Welcome to the Planetswimmer blog! Stories from swimming indoors and outdoors, from ice swimming to tropical beaches. Not to mention hotel pools! While the Planetswimmer mostly swims in Finland, he has explored beaches and pools in 44 countries, in a total of 313 places. You can click on the map below to see where in the world they took place or see the full list of articles below.
The Planetswimmer articles appeared originally in the Blogspot Planetskier series, at TGR posts, or at the Relaa website. See also the articles about skiing, caving, urban exploration, climbing, cycling, flying, and saunas.
All swimming-related articles:
| Refurbished Tuusula Swimming Hall The Tuusula swimming hall has been in renovations for a long time, a year? Now at the start of the summer 2026 it re-opened. Of course I had to visit! Full story Alternate link July 2027, Tuusulan Uimahalli, Hyrylä, Tuusula, Finland Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool); Sauna (Normal) | |
| Solgårdsparken beach swim On my way back to the airport I saw a beach on the way, just by the road. A quick swim was called for, after a lot of sweaty skiing and bunkering and travel around Copenhagen. Full story Alternate link July 2026, Solgårdsparken strand, Køge, Denmark Swimming (Water, Waterbody-Sea, Beach) | |
| Plaža Grandovac swim There's a few beaches around the town of Vis (on the island of Vis) in the Croatian archipelago. Like the one in front of the hotel Issa. Plaža Grandovac is another beach, in the natural environment where you can't really see the city just the sea and the beautiful pine tree forests. It is northeast from the city, at the entrance of the bay. You can walk there from the city, it is about a 2 km walk. A nice walk! Full story Alternate link June 2026, Plaža Grandovac, Vis, Vis, Croatia Swimming (Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Sea, Beach) | |
| Valkeakoski swimming hall Valkeakoski. I knew this place mostly for the paper mill, but it is small city. And has a swimming hall! Since I was nearby, I wanted to try it. Full story Alternate link June 2026, Valkeakosken uimahalli, Valkeakoski, Finland Swimming (Waterbody-Pool, Water, Indoor); Sauna (Normal) | |
| Pilvijärvi swim Small but cute. And very sandy. A most of all, near my work place in Kirkkonummi, just a 14 minute drive... good evening exercise. Full story Alternate link June 2026, Pilvijärven uimaranta, Kirkkonummi, Finland Swimming (Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Lake, Beach) | |
| Vilnius Grand Resort Spas I tried to do my trip to Lithuania in a day, but the drives and the caves and skiing took too much time to really do it, so I opted for a 24 hour trip instead. I need a place to stay for the night, and the Vilnius Grand Resort seemed to fit the bill: affordable price (100€) per night, not too far from the airport, had a spa, and most importantly, the spa was open late into the night so I wouldn't miss when coming back from my tour. Full story Alternate link June 2026, Vilnius Grand Resort, Vilnius, Lithuania Swimming (Indoor, Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool); Sauna (Normal, Steam) | |
| Meiko swim Meiko is a lake and a natural protection area in Kirkkonummi, Finland. There's ample hiking routes, I took the 4.5 kilometer Kotokierros route, very nice across multiple small lakes. When I returned I walked to the Meiko lake itself for a dip in the lake. Full story Alternate link June 2026, Meiko, Kirkkonummi, Finland Swimming (Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Lake); Hiking | |
| Plaža Rogačić swim A pristine beach, likely no one else visiting when you are. Even in the middle of the hottest tourist season. So pristine that marine life -- such as starfish or sea urchins -- like to hang out there. Still, the beach is easily accessible. This is Rogačić beach, a couple of kilometers north from the town of Vis on the island of Vis. Full story Alternate link June 2026, Plaža Rogačić, Rogačić, Vis, Croatia Swimming (Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Sea, Beach) | |
