Vattenverket is one of those cosy cafe only locals can know about. It’s surrounded by fantastic nature just like the Yasuragi spa. Here you can swim in the sea during summer and ice skate during winter.
Even if the waterworks to day is a cosy cafe its from beginning just what is sounds like. A waterworks for the local community. It was built in 1911 when it served Lidingö municipality with fresh water. In the beginning it cleaned the water with sand beds but changed it to Ozon cleaning in 1915. The waterworks was in use until 1955 when it produced 55 000 cubic water.
Sadly it then went in to a a dark time until 2018 when a sensitive renovation started. For the cafe owners it was important to keep the history of the house alive. So al renovation was made to keep as much original parts as possible. As an example you will still find the sand beds in the basement. Today Vattenverket will serve you warm coffee, yummy sandwiches and tasty cakes. Its possible to sit outdoors, and thats lovey during summer. But with some minus degree we prefer to sit inside.
Last time I visited Vattenverket the ice of Kottla sea was thick enough to walk and skate on. Something that was exotic for my Portuguese husband. So while we had our breakfast at Vattenverket we look out over the frozen sea and decide to try it out. Even if there is an plowed ice skate track there is also great opportunity to walk beside it and just look on the skaters.
Find your way to Vattenverket
Vattenverket is located one hour from central Stockholm with collective transport where you need to walk thru a nature reserve the last quarter. You will reach it by taking the subway to Ropsten and then change to the tram at Lidingöbanan. Jump of at Högberga station and walk 1 kilometer and you are there.
If you are more comfortable you can drive al the way, but then you miss some of the nature.