Eriksdalsbadet (Outdoor 50m)

After a visit to the Vasa museum (well worth a visit) and several other Stockholm tourist stops, I'm setting out on another hired electric scooter trip 10 minutes from the Stockholm Hilton hotel for a three-pool swim at the Eriksdalsbadet.

Eriksdalsbadet isn't just a pool; it's a slice of swimming history. The outdoor 50m pool was built back in 1962 for the European Aquatics Championships, and it still has that old-school charm. Inside, things are more modern. There's a sleek 50m competition pool and a well-spec'd 25m short-course pool, both added in 1999 by architect Björn Thynberger. The venue has even hosted the FINA Swimming World Cup, and there is a sense of swimming prestige here.

I've purchased an all-access swim ticket. First up: the outdoor pool. Unless I've mistaken the procedure here, the only changing area for the outdoor pool is inside the main aquatic centre building - which makes for a good 400m walk to the outdoor pool - crossing a public walkway and cycle path in your jammers! Weird looks expected!

The pool is set in a well-manicured park and flanked on one side by a sweeping grandstand that must easily seat a couple of thousand people! I suspect when it was built in the early '60s, there was probably a mirror image on the other side.

There are three lap lanes in the middle of the eight-lane pool, fast, medium, and slow - with a very creative lane rope made from what looks like a mix of kickboards and pull buoys on one side! I'm joined by a couple running timed sets and stopping every few lengths to check on their baby, asleep in its pushchair on the pool deck at the far end of the lane!

It's another hot Scandinavian July day, so finish up a quick 1km swim. Next, I'll head inside to add the indoor 50m and 25m short-course pools to the list before hopping back on the scooter for a little sightseeing through Tantolunden Park with its lush greenery, houseboats, and a scenic waterfront trail before looping back around to the city centre (with a quick pint stop on the way!).