Travelers Are Excited About Europe's Popular Wellness Trend Making Its Way To The US

Saunas are a fundamental part of day-to-day life in Scandinavia. Most famously in Finland and Sweden, but all across the Nordic countries as well, the contrast of searing dry heat (or steamy löyly) with a freezing cold plunge into an ice barrel, a lake, or the sea is a regular activity for most people. The idea of saunas balancing on piers over lakes, on pontoons in seaside ports, or even floating on small rafts out in the harbor has spread from Sweden and Finland over to Norway, Iceland, and across Europe as one of the most exciting wellness trends around. From the stunning Ribersborgs Kallbadhus in Malmö and the iconic Löyly in Helsinki to Amsterdam's Badhaus and the Community Sauna Baths in London, Nordic sauna culture is a smash hit.

Until relatively recently, saunas in the U.S. were mostly confined to gyms, spas, and members' clubs. But the last couple of years have seen a huge expansion of sauna and bathhouse culture across America. The European wellness trend of floating saunas inspired by the Scandinavian lifestyle has crossed the Atlantic, with Nordic-style saunas popping up on lakes across the country.

Saunas have been a part of life in Northern Europe for thousands of years, with the oldest evidence of sauna use being in Finland, around 10,000 years ago. There are similar ancient traditions all around the world, from hammams in the Arab world to sweat lodges and temazcal ceremonies in North and Central America. But while saunas are not a novel phenomenon in the U.S., the Scandinavian taste for contrast therapy — cycling through intense heat and cold experiences — is something new. And floating saunas are suddenly a must for anyone planning a luxurious wellness retreat in 2026.

Nordic sauna culture is all about contrast. Scandinavians tend to spend up to an hour and a half in a bathhouse, switching between the intense heat of the sauna and the intensity of a cold plunge. While saunas built on land use vats of iced water for the plunge, saunas floating in an icy lake or out on the sea offer instant, natural access simply by diving into the cold water all around!

Saunas in Scandinavia aren't just for cleanliness, pampering, or a luxurious treat. They are seen as almost ritualistic and are said to offer immense health and well-being benefits, both physically and mentally. The blend of hot and cold is supposed to reduce inflammation in the body, helping with athletic recovery and easing aches and pains around joints, while the warm, often steamy air can help open up airways. Regular sauna is even said to be beneficial for the immune system, preventing coughs and colds, particularly over the winter months. And the ritualistic, almost meditative nature of the hot/cold contrast can have positive effects on mental health, promoting mindfulness and reducing stress and anxiety.

To enjoy a floating sauna, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important not to overdo things and to acclimatize gently. Saunas can reach temperatures of up to 200°F, so safety is crucial. Most people spend around 10-15 minutes in the heat, then around two to five minutes in the cold. It is essential to rest and drink plenty of water while using a sauna. Always shower before you sauna, to wash away outside dirt, and before every plunge, to rinse off sweat. And while a naked dress code is the norm in many parts of Europe, this isn't usually the case in the U.S.

Saunas in the U.S. have long been associated with luxury and glamor, usually found in pricey spas or exclusive country clubs. But the current craze for floating saunas offers far more affordable options, and there are some wonderful Scandi-style bathhouses across the U.S., from New York to California.

Fall 2025 saw the opening of Kos, New York State's first floating sauna, in the picturesque location of Saratoga Springs. Set on the edge of Saratoga Lake, overlooking the natural beauty of Saratoga National Historical Park, it offers a gorgeous wellness experience, tapping into the local tradition of enjoying the natural healing properties of the mineral spring waters of the region. Over in Minnesota, the Cedar and Stone sauna makes Duluth an underrated getaway on the shores of Lake Superior for sauna lovers. And just a few miles north in Grand Marais, Sisu and Loyly was the first floating sauna open to the public in the United States.

While the Scandi vibes in Minnesota might be obvious, finding floating saunas elsewhere in the U.S. is no longer as hard as you might imagine. Von Sauna on Lake Washington brings Nordic-style sauna culture to Seattle, while Ebb and Ember offers a delightful experience on the Columbia River in Oregon. Not to be outdone, California has recently gotten in on the action, with Fjord, a floating sauna and plunge experience right on the San Francisco Bay.