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5 Breathtaking Wild Swimming Spots in Europe

ASMALLWORLD

Are you a nature lover or swimming enthusiast? Make a splash in one of Europe’s many wild swimming locations. From natural hot springs in Iceland to vibrant green waters in Lithuania, here are five of the best swimming spots on the continent.

Aare River, Bern, Switzerland

The Aare flows from The Alps to Switzerland’s capital city of Bern, where it is frequented by locals and travellers alike. The fast-flowing waterway is often filled with eager commuters during summer months, with several entry points along the riverbanks. Make sure you follow the advice of the experts when swimming here, as the tight river bends can result in strong undercurrents.

Una National Park, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Una Park is a rich tapestry of limestone cliffs, lush forests, and plenty of deep canyons for a refreshing dip and supposedly coined its name from the word ‘Una’ (which directly translates as ‘one and only’) after a Roman warrior discovered the area. The park is in a remote area approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Bihać, a city on the Bosnia Herzegovina-Croatia border, or 3-4 hours from Split and Ika, Croatia.

UNA NATIONAL PARK

Cascades du Hérisson, France

These gushing waterfalls in Eastern France cascade over vast cliffsides, leading to calmer swimming areas downstream. Cascades du Hérisson are located between Lyon and Dijon, approximately two hours away respectively.

Lake Tonsee, Germany

Looking for a picturesque swimming spot with a twist? Within an hour’s drive from Berlin you will reach this serene natural swimming spot, with dense forests and sandy beaches to match.

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Home to over 1500 lakes, Finland is perfect for a spot of wild swimming. Lake Saimaa is situated on the eastern side the country, on the Finnish-Russian border. While the lake freezes over during winter months, by late spring the ice has thawed to reveal glistening waters and a rejuvenated ecosystem.

LAKE SAIMAA

As an ASMALLWORLD Member, you can find elevated accommodation to match your swimming adventures at the click of a button. The Waldorf Astoria Berlin offers a cosmopolitan stay just an hour’s drive from the idyllic Lake Tonsee, while Hotel Kamp, Helsinki, combines five-star luxury with rural wild swimming (Lake Saimaa is a couple of hours away via a scenic train journey).

WALDORF ASTORIA BERLIN

© Courtesy of Hilton

Of course, you can book these and other European hotels with the ASMALLWORLD Collection

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