9 Scandinavian beaches to get away from the crowds
The Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway may not be the first places if you think about the beach destination. But they all have outstanding coastlines that are Instagram worthy. One of the best things about Scandinavian beaches is that you can enjoy many of them in total privacy.
Strandway Amager Park
Copenhagen has a park with five kilometers of sandy beach, which is located near the city center. The beach is divided into two parts. Part of it is within a two-kilometer section of an artificial island with a lagoon that also serves as a children's playground. The other part of it is vast dunes and a quaint embankment. As you'd expect, given that it's in the heart of Denmark's capital, this beach is usually very crowded and a great place for swimming, surfing or kayaking.
Hawang beach
Skåne County, located near Sweden's southernmost point, has some incredible beaches. One of the best is Hawang Beach. This golden sandy expanse stretches north to the quaint town of Kivik. It is a very picturesque beach with a rustic feel, complemented by beautiful countryside with meadows, forests and low hills.
Hietaniemi beach
The most popular beach in Helsinki is the delightful Hietaniemi Beach. This stunning sandy expanse is not a miracle of nature. Initially, it was a landfill, and then a special place for storing sand delivered by barges, which people began to use as a beach. Today Hietaniemi is a popular place for swimming, walking and playing volleyball. Next to the local cafe is a great place where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or beer while watching the sunset.
This beach is just amazing. It stretches for about 6 kilometers along the western coast of the country. This beach has a wild and unspoiled feel, with giant dunes and dense forests complementing the sparkling azure waters of the Gulf of Bothnia. It lies between the Yyteri Nature Trail and the Bothnian Sea National Park. Here are some of the highest dunes in Europe, as well as dense forests, magnificent meadows and impressive sandbanks.
Tulliniemi beach
If you are looking for a Finnish beach where you can escape the hustle and bustle, Tulliniemi Beach is for you. It is located near Hanko, on the southern coast of the country. This beach perfectly embodies the harsh landscapes that Finland is well known for. The coastline here is much more rocky than anywhere else in Finland and is strewn with much larger rocks and pebbles. The area is also surrounded by rounded cliffs, green forests, picturesque meadows and even a bird sanctuary.
Reynisfjara beach
Speaking of black sand beaches, one of the best is Reynisfjara Beach. It is located near Reykjavik, at the coastal village of Vik i Myrdal. This beach contains the southernmost point of the country, the 120-meter cape Dirholaey. It is also home to North Atlantic puffins that nest on the rocks of the nearby Reynisfjall mountain, which has several fascinating caves and the imposing Reynisdrangar sea cliffs.
Vestrahorn
Another fantastic black sand beach lies at the foot of the Vestrahorn. The view of towering cliffs, smoothly turning into a flat expanse of black sand beach, is mesmerizing. This is a very interesting place to walk, as there are lava dunes, the wreckage of a wooden ship, a small lighthouse, the remains of a NATO radar station, and even an abandoned Viking village film set waiting to be explored.
Molen beach
If you love rocks and boulders, then Molen Beach will be your Disneyland. The beach is located near Oslo. This pebbly beach in Norway is made up of over 100 different types of rocks. Most of them date back to the last ice age in Europe, about 12,000 years ago. These include about 230 sacred round mounds with a diameter of more than 35 meters. This beach is home to over 300 species of birds.
Bunes beach
The magnificent Lofoten Islands are known for their breathtaking scenery, majestic mountains, crystal clear fjords and stunning secluded beaches. One of the best is Bunes beach. This beach is located in a wide bay with glacially chiseled rocks and flawless white sand.
This is a great place to reconnect with nature. This beach is so secluded that it can only be reached by ferry across the fjord from Reine to Windstad.