Viking wellness in Sweden – a centuries-old way of feeling good

A different side of the Vikings

Vikings are often portrayed as wild and unkempt, but most led quiet lives as farmers, closely connected to nature. Cleanliness was an important part of everyday life. While bathing was infrequent in many parts of Europe at the time, Vikings were known to wash regularly – often once a week, typically on Saturdays.

Bathing was more than routine. It involved caring for hair and beards, using combs and simple tools, and alternating between warm and cold baths after time spent in early forms of saunas. These rituals were not only practical, but also social. According to some accounts, they made the Vikings surprisingly well-groomed by the standards of the time, attracting attention wherever they travelled.

From ancient rituals to a modern travel trend

Today, these nature-based rituals are inspiring one of the most talked-about travel trends of 2026. Highlighted by Condé Nast Traveler and explored by the BBC, ‘Viking wellness’ centres on simple but powerful experiences rooted in the elements.

Think hot and cold therapy, forest bathing and meals cooked over open fires. In Viking times, a typical cleansing ritual might begin in a heated sweat lodge, followed by a cold plunge in a nearby lake or stream. This contrast between heat and cold remains at the heart of many Nordic wellness traditions.

Food, too, plays a central role in the Viking wellness trend. Cooking over fire and sharing meals around a table fosters a sense of connection to nature and to one another. It’s a slower, more mindful way of eating, shaped by the seasons and what the land provides.

In Sweden, this isn’t a passing trend. It’s a way of life shaped over centuries, where age-old practices continue to evolve into modern experiences. Across the country, you’ll find places that bring these elements together, from forest spas and fire-cooked dining to immersive retreats in nature.

Hot and cold therapy, the Viking way

Across Sweden, you’ll find secluded and thoughtfully designed getaways where water, in all its forms, takes centre stage. Here are three places to experience the invigorating contrast between heat and cold, surrounded by nature.

Silva Spa at Trakt Forest Hotel, Småland

Tucked into a quiet forest glade, this secluded spa is part of Trakt Forest Hotel, where minimalist cabins are scattered among the trees. Soak in a wood-fired tub, breathe in the scent of burning firewood and listen to the forest around you. A lakeside sauna completes the experience, with cool water steps away.

The sauna at Uppvallens Fäbod, Härjedalen

Part of a small glamping site in Lofsdalen, this sauna sits beside a gently flowing brook in a quiet forest setting. Open year-round, it’s perhaps at its most atmospheric in winter, when snow blankets the landscape and lanterns, torches and hanging lights illuminate the darkness. In summer, the surroundings shift to lush greenery, with the same refreshing contrast between warm sauna and cool water.

The Creek Cabin at Hyssna Forest Resort, West Sweden

Hidden in a moss-covered ravine by a quiet stream, this cabin is part of Hyssna Forest Resort, where nature and comfort go hand in hand. Alternate between the warmth of the spa bath and invigorating cold plunges in the flowing water below. The setting is peaceful and secluded, offering a restorative escape shaped by its natural surroundings.

Viking-inspired dining experiences

Cooking over fire and sharing meals are at the heart of Viking-inspired dining. At Restaurant Ekstedt in Stockholm, everything is prepared over open flames, a method that has earned the restaurant a Michelin star. Chef Niklas Ekstedt has also been highlighted in the Viking wellness trend. Across Sweden, you’ll find smaller, nature-based dining experiences where fire, seasonality and togetherness shape the meal.

Åre Nature Studio, Jämtland

At Åre Nature Studio, every meal begins by the fire. Guests gather outside the small hunting cabin, where the fire becomes a natural meeting point before the meal begins. The menu is shaped by what’s available in nature, with the chef and owner Fredrik Karlsson sourcing ingredients through hunting and fishing. The result is a seasonal tasting experience where each dish reflects the surrounding landscape. It’s also a favourite of Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt.

Asa Herrgård, Småland

At this 17th-century manor, dining takes place outdoors in the forest. Seated at a long table among the trees, with moss underfoot and open sky above, guests can prepare their own meal using seasonal ingredients from the surrounding area, or join a guided experience with a host and chef. It’s a setting where the surroundings become part of the meal.

Knystaforsen, Halland

Set in an old sawmill by a flowing river, this Michelin-starred restaurant centres its dining experience around the campfire. Ingredients are sourced from the nearby landscape and cooked over flames and embers. The atmosphere is relaxed and personal – the restaurant is also the home of its owners – creating a dining experience that feels both refined and deeply rooted in place.

Viking wellness retreats

For a deeper connection to nature, a wellness retreat offers the full experience. Expect a blend of hot and cold bathing, outdoor cooking and time spent in nature, all set in scenic locations throughout Sweden. It’s a chance to slow down, learn new skills and reconnect with both nature and yourself.

Forest Camp by Elles Utemat, Dalarna

In a secluded forest camp deep in Dalarna, Elle Nikishkova invites guests to embrace a simpler, nature-shaped way of living. Through courses and retreats, you’ll learn to forage and cook over an open fire, combine wood-fired hot tub bathing with invigorating cold dips and unwind off-grid in the company of the forest. Several events run throughout the year, including a Viking wellness-inspired retreat in August.

Forest Retreat by Wild Sweden, Västmanland

For those drawn to wildlife and adventure, Wild Sweden offers immersive nature experiences in the forests of Västmanland. Their Forest Retreat includes forest yoga, bushcraft skills, wood-heated sauna sessions and refreshing lake dips. Evenings are spent around the fire, with the possibility of camping in wolf territory, offering a rare insight into Sweden’s wild landscapes.

Farm retreat at Sibbjäns, Gotland

On the island of Gotland, Sibbjäns offers a more refined take on the Viking wellness concept. This boutique farmstay has already been highlighted by the BBC as part of the growing trend. Guests can enjoy a natural pool, wood-fired sauna and farm-to-table dining, all rooted in regenerative principles. Retreats and workshops focus on reconnecting with nature, from outdoor communal meals to herbalism and the journey from soil to table.

Rooted in simplicity and shaped by nature, Viking wellness is less about adding something new and more about returning to what has long been there. Guided by the elements, these traditions continue to shape and evolve life in Sweden, offering a way to reconnect with nature and what helps us feel well.