| Aulanko swim and (man-made) bear cave Another after-work evening activity: visiting Aulanko's spa (hosted by the Scandic hotel Aulanko). This is a historic spa location, the old spa building is still there but today's spa visits are in the new fancy building. I had also heard about "bear cave" in the adjoining Aulanko nature park. Full story Alternate link May 2026, Kylpylä Scandic Aulanko, Aulanko, Hämeenlinna, Finland; Karhuluola, Aulanko, Hämeenlinna, Finland Swimming (Indoor, Outdoor, Waterbody-Pool, Water); Sauna (Normal, Infrared, Steam); Caving (Basic, Rock, Rock-Granite, Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Other) | |
| Bath Baths Two spas, separated by one block and two thousand years. One you can't swim in because it is dangerous, and one you can swim in. If you are a guest at the hotel, that is. Full story Alternate link May 2026, Roman Baths, Bath, United Kingdom; The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath, United Kingdom Swimming (None); Urban-Exploration (Ruins, Historic); Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool); Sauna (Normal, Steam, Infrared) | |
| Kruunupuisto swims I'm at a health rehab this week, in chose the place so that I could enjoy the nature at the same time. I'm in Hotel Kruunupuisto, on the national landscape of Punkaharju where thin sandy ridges cross lakes. The Finnish "road of the century" runs along the ridges, lined up with pine trees and the water. Wonderful place. I also tested the hotel spa, the hotel beach, and biked around the the area. Full story Alternate link May 2026, Kruunupuisto, Punkaharju, Finland; Kruunupuiston uimaranta, Punkaharju, Finland; Vuosisadan tie, Punkaharju, Finland Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool); Sauna (Normal, Infrared); Swimming (Outdoor, Water, Waterbody-Lake); Biking (Bike-Road, Outdoor, Track-Road) | |
| Savonlinna caves & swims I was returning from my trip to Punkaharju and again wanted to stop by interesting places on this four-hour drive. I picked two interesting caves south of Savonlinna, and a swim at Savonlinna's "PikkuSaimaa" swimming pool. Right by the lake, and where you can see Olavinlinna (Olavi's castle). Overall a very nice tour, even if the caves turned out to be mostly shelter caves not proper tunnels under the rock. Full story Alternate link May 2026, Haukkavuoren Lippaluola, Savonlinna, Finland; Haukkavuoren Halkeamaluola, Savonlinna, Finland; Myllylahden Linnalouhen Iso Lippaluola, Savonlinna, Finland; Myllylahden Linnalouhen Kolmioluola, Savonlinna, Finland; Savonlinnan uimahalli PikkuSaimaa, Savonlinna, Finland Caving (Basic, Rock, Morphology-Crack, Morphology-Erosion, Surveying); Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool); Sauna (Normal) | |
| Skiing, Caves, and Swimming on one trip I managed a Mother's Day trip with a visit to see my mom, but also to ski a closed ski hill, hike to see a cave, and swim at a new swimming hall. Full story Alternate link May 2026, Kokonniemen hiihtokeskus, Porvoo, Finland; Kolisevan Pirunpesä, Iitti, Finland; Kuusankosken uimahalli, Kuusankoski, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Caving (Basic, Rock, Rock-Unknown, Morphology-Crack, Morphology-Erosion); Swimming (Water, Waterbody-Pool, Indoor); Sauna (Normal) | |
| BiBi BAZENI BiBi BAZENI is a small swimming hall in Belgrade, Serbia. No fancy things, just swimming. Can be rented for your group of four, for private use. The main pool is a bit shallow, however. Full story Alternate link April 2026, BiBi BAZENI, Belgrade, Serbia Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool) | |
| Tampere Conferences, hotels, saunas, and swims Tampere. I was just here for a cottage visit ... but this time in a conference, staying at a hotel ... and visiting the hotel sauna and a local swimming pool for fun. Nice trip. Always love Tampere! Full story Alternate link April 2026, Hotelli Scandic Tampere Asema, Tampere, Finland; Pyynikin uimahalli, Tampere, Finland Travel; Sauna (Normal); Sauna (Normal); Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool) | |
| Crowne Plaza and Forever Gym swim in Töölo By now, it is VERY hard to find swimming places under two hours driving distance from me. But now I found one, in Töölo, in the city center of Helsinki! Full story Alternate link April 2026, Forever Töölo, Töölö, Helsinki, Finland Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool) | |
This is the 1th set of articles. The next sets are set 2, set 3, set 4, set 5, set 6, set 7, set 8, set 9, set 10, set 11, set 12, set 13, set 14, set 15, set 16, set 17, set 18, set 19, set 20, and set 21.