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

The sauna package at Vår Gård includes a cold swim from the jetty, access to the sauna, and use of a towelling robe, slippers and a towel. Add on a relaxing lunch or coffee in the Vincaféet or enjoy a good meal in the restaurant.

Hellasgården in beautiful Nacka nature reserve has a sauna and bathing platform on Lake Källtorp. Take a refreshing dip all year round, with access to their gym. On certain days they offer an 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 sauna and swim.

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.

At Skepparholmen Nacka you'll find a relaxing spa, with a large dry sauna with views over the sea. Walk down to their bathing ladder for a refreshing cold dip before warming up and relaxing in the sauna. Reap the health benefits and enjoy various different spa experiences.

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 a dip without access to a sauna, 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.

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

If you're happy to head out of town, you'll find a wood-fired lakeside sauna in the Domarudden nature reserve in Åkersberga. The sauna is open to the public all year round and has a pump that keeps the hole in the ice open all winter. You can hire a cabin here, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and visit Domarudden's café and restaurant.

At Engsholms Slott, an hour south of the city, you can book a session in a wood-fired sauna and take a cold-water plunge every Saturday. They serve a warming lunch in the castle gardens and you can combine your visit with a walk in the park or along the Sörmlandsleden walking path.

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 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 also walk down to their jetty, where there's also a sauna.

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.