Immerse yourself in the restorative power of Nordic wellness with spa and sauna experiences in Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland.
Nordic Wellness Spa and Sauna Experiences


Sauna Culture and Nordic Traditions
Sauna is at the heart of wellness across the Nordic region, particularly in Finland where it is an essential part of daily life. Finnish sauna culture focuses on purification, mindfulness and social connection, often following a traditional seven step ritual that alternates heat, cooling and rest.
These rituals typically include warming the body in a wood fired or smoke sauna, cooling in fresh air or cold water, cleansing with natural scrubs, gentle stretching, hydration and quiet reflection. The process encourages circulation, detoxification and mental clarity while fostering a deep sense of calm.
In Sweden and Norway, sauna traditions are closely linked to nature, with saunas located beside lakes, rivers and the sea. In Iceland, geothermal energy powers natural hot springs and modern spa facilities, blending ancient bathing customs with contemporary design.





Floating Spas and Waterfront Wellness
One of the most distinctive Nordic wellness experiences is the floating spa. Found across Norway, Sweden and Finland, floating spas sit directly on lakes, fjords or coastal waters, allowing guests to move seamlessly between heat and cold immersion.
In Norway, floating spas drift on tranquil fjords surrounded by mountains, offering panoramic views and profound stillness. Sweden features minimalist floating saunas set on forest lakes and archipelagos, where silence is broken only by water and wind. Finland combines floating saunas with traditional lake swimming, even in winter when ice swimming becomes part of the ritual.
These waterfront wellness experiences enhance the physical and mental benefits of sauna by engaging the senses and strengthening the connection to the natural environment.

Geothermal Wellness in Iceland
Iceland is world renowned for its geothermal wellness experiences. Heated by the earth itself, natural hot springs and geothermal spas offer mineral rich waters set within volcanic landscapes. Warm pools contrast with cool air and rugged surroundings, creating a powerful sense of renewal.
Icelandic wellness focuses on balance between elements, combining warmth, fresh air and mineral water with slow movement and rest. These experiences are designed to soothe muscles, reduce stress and promote overall wellbeing while highlighting the raw beauty of the land.

Wellness Through Nature and Simplicity
Nordic wellness is defined by simplicity, authenticity and respect for nature. Treatments often use natural ingredients such as birch, juniper, sea salt and mineral rich muds. Architecture is understated, allowing landscapes of forests, lakes, glaciers and coastlines to take centre stage.
Wellness experiences in Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland encourage guests to unplug from daily pressures and embrace a slower rhythm. Silence, clean air and natural light play a vital role in restoring mental clarity and emotional balance.
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
We – the whole family – loved the whole journey!!
The accommodations, the activities and especially the great people – thank you very much for this fantastic organisation !!!
The ease of everything stood out to me. All we had to do was be there at the right time. The dog sledding was the highlight for my daughter and sister. We had the best time! For me, Manshausen was the highlight. We were very lucky and the only guests there for the majority of our stay. The staff was amazing and the food was so delicious. We had moose steak and it was the best meal I’ve ever had.
The cabins were comfortable and we were so lucky to have 2 clear nights where we just sat and watched the northern lights. We were able to get some awesome pictures too.
I appreciate all your time and care with planning our trip! I won’t hesitate to use Off the Map travel for our next adventure.
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Hello Lucy!! Kim and I had a fantastic time in Iceland! Probably one of my top 3 trips I’ve ever taken!
It was everything we asked for and you did a wonderful job coordinating it all so beautifully!!
Thank you very much and we will contact you again when we get ready to plan our trip to Norway and Lapland!