List of Hot Pools in NOR
List of Spas (Non-Spring Fed) in NOR
Map of Hot Pools and Spas in NOR
Guide to Norway’s Natural Thermal Springs
The is really only one hot spring in Norway, though the country has a long tradition of wellness and a health-focused culture. That one special hot spring is Stave Hot Pools, located in coastal Nordmela.
We’ll tell you how to get to Stave Hot Pools, where to stay, and a bit about the thermal baths you can visit in Norway, though they are not fed with spring water.
Stave Hot Pools
Stave Camping & Hot Pools is located beneath Måntinden, a mountain near the beachfront. They are open no matter the weather and have family pricing until 2:00 pm each day. Campers are welcome on the sprawling grounds, with options to take a waterfront site or one more protected by the communal buildings.
Those buildings include a kitchen, bathrooms and showers, and a reception lobby. You have to book time in the hot springs and shower before entering the mineral water. If the water gets too hot, you can walk to the beach and take a cold, refreshing dip. If you take the Stavedalsveien, you can pull an RV right onto the property.
Floating Saunas
While this doesn’t involve natural hot springs, it’s possible to have a (sometimes steamy) sauna adventure while floating on the water, followed by (or preceded by) a polar bear plunge into one of Norway’s frigid fjords (which are always incredibly cold). In Oslo, you can do this by booking a floating boat-style sauna at one of many companies along the water’s edge.
One of the most popular spas is KOK (meaning “cook” in English). At one of their two locations in Oslo, their floating sauna is heated by a wood fire. At some companies, water is then doused on the oven (your preference or not) creating steam, and raising the temperatures quickly by turning the once dry sauna into a wet one.
Then when good and hot you can jump in those suddenly welcoming glacial waters. Even in warmer summer, the fjord water remains cold and the KOKs remain available for booking either a single seat or the entire boat.
If you’re searching for another sauna experience you can visit Oslo Badstuforening, operated by the non-profit Oslo Sauna Association. They have four locations around the city.
In addition to KOK and Oslo Badstuforening, there are several other companies operating floating saunas in Oslo. Most welcome walk-ins, but reservations are strongly encouraged due to their popularity.
Other cities offer a similar experience, although some of the saunas are moored and have adjacent showers. Therefore, visitors can jump in the fjord, shower, warm up in the sauna, and then get back in the cold water for refreshment.
If you’re visiting the mountains and want to try the floating saunas, you can rent one at Preikestolen BaseCamp. This tour company has a wide array of adventures, from mountain hikes and kayak trips to the aforementioned floating sauna rentals.
Visit Norway
If you’re visiting for a hot springs experience, head to the Norwegian west coast. There you can stay and enjoy the Stave Hot Pools. There’s plenty to do there, including a puffin safari and dolphin and whale watching on the sea. If you’re heading to bigger cities, like Oslo, you can book a floating sauna and bask in Norway’s famed fjords.
Learn more about visiting Norway on our sister site, La Vida Nomad.
