Saunas in Sweden
Swedish sauna culture (bastu) is older and quieter than its Norwegian neighbour. You'll find traditional wood-fired bastus in the archipelago, modern spa-hotels across Stockholm and Göteborg, and a strong winter bathing movement (kallbad) along both coasts. Swedish saunas tend toward a longer, slower session rhythm than the party-style floating saunas of Oslo.
345 saunas across 164 cities
Top sauna cities in Sweden
Sauna culture in Sweden
Expect etiquette closer to Finnish norms: quiet, often swimwear-optional in single-gender sessions, always swimwear in mixed sessions. Traditional bastus use wood heat; modern ones use electric. The kallbad (cold-water bath) tradition means many saunas are paired with a historic bathing pier.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between bastu and sauna?
Bastu is the Swedish word for sauna. The experience is similar to Finnish sauna but often lower humidity and with a greater emphasis on the adjacent cold bath (kallbad).
Is swimwear required in Swedish public saunas?
In mixed sessions, yes. Single-gender sessions at traditional bathhouses are often swimwear-optional — check the venue.