Sweden Spa Guide: The Best Spas in Stockholm
Stockholm, Sweden. [Photo credit: Arthur Hinton]
Sweden’s capital and most populous city—and also the largest in Scandinavia entirely—Stockholm is home to some 2.4 million residents within its metropolitan area. It stretches across 14 islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea, and the Stockholm archipelago has been settled since the Stone Age of the 6th millennium BC—then in 1252, Stockholm was officially founded as a city by Swedish statesman Birger Jarl.
Today, Stockholm is a vibrant hub set against myriad waterways with its own menu of historical landmarks, cultural institutions, and riveting activities that keep visitors coming back year after year. One of the city’s most notable claims to fame is its hosting of the annual Nobel Prize ceremonies and banquet at the Stockholm Concert Hall and Stockholm City Hall.
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The most visited museum in Scandinavia also calls Stockholm home, the Vasa Museum, which is located on the island of Djurgården and displays the only almost fully intact 17th-century ship ever salvaged—the 64-gun warship Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. And of course, you can’t discuss Stockholm without mentioning the beloved folk band ABBA, for all those music and “Mamma Mia” lovers out there.
Whether you spend your time exploring the natural landscapes of the city and its outer rings, sightseeing by boat along one of several waterways, dining on classic and adventurous Swedish cuisine, or perusing through one of the noteworthy museums, you might likely find yourself in need of some rest and respite before tackling your next adventure.
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Consider this a guide to some of Stockholm’s best and brightest spa and wellness outlets, from indulgent massages to stress-relieving salt treatments. Read to on to discover picks for the best spas in Stockholm in our Sweden spa guide and find the best flight deals when booking your next adventure.
Centralbadet
Drottninggatan 88, 111 36 Stockholm, Sweden; (+46) 08-545-213-00
Rich with history dating to 1904, Centralbadet is a stunning art nouveau palace originally designed by architect Wilhelm Klemming. Housing a Roman-style bath, 75-foot swimming pool, five saunas, spa pools, a gym, restaurant, yoga and meditation studio, light therapy in the orangery, and a series of massage and skin care treatments—Centralbadet is a one-stop shop for an all-encompassing wellness experience.
This bath also holds historical significance in that it was the first bath of its kind in Sweden that was accessible to all classes of society. Although the different areas inside were separated between those who could and could not use them, the facility in its entirety kept its doors open to all. It marked a turning point for the country in the early 20th century during which women gained more influence and independence, who could come to Centralbadet to meet, relax, and socialize just as men had been doing for decades.
The entrance fee here includes access to the swimming pool, Roman bath, saunas, spa pools, indoor and outdoor gyms, and the yoga and meditation studio. In the summer months you’ll find a furnished sun deck for sunbathing, as well.
Centralbadet’s swimming facility uses Sweden’s largest ultra-filtration system, which filters out bacteria and viruses for extra clean water that requires low chlorine content—low enough that those with chlorine sensitivities are able to swim and bathe comfortably. This process then also requires that guests shower before using any of the bathing or swimming pools to keep bacteria and chlorine levels to a minimum.
In its primary spa space, guests will find treatments such as a Vitamin & Mineral Bath and a Champagne Bath, arranged in classic wooden tubs equipped with underwater massagers. Take a trip around the world by exploring Centralbadet’s diverse menu of massage treatments, from the Ayurvedic Deep Tissue massage and the traditional Japanese Shiatsu massage to a Thai massage or Chinese Meridien massage.
Additional services under the spa umbrella include facials, body scrub, lash and brow tinting, reiki, crystal healing, and more.
Dagmar Spirit & Retreat at Villa Dagmar
Nybrogatan 25-27, 114 39 Stockholm, Sweden; (+46) 08-122-135-50
Chic and historic converge at Villa Dagmar, a boutique hotel located just down the street from the historic Östermalms Saulhall (a food hall serving up a diverse selection of sit-down and kiosk dining options). The hotel’s 70 guest rooms are elegantly adorned with Scandinavian and Italian design pieces, and all offer stunning views overlooking either one of the on-site courtyards or the Stockholm cityscape.
Amenities include four food and drink outlets—The Garden, a cozy courtyard with a glass-roof atrium serving up bar menu fare, cocktails, and signature dishes; Dagges, a lively wine bar showcasing wines from lesser-known parts of the world; and the bakery and pâtisserie with a delectable lineup of breads, cakes, and pastries.
Guests staying at Villa Dagmar will also receive complimentary access to Dagmar Spirit & Retreat, which features a full fitness center and spa spaces for treatments and sound baths. Body services to note include The Ultimate Body Massage, The Full Body Treatment, The Lymphatic Body, The Total Relax, and the Cellulite Treatment. Give your face a little revamp with The Super Facial, which begins with a skin analysis to determine best course of action per customer, and focuses on deeping cleaning, radiance, and skin rejuvenation.
Close your eyes and let the sounds of a gong relax your nervous system—the Gong Bath session begins with simple exercises to soften and warm the body before moving on to sound therapy with the gong. The vibrations from the gong’s auditory waves are thought to dissolve tension and stress, and the instrument dates back to the Bronze Age some 5,000 years ago in places around the world, from China and Vietnam to ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.
The fitness center here is open 24 hours and provides a notable collection of equipment, a yoga and meditation room, an infrared sauna, and classes like breathwork and yoga.
