Retreats
Take Our Sauna Culture Back to Where It Started
Building Scottish Seaside Saunas took me all over the UK, Ireland and the Nordic region, visiting saunas and learning from the people who run them. These retreats are how I get to share that directly - small-group trips to Oslo and Finland, co-hosted with Imogen Murray of Nàdair Adventures, built around genuine, hands-on sauna culture.
-Judith
Why We Run These Trips
These aren't packaged holidays with a sauna bolted on - they're built around genuinely experiencing Nordic sauna culture from the inside: floating community-owned saunas, sauna boats, forest bathing, smoke saunas, and the rituals and etiquette that go with all of it.
Oslo Sauna Retreats
Following the sold out tours in 2025, Scottish Seaside Saunas in collaboration with Nàdair Adventures are pleased to announce their seasonal Oslo sauna retreats for 2026. Come and join us in Oslo for some special sauna trips throughout the year.
Based at the Nordic region’s largest spa in the outskirts of Oslo, you will be hosted by Scottish Seaside Saunas’ founder and owner, Judith Dunlop and experienced adventure tour organiser Imogen Murray of Nàdair Adventures.
Over the course of the trip, you will be treated to an insight into Norway’s diverse and authentic sauna culture. This will range from a floating community-owned sauna complex, a sauna boat tour on the Oslo Fjord, to a varied selection of sauna rituals at our hotel base.
Our luxurious hotel and spa base boasts numerous pools, a cold plunge pool, fifteen different saunas and steam baths, more than one hundred different experience showers, a treatment department, a Japanese bathhouse with onsen, Hamam and Rhassoul, and in addition offers many exciting sauna and Aufguss rituals.
As well as enjoying time at our accommodation, we will spend time in Oslo, heading out into the Fjord on our exclusive floating sauna hosted by our charismatic captain. We will also enjoy some of the community-owned saunas floating on the harbour and hear about how they came into being.
There will be an opportunity for lunch in the architecturally-stunning Munch Museum and to enjoy some free time in Oslo where you will be free to explore the city, visit some of the many varied museums, or return back to our hotel base to enjoy many more sauna rituals.
Our spring, summer and Autumn trips also include a trip to Sagene Folkebad, possibly the most beautiful bathhouse in Oslo for a private group sauna session. Following our Sauna, we will have lunch and have time to soak up the Oslo culture before heading back to the Airport.
What's Included:
- Accommodation at the hotel base, with spa entry throughout your stay including guided Aufguss rituals
- A two-hour session at Sukkerbiten ("The Sugarcube"), Oslo's iconic floating sauna complex
- A trip on a floating sauna on the Oslo Fjord
- All meals, including a five-course tasting menu at an award-winning restaurant
- Branded swimwear for use at the hotel base
- All transport excluding flights
- On spring, summer and autumn trips: a private session at Sagene Folkebad, one of Oslo's most beautiful bathhouses
Not included: drinks and snacks (including alcohol), flights, and optional museum entry.
Dates & Pricing
Summer Retreat
24–27 August 2026
from £1,150 single occupancy
By booking, you agree to our Retreats Terms & Conditions.
Finland Sauna Retreats
New for 2026: a five-day trip to the home of sauna itself. We start in Nuuksio National Park, staying in lakeside cabins — each with its own sauna — at the award-winning Hawkhill, before moving to the contrasting pace of Helsinki for city saunas, floating pools and a smoke sauna session at Löyly, named one of Time Magazine's Top 100 Places in the World to Visit.
The Itinerary
Day 1 — Meet at Helsinki airport at 13:30 and travel to Hawkhill in Nuuksio National Park. Settle in with hot lingonberry juice by the fire, getting to know the group and an introduction to Finnish culture. Optional lake swim, sauna and time to unwind before a two-course dinner.
Day 2 — Optional morning yoga, swim or sauna, then breakfast before a guided hike through Nuuksio National Park with foraging for mushrooms and berries and an introduction to Finnish flora, fauna and lifestyle. Free time for swimming, sauna and relaxation, followed by a traditional Finnish evening meal in a forest restaurant.
Day 3 — A morning of optional yoga, swimming, sauna or walking the park's marked trails before travelling to Helsinki. Settle into your city-centre hotel, then head out for lunch and a visit to Allas Sea Pools. Evening meal in the city centre.
Day 4 — A free morning to explore Helsinki, followed by lunch together and an evening at Löyly, including the chef's menu.
Day 5 — A short transfer to Furuvik seaside sauna for a final sauna, swim and traditional Finnish picnic lunch, before transferring to the airport.
Dates & Pricing
Autumn Retreat
2–6 October 2026
£1,499 per person, shared accommodation throughout
£1,650 per person, shared at Hawkhill with a single room in Helsinki
By booking, you agree to our Retreats Terms & Conditions.
MEET Your Hosts
Judith Dunlop became obsessed with the idea of opening an outdoor sauna during lockdown 2021, opening Elie Seaside Sauna, which is now part of Scottish Seaside Saunas, which also includes Judith’s other saunas, Cellardyke Seaside Sauna and St. Andrews Seaside Sauna, in July 2022.
During the course of developing her sauna operation, Judith has traveled extensively visiting saunas around The UK & Ireland and Nordic Region.
As well as being a Scotland’s first accredited Sauna Master, trained in Aufguss and Level 2 Leaf-Whisking, Judith is a 200hr Yoga Teacher and passionate swimmer.
Imogen Murray is the founder and owner of Nàdair adventures. Imogen is a qualified open water swim coach, cycle leader and for the last few years has been working on adventure trips in Norway, Finland and Sweden, including self supported multi day ski trips in the Arctic Circle.
As well as outdoor adventuring, Imogen is a NHS doctor working in sexual and reproductive health and is passionate about the connection between health, nature, and the outdoors.
FAQs
Do I need to be an experienced sauna-goer?
No - all levels are welcome on both trips.
Can I travel alone?
Yes, solo travellers are welcome on both retreats. On the Oslo trip, shared occupancy may be arranged on request; on the Finland trip, accommodation at Hawkhill is always shared, with a single room available only during the Helsinki leg.
What about flights?
Flights aren't included - you're responsible for arranging your own travel to the meeting point, and we recommend not booking travel until the trip is confirmed (i.e. minimum numbers are met).
Can I bring a partner or friend?
Yes - just note that at Hawkhill on the Finland trip, you'll need to be prepared to share a room with them (or another solo traveller, if travelling alone).