Tromsø: Spa/Pool with Bath, Sauna and Outdoor Heated Pool

Tromsøbadet is at its best when snow is falling and you are sitting in the heated outdoor pool, looking across white hills and mountains. It is part public swimming centre, part Nordic bathing stop, and a fine way to warm up after time outside in Arctic weather.

I like the outdoor pool for its views, and I like the range of things to do under one roof: a large swimming pool, hot tubs, steam room, sauna, slides, wave machine, plunge pool, and climbing wall. The main catch is simple: this is a busy leisure centre as well as a spa, so it may not suit you if you want a quiet, adults-only retreat.

Key points at a glance

• Outdoor heated pool: Soak outside with views of snowy mountains, sunset colours, or possibly the northern lights.
• More than a spa: You get family pools, slides, wave features, springboards, and a large Olympic-sized pool.
• Nordic heat and cold: Use the Finnish sauna, steam room, hot tubs, and cold plunge pool in your own order.
• Good family choice: Children have plenty to do, while adults can still find calmer pool areas.
• Easy self-guided visit: No guide is needed, and you can stay for a few hours or use the full one-day entry.
• Check the price before booking: Direct entry has been reported at around 250 NOK for adults, while online prices can be higher.

Tromsøbadet is a swimming centre first, spa second

The name and sales description may lead you to picture a hushed hotel spa. That is not quite the scene. Tromsøbadet is a modern public swimming and wellness centre, so you may find children, swim lessons, families, and people using the main pool for exercise.

That is not a flaw if you want variety. You can spend ten minutes in the steam room, swim a few lengths, try a slide, sit in a hot tub, and finish outside with the mountains ahead. The experience has more energy and choice than a traditional spa.

For a peaceful visit, I would go during a quieter part of the day and spend most of my time in the outdoor heated pool and wellness areas. For a family afternoon, the livelier sections are part of the appeal.

Arriving from central Tromsø

Tromsøbadet is in the Innlandet area, away from the central harbour streets. Bus routes 20 and 24 stop at Dramsvegen, at the Templarheimen stop. From there, allow about five to ten minutes on foot.

The walk is short, but the centre sits uphill, and winter snow can make the approach slower. One useful detail is that the entrance can be confusing if you are following general directions. Look for Tromsøbadet at the top of the road from the Templarheimen stop rather than expecting a large facility directly beside the main road.

You can also walk from central Tromsø. One reported route takes about 45 minutes, and some people combine the visit with a walk through the public park. A taxi is a practical choice on the way back if you are tired or carrying wet clothes.

Drivers get 100 parking spaces outside Tromsøbadet, with disabled and electric car spaces included. Extra parking is available near the Gymnasium, between Tromsøbadet and Tromsøhallen, and at Fløyahallen. Cyclists have an 84-space bicycle shed, though you need your own lock. In winter, a lockable rack holds up to 108 pairs of skis.

Start with the large indoor pool

Once changed, begin with the main indoor pool if you want to swim properly. It is Olympic-sized, so you can go from end to end rather than simply sit in warm water.

This area gives the complex a useful practical side. You can get exercise, let children burn off energy, or spend time in the water before moving to the quieter wellness sections. There are also springboards and high jump platforms for anyone who enjoys a little excitement.

The main pool may be used for swimming lessons at some times, so do not expect every lane or section to be available for casual use throughout your visit. That matters if your main goal is uninterrupted lap swimming.

Let children test the slides and wave features

Families have plenty to occupy them beyond the main pool. The centre has water slides, a wave machine, a paddling pool, and pool areas suited to different ages.

The slides provide a sharper change of pace than the sauna and outdoor pool. Children can move between the slides and shallow areas, while adults can use the larger pool or sit nearby. The wave feature adds another playful element without requiring a full day of organised activities.

There is also a climbing wall in one of the pool areas. It gives older children and active adults something different to try, especially if they are ready for a break from swimming.

I would allow at least two or three hours if you want to use the slides, pools, sauna, and outdoor area. Families may easily stay longer. One family-friendly report described spending four hours there and returning the next day, which gives you a good sense of how much the centre offers.

The outdoor pool is the main event

The heated outdoor pool is the reason I would make room for Tromsøbadet in a Tromsø schedule. You step into warm water while cold air moves around your face, with mountain views opening in front of you.

In winter, the contrast is especially striking. Snow may fall on the deck while you stay warm in the pool. At sunset, the water can frame the orange light over the snow. After dark, the main overhead lights may be reduced, creating a calmer evening mood.

There is also a chance to see the northern lights from the outdoor pool. That is never guaranteed, since clouds and aurora activity control the result, but the setting gives you a comfortable place to watch the sky if conditions cooperate. You do not need a separate aurora excursion for this moment, though it should be treated as a bonus rather than the purpose of the visit.

The outdoor pool can be relaxing, but it is not always silent. Children and other swimmers may use it, and the whole complex remains a public facility. Still, the views make it the best place to slow down.

Try the Finnish sauna, steam room, and cold plunge

The Finnish sauna gives you the classic dry heat associated with Nordic bathing. After a few minutes, cool down in the pool or take the more dramatic step into the cold plunge pool.

The steam room offers a softer, more humid type of heat. You can move between the steam, sauna, hot tubs, and cold water to create your own bathing routine. There is no required order and no guide leading you through it, which keeps the visit flexible.

Some changing-room areas also include a women-only sauna. That can be useful if you prefer a quieter sauna setting. The sauna and steam room are included in entry, so you do not need to pay extra for each part.

