Quick FactsOverview
About Farris Bad
Farris Bad, Norway is a luxury spa hotel on the Larvik Fjord beachfront at Fritzoe Brygge 2 in Larvik, Vestfold, approximately 1.5 hours from Oslo. It is the only hotel in the Nordic region with its spa on a genuine mineral-rich spring, sourced from 55 metres below ground and taking 20 years to travel through moraine layers under the Bokeskogen beech forest.
The first spa at this source opened in 1843 and a successor in 1880. Henrik Ibsen, Bjornstjerne Bjornson, Selma Lagerlof, and Knut Hamsun all visited the original spa. The current hotel opened in 2009 as the first balneological health resort in the Nordic countries. The five-storey structure is partly on land and partly on pillars above the beach, with Larvikite granite interiors and floor-to-ceiling fjord views.
The 2,500-square-metre spa includes a daily-access spring water cave, multiple saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools, a fjord sauna, outdoor sea bathing, and 18 treatment rooms. Award-winning sauna masters deliver aufguss sessions daily. The hotel holds the Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification.
Location & Access
Getting to Farris Bad
Farris Bad is at Fritzoe Brygge 2, 3264 Larvik, directly on the Larvik Fjord waterfront adjacent to Larvik train station. From Oslo, the drive via the E18 takes approximately 1.5 hours, covering around 120 kilometres southwest along the coast. The hotel has a paid garage with 60 spaces at up to NOK 450 per day, and additional paid outdoor parking across the street. There is no free parking directly at the hotel.
By public transport, take a train from Oslo S to Larvik station on the Vestfold Line; the journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the service. Farris Bad is immediately adjacent to Larvik station, making it walkable in under five minutes from the platform. From Torp Airport in Sandefjord, the drive takes approximately 15 minutes, and airport buses also connect Torp to Larvik town centre. Larvik is well served by rail connections to both Oslo and Stavanger, making it accessible from a broad section of southern Norway.
The hotel and spa operate year-round. The Larvik area offers additional attractions including Bokeskogen, Norway's largest beech forest, which provides the groundwater source for the spring. The UNESCO-listed Geopark region of Vestfold covers the wider area, and Larvik is also known for its maritime history. Day visitors accessing hot springs near Oslo via train will find Farris Bad the most convenient high-quality spa option in the region, combining direct train access with one of the best spa facilities in northern Europe.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Farris Bad Suits
Farris Bad suits adults aged 16 and over seeking a premium Nordic spa experience centred on genuine mineral spring water. The minimum age of 16 for the spa applies to both day visitors and hotel guests using the spa facilities. The venue is primarily oriented toward couples, groups of friends, and solo wellness travellers. The combination of spring water pools, award-winning aufguss sessions, sea bathing, and a full treatment menu appeals to those who want more than a standard hotel pool experience.
Day visitors can access the spa through pre-booked day packages, which start from around NOK 1,760 per person and include lunch. Spa-only access without meals is available via a multi-visit clip card, offering a discount for repeat visits. On the first visit, guests receive a bathrobe, swimwear, and slippers to keep for return visits. Towels are provided on every visit. Advance booking is strongly recommended as day packages sell out; walk-in visitors face a NOK 100 surcharge and may be turned away if the spa is at capacity.
As a modern hotel built in 2009 in Norway, Farris Bad meets Norwegian accessibility standards. Accessible hot springs in Norway of this quality and scale are rare. The building has lift access throughout and accessible room options. Guests with specific accessibility requirements should contact the hotel directly at farrisbad@farrisbad.no or by calling +47 33 19 60 00 to confirm arrangements for the spa and pool areas before booking.
Safety & Etiquette
Farris Bad Safety Tips
Farris Bad is a professionally managed spa hotel with trained staff present throughout the spa at all times. The pools and spa facilities are maintained at safe temperatures and hygiene standards. The spring water cave pool delivers mineral water at a comfortable bathing temperature. The various saunas operate at different heat levels; the aufguss ceremony saunas reach high temperatures and are intended for experienced sauna users. If you are new to sauna bathing or high temperatures, begin with a lighter session and exit if you feel uncomfortable. Those with cardiovascular conditions, low blood pressure, or pregnancy should seek medical advice before using sauna or hot pool facilities.
The entire spa is a mobile phone-free zone; this rule is strictly enforced and applies to all guests including hotel residents. A thorough shower without swimwear is required before entering any spa area; staff will direct first-time visitors through the entry protocol. The spa recommends Lycra or nylon swimwear as it dries quickly and limits water spills; swimwear is available for purchase at check-in for NOK 125. Farris Bad swimwear purchased on a first visit should be brought back on subsequent visits.
The minimum age for all spa facilities is 16 years without exception. Children staying at the hotel may use non-spa hotel areas but may not enter the spa, pools, saunas, or treatment rooms. The outdoor sea bathing area adjacent to the hotel is subject to the same age restriction when accessed through the spa. Guests booking day packages should check the current session schedule for aufguss ceremonies and spa activities at farrisbad.no before arrival to plan their time in the spa effectively.
