I remember my first proper sauna experience like it was yesterday. It was my 20th birthday, and a few friends and I had found dirt-cheap flights from London to Helsinki (who else remembers the glory days of Ryanair, when air travel could be purchased for literal pennies?) in the dead of winter. Off I flew, completely unaware that I was about to start a love affair with a country that would continue to this day, following annual trips to this underrated European capital that I unabashedly adore.

It was blisteringly cold – around 25 degrees below freezing – and we decided to spend some quality time together in one of the sixty public saunas in Helsinki. If you think that’s a lot, keep in mind there’s a total of three million saunas (private and public) across the entire nation.

We tiptoed into a wood-lined room, and within minutes we were sweating and glowing happily, commenting on how we didn’t expect it to be quite so hot or so enjoyable. Upon this utterance, a trio of huge Finnish men sauntered in, muttered disparagingly – most likely about how it was nowhere near hot enough – and tipped what seemed like buckets of water on the coals. The sauna swirled and steamed, reaching temperatures which seemed impossibly, unbearably, unimaginably intense. We leapt out, humbled, dizzy, with our skin prickling and awakening like never before and threw ourselves into the snow, laughing at the seeming ridiculousness of the entire situation… before doing it all again, and again, and again.

Incidentally, I caught pneumonia on this trip solely as a result of my youthful lack of common sense, which later turned into a painful form of pleurisy that still occasionally affects me now. Who knew that frolicking naked in sub-zero temperatures could have side effects? Despite this, I have no regrets – I was baptised in Finland as a bonafide sauna fiend, and continue to seek out the best spas, bathhouses and steam rooms whenever I can.

Seeking Out the World’s Best Saunas

With all the above in mind, you can imagine my delight at the fact that high quality Nordic saunas have become something of a trend in recent years, with the ancient wellness tradition quickly gathering steam in the UK and elsewhere around the world (a clear favourite of mine can be found in the ever-wondrous city of Tallinn, Estonia). Indeed, from city centre bathhouses to pop-up saunas on harbours and coastlines, sauna culture has well and truly gone mainstream. It’s not hard to see why – to sit in a sauna is to connect to a millennia-old tradition of quiet, elemental wellbeing; it’s the ultimate antidote to the hustle of modern life, and a joyously simple way to reconnect with both nature and our own bodies.

Off the Map Travel, one of our go-to partners for curated and tailored adventures in Scandinavia and the entire Nordic region, has seen first-hand how the interest in sauna-led experiences skyrocketed in 2025, with 2026 set to be a stellar year for those seeking escapism amid billowing steam, hot stones and crisp, snowy landscapes.

After all, for aficionados and newcomers alike, there’s truly no substitute for a genuine Nordic sauna experience… and believe me, there are some truly extraordinary saunas out there for you to tick off your bucket list. Here are six of the best, each awaiting discovery and promising the utmost in relaxation and reinvigoration.

*Dial up drama (and relaxation) up to 11 at Isbreen the Glacier Hotel, Norway*

Relax on a Norwegian Glacier

I’ve long maintained that, when it comes to natural beauty and a vast array of wellbeing rituals, Norway is almost unparalleled. Isbreen the Glacier – a stunning collection of luxurious geodesic igloos situated spectacularly at the foot of the Finnmark Alps, and offering peerless views of the peaks and fjords that surround them on all sides – is more than worthy of its addition on your sauna must-visit list.

Not only can visitors relax in some of the country’s most beautiful saunas and cool off in an array of icy pools, they can make full use of the winter sports facilities on offer. There are frozen wildernesses to criss-cross on snowmobiles, there’s the chance to try cross-countrying skiing or ski touring with attentive local guides, and no trip would be complete without a night-time snowshoe hike in search of the Northern Lights.

*Logger’s Lodge, the essence of Scandi simplicity*

Rediscover Calm in an Arctic Logger’s Lodge

In the far north of Swedish Lapland, calm and serenity reign supreme. Here, local Sami traditions for wellness have ensured survival across the millennia, and beautiful Logger’s Lodge – a range of beautiful wood cabins from which the majesty of the Arctic reveals itself in all its glory – is the perfect way to get in touch with a quieter, simpler and more nourishing way of life.

