Public Saunas in Oslo
Public saunas in Oslo offer fantastic value: from free Huk sauna 24/7 (0 NOK) to municipal swimming pools with sauna for 60-100 NOK (includes pool + shower + changing rooms). This is 3-5 times cheaper than private saunas like KOK (180-250 NOK) and SALT (250-350 NOK). This guide covers all public saunas: Huk sauna (free 24/7 with fjord dip), Tøyen bath, Frognerbadet, Vestkanbadet, Manglerudbadet, Lambertseter bath – with prices, facilities, family-friendliness, and best times to visit. Public saunas are perfect for families, students, and anyone wanting regular sauna without expensive membership. Many combine swim training + sauna in same session for complete wellness. Last updated January 2025.
All Public Saunas in Oslo
Oslo has one free sauna (Huk) plus several municipal swimming pools with sauna. All are family-friendly, affordable, and perfect for regular sauna use without expensive membership.
| Sauna | Type | Price | Included | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huk badstue | Free public sauna | Free (0 NOK) | Sauna + beach + shower | Huk, Bygdøy |
| Tøyen bad | Municipal swimming pool | 60-100 NOK | Sauna + pool + gym | Tøyen |
| Frognerbadet | Municipal swimming pool | 60-100 NOK | Sauna + pool (outdoor summer) | Frogner |
| Vestkanbadet | Municipal swimming pool | 60-100 NOK | Sauna + pool + steam room | Frogner |
| Manglerudbadet | Municipal swimming pool | 60-100 NOK | Sauna + pool + kids pool | Manglerud |
| Lambertseter bad | Municipal swimming pool | 60-100 NOK | Sauna + pool + steam room | Lambertseter |
💡 Tips for public saunas
- •Buy 10-ticket for best value (50-70 NOK/visit vs. 60-100 NOK single ticket)
- •Avoid rush hour (4-7 PM weekdays) for calmer experience
- •Combine swimming + sauna in same session for best effect
- •Huk sauna is best early morning (6-8 AM) or evening (8-10 PM) for peace
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between public and private saunas in Oslo?
Main differences: (1) Price - Public saunas: 0-100 NOK (Huk free, municipal pools 60-100 NOK), Private saunas: 180-350 NOK (KOK, SALT, LAVA), (2) Facilities - Public: Simple sauna + pool + shower, focus on function, Private: Premium sauna + fjord bath + lounge + events + coffee, focus on experience, (3) Atmosphere - Public: Family-friendly, local, calm, Private: Trendy, Instagram-worthy, more social, (4) Accessibility - Public: Limited opening hours (except Huk 24/7), Private: Open until 10-11 PM most days. Choose public if budget is important + you just want sauna/pool. Choose private if you want premium experience + fjord bath + lounge.
How much do public saunas in Oslo cost?
Prices for public saunas: (1) Huk sauna - FREE (0 NOK), 24/7 year-round, only completely free sauna in Oslo, (2) Municipal swimming pools (Tøyen, Frogner, Vestkanbadet, Manglerud, Lambertseter) - Single ticket: 60-100 NOK (includes sauna + pool + shower), 10-ticket: 500-700 NOK (50-70 NOK per visit), Annual pass: 2,000-2,500 NOK (165-210 NOK/month unlimited), (3) Best deal - If you go 1x/week: 10-ticket (50 NOK/visit), If you go 2+ x/week: Annual pass (165 NOK/month). Comparison: KOK Oslo costs 180-250 NOK per visit vs. 0-60 NOK for public saunas = 3-5x cheaper.
Which public sauna is best in Oslo?
Best public saunas depend on needs: (1) Best for budget - Huk sauna (free 24/7, amazing fjord view, perfect for regular sauna), (2) Best for families - Manglerudbadet or Tøyen bath (kids pool, spacious, family-friendly atmosphere, 60-100 NOK), (3) Best for varied facilities - Tøyen bath (sauna + pool + gym under same roof), (4) Best for summer - Frognerbadet (outdoor pool + sauna, beautiful location), (5) Best for evening - Huk (only open 24/7, perfect for late-night sauna). Generally: Huk is best for just sauna, municipal pools are best for sauna + swimming.
