Nordic Beaches // The Viking Coast

• Diamond Beach // Iceland

  

  Diamond beach on the south coast is one of the most visited beaches in the whole of Iceland. About 6 hours from the capital Reykjavik this black sand beach sits at the mouth of the Jökulsárlón lagoon. Here huge chunks of ice gather from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier which in turn is fed by the largest icecap in Europe - the Vatnajökull.

  Whilst the Jökulsárlón lagoon is dominated by the icebergs drifting towards the coast smaller chunks are deposited on the volcanic sands at its mouth. The local name of… read more »

• Sólheimasandur Beach // Iceland

  

  In geological terms, the black sand plains of Sólheimasandur are a baby. Formed centuries, rather than millions of years ago the bleak landscape here is the result of glacial action caused by an eruption of one of Iceland's largest and most active volcanoes - Katla.

  However, this uniquely Icelandic landscape is only the backdrop to Sólheimasandur beach's main attraction - the US Navy DC-3 plane wreck. Creating an evocative outline on the otherwise featureless plains this site has become one of the region's biggest tourist attractions. In fact a car… read more »

• Eriks Hale // Denmark

  

  The Ærø island beach of Eriks Hale is set on a narrow spit of land which juts out into the Baltic Sea. This has the effect of creating a beach with two very different coasts. To one side the Baltic Sea crashes against the sand, whilst to the back of the beach you have the sheltered lagoon of "Lille Hav" and the marina beyond. The calm waters here are ideal for taking a dip

  You'll find practically nothing here in the way of amenities, and that's the way it's intended. When… read more »

• Bellevue Strand // Denmark

  

  Summer holidays are a big part of the way of life in Denmark – literally. Holiday time has been mandated by the Danish government since the 1930s, and since then Bellevue Strand has been one of the most popular beaches in the country. That is due in no small part to the fact it is located within a stone's throw of the capital, Copenhagen.

  Danish architect Arne Jacobsen was responsible for the iconic striped blue watchtowers that line the way near the sea. He also designed the adjacent Bellevue Theatre which… read more »

• Lakolk Strand // Denmark

  

  Just across the border from Germany on the little barrier island of Rømø is the wide open windswept expanse of Lakolk Strand. Often battered by the wind and waves of the North Sea this is both a place to feel at one with the elements, but also a great family beach during the summer months.

  borders a UNESCO nature preserve, so if you're looking for a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and bask in some of the most beautifully cathartic and restful areas… read more »

• Amager Strandpark // Denmark

  

  Amager Strandpark is a beach with two sides, literally. Sitting on a 2 km long artificial island there is a lagoon on one side that serves as a kids paddling pool. On the other side of the beach, there are large sand dunes and a promenade along which you’ll find people playing ball and picnicking. From the beach there are views of a nearby windmill park as well as the Øresundsbroen Bridge, which connects Denmark and Sweden.

  There is definitely an active feel to Amager beach with all manner of surfers,… read more »

• Hornbæk Strand // Denmark

  

  Within an hour's drive of Copenhagen, Hornbæk Strand is both the biggest and most popular beach in the region, and with good reason. For one thing, Hornbæk Beach is as soft a sandy beach as you’ll find anywhere. Its fine-grained sand is both soothing between the toes or to bask on top of, making this a great place to relax. That sand also collects in some impressive dunes that help block wind and add give Hornbæk Beach an altogether wild feel.
  

  For those in the mood for beach food, you'll find… read more »

• Agger Strand // Denmark

  

  Located within the Thy National Park, Agger Strand is a stand out natural beautiy among Danish beaches. A seemingly endless stretch of wind-blown soft white sand this stretch of the Danish west coast is both wild and stunning.

  The area has a long tradition of fishing, and remains home to a small, but active, fishing community. In the village, just behind the beach, are a number of traditional fisherman's cottages which have been preserved and are open to visitors.

  Grassy dunes dot the landscape nearby, and offer all manner of different berries… read more »

• Løkken strand // Denmark

  

  Stretching for 10 km Løkken Strand is home to some of the best waves and softest sand in the whole of North Jutland. Given the pristine nature of this section of the North Sea coast it also has some of the cleanest water in Denmark.

  During the summer months swimming is popular at Løkken beach and there are lifeguards on duty. In addition, as a regular recipient of the Blue Flag, you can be confident there are plenty of facilities to make this a great family beach.

  Adding to the distinctive… read more »

• Grenen // Denmark

  

  One of the most unique places in Denmark, Grenen sits at the very northernmost tip of the country on a narrow peninsula. The name translates as "The Branch" and this refers to this long spit of land barely a kilometre wide. That special location makes it one of the best beaches to catch the roaring waves that are so much a part of Danish west coast beaches. Here the Skagerrak (part of the North Sea) and Kattegat sea meet, the waves from the two seas crashing into one another and… read more »

• Suomenlinna // Finland

  

  Probably by far the most historic beaches in Helsinki, Suomenlinna Beach began life as a Swedish fortress when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. The original entrance to the fortress, Kuninkaanportti ("King's Gate") and its antique cannons continue to stand as symbols of Suomenlinna. The area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Adding to that rich history is nearby Suomenlinna Church, built in 1854 and one of only three churches in Finland to serve as a lighthouse for both planes and ships.

  The beach area itself… read more »

• Bunes Beach // Norway

  

  From the photographs of Bunes Beach it is hard to imagine the scale of things here. But in reality everything is bigger than you expected; the white sand of the beach stretches further in every direction and the mountains are huge.

  The beach sits in a wide, glacier-carved valley with Storskiva to one side and the looming Helvetestind to the other, rising 600 metres straight up from the beach. This makes for a spectacular backdrop, if not a little menacing until the sun lights up the mountainsides.

  But even without… read more »

• Foten // Norway

  

  Foten beach is located a few kilometres west of Fredrikstad, just across the border from Sweden. It is probably the best beach in the area and comprises of a little bay of smooth rocks enclosing a lovely little sandy beach. To the rear is woodland and the view out over the calm waters and islands of the Skagerrak.

  This is a perfect family beach with safe swimming and plenty of facilities. This is recognised in the Blue Flag award the beach has received. Besides swimming there is plenty to do… read more »

• Tofta strand // Sweden

  

  The Baltic island of Gotland lies approximately halfway between Sweden and Latvia (around 100km / 60 miles from either). As well as being Sweden's largest island it is also home to many of the Scandinavian country's finest beaches. Possibly at the top of this list is the 2km (1.5 mile) long sandy Tofta beach.

  Stretching from Tofta in the south to Gnisvärds fishing village in the north this is the second largest beach on Gotland. With soft, near white sands gently sloping into the often chilly waters of the Baltic… read more »

• Solastranden // Norway

  

  Solastranden, or Solar Beach, is a lovely crescent of fine golden sand on the edge of Stavanger. It is the best beach in the area and a few years back it was even listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by the Sunday Times. Whilst we maybe wouldn't go that far there is no doubt Solar beach is one of the finest in Norway.
  

  Stretching for over 2 kilometres and backed by low dunes with fields beyond, there is a real feeling of open space here.… read more »

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