Can I drink the tap water in Sweden?

With thousands of lakes and plenty of rain and snow, clean drinking water is something Sweden has by the bucket load. Regardless of where you travel, the cold water that comes out of the taps is almost certainly safe to drink.

Because of this, Swedes rarely buy still bottled water – indeed, you may have a job tracking it down at convenience stores and small supermarkets, which usually only sell flavoured or sparkling water. A small bottle of sparkling water will usually set you back 22–35 SEK.

If you’re travelling around the country or spending a day sightseeing then it’s worth buying a drink from a shop and then re-filling the bottle from the tap at your hostel or hotel. The tap water in the bathrooms at restaurants, museums and other attractions is also safe to drink.

Sweden has a reputation for being clean and pollution-free, but you should still be careful about drinking from lakes, rivers and streams – even if it looks clean, it may not be safe to drink. Our guide to camping in Sweden has more info.

 


Accommodation

Culture

Food and drink

Health and safety

Money

Visas