By: Chris ⎜ Last updated
KOK has two sauna locations in Oslo. The KOK Langkaia branch is located in Bjørvika 25 minutes away, with the Opera House and MUNCH as a backdrop. Aker Brygge faces Akershus Fortress and the inner Oslofjord.
The saunas are the same at both, with wood-fired heat, fjord dip from the deck, and possibility for shared or private bookings. The biggest difference is the neighbourhood. If you are staying nearby, or you are spending the day on the west side of the centre, perhaps at the nearby National Museum or Peace Price Center, choose Aker Brygge as they are practically the same saunas, although the facilities at Langkaia are slightly better.
For general information on KOK, and general booking advice, see the full KOK Langkaia guide. This article covers what's specific to the Aker Brygge branch.
The location
Aker Brygge's saunas are on a pier along one of Oslo's busiest waterfront promenades, where people walk past while standing there cooling off in swimwear. Some will look, and a few will stop for photos of the floating saunas with you in the picture.
Langkaia has spectators too, but this side of the Bjørvika waterfront is not as trafficked. That's part of the appeal if you're heading for lunch or dinner here afterwards, but less appealing if you want something quiet.
The other practical difference is that Aker Brygge has no proper shower. Langkaia has three cold-water showers on site, while Aker Brygge may have a single rinsing hose. In winter the hoses might be turned off as the water can freeze, so don't count on it. Neither location has toilets on the sauna pier itself.
Toilets
The Aker Brygge shopping centre has public toilets a couple of minutes walk from the saunas during opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–18:00, closed Sunday. Outside those hours, the only options available are restaurant toilets as a paying customer (or use the sea while swimming).
When to book
Weekday mornings get the least foot traffic on the promenade, while sessions are also quieter.
Late afternoon is the slot that makes this branch worth choosing over Langkaia. You can spend the afternoon at the Astrup Fearnley Museum, the National Museum or the Nobel Peace Center, and head over to KOK afterwards. When finished, you have dozens of dining options on the pier. At Langkaia, the nearest good restaurants are a longer walk or a tram ride away.
Booking types
The same shared, private, and cruise options are available here as at Langkaia, with the same session lengths and capacity.
At current prices, for shared saunas you pay NOK 320 per person, private saunas are from NOK 1,520, while the cruise is priced from NOK 2,960. Check the KOK booking page for current availability and pricing, as they have dynamic pricing with lower prices off peak and last minute.
Who this branch is for
Book Aker Brygge if you're staying around Tjuvholmen, Vika, Nationaltheatret, or the Royal Palace side of town. If staying around the central station, Bjørvika, MUNCH, or the Opera House, Langkaia is closer. For a full comparison of all the floating sauna options in Oslo, including SALT and Oslo Badstuforening, see our full Oslo sauna guide.
What to do nearby
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