Best Spas in Norway to See Polar Bears and Northern Lights
As cold as it is, we all would hope Norway would be full of hot springs just like Iceland. Sadly that’s not the case. But there is a bright spot! You can enjoy some amazing spas.
Northwest Spitsbergen National Park
Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, Spitsbergen at 80°N, contains two of Earth's most northerly hot springs, including Troll Hot Springs and Jotun Hot Springs.
This Norwegian archipelago lies between mainland Norway and the North Pole, making it one of the northernmost uninhabited areas on the planet. Exploring Spitsbergen by small expedition ship gives you the opportunity to explore the island’s biodiverse coastal areas, icy bays and inlets, and fascinating historic sites and towns such as Longyearbyen.
Many tourists visit Svalbard on polar bear safaris, and although it’s never guaranteed that you’ll spot one of these impressive beasts of the frozen tundra, there are ways to increase your odds. We visit Spitsbergen in May, June and July, when the sea ice is still thick and offers the region’s polar bears a fertile hunting ground. This gives you the best chance of spotting one on your expedition.
A winter trip to Svalbard, however, may offer an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the enchanting Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora borealis.
The Troll and Jotun thermal springs of northern Svalbard, have temperatures of up to 25.6°C.
The Troll waters are dominated by Na–HCO3 compositions and the Jotun waters by Na–Cl compositions.
The Well Spa Resort
For more accessible hot springs try the The Well Spa Resort near Oslo. This is a great spot for a day trip that you won’t forget. It’s a quick 15 minute drive from Oslo or the first stop on the Oslo S bus - just stop at Granholtet which is the closest stop.
This is the largest spa in Norway and won’t disappoint you. There are more than 10 unique pools, a cold plunge pool, and 15 different saunas and steam baths. Note that this is an 18 or older spa and often is clothing optional, except for Tuesdays where swimwear is mandatory throughout the entire facility.
The Well is wheelchair accessible, with easy access to facilities. I personally love that they require tech detox - no cell phones!
It features pools and saunas inspired by Nordic traditions. You can also find heated outdoor pools with fjord or ocean views, like at Hamn i Senja or the custom-built pools at Stave.
But this is not just a spa and hotel, it’s an experience! Try out the winemakers dinner at the onsite Mori restaurant with local seafood. Or if you want to test out your trivia skills, hang out with your friends by the fire at the cozy Library bar.
There are tons of activities in the sauna space. I personally loved the relaxation I felt with the sound baths but also was intrigued by the forest bathing, moonlight meditation ritual, and pink clay rituals - next time!
The Kyoto-inspired bathhouse – and the Japanese sauna ritual involves a less-than willowy woman dancing through the sauna waving an almost comically large fan to traditional Japanese music – sits on the top floor of The Well.
The onsen at the Japanese bathhouse is scenically located between two beautiful gardens. From the shallow pool, there is a fantastic view of the treetops that surround The Well. The Japanese steam bath is filled with a red light that creates a relaxing atmosphere.
The Hamam bathing ritual begins in the caldarium. Here, you exfoliate your body with a kese, a traditional exfoliating mitt. The scrub provides a good exfoliation and removes dead skin cells.
Enjoy Aufguss, which means "to pour on" in German, a sauna ritual where the sauna master places ice balls infused with essential oils on the sauna stove and pours water over them.
Stave Hot Pools is surrounded by the wild and spectacular beauty of Andøya's west coast and offers visitors the unforgettable adventure of soaking in 38° heated outdoor hot pools overlooking the ocean. Before or after a soak in the hot pools, take part in sea kayaking, paddle boarding, or surfboarding in the brisk ocean water. Equipment is available to rent right from the Stave facility.
When you’re done in water enjoy forest bathing. Forest bathing – or “friluftsliv” – is the practice of getting out into the wild, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying views of natural landscapes.
Are you traveling in other parts of Europe? Take a look at more hot springs in the United Kingdom, Poland, Albania, Serbia, Romania, Austria, Greece, Italy, and Spain.