Do I need to book in advance at public saunas?
Booking depends on sauna: (1) Huk sauna - NO booking necessary, just show up anytime 24/7, never full, (2) Municipal swimming pools (Tøyen, Frogner, etc.) - GENERALLY no booking: Just show up, pay at reception, go in, EXCEPTION: Some places may require booking for swimming pool lanes (not sauna) during peak times, COVID-19 period had booking requirements but this is gone now (January 2025). Tip: Call or check website of your local pool to confirm, but generally drop-in is OK for sauna. Best times for least crowded: Weekdays 10:00 AM-3:00 PM (avoid 4:00-7:00 PM rush).
Are public saunas in Oslo family-friendly?
Yes, public saunas are very family-friendly: (1) Child rules - Most municipal pools allow children in sauna from 3-5 years (with parents), some have dedicated family sauna times, Huk sauna is gender-separated so parents go with children of same gender, (2) Facilities for families - Kids pool (Manglerudbadet, Lambertseter), Changing rooms with baby changing, Affordable prices (children often 30-50 NOK, adults 60-100 NOK), (3) Atmosphere - Calm, local, not party vibe like some private saunas, Lots of families especially on weekends, (4) Best for families - Manglerudbadet (kids pool + spacious), Tøyen bath (central + lots of activities for kids). Comparison: Private saunas like KOK/SALT are more adult-oriented, public pools are more family-friendly.
What is the difference between Huk sauna and municipal swimming pools?
Main differences: (1) Price - Huk: Free (0 NOK), Municipal: 60-100 NOK, (2) Hours - Huk: 24/7, Municipal: Limited hours (approx. 6:00 AM-9:00 PM), (3) Facilities - Huk: Only sauna + fjord dip + outdoor shower, Municipal: Sauna + indoor pool + changing rooms + shower, (4) Location - Huk: Bygdøy (20 min bus from center), Municipal: Spread around city (easier to find close to you), (5) Weather-dependent - Huk: Outdoor, best spring/summer/fall (but runs year-round!), Municipal: Indoor, perfect year-round. Choose Huk if: Free is important + you like outdoor fjord dip + flexibility (24/7). Choose municipal if: You want to swim in addition + indoor comfort + facilities.
What should I bring to public saunas?
Packing list for public saunas: (1) Essential - Bath towel (1-2), Swim shorts/swimsuit (municipal pools require swimwear in pool, Huk sauna is textile-free), Flip-flops/sandals, Lock for locker (some places rent for 20 NOK), Cash or card for payment, (2) Recommended - Soap/shampoo (some places have, but bring own to be safe), Water bottle (important to drink after sauna), Snacks if staying long, (3) Optional - Own sauna hat (protect hair), Bathrobe (comfort between sauna and pool), Skin cream (skin can dry out after sauna). Tip: Huk sauna has minimal facilities (only outdoor shower), so bring everything you need. Municipal pools have changing rooms, showers, toilets.
Can I combine sauna with swim training at public pools?
Yes, absolutely! Municipal swimming pools are perfect for combining swimming + sauna in one session. Typical routine: (1) Pay single ticket (60-100 NOK) or use 10-ticket → gives access to both pool AND sauna, (2) Start with 30-45 min swim training (warms up body), (3) Then 15-20 min sauna (recovery + stretching), (4) Finish with shower. Best pools for this: Tøyen bath (also has gym under same roof), Vestkanbadet (steam room in addition to sauna), Manglerudbadet (spacious pool). Advantage vs. private saunas: Included in same price (KOK/SALT don't have pool), Perfect for athletic recovery (swimming + sauna + cold plunge). This is very popular among triathletes and swimmers.