I currently live in Helsinki, a picturesque archipelago consisting of over 300 islands integrated with lush forests, wildlife, beaches, and rocky coastal geography. Living a simple life closer to nature is easy here, it’s like living in cottage country in the middle of a major city, and it’s really safe. Aside from Moomins, mustikkapiirakka and metal music in modern times, the saunas have been a vital part of the traditional culture since at least 7000 BC, which you can easily experience today if you check out one of the many public and private saunas available around the land. There is a sauna for nearly everyone: in corporate headquarters, the Parliament House, Finnish embassies, and even at the bottom of a mine. With 3.3 million saunas for a population of 5.4 million, this is quite possibly the best statistic ever. 

Finnish sauna culture is actually now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of the year 2020, encouraging people to be responsible for fostering the sauna cultural tradition well into the future through families, sauna societies, and associations. I love saunas and their many benefits for health and longevity, and I was pleased to hear that around Finland they’re considered more of a necessity rather than a luxury, with many apartments having simple saunas built into the deal, which is good news for health and longevity fanatics! Whether you visit in the summer or in the winter, all seasons have unique benefits to them when it comes to a memorable and fulfilling sauna experience. 

Here are some of my favourite public sauna spots around Helsinki to enjoy the benefits and ritual of sauna. This information is as accurate as possible as of year 2023. Keep in mind that businesses change constantly, and the information is not set in stone (that’s the nature of impermanence for ya).

*Quick tip: in public saunas with shower areas, get a quick warm rinse in before and after your sauna session. Rinsing beforehand in a warm shower is not only for sanitary purposes, but also opens your pores and relaxes your muscles to prepare for the most effective and detoxifying sauna experience possible. It is also a good idea to dry off well with a towel before you actually step into the sauna, since it’s harder to sweat and detox effectively with already wet skin.  

*Another tip: packing a light pair of flip flops or simply wearing waterproof sandals like Earth Runners to the sauna will be a game changer for sauna hopping. Earth Runners are great as sauna/shower/change room sandals and can double as streetwear which can considerably lighten your load. 

Allas Sea Pool

Allas Sea Pool is a newly built public sauna with outdoor (!!!) pools right at the waterfront in Helsinki. Full stop, I f-ing loved this place. The more I went sauna hopping, the more I realized that my favourite venues included a refreshing dip in the mineral-rich Baltic seawater right after the sauna. Allas was one of my personal favourites, and one of the only saunas in the city that open way earlier in the day for any of you early birds out there. Sauna opening times tend to vary wildly throughout the city, often with odd hours starting in the late afternoon that require a reservation, but Allas Sea Pool operates consistently, and booking in advance isn’t required; drop-ins are always welcome. 

There are men’s, women’s and unisex change rooms, with one main mixed sauna with a big window looking out onto the bay, and three different pools outside on the massive deck near three additional smaller saunas floating on the deck (one men’s, one women’s, and one mixed). Two of the swimming pools are unfortunately chlorinated (the bright blue heated pools… avoid those), but definitely see if you can cool off in the smaller natural pool at the end with pure Baltic seawater—this can be easy to miss since it blends in with the rest of the surroundings, but it’s gold. 

Wear your swim suit and bring your own flip flops for this one, and you can rent a towel and swim suit if needed. Relax and dry out while soaking up the sun for your mitochondria on the outdoor deck, enjoy some healthy snacks, a cup of matcha or a ginger shot at the cafe, or pop into the Allas Restaurant above deck for something heartier. Sometimes, live music will be playing on the ground level.

You can order a pass online or drop in to buy a single-use pass, or a monthly pass. I actually ended up getting a monthly pass during my stay here since I enjoyed it so much and kept returning for a regular refresh after workouts. Prices for single-use passes vary depending on the time of week, so check the website.

Allas Sea Pool / allasseapool.fi

Mon-Fri 06:30-21:00

Sat 08:00-21:00

Sun 09:00-21:00

Katajanokanlaituri 2 A, 00160 Helsinki, Finland

SkySauna

Located a stone’s throw away from the Allas Sea Pool, the SkySauna is one of Helsinki’s most unique sauna experiences: a Ferris wheel with a sauna that goes up in the air! Whether you’re hitting up the market hall or taking a stroll along the harbour, you won’t miss this massive blue Ferris wheel piercing the skyline. I discovered that I was a little too claustrophobic to try it out, but if you’re daring and you’ve got the funds, you can book an hour (for 1-4 people, age 18+) at 240€, and additional hours are 30€ per person. Towels, drinks and the (unfortunately chlorinated) hot tub are included in the price, and flip flops and bathrobes can be rented separately. A button inside the sauna will enable you to request to stop whenever you like. SkySauna is open from spring through fall. 

Booking in advance is required. Make your reservation today at skysauna.fi.

SkySauna Helsinki | skysauna.fi

Katajanokanlaituri 2, 00160 Helsinki, Finland
info@skysauna.fi Tel. +358 404 804 604

Sompasauna

Sompasauna is one of the most memorable and iconic saunas of Helsinki, initially illegally built without permits or land ownership on an old boating yard by the water, encapsulating the spirit of free living. Volunteer run fully by the people for the people (#saunaanarchy), this popular wood-burning (HOT!) sauna is always open to the public 24/7, costs no money to enter, has no staff, and has a designated spot with a ladder out onto the Baltic sea for swimming in the summer or cold plunging in the winter (yes, they cut a hole in the ice!). Although Sompasauna has changed a lot over the years, it remains free for everyone with mixed use areas. There are actually TWO saunas beside each other, both run by small wood burning furnaces, and one sauna is supposed to be way hotter than the other.

Sompasauna is a totally volunteer-run project, which means it’s a good idea to make yourself a part of the community and consider bringing paper or wood to contribute for burning (available