Experience Wasteland and the Crystal Sauna

Wasteland in Skellefteå is Europe’s first Climate Action Park. A unique art and experience park for everyone, located in Ursviken just 15 minutes from the city center. Where the Skellefte River meets the sea, a former industrial site has been transformed into a new destination for art, movement, and sauna culture.

The park’s main attraction is Crystal Sauna – a spectacular sauna and art installation by the internationally acclaimed duo Bigert & Bergström.

Part of Society Expo 2026

Crystal Sauna – sauna inside a lithium crystal

Crystal Sauna is the heart of Wasteland. Designed as a lithium crystal – a clear reference to the raw materials driving the green transition – the sauna is both architecture and art.

This is not a traditional sauna. It’s a unique experience. Gather with friends, book with colleagues, and treat yourself to something out of the ordinary – then let the heat, the water, and the place do the rest.

BOOK CRYSTAL SAUNA

Observation tower by the Oslo School of Architecture and Design

A unique observation tower offering a new meeting place for people, stories, and experiences, with views over the area. The tower is created through an international collaboration between architecture students, industry partners, and local stakeholders, with a focus on reuse and future optimism.

The landscape came first – Skellefteå konsthall

A large-scale sculpture by Ingela Ihrman, where a twelve-metre-long “skeleton” of trees and roots highlights nature’s existence before humans. Placed in a former industrial area, the work invites reflection on time, responsibility, and how the site can recover through a green transition.

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Find your way to Wasteland and the Crystal Sauna

Wasteland is located in Ursviken, just outside Skellefteå. The area is easily accessible by car, bike, or public transport from the city center.

Frequently asked questions about Wasteland and Crystal Sauna

What is Wasteland in Skellefteå?
Wasteland is a Climate Action Park – an art and experience park on the former Scharins industrial site in Ursviken, just outside Skellefteå. A former industrial site has been transformed into a destination for art, nature experiences, movement and sauna culture.

Where is Wasteland located?
Wasteland is located on the Scharins site in Ursviken, where the Skellefte River meets Ursviksfjärden, about 15 minutes by car from central Skellefteå.

What is Crystal Sauna?
Crystal Sauna is one of the park’s most talked-about artworks – a permanent sauna and art installation created by artist duo Bigert & Bergström. The sauna is shaped like a crystal and clad in pink mirrored sheet metal.

Can you use Crystal Sauna?
Yes, the sauna can be booked by individuals, companies and associations. You can book Crystal Sauna via Skellefteå Municipality’s website.

When were Wasteland and Crystal Sauna inaugurated?
Wasteland and Crystal Sauna were inaugurated on 28 May 2026 as part of Society Expo 2026. The park is now a permanent place for art, experiences and recreation.

What are the opening hours for Wasteland?
The park is open daily from 06:00 to midnight. Opening hours may vary on public holidays. Toilets and changing rooms are only open in connection with Crystal Sauna bookings.

Is there an entrance fee for Wasteland?
Visiting Wasteland and experiencing the park’s artworks and surroundings is free of charge. Crystal Sauna is booked separately for a fee.

How do you get to Wasteland?
Wasteland is located in Ursviken, about 15 minutes by car from central Skellefteå. You can also reach the area by bicycle or public transport. A map of the site is available on Skellefteå Municipality’s website to help you find your way around the park.

Is there parking at Wasteland?
Yes, parking is available next to the site. See the site map on Skellefteå Municipality’s website for information before your visit. Follow the signs on site.

How long does a visit to Wasteland take?
A visit can take anything from a short stop to several hours, depending on whether you want to stroll through the park, discover the artworks or combine your visit with a booked sauna session.

Is Wasteland suitable for families?
Yes, Wasteland is a place for all ages. Attractions include Lekotopen, a nature-based play area, as well as several art installations and spaces that children and adults can explore together.

What is accessibility like at the site?
There are accessible ramps to the sauna, changing rooms and parts of the site. An accessible shower and toilet are also available in connection with sauna bookings.
Surface types vary:
• Stone dust on the main paths (to the sauna and tower)
• Wood chips in play areas
• Bark on other paths
The site is partially accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Are there changing rooms and showers?
Yes, changing rooms, a shower and a toilet are available next to Crystal Sauna. These facilities are only available in connection with booked sauna sessions. An accessible shower and toilet are also available.

Can you swim in the Skellefte River at Wasteland?
Swimming in the Skellefte River at Wasteland is not recommended. Crystal Sauna offers a sauna experience that is booked separately.

Learn more about Wasteland