Alongside the obligatory sauna (again, as much a survival technique this far north as a means for relaxation and connection), guests can enjoy snowshoe adventures, yoga classes, guided meditation sessions and the chance to indulge in the remarkable cuisine of the region. It’s a truly transformative mindful retreat, and one which celebrates a way of life and a culture in need of our care and consideration.

*A triumph of Scandi design, The Arctic Bath Hotel*

A Swedish Style-Led Sauna

The Arctic Bath Hotel on Sweden’s majestic Lule River is one of those places that, once seen, is never forgotten. It’s a testament to the Swede’s undying love of bold and audacious architecture coupled with their profound respect for nature, and it’s possibly the most beautiful and evocative spa on the planet right now.

Ferociously modern yet utterly timeless in its connection to traditional Nordic bathing culture, the spa is constructed as a vast circular nest floating on the river. Somewhere between a force of nature and a contemporary art installation, it’s a truly unmissable sauna experience that speaks of Sweden’s commitment to tranquility and high-quality downtime. Guests move between intense sauna environments and bracing cold river dips, before heading into treatment rooms for a range of traditional and modern massage sessions, all while the snow falls gently around them. It’s hard to imagine a more blissful, stylish and spectacular place to be.

A Floating Safari in Swedish Lapland

We all too often think of the Arctic regions as impenetrable icy snowscapes, forgetting that in the height of summer, it becomes a verdant paradise of lush grasses and vibrant green tundra. The Floating Safari Camp on Lake Degerselet – just south of the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland – is a wonderland of glassy temperate waters, vast skies and utter bliss, and invites guests to drift across the lake by day and anchor for possibly the best sleep of your life at night.

The floating camp sleeps six people and features a private chef, who’ll introduce you to the brilliance of New Nordic Manifesto cooking – a concept which utilises the bounty of the local land and water, foraged ingredients and fine dining techniques to phenomenal effect. As well as spending time in the sauna, you’ll also be able to kayak on the lake, catch fish (including the beloved arctic char, arguably the most delicious of the salmon family) and swim in surprisingly warm summer water temperatures of up to 25C.

A Swedish Sauna in the Depths of the Earth

Seeking a sauna that takes you out of your comfort zone, then plonks you happily into one you never knew you needed? Sweden’s Adventure Mine has you covered. Guests descend a giddy 80 metres underground in a former mine, guided by a ‘sauna master’ who recounts various legends (including that of the Lady of the Mine, who watched over the workers) as you immerse yourself in a remarkable feat of oh-so-Scandi engineering and relaxation.

The immense rock walls of the mine ensure the interior temperature stays at a steady 5C throughout the year, meaning participants can enjoy the peculiar thrill that comes with the contrast between the sweltering sauna and its environs. You’ll also be invited to partake in a multisensory tasting experience – Sahlins Brewery supplies the drinks, and the nearby MurboAnnas Dairy keeps you sated with an array of cheeses and charcuterie. What more could you possibly wish for?

Get High (and Hot) in Helsinki

The Finns are well-known for their propensity for doing things a little differently, and their eccentricity is something of a point of national pride. As such, it should come as no real surprise that one of the key attractions in Helsinki today is SkySauna – a winning combo of city centre Ferris Wheel and sauna, which allows you to enjoy a gentle steam while taking in harbour views from a pod on a panoramic wheel.

The mobile spa can be rented for parties of up to 15 people, and each sauna gondola on the wheel can take up to five people at a time. There’s a gorgeous hot tub and private lounge on the terrace where the remainder of your group can relax as they wait their turn. Top local tip? Head on down to the Helsinki covered market once you’re done and enjoy some Karelian pastries and butterfish open sandwiches, then wander round the corner to Johan Och Nystrom for a fantastic cup of coffee by the cathedral. Nice!

The Ultimate Nordic Sauna Escapes for 2026