Norway
Bergen's sauna culture benefits from one of the most dramatic settings in Europe — the city sits in a valley between seven mountains with direct fjord access at multiple points. Bergen Badstue and Fjordbadet run floating sauna sessions on the Byfjorden and Puddefjorden, where the water temperature drops to 6–8°C in winter and the mountain panoramas are unmatched in any Nordic city. Hotel saunas at Opus XVI and Havnekontoret serve the year-round wellness crowd, while Arna Friluftsbad adds a community lake-sauna option on the city's eastern edge. Bergen's maritime climate — mild, wet, overcast — makes the thermal contrast of sauna-to-cold-fjord particularly striking. Book floating sauna slots 5–10 days ahead for weekends; hotel day passes are generally available without advance booking.
Heta and Bergen Badstuforening lead Bergen's public sauna scene with floating pavilions in the harbour. For hotel saunas, Solstrand and Scandic Ørnen are reliable picks.
Slightly — Bergen's Byfjorden averages 2–3°C warmer year-round due to the Gulf Stream. Expect 6–9°C in winter and 12–15°C in summer.
Yes, but less so than Oslo. Same-day booking works most weekdays. Weekends and evenings require 1–3 days advance booking.
