Langholmen
A small Stockholm island that held the country's main prison until 1975, now a park with the city's best beach.
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Langholmen held Sweden's largest prison from the eighteenth century until it closed in 1975, and the buildings were kept: the main block is now a hotel and hostel where you can sleep in a converted cell, with a prison museum in part of it. The rest of the island was turned over to park - lawns, rock outcrops, paths round the shore, and Langholmsbadet, a sand beach on the west side which is the closest proper swimming to central Stockholm and consequently full on hot days. The water in Riddarfjarden is clean enough to swim in, which is unusual for a city centre. Views run to the city hall and Kungsholmen.
What you actually see
- A prison closed in 1975 - now a hotel, hostel and museum.
- Langholmsbadet - a sand beach on the west side.
- Park and rock shoreline - paths all round the island.
- Clean water in the middle of a city - swimmable in summer.
When to go
May to September for swimming. Half a day.
Honest expectations
The beach is small and packed on hot days. The museum keeps limited hours. Much of the prison is hotel and not open. It is a short visit outside swimming weather.
Nearby
Sodermalm is over the bridge; Reimersholme is west.
What to pack for Langholmen
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
