Where to Go: the 11 Best Winter Spa Days Worldwide

1.Stockholm: Winter Kayaking, Swedish Fika and hot Sauna Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $160Our pick

Join a small group of up to eight for a three-hour winter sea-kayaking trip near Vaxholm. Guides including Sam, Jules, Rowan, Karl, and Theresa lead beginners through icy channels in full cold-weather gear, followed by fika, sauna, and an optional Baltic plunge.

“This could not have been any more of a perfect day. Our guide, Sam, was so knowledgeable and calming that our group would have kayaked to the arctic following him. The entire experience was safe, fun and breathtaking. Do not miss plunging yourself into the Baltic Sea once the kayaking is over and really enjoy the sauna!”

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2.Arctic SnowHotel Tour and Snow Sauna Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 92 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $175

Spend 5 to 6 hours at Arctic SnowHotel with return transport, a guided tour, private use of the snow sauna, Finnish sauna, and outdoor jacuzzi. See ice rooms, an Ice Bar, and an Ice Restaurant, then add dinner at the Ice Restaurant or Kota Restaurant.

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3.Snow Sauna Experience, Jacuzzi and Dinner in Kota

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 79 reviews · from $289

Spend seven hours at Arctic SnowHotel with round-trip transport, a guided ice-hotel visit, private snow and Finnish saunas, an outdoor jacuzzi, and a three-course dinner in a warm Kota restaurant. English guidance, selected pickup points, and northern-lights viewing from the Sky Bar are included.

“It was worth to spend the money, it’s great to see the Snow Hotel, get the chance to do snow sauna and hot tube in the Arctic forest. Unique experience.”

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4.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 79 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Join an English-speaking mountain leader, such as Velko, Daniel, Alex, or Kiril, for a 2.5-hour snowshoe walk above Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains. Ride a chairlift to 2,150 meters, see frozen alpine lakes, then warm up in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.

“Loved the activity. Sadly weather conditions meant we couldn’t go to the second lake but it was still so fun regardless !”

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5.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Spend a full day with a private English-speaking guide visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji, Obuse, and the Hokusai Museum. Choose public transport or a private vehicle, stop for local food and sake, and shape the day around your group’s pace and interests.

“Our guide Horiuchi-San was an absolute gem, he was knowledgeable, well-prepared, and is great company! The tour driver (I forgot his name) was just great, he drove safely and was very friendly. The lunch spot was just great, great food Read more”

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6.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $78

From Iiyama or Nozawa, ride through Nagano’s orchard country to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, with entry tickets arranged in advance. Walk 2 km each way, see the monkeys for about 50 minutes, then visit Shibu Onsen and Tamamura Honten. Guides including Tommy, Tome, and Rossella lead the tour.

“Incredible tour, very time efficient— a great easy way to see the monkeys and get a little flavor of the region from a very knowledgeable guide!”

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7.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $144

Start with Sofia hotel pickup and a private transfer to the Rila Mountains. With a certified English-speaking mountain leader, snowshoes, and poles, you’ll hike about 2.5 hours above the tree line, then soak in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.

“O passeio não aconteceu pois o teleferico que nos levaria aos lagos estava fechado em virtude dos fortes ventos. Faltou atitude da empresa/guia, de obter informações sobre o tempo no local . Viajamos por horas, perdemos nosso dia. depois vimos que já estava sendo divulgado localmente que não era recomendado o passeio e não fomos avisados. Na minha opinião todo o valor pago deveria ser devolvido.”

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8.1-Day Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $150

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with a local English-speaking guide to see bathing snow monkeys, enjoy lunch at Japanese Dining GOEN, visit Zenko-ji Temple, and taste Nagano sake. Guides such as Jens and Yama have led this relaxed, well-organized day.

“Great day out with a fantastic guide and safe driver. Lunch was very tasty too! The guide was very knowledgeable and shared information in an easy going manner.”

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9.From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji Day Trip & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 10 hours · from $135

Travel from Nozawa Onsen to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, enjoy a warm local lunch, explore Zenko-ji Temple, and finish with sake tasting. An English-speaking guide such as Endo, Kieron, Lin, or Yama may lead your day, with a non-alcoholic option available.

“This trip and guide exceeded all expectations! Yama was a friendly local beekeeper guide, who was informative and very attentive to the group. It was amazing to be so close to the monkeys in such a beautiful location. I recommend trackers for your shoes for this tour. The monkeys wandered in between us and the little ones ran around playing and bathing! We did the snow monkey tour with a fantastic local cuisine lunch in a 200 year old farm house, visit to Nagano (beautiful town - be sure to walk the dark monk trail in the temple) and sake sampling. Highly recommend this tour for a taste of the…”

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10.Snow Monkey Park, Soba Lunch and Shibu Onsen Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $97

Start at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques may soak in a mountain hot spring. Then enjoy soba in Shibu Onsen, visit a public bath, and collect onsen stamps with a towel. Guide Umut leads a small group of up to seven, with pickup support available by request.

“This tour is very organised and the communication is clear from the booking process to the end. Our tour guide Umut was excellent, friendly and informative. The day was hot and there was no guarantee that the snow monkeys would be tRead more”

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11.Rila Mountain Winter Day Trip – Nature and SPA!

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 8 reviews · 9 hours · from $35Best value

Spend nine hours from Sofia in snowy Borovets, touring Tsarska Bistritsa and relaxing at Sapareva Banya’s five panoramic pools and saunas. An English-speaking host, such as Vasil on some departures, handles the day. Bring cash, swimwear, flip-flops, and headphones.

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