the short crossing from Hovgården.
Is it crowded in summer?: At Drottningholm and on Birka, yes, in the middle of the day in July. The bathing spots and trails on Färingsö and Adelsö are quiet even then. The ferry from Slagsta can have queues on Friday afternoons.
Can you fish in Lake Mälaren?: Fishing in Lake Mälaren is regulated by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and the county administrative board. Check what applies to rod fishing and where private water begins at svenskafiskeregler.se before you fish.

Where to stay

Hotels and conference estates by the water on Ekerön and Färingsö, a hostel at Rastaholm, bed and breakfast on the farms and glamping on Birka in season. See all accommodation.

When the apples ripen, autumn begins, with cider and the Konstringen open studios.

Information last checked 19 October 2026.