By: Chris ⎜ Last updated
Oslo Badstuforening runs two floating sauna villages in Bjørvika. If you've already read the Oslo Badstuforening Sukkerbiten guide, everything about booking, etiquette, what to bring, and how the association works applies here too.
There are two main differences:
Bademaschinen is a big retro-looking floating sauna structure with two saunas, a communal plaza, changing areas, and a jumping and observation tower. From the pier you look straight across to the Opera House, MUNCH, and Deichman Bjørvika.
The view is the other reason to choose this branch over Sukkerbiten. Bademaschinen 1 faces the Opera House and Deichman. This is the best sauna view in Oslo. Bademaschinen 2 faces out toward Hovedøya.
What you get at Langkaia
Langkaia is smaller and more concentrated than Sukkerbiten. Six saunas line the pier, with Bademaschinen as the centrepiece. At Bademaschinen you have two unisex changing rooms and two larger saunas, of which one is a quiet sauna. The others include Rådhuset (a more designed room with windows in several directions), Snipa (smaller, partly built from reused boat material), and a few more.
A public sauna ticket gives you access to the whole Langkaia village, except the saunas that have been rented privately. You can use all the saunas with a green sign. Early morning slots, especially around sunrise, are consistently quieter, and you will not have to wait for space or cram with others in your favourite sauna.
Facilities
Langkaia has no toilet facilities. Go before you arrive. But anyway, you will most likely also have to resort to using the sea as your toilet.
Everything else is reasonable. Hot and cold showers at the Bademaschinen plaza and the north end of the reception building, an ice-cold bucket shower, drinking water refill points by the tower and several unisex communal changing rooms. Bring your own padlock if you want to secure valuables.
Getting down to the pier
A wide staircase leads from street level to the main sauna pier. If stairs are a problem, go to Sukkerbiten instead. Sukkerbiten has a wider, gentler gangway and no stairs.
Private sauna
Private sauna rental makes sense for groups, for guaranteed access to a specific sauna, or for avoiding shared changing rooms.
Bademaschinen has the largest saunas. Each sauna fits up to 16 people, and you get two hours including changing time. Rådhuset is the prettier, more intimate option with views in several directions. Snipa is the smaller, stranger one, good for up to eight.
Sukkerbiten has even more options. Check the Oslo Badstuforening Sukkerbiten guide for the full private rental breakdown.
Langkaia or Sukkerbiten?
Langkaia for the Opera House view. It´s also nearer to the city center.
Sukkerbiten has more saunas, step-free access, and easier toilet access.
Other sauna options
Langkaia is one of several floating and waterfront sauna options in Bjørvika, and they're all within a few minutes of each other. If you're weighing KOK Saunas or SALT, the full comparison is in our Oslo saunas guide.
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