Värmland · Arvika · Summer Guide

By Christer at Sulvikstugby · Updated 22 May 2026

Swimming Spots Near Arvika: Our Favourites Within 40 Minutes from the Cabin

When guests step out of the car in Sulvik, the question is almost always the same: where is the best swimming spot near Arvika, and how far is it to walk down to the water? We have lived and run this cabin rental for many years, and we have seen which spots work for families with young children, which ones suit a quiet morning dip, and which are worth driving a little further for.

Here we share our own favourites. Only places we have been ourselves and can stand behind. We list distances from Sulvik, what you will actually find on-site, and when it tends to be quiet versus busy. No made-up kiosk prices, no rankings we cannot back up.

Quick summary

• Closest to the cabins: Glafsfjorden (1 km) and Kolsjön beach (3 km)
• Family-friendly with facilities: Ingestrand beach (18 km)
• Nature day trip: Sandvikengården (35 km) and Glaskogen's lakes (25 km)
• Near the town centre: swimming options close to Arvika town centre (11 km)

1. Glafsfjorden: The Lake Below the Cabin

Distance from Sulvik: about 1 km. It is so close that most guests simply walk down.

Glafsfjorden is the large lake that defines the whole area around Arvika, and for us at Sulvikstugby it is about as natural as the morning coffee. The water is quite clear from midsummer onwards, and since the lake is so large it rarely feels enclosed or stagnant.

When we recommend Glafsfjorden to first-time visitors we usually say: this is the place for you if you want silence, a dip after dinner, and a sunset that actually happens. It is not a developed beach with a kiosk and diving tower. It is lake, rocks, grass, and peace.

Good to know: there are no toilets or changing rooms right at the water's edge, so plan accordingly. Bring a towel from the cabin and use it as your base.

2. Kolsjön Beach: The Local Favourite

Distance from Sulvik: about 3 km.

Kolsjön is what we ourselves think of when someone says "a proper Swedish swimming spot". Smaller and quieter than the big lake beaches, but for exactly that reason so popular with families who want their children to run freely without jostling for space.

When we help guests with young children find the right place, we usually suggest Kolsjön in the morning. The water has time to warm up in the shallow edge and it is rarely full before lunch on a weekday. In the afternoon in July it can of course get busier, but it is never mass tourism.

Bear in mind that this is a natural bathing spot. The bottom is what it is, and there may be some rocky sections. Sandals for the smallest ones are a good idea.

3. Ingestrand Beach: The Outing Worth the Drive

Distance from Sulvik: 18 km. Allow just over 20 minutes by car.

Ingestrand is the beach we most often suggest when guests want to make a full day of it. It is a larger facility with more room for blankets, more open sandy area, and a clearer layout: a place where you can bring a packed lunch, stay for several hours, and let the children move back and forth between the water and the grass.

In our experience, Ingestrand works particularly well if you are travelling as several families together. There is simply space to spread out in a different way than at the smaller spots.

Want to avoid the hottest afternoon hours in July? Arrive before 11 am or after 4 pm. That is our own trick.

4. Sandvikengården: For Those Seeking Stillness

Distance from Sulvik: 35 km. An outing, not a spontaneous evening dip.

Sandvikengården is the place we suggest when someone says "we just want to hear the wind". It is a nature-close area you drive to for a combination of swimming, walking, fika with a view, and a slower pace. Plan to pack a thermos and stay a while.

5. Glaskogen Nature Reserve: Wilderness and Lakes

Distance from Sulvik: 25 km to the reserve's entry points.

Glaskogen is not a single swimming spot in the classic sense. It is a large hiking and nature reserve with several lakes where you can combine a longer day in nature with a dip along the way. We recommend it for active guests who are going hiking or paddling anyway, and who want the swim to be part of a bigger experience.

Which Swimming Spot Suits You Best?

Spot	Distance	Good for
Glafsfjorden	1 km	Evening dip, quiet, walking distance
Kolsjön	3 km	Families with young children, weekdays
Ingestrand	18 km	Full-day outing, larger groups
Glaskogen	25 km	Active guests, hiking plus swimming
Sandvikengården	35 km	Stillness, nature, longer trip

Getting There: Parking and Practical Tips

Everything we list here can be reached by car from Sulvik in between a few minutes and just over half an hour. The roads are signposted and generally good. We recommend a car for flexibility, especially if your group has different wishes during the day.

If you want to head into Arvika town centre (11 km) during the same day for an ice cream or lunch, that is easy to combine. Many of our guests do exactly that: a couple of hours at a swimming spot, then a trip into town.

Best Time to Go: How to Avoid the Crowds

Our basic rule: weekday mornings are golden. Weekend afternoons in July are when the larger spots are busiest. At the lakes closest to us, Glafsfjorden and Kolsjön, it is rarely crowded even on weekends, but for Ingestrand it can pay to arrive early.

The season for comfortable swimming starts around midsummer for most people and stays pleasant until mid-August. Early and late dips are an experience in themselves, but be prepared for fresher water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the nearest swimming spot from Sulvikstugby? Glafsfjorden is about 1 km from the cabins, so within walking distance. Kolsjön beach is 3 km away by car.

Is there a swimming spot suitable for young children? We are happy to suggest Kolsjön for families with small children: quiet and rarely crowded on weekdays. Ingestrand is a good option when you want more space to spread out.

Which swimming spot has the most room for a larger group? Ingestrand beach (18 km) is the one we most often recommend when several families are travelling together.

Can you swim in Glafsfjorden directly from Sulvik? Yes. The lake is about 1 km from the cabins and is what most of our guests use for spontaneous evening dips.

When is the water warmest? Generally from midsummer through to mid-August. August usually offers the most even and warmest swimming.

Can you combine swimming with a trip into Arvika? Absolutely. Arvika town centre is 11 km away and makes a great stop for lunch or ice cream between swims. Rackstadmuseet (12 km) or Klässbols Linneväveri (37 km) are lovely cultural additions.

Are there swimming options in nature reserves near Arvika? Glaskogen nature reserve (25 km) has several lakes along the hiking trails where a dip is part of the experience.

More on the Same Theme

• Renting a cabin in Arvika: our complete guide
• Hiking around Bergs klätt and Storkasberget
• Things to do in Värmland with children

Want one of Värmland's finest lakes as your cabin backdrop? Get in touch with us at Sulvikstugby. We are happy to answer any questions about the summer season.

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