Winter swimming in Stockholm: where to cold-water swim and sauna

At Vår Gård, you can book a package with cold baths from the jetty in beautiful surroundings, access to a sauna, and the loan of a bathrobe and towel. In connection with your visit, you can also enjoy coffee or lunch at Vincaféet, or savour dinner in the restaurant. If you want to go all out, you can stay overnight at the hotel.

Hellasgården in beautiful Nacka nature reserve has a bathing platform on Lake Källtorp. Take a refreshing dip all year round, with access to their gym. On certain days they offer an “aufguss” aroma sauna with essential oils and on those days everyone shares the same sauna. Otherwise, men's and women's saunas are kept separate. Book your visit in advance.

The famous floating sauna at Tantolundens badplats in Hornstull has been around since 2016 and it's a cool option that draws in many winter bathers. Memberships are extremely desirable (every now and then they allocate new memberships), but at certain times non-members can also enjoy the benefits of a fun, health-giving cold dip. There are men's, women's and mixed sessions.

The classic wooden bathhouse in Saltsjöbaden is open to the public in the summer, but you can also book a winter swim and sauna for larger pre-booked groups during the rest of the year. Just gather together a gang of hardy pals and book in a regular time each week.

If you want to enjoy the delights of the Stockholm archipelago during the winter months, make your way to Smådalarö Gård and book the hotel's wood-fired sauna. They have a smaller and larger sauna with a relaxation area, wood-fired sauna, shower and jetty. Smådalarö Gård is 40 minutes from central Stockholm, perfect for a day trip or weekend.

Alongside Kanaanbadet outdoor baths on Lake Mälaren in Bromma you'll find Isbjörnarnas Bastuförening (The Polar Bears Sauna Society) which is available to everyone who loves to sauna. Anyone can enjoy the sauna, both members and non-members, and it doesn't cost much. They keep an ice hole open all winter to dip yourself in after your sauna.

For some time, Vinterviken has been drawing in dyed-in-the-wool winter swimmers happy to take an icy dip, but in the summer of 2022 they finally opened a bungalow-style members' sauna with its own floating jetty and cosy lanterns. There are women's, men's and mixed times for up to ten people, as well as aufguss.

Sauna Wellness is beautifully situated on Alvik's beach, overlooking the water towards Fredhäll and the Essinge Islands. Membership is required to use the sauna, but once you join, there are lots of enjoyable sessions to take part in.

You'll find Sätra sauna, which has been around since autumn 2022 and is open to the public, by Sätrastrandsbadet in Skärholmen. Take an invigorating winter dip for a small fee, but check availability in advance to ensure a spot. The sauna has sessions when it's open for all, and for men and women at different times.

Glamorous party hotel Häringe Slott in Haninge has a popular archipelago sauna for anyone who wants to take a cold-water dip in historic surroundings. The sauna is mainly for hotel guests, but on certain days and subject to availability, it's also open to the public.

This trendy beach hotel is right at the end of the Elfvik promontory in Lidingö. As well as accommodation, Ellery Beach House has a restaurant, bar, pool, spa and conference area. Come for the day or stay overnight. As well as swimming in the outdoor pool you can walk down to their jetty, where there's also a sauna, for a dip in the sea.

Fredhälls Bathing Club has a member's-only sauna at Fredhällsbadet open-air bathing spot on Kungsholmen. You may need to queue for some time to become a member, but it's well worth it if you're a dyed-in-the-wool open-air swimming enthusiast. Their famous bathing cliffs are perfect for a refreshing winter dip.

Our guide to swimming spots in Stockholm provides masses of tips for beaches, jetties and rocks to swim from all around the city.