"The Nordics are redefining wellness in ways that feel both ancient and thrillingly modern,” says Off the Map Travel.
Throughout 2025, a millennia-old Nordic wellness tradition has been gathering steam around the world.
From urban bathhouses and coastal wild-swim huts to members’ clubs and design-led pop-ups, sauna culture has firmly entered the mainstream.
And it has been embraced not just as a wellness trend, but as a social ritual and antidote to modern life.
“From subterranean steam rooms carved into rock, to architect-led floating saunas drifting across Arctic waters, the Nordics are redefining wellness in ways that feel both ancient and thrillingly modern,” says Off the Map Travel, which curates tailored adventures across the region.
The company has seen a rising interest in their sauna-led experiences. Here are five of the most extraordinary ones you can find in the Nordics.
Heat up on a glacier in Norway
Head to Norway for a sauna that is all about drama, positioned on the edge of a glacier. Isbreen the Glacier is a collection of luxury geodesic igloos at the foot of the Finnmark Alps, with panoramic views of the fjord and surrounding peaks.
Activities include snowmobiling across frozen wilderness, cross-country skiing or ski touring with expert local guides, and snowshoeing under the night sky in search of the Northern Lights.
Back at camp, heat and cold collide as guests warm up after icy walks and Arctic swims in a sauna surrounded by raw, cinematic landscapes. The practice here isn’t just a wellness extra; it’s a survival ritual.
Soar in a sky-high sauna in Helsinki
Reopening in April 2026, Helsinki’s SkySauna is a literally uplifting experience where you can enjoy gentle steam while watching the harbour and cityscape from a panoramic wheel.
The spa can be rented for a maximum of 15 people. The sauna gondola can accommodate 4-5 people at one time, allowing the rest of the group to relax in a hot tub, a private lounge, or on the terrace.
The private session doesn’t come cheap, though, starting at €240 an hour.
Steam in a style-led spa in Sweden
The striking Arctic Bath Hotel is a floating circular sauna and spa moored on Sweden’s Lule River.
Architecturally bold yet deeply rooted in Nordic bathing culture, the nest-like structure feels like a modern art installation dropped into the Arctic landscape.
Guests move between sauna, river dips and treatment rooms as snow falls quietly around them, then dine in the evening on sophisticated, sustainable fare.
Roam an Arctic lake on a floating safari
To really max on summer serenity, visit the Floating Safari Camp and its sauna raft in a bay of Lake Degerselet, just south of the Arctic Circle.
This roaming sauna experience involves drifting across glassy waters by day and anchoring beneath endless light skies by night.
Guests can also kayak, fish and swim in the surprisingly temperate waters; in summer temperatures are between 18 and 25°C. The floating camp sleeps six people and the experience includes a private chef.
Sweat underground in Sweden
For a very different panorama, descend 80 metres underground in a former mine in Sweden for a sauna circuit adventure.
The ‘sauna master’ guides guests through the experience, recounting the legend of the Lady of the Mine, who watched over the workers.
Within the rock walls, the temperature stays at a steady 4-5°C throughout the year, so participants can enjoy continual contrasts with the steamy sauna warmth.
The programme includes a stop to sample a local non-alcoholic drink from Sahlins brewery and a cheese and charcuterie tray from MurboAnnas dairy. In total, the experience lasts around 3.5 hours.