Hotel Diplomat’s Retreat
Strandvägen 7C, 114 56 Stockholm, Sweden; (+46) 08-459-68-00
Originally built in 1907 under the order of King Oscar II, Hotel Diplomat is a stunning Art Nouveau palace adorned with bright red domed awning shades above the guest room windows that contrast the blues of the water that the hotel is perched along.
Some 130 rooms and suites make up the property alongside a signature restaurant, Andy’s Cocktail Bar, the relaxing Butiken bistro space, and its renowned Afternoon Tea served in The Gallery since the late 1960s. And for some stately respite visit Hotel Diplomat’s Retreat, a wellness outlet featuring a hammam, sauna, showers, and deck chairs alongside a fully-equipped gym, spa treatments, and cosmetic services.
The Ultimate Body Massage is based on classic Swedish massage techniques, reflexology, and deep connective tissue massage targeting pressure points to improve blood circulation. Available in 30-, 60-, and 90-minute durations, the service also uses organic aromatic oils to leave the skin soft and rejuvenated.
The Lymphatic Face treatment uses a cleansing, acupressure, and a gentle lymphatic massage of the face, neck, scalp, and neckline to reduce swelling, dryness, and fluid retention. Additional treatments include cryotherapy, eyebrow and eyelash services, dermapen microneedling, and others. There is also the hair salon at Hotel Diplomat, run by known hair stylist Bo Göran Guldbrand, if you’re looking for a simple wash and blow-dry, quick-fixes, or styling and updos.
Nordic Spa & Fitness at Grand Hotel Stockholm
Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8, Box 164 24, 103 27 Stockholm, Sweden; (+46) 08-679-35-00
Explore the waterfront grandeur of Grand Hôtel Stockholm, which was founded by Frenchman Jean-François Régis Cadier and first opened its doors in 1874. It’s a sibling to the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway, as all the major Scandinavian capital cities have a major property with the “Grand Hotel” name.
Guests visiting and staying here will be in proximity to the nearby National Museum of Fine Arts, the national gallery of Sweden, and the Stockholm Palace, the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. The hotel features some 331 guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, a bar, and the Nordic Spa & Fitness.
Built on foundational concepts of wholesomeness, closeness to nature, and a healthy, sustainable lifestyle, the hotel’s Nordic Spa & Fitness features a diverse collection of pools, quiet and relaxation rooms, a sauna, and myriad treatments and services.
The Day Spa packages include the Nordic Bath Deluxe, which takes guests through a bathing ritual between warm and cool dipping pools, time spent in the sauna, followed by body scrubs and beauty services. The Head Start package begins with a 45-minute shoulder, neck, and back massage; followed by a dip in the pool and breakfast at the Cadier Bar—although you are free to enjoy breakfast first if you so choose.
Specific treatments to note include the signature Triple Crown Red Carpet facial, which combines iontophoresis (a process using weak electrical currents to penetrate and treat the skin) with microcurrent gloves that better stimulate the facial muscles and promote collagen production—all of which is meant to result in firmer, more defined skin texture with a radiant, glowy finish.
And when in Sweden, a classic Swedish massage is practically a must—deep and invigorating to stimulate both body and mind. Explore Traditional Chinese Medicine with the spa’s Tu-Nia Chinese massage, which uses more than 50 different techniques on the body. Additional services include manicures and pedicures, reflexology and chiropractics, and the Nordic Detox which comprises connective tissue massage, cupping, gua sha, and heat therapy.
Stockholm Salt Spa & Yoga
Kornhamnstorg 49, 111 27 Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm Salt Spa & Yoga is located on the island of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s oldest settlement and connected to the mainland via several bridges. Here, it’s all things salt. Pay a visit to the Salt Room where you’ll find the roof, walls, and floor all covered with rock salt. The mineral has an antiseptic effect to it, which helps kill microorganisms and bacteria to help treat and heal skin conditions like psoriasis and acne in addition to soothing prolonged cold and nasal congestion. So, yes, it is recommended to walk barefoot in this space.
Salt is also thought to reduce stress and anxiety as well as mend asthma and allergy symptoms that clog the airways. The Salt Room experience will have guests relax in comfortable lounge chairs and breathe in the salty air for about 45 minutes, complemented by meditative background music.
For a bit more movement, consider salt yoga, also held in the Salt Room with several kinds of classes available—all done on cozy towels and mats directly on the floor of rock salt. Yin yoga serves all people and skill levels well, comprising a mixture of hatha yoga (a classical form of yoga), traditional Chinese medicine, and meditation. Salt medical yoga is a softer, slower form of yoga with more simple movements and breathing exercises for deep relaxation and brief meditation.
Salt harmony yoga is a variety of medical yoga for women meant to calm the mind and balance the body’s nervous and hormonal systems. Then there is salt sensing yoga, which pulls from the concepts behind how animals and young children move and behave naturally. Simple and gentle movements keep the yoga familiar and comfortable, allowing you to better wholly connect with the body.
Stockholm Salt Spa & Yoga also houses several therapists running their business on the outlet’s premises. A couple here you’ll find include Lina Björk, who owns Living Balance and offers lymphatic massages; and Aase Havstad, who owns Havstad’s Health and offers a diverse collection of massage services.
[Photos courtesy of spas and resorts]
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Amanda Christensen is a writer and editor based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with experience covering a range of business, lifestyle, and tourism topics. She has a passion for traveling and experiencing the world through a multitude of lenses, using her work to share with readers how they might best accomplish that themselves. View her work at amandachristensen.journoportfolio.com.