A Guide to the Best Wellness and Fitness Experiences in Oslo

With a range of tranquil spas, a keen sauna tradition and several hikes easily reached from the city centre, Oslo is an ideal wellness and fitness destination. These are the best places to help you stay healthy and feel your best.
From luxurious day spas in top hotels to basic saunas enjoyed by all, Oslo has plenty of wellness and fitness options however you choose to pamper yourself. While saunas have been used in Scandinavia for years to cleanse and relax, spas have only gained popularity recently and there are now several new spots offering top-quality treatments to choose from. Oslo is also perfectly suited to fitness fans, as there are a number of hikes of all levels accessible by public transport, workout spaces across the city and countless exercise classes available.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Sauna

A tradition hailing from neighbouring Finland, saunas are a great way to soothe aching muscles, relax and catch up with friends. Most are located right in the heart of the city centre on the fjordside, so you can enjoy a bracing swim in between bouts of heat.
For an immersive sauna experience, Norway’s biggest sauna SALT is perfect for a night with friends, with private bookable saunas for up to eight people and sessions include lively entertainment. “Every weekend we invite guests to join us for a steamy Sauna Session – evenings where DJs, performance artists, poets, musicians and others entertain in the sauna,” says Sara Bjølverud, head of marketing and communications at SALT art & music. “It’s a unique place that offers concerts, theatre, quiz nights, sauna, art installations, food, drinks and much more, all year-long.”
“For another unique experience, I would recommend visiting Oslo Fjord Sauna, a sauna club with four floating saunas in Bjørvika,” says Bjølverud. These beautifully designed sauna rafts fit up to 15 people each and operate year-round, if you can face braving the icy water. Located between the Opera House and the Sørenga wharf, the saunas have drop-in sessions available most days and fantastic views of the fjord and islands.
If you are looking to cruise around the fjord as you warm up in a sauna, KOK Oslo is your best bet. These pre-bookable boats are stationed opposite Oslo Opera House with a wood-fired sauna, changing room and a deck on board that can hold either 10 or 14 people. Boats are equipped with electric motors powered by roof-mounted solar panels, so you can enjoy silent sea-views as you sail past the city.
Spa

From lavish treatments in Oslo’s most stylish hotels to destination spas worth spending a whole day in, there are now several places to get your pampering fix across the city.
If you can spare a whole day, The Well is a must-visit. Just outside the city centre, a dedicated spa bus leaves the Clarion Hotel several times a day to whisk guests to the enormous space complete with 11 pools, 15 saunas and steam baths, a Japanese bathhouse, Turkish hammam, Moroccan rhassoul, relaxation rooms and much more. From 2021, The Well will even have its own hotel, so you won’t have far to float after a day in this pampering paradise.

Even if you’re not staying at the chic The Thief hotel, you can still purchase a day pass to use their tranquil spa. Inspired by natural Nordic elements including slate, sea and moss, the spa has a cave-like swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room and hammam plus an extensive treatment menu. “The raw and organic merge seamlessly with clean contemporary lines in the intimate spa area,” says World Spa Reviews. “Dim lighting soothes, as a low-level window provides swimmers glimpses of the fjord beyond.”
If you’re craving a top-notch massage, the DaiKai Wellness Retreat is handily located right in the heart of the city, less than five minutes’ walk from the Nationaltheatret station. Combining traditional Chinese, Japanese and Western massage techniques, there are double and triple rooms for massages with friends and a peaceful relaxation room to unwind in.
Yoga

Sweat it out at RAW, a studio tucked behind the Royal Palace that is devoted to hot yoga with classes including bikram and vinyasa flow. Friendly staff and a relaxed feel mean first-timers won’t feel overwhelmed or out of their depth. “Our name is RAW and that’s what we are,” says yoga teacher and studio owner Maja Grythe. “Raw, true, real, honest and full of heart and fire. It’s a community, not just a yoga studio.”
Leela Yoga started as a class in Frogner Park but now offers a full schedule of all types of yoga in its studio, as well as retreats and workshops. Drop-ins are welcome, space permitting, and the studio holds several classes in English. Just take tram 17 to Heimdalsgata or bus 30 to Herselbsgate.
Fitness

Those who know their barbells from their kettlebells will love EVO, a chain of small, specialist gyms that first opened in Oscarsgate in the city centre. Offering reception-free centres with long opening hours every day of the year, EVO now has 40 centres across the country and new members can sign up easily online.
Students can benefit from fantastic discounts at SiO (the Student Union of Oslo), which runs six large fitness centres across Oslo. Take tram 17 or 18 to Holbergs plass to use Athletic Centrum, which is right in the centre. There, you’ll find a large cycling studio, studios and even physiotherapy and massage services. Anyone can join, but a membership for students is greatly reduced.
Nature

When time’s short, it’s still possible to get out of the city centre and experience Norway’s beautiful countryside on a hike. Take the metro line to Lillevan and hike past Frognersetern restaurant and the mighty Holmenkollen ski jump. “The trip follows part of the 50-kilometre (31-mile) trail, down a toboggan run from the first Luge World Championship in 1955, past Midstubakken and further down to Holmenkollen Chapel,” says Einar Tønnessen, an experienced guide with tour group Oslo Hiking.
For a more challenging hike, take the bus from Jernbanetorget to Hammern to trek into the forest up to the viewpoint of Kamphaug. Carry on to Skjersjøen, one of the most beautiful lakes in Norway, and the wild river of Skjersjøen on a demanding 10km (6mi) hike. “There is a charming and accessible path along the riverbank, along which you can cross bridges, enjoy waterfalls, frothing rapids, lush trees and the twitter of birds,” Tønnessen says.
Wellness
Float your troubles away at Bare Flyt, which has two centres in Oslo dedicated to floating. Said to reduce stress and relieve pain, the centre also offers massage, infrared sauna and freezing cryo treatment to increase blood circulation and remove tension. Or you can just lie back in the soundproof pools and floating tanks, and unwind without any effort at all.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.