The cold plunge is not for everyone, and you should not feel obliged to use it. It is there for those who enjoy a strong hot-and-cold contrast. If your idea of relaxation means staying warm, the outdoor pool and hot tubs are enough.

Allow time for the hot tubs and smaller pools

Several smaller pools and hot tubs create places to pause between more active sections. Some areas are suited to sitting and talking, while others work better for a quick warm-up after the cold plunge.

This variety is where the centre earns its wellness label. You are not limited to one large pool or one sauna. I like that you can build a simple circuit: swim, use the sauna, cool down, sit in warm water, then finish outdoors.

Food and drinks are available on site, including pizza and coffee. You can add purchases to the wristband used for your locker and settle the bill when you leave. That is handy if you plan to stay several hours, though you should still bring your own basic toiletries.

Changing rooms and what to bring

Bring swimwear, a towel, and toiletries. Soap and shampoo are not included, though they can be purchased. Towel rental is listed as included, but several visitors advise bringing your own towel, so I would pack one if you have space.

The lockers use a tagged wristband, with no coin needed. Keep the band with you while you swim because it controls access to your locker and may also be used for food and drinks.

The changing areas are clean and easy to use, but privacy may be limited. One important point is that private changing facilities are not available in the usual sense, so this could feel uncomfortable if you prefer individual changing cubicles.

Phones and cameras are not allowed in the bathing areas. That rule protects privacy, but it also means you cannot take photographs from the outdoor pool. You will need to rely on memory for the snowy mountain views and any northern lights display. Alcohol, drugs, and chewing gum are also prohibited.

What the $41 price means for value

The advertised price is about $41 per person, with one-day access to the bathing and swimming facilities, Finnish sauna, showers, storage, and towel rental included. For a full afternoon of swimming, hot water, sauna time, and family activities, that can be fair value by Norwegian standards.

The price deserves a check before you commit, though. Direct payment at Tromsøbadet has been reported at around 250 NOK for adults, with lower prices for children. Several people found online booking more expensive, sometimes by the equivalent of £10 to £13 per person.

Booking online may still make sense if you want to secure entry during a busy period. Paying at the centre may save money if capacity is not a concern. I would compare the direct price and the online price on the day you plan to go.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the visit, and the booking can be made with payment later. The ticket is valid for one day from first activation, so you have flexibility once inside.

Who will enjoy Tromsøbadet most

I would recommend this for families, couples, active adults, and anyone who wants a warm indoor plan during a cold Tromsø stay. Children can use the slides, wave machine, climbing wall, and pools while adults move between the sauna and outdoor water.

It also works well at the end of a winter trip. After snowy walks and outdoor excursions, the hot pools ease tired legs without requiring another full organised activity. The centre can also fill a morning before an airport departure, provided your timing allows for the trip there and back.

I would be more cautious if you want a luxury spa with silence, private treatment rooms, or a strictly adult atmosphere. You get a capable public wellness centre, not a boutique retreat. The outdoor pool is peaceful at the right moment, but the surrounding facility can be lively.

The centre is wheelchair accessible, and English and Norwegian are spoken. Entry, storage, showers, sauna, and bathing facilities are included, with no guide required.

A practical way to plan your visit

If I were planning the day, I would take the bus to Templarheimen, allow ten minutes for the uphill walk, and arrive with swimwear, towel, and toiletries ready. I would start with the main pool and slides, then move to the sauna and steam room before spending the longest quiet stretch outdoors.

For a family, I would allow three to four hours. For a couple or solo visitor focused on bathing, two to three hours may be enough. If the sky is clear after dark, an evening visit gives you the best chance of enjoying the pool beneath the stars, though aurora sightings remain uncertain.

Do not bring your phone into the bathing areas. Put valuables in the wristband locker, and check the direct admission price before paying online. Those two small steps can make the visit cheaper and less stressful.

Should you book Tromsøbadet?

Book it if you want mountain views from warm outdoor water, a flexible rainy or snowy day activity, or a place where adults and children can all find something to enjoy. The combination of sauna, steam room, cold plunge, slides, large pool, and outdoor bathing gives you far more than a basic swim.

Skip it if you expect a quiet luxury spa or dislike shared changing areas. For the best value, compare the online cost with the direct price at Tromsøbadet. If the difference is small, booking ahead may be worthwhile. If it is large, paying at the door can leave more money for coffee, pizza, or another Tromsø experience.

FAQ

Where is Tromsøbadet?

Tromsøbadet is in Innlandet County, Tromsø. Bus routes 20 and 24 stop at Dramsvegen, also called Templarheimen, followed by a five to ten minute walk.

What is included in the entry price?

Entry includes access to the bathing and swimming facilities, Finnish sauna, showers, storage, and towel rental.

Do I need to bring a towel?

A towel is listed as included through rental, but bringing your own towel is recommended. You should also bring swimwear and toiletries.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Children can use the paddling pool, wave machine, water slides, and other family swimming areas. Adults can also use the Olympic-sized pool, sauna, steam room, hot tubs, and outdoor pool.

Can I see the northern lights from the pool?

You may be able to see the northern lights from the heated outdoor pool at night, but sightings depend on the weather and aurora conditions.

Can I bring my phone or camera?

No. Cameras and cellphones are not allowed in the bathing areas. Alcohol, drugs, and chewing gum are also prohibited.

Is Tromsøbadet wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the facility is wheelchair accessible. English and Norwegian are available at the centre.