{"id":65781,"date":"2026-07-16T13:31:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T10:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/the-worlds-best-cold-water-destinations\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T13:51:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T10:51:03","slug":"worlds-best-cold-water-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/worlds-best-cold-water-destinations\/","title":{"rendered":"The world\u2019s best cold water destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\n\n

Scotland\u2019s wild spirit: Cairngorms and Loch Lomond<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"View
View from the rocky shore of the still waters of Loch Lomond in Scotland, reflecting the surrounding mountains and cloudy sky like a mirror<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scotland\u2019s untouched nature makes it one of the world\u2019s leading centers of the \u201cwild swimming\u201d movement. In particular, An Lochan Uaine and Loch Morlich in Cairngorms National Park in northern Scotland are unique refuges for adventure lovers, with their surrounding pine forests and freezing mountain waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those seeking a larger scale and a more demanding challenge, Loch Lomond is an ideal fit. Home to one of Scotland\u2019s toughest open-water swims, the legendary marathon route that crosses the lake from end to end, this vast, deep lake tests even the most experienced open-water swimmers with its dark, freezing waters. As you swim among the majestic Highland mountains surrounding the lake, you feel nature’s pure power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best part is this: when you dive into these deep, dark Scottish waters, you may, for a moment, feel as if you have slipped into Hogwarts\u2019 Black Lake. It is no coincidence. In the Harry Potter films, the Black Lake scenes at the foot of the school were filmed at real Highland lochs, including Loch Shiel near Glenfinnan and Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater loch in the British Isles. The place where this magic began is, without question, Edinburgh. J.K. Rowling wrote the first book largely in this city. You can explore the streets that inspired Diagon Alley and other magical stops in our\u00a0Edinburgh travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To meet Scotland\u2019s wild waters and explore Harry Potter geography along the same route, you can check\u00a0flight options to Edinburgh<\/a>\u00a0and set off from Istanbul on a four-hour flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water temperature:<\/strong>\u00a0At Loch Lomond and the Cairngorms lochs, the water stays between 4 and 16 degrees all year. August is usually the warmest period and March the coldest.
Practical information:<\/strong>\u00a0Thanks to Scotland\u2019s right of responsible access, swimming in the lochs is free. No entry fee or permit is required. Loch Morlich has a beach, a cafe, and a watersports center on its shore. Parking here and around Loch Lomond is paid. On the Cairngorms side, the town of Aviemore is the main base for accommodation and dining. Around Loch Lomond, the village of Luss, the sightseeing boats at Balloch, and the lakeside walking routes are ideal for after your swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

A Baltic classic in the heart of Helsinki: Allas Sea Pool<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Panoramic
Panoramic view of the market square at Helsinki South Harbor, the open-air sea pool, boats along the shore, and the historic Helsinki Cathedral rising in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Finland, which refuses to give up its title as the world\u2019s happiest country, swimming in cold water is not a luxury but an inseparable part of daily life, social life, and wellness culture. The place to experience this practice in its most modern and accessible form is Allas Sea Pool. The Finnish word avanto refers to a hole cut into the ice for swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This facility in the center of Helsinki brings together freezing seawater pools, drawn from and filtered from the Baltic Sea, and warm wood-fired saunas right next to them. After swimming for a few minutes in the freezing water, you can step straight into the nearby sauna and experience the Finns\u2019 centuries-old formula in its natural setting. These lifeguarded pools are among the safest spots for those just starting cold-water swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to try the rhythm of moving from the sauna to ice-cold water and back to the sauna, you can book a\u00a0flight to Helsinki<\/a>\u00a0and fly directly to Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water temperature:<\/strong>\u00a0In winter, the water can drop to as low as 3 degrees.
Practical information:<\/strong>\u00a0A single entry ticket is 19 euros on weekdays and 24 euros at weekends (including after 2 p.m. on Friday). For children aged 3 to 12 it is 11 euros on weekdays. Tickets are valid for 3 hours, and students and retirees get a discount. The facility has five saunas, heated pools, Allas Cafe, the Seagrill restaurant, and a Sky Bar. Towels are available to rent. Allas sits right next to the Market Square (Kauppatori), a little over a kilometer from the central railway station, and is reachable by tram numbers 2, 4, and 5. On the way out, Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Cathedral, and the historic Old Market Hall are all within walking distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

A freezing fairytale in the Arctic Circle: Lofoten Islands<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Aerial
Aerial panoramic view of the steep green cliffs, the deep blue sea, and the cloudy sky over Norway\u2019s Lofoten Islands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you want to push your limits to the fullest and have a truly Arctic experience, set your course for Norway\u2019s Lofoten Islands. Located within the Arctic Circle, Lofoten is a fairy-tale land of snow-covered, steep fjords, turquoise, freezing waters, and traditional red fishermen\u2019s cabins (rorbuer). When you see these red cabins and rugged fjords, you may feel as if you have stepped into the kingdom of Arendelle from Frozen. It is no coincidence that when designing Arendelle, the film’s creators drew inspiration from Norwegian geography and architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diving into the icy waters of the fjords here takes courage, but the water\u2019s clarity and the surrounding scenery instantly turn the cold shock into unforgettable exhilaration. Jumping from portable saunas set up by the fjord into the freezing ocean is a favorite among extreme cold-water swimmers, \u201cice swimmers.\u201d The same region also hosts the northern lights from October to March. For those who want to dive into ice-cold water by day and watch the sky dance by night, this is the perfect place.\u00a0You can find the best places and times to see the northern lights in our\u00a0northern lights guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most practical way to reach Lofoten is via Oslo. With a\u00a0flight ticket to Oslo<\/a>, you can fly directly from Istanbul to Norway and then continue to the islands with a domestic connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water temperature:<\/strong>\u00a0Sea temperatures around the Lofoten Islands are quite cold all year. They sit at 3 to 5 degrees in winter and reach 12 to 14 degrees in summer (July to August).
Practical information:<\/strong>\u00a0Swimming in the fjords and on the beaches is free. The portable and floating saunas set up along the shore charge per session and require advance booking, especially in summer and during the northern lights season. The region has white-sand beaches such as Haukland and Kvalvika, fishing villages such as Reine and Henningsv\u00e6r, the surf center at Unstad, and numerous hiking routes. Traditional rorbu cabins are the most authentic option for accommodation. Weather conditions can turn harsh in winter, so it is worth keeping your swimming plans flexible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n \n \n \n <\/rect>\n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/g>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
\n
Widen your world.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \n