🛶 Floating sauna in Norway: how to book, how much it costs and where to find the best views
Floating saunas are Norway's new urban ritual: warm up on the water, then dive into the fjord. In Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and the north, it's also a way to see the city from a different angle — from the waterline. This article provides practical answers: where to find schedules and available slots, how to choose a location based on the view and wind, what is included in the price and what etiquette is expected on board. We'll add some cultural breaks — museums on the waterfront and wooden churches in the surrounding area — to make your ‘sauna day’ part of a bigger trip through Norwegian culture. Get your swimsuit and non-slip shoes ready — the rest is easy.
♨️ How does a floating sauna work?
Formats — public slots vs private rental
Most operators offer two formats. Public slots — you book individual spots for 60–120 minutes, share the steam room with other guests and use the common deck for a cold dip. This is cheaper and convenient for solo travellers. Private rental gives your group (usually 2–10 people) the entire sauna for the same period: quieter, more intimate, ideal for couples and friends. Sometimes a mini-cruise is available — the sauna casts off and heads out into the water. In both formats, follow the rules: start/end times, cleanliness, photo etiquette and separation of ‘quiet zones’.
What's included: stove, shower, bathing ladders
The facilities are similar everywhere: a heated steam room (wood-burning/electric stove), ladder or platform for safe entry into the water, hangers/shelves for belongings, and sometimes a simple changing room. Showers are available on board (usually cold) or at the pier; full showers/bathrooms are usually on shore. Towels/bathrobes are often rented separately. Some sites offer drinking water or tea; alcohol and glass are usually prohibited. Three things that always come in handy: your own towel (and another one for the steam room), a bottle of water and a waterproof case for your phone.
🌆Where to skate: main cities and types
Oslo Fjord — city skyline, islands
In the capital, you can see the theatre of the modern city: the waterfront, the islands of the Oslo Fjord and the architecture by the water. A good choice for a first experience — logistics are simple, there are cafes and museums nearby, and public transport runs frequently. Special features: panoramic views of the opera house/Byvik, skerries and islets, sunsets on calm waters. On windy days, the rule ‘the closer to a sheltered harbour, the more comfortable’ applies. If you want privacy, choose late slots or weekdays.
Bergen and the western fjords — mountains and rain showers
The west is mountains right by the water and changing skies.
Rain here is no reason to cancel your session: often after 20–30 minutes, a ‘window’ opens with soft light, and the steam room is just ready. The views are dramatic: mountain ranges, wooden embankments, old neighbourhoods. On rainy days, take a bathrobe/cape and a warm hat for going out on the pier, and keep your towel away from splashes on the deck. An added bonus of Bergen is the density of museums within walking distance: it's easy to fit in a short visit before or after.
The north (Tromsø/Bodø) — Arctic light, a chance to see the Northern Lights
In the north, floating saunas are the first line of attractions: the Arctic blue hour in winter, the midnight sun in summer and, most importantly, the chance to catch the Northern Lights in the cold air. Tromsø is the perfect base without a car: the airport is nearby and everything is in the centre. The wind and currents are more noticeable here, so check the forecast and choose sheltered bays. Night slots in autumn/winter are the most atmospheric choice; in summer, the ‘white’ evenings are almost meditative.
💰 Booking and prices
Peak hours and ‘quiet’ morning slots
The most popular times are Friday to Sunday evenings and sunsets in good weather. To avoid crowds and lower the price, go for weekdays and mornings (until 10–11 a.m.) or late (after 9 p.m.). Book online in advance, but be flexible: the weather on the water can change quickly. If you are going with a group, consider a private rental: the cost is divided among everyone, and you get peace and control over the ritual. Two consecutive slots (with a short break) give you the best rhythm of ‘steam → water → rest’.
What to bring and what you can rent (towels/flip-flops)
The minimum is a swimsuit, towel (preferably two), non-slip flip-flops, a bottle of water, and warm layers for going out on the pier. Towels/bathrobes are usually available for rent on site, and sometimes bath caps and slippers. If you are on a budget, bring your own. Keep your phone and camera in a case or on a strap; the humid air and splashes are unforgiving. Gloves, a hat and a light down jacket are useful in winter. Do not bring glass or strong-smelling items — these are standard restrictions for almost all operators.
⚖️ Etiquette and safety
Temperature cycles, cold dips, photo rules
The golden trio of rituals: hot → cold → rest. Keep your first dip gentle: 8–12 minutes, then slowly go out onto the deck and take a short cold plunge down the ladder, holding onto the handrails. Rest in the warm layer and return to the steam room. Speak quietly, put your phones on silent. No filming without people in the frame or with their permission; flash and powerful lights on deck are prohibited so as not to blind guests and impair night vision. The cameraman is not a lifeguard: responsibility and sobriety are yours.
Who should refrain from ice bathing
There is a simple rule: if you have cardiovascular problems, uncontrolled hypertension, breathing problems, acute illness or are pregnant, it is better to skip the cold water. Contrast is not a test of courage. Do not dive in alone, do not jump, do not hold your breath. If you feel unwell, get out of the water immediately, drink some tea and take a break. Children should replace cold plunges with a short splash or a contrast shower, and teenagers should only do so under adult supervision.
🏛Cultural stops at the quays
Quay museums (Oslo, Bergen) — short visits to the sauna
Plan short museum visits by the water: in Oslo — contemporary art spaces and maritime exhibitions on the peninsula; in Bergen — waterfront museums and a neighbourhood with wooden commercial architecture. These are 45-90 minute ‘breathing breaks’: you switch your mind, warm up and smoothly get into the rhythm of the evening. Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll to the pier, enjoy tea in a thermos and your window to the water.
Wooden churches in the west (Fantoft/surroundings) — if you are travelling further
If your route takes you along the fjords, add wooden churches (stave churches) — they offer silence, resin and light through small windows. A short visit on the way to or from the sauna helps to ‘ground’ the day and feel that Norwegian wellness stems from the same culture of respect for wood, water and time. Convenient to combine with the journey between the city and the coastal location.
A floating sauna is an affordable way to experience the Norwegian philosophy of ‘heat-cold-silence’. Choose a city and a view: urban Oslo, rainy Bergen with mountains, or the Arctic North. Plan your logistics — a 1.5–2 hour slot, warm layers, non-slip shoes — and leave time for a short visit to a nearby museum. Back on shore, you'll catch that Zen afterglow that locals and travellers love Norway for.
Share your experiences in the comments, add photos and tips on locations — we read everything and respond!
❓ FAQ
The online calendar is the main channel: select the city/location, type of slot (public/private), duration (usually 60–120 minutes) and number of people. For your first visit, 90–120 minutes is optimal: enough for 3–4 relaxing cycles. If you are going with a group, consider a private rental: you control the temperature, music and breaks, and the cost is divided among everyone. Confirmation is sent to your email with instructions and an access code. We recommend staying flexible — in windy or rainy weather, it is sometimes more convenient to reschedule.
The cost depends on the city, format (public/private) and duration. The basic price almost always includes a heated steam room, access to water (ladder/platform) and use of the deck. Towels/bathrobes are available for an additional fee, as are sometimes extended time slots or private rituals. Reduce the bill by choosing weekday or morning slots, bringing your own towel and water, and combining friends in a private booking — this way, the ‘price per person’ drops significantly.
Policies vary. Many venues introduce family hours or age limits for public slots. The rules are more relaxed for private bookings, but safety is entirely the responsibility of adults. Choose warm times during the day for children, avoid cold water or limit them to a quick splash at the stairs. Be sure to bring swim nappies, warm clothes for the deck, and check if there is a closed changing room at the pier.
In public slots, a swimsuit is required. A hat is not mandatory, but in winter it makes a difference to your comfort on deck. The main must-have is non-slip flip-flops: icy decks are treacherous. Towels — at least one ‘for the body’ and one ‘for landing’ in the steam room. A bathrobe or thick cape will come in handy in windy weather, especially in the west and north. Jewellery at home: metal heats up, and humidity is not kind to stones and straps.
The rules are simple: shower before/after, sit on a towel, speak quietly, leave your shoes at the entrance. Photos/videos are only allowed without people in the frame or with their permission; no flash or bright lights. Keep your phone on a strap/in a case and do not take it into the water. Music, if allowed, should be played at a very low volume and agreed upon with the group. Alcohol, glass and strong scents are usually prohibited. Clean up after yourself — this is part of the ‘culture of trust.’
If the view of the city is important, choose sheltered harbours with a panoramic view of the waterfront. For mountain landscapes, western fjords are ideal. For hunters of the northern lights, head north with night slots and minimal city lights. Check the wind/wave forecast: in strong gusts, locations inside the bay are more comfortable. A little trick is to take a late weekday slot: there is less boat traffic and reflection from the lights.
Rain in Norway is part of the experience: often, there are ‘windows’ after half an hour. Bring a bathrobe/cape and keep dry clothes in a waterproof bag. If the wind and waves make the deck unsafe, operators may reschedule your slot — read the terms and conditions in advance. If there is a storm warning, it is better not to take any risks: choose a land-based sauna/spa centre in the city and save the floating experience for another day. Safety is more important than a photo.
There is usually a simple changing room and hooks/shelves on board. Showers are cold on the platform or on shore; hot showers are more common in spa centres. Take a minimum of valuables with you; some piers have lockers on shore (coin/code required). Keep your phone in a waterproof case and on a strap. It is good practice to arrive already wearing your swimsuit under layers of clothing: this means you can get started quickly and there is less fuss.
Water/herbal tea is usually OK, especially in a reusable bottle/thermos. Alcohol and glass are often prohibited (or severely restricted) — check the venue rules. Snacks are only allowed on the deck and must be eaten very carefully; no food is allowed inside the steam room. The main thing is not to litter or leave marks on the wood: humidity + heat = difficult cleaning.
If it is windy/stormy or off-season, look for city saunas on the waterfront and spa centres at hotels: warm pools, hammams, infrared cabins, often with ‘quiet hours’. In the West and in the mountains, private hot tubs near cottages are popular — ideal for couples. This is a good plan B so you don't waste the day and still get to experience the Norwegian ritual of ‘heat-cold-silence’ (a contrast shower works just as well as a fjord for relaxation).
It is most convenient to choose museums on the waterfront: in the capital, there is contemporary art and maritime exhibitions on the peninsula; in Bergen, there are museum spaces near the historic quarters. In the north, there are maritime/polar collections within walking distance of the piers. Plan for 45–90 minutes: you'll have time to see everything, warm up and get back to your slot feeling refreshed.
Rule #1 — ladder and handrails. Enter slowly, breathe through your nose, do not hold your breath, and do not dive in from a running start. Keep your first dip very short (a few breaths), immediately wrap yourself in a towel/warm layer, drink tea, and pause. A relaxed rhythm is more important than records. Never stay on deck alone, especially at night and in winter. If you have any chronic conditions, consult your doctor and limit yourself to the warm part of the ritual.
