Revitalized River Swimming in Six European Cities: A Look at the Urban Bathing Revival

The riverbanks of several European cities are now welcoming swimmers, thanks to years of clean-up and infrastructure improvements. This trend, which began in the 1990s, has transformed urban landscapes and provided residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to enjoy water activities in the heart of the city.

In Paris, the River Seine, long known for its polluted waters, is now swimmable after a thorough clean-up and upgrade of the sewage system. This change has opened up new possibilities for recreation, with bathing areas set up near iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the eastern part of the city.

Thessaloniki, Greece, was one of the pioneers in this movement. In the 1990s, investors and city planners revitalized the harbor neighborhood, turning it into a vibrant area with new attractions and improved conditions for swimming and public use.

Other cities that have embraced urban swimming include Oslo, Norway, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and several Swiss cities like Bern, Geneva, Zurich, and Basel. In Oslo, not only has the harbour been made swimmable again, but saunas have been installed beside the harbour to provide warmth during the winter months. Basel's bathing houses along the banks of the Rhine offer changing rooms, showers, and sun terraces.

Amsterdam's bathing sites range from riverside pontoons to urban beaches and tree-lined parks. The river Amstel is now safe to swim in, and the old dockyard at Rijnhaven has been reimagined as a tree-lined urban beach.

The inner city of Rotterdam has also improved access to wild swimming spaces, with the old dockyard at Rijnhaven transformed into a tree-lined urban beach. Rotterdam and Basel, Switzerland, have both cleaned up their respective rivers, the Maas and the Rhine, making them safe for swimming since last year.

Copenhagen, Denmark, transformed its toxic harbour into a safe swimming destination by the early 2000s. The Danish harbour baths remain busy, even in winter.

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This movement towards urban water recreation not only enhances the quality of life for city dwellers but also contributes to the revitalization of neglected areas, the creation of urban wildlife habitats, and the promotion of a more sustainable and balanced urban environment.