Saunas and hot tubs in Tromsø

Tromsø has two floating saunas on its historic waterfront, and at Pust you can step from the heat straight into the sea. The public pool Tromsøbadet has a sauna and a heated outdoor pool, and a yacht in the harbour offers cruises with a hot tub on deck.

Pust in the inner harbour

Pust is a floating sauna in Tromsø's historic harbour, a short walk from the city centre. Visit Tromsø describes two of its saunas. The Original is a quiet sauna inspired by the Arctic Cathedral, with a view of the mountain Tromsdalstinden. The Lavvo sauna takes its shape from the traditional Sámi lavvo tent. The saunas have access to the sea, swimming areas and outdoor showers, so you can cool off in the sea between rounds.

Pust is open 365 days a year, with regular opening hours from 06:00 to 23:00. Check the official site before you go. Bring swimwear and two towels.

The HotSpot at Vervet

The HotSpot is a modern floating sauna on the historic waterfront at Vervet. Visit Tromsø lists two saunas with room for up to eight people each, and the sauna offers both drop-in sessions and private bookings. It is run by Vervet Adventures.

Tromsøbadet, the public pool

Tromsøbadet is the city's public swimming centre, open all year. Next to the pools and water slides it has a sauna and a warm outdoor pool, where you can sit in hot water under the winter sky; on clear evenings you may see the northern lights from there. On Tuesday and Friday mornings Tromsøbadet holds sauna rituals.

The bus stop is Dramsvegen, served by routes 20 and 24. The day ticket includes the Finnish sauna, showers and a locker, but not swimwear or a towel. Tromsøbadet itself recommends visiting on a weekday morning or evening. Tromsø Skistadion is on Dramsvegen too, so the pool works well after a cross-country skiing session; there are racks for skis.

Saunas by the sea outside town

On Sommarøy, Kvaløya and Vengsøya you can rent saunas and hot tubs with a view of the sea, according to Visit Tromsø. Our page on day trips from Tromsø covers how to get to Sommarøy and Kvaløya by car or bus.

Without a car, there is a sauna trip by coach to the coast near Sommarøy. It includes the sauna, an optional swim in the sea, a towel and hot drinks. The operator stresses that swimming in the Arctic Ocean is optional and at your own discretion.

Hot tubs on boats

Yacht trips from the harbour add a hot tub on deck. The evening trip is a northern lights cruise on a sailing yacht with up to 12 guests, where each booking gets a private hot tub slot of 30–45 minutes and reindeer soup is served. Towels and thermal suits can be rented. The daytime trip is a fjord cruise on the same boat with a heated saloon and reindeer stew; the hot tub and a polar plunge are only included with the upgrade, so check the option before you book.

For other ways to look for the northern lights by boat or bus, compare the tours on northern-lights-tromso.com.

What to bring

Pack swimwear and a towel for any of these, and two towels for Pust. For the walk or ride back to your hotel, keep warm layers at hand: Visit Tromsø recommends wool next to the skin, a warm jumper and jacket, gloves and a hat. Paths in the city centre can be slippery in winter, and ice grips are sold in shoe shops, sports shops and at the Tourist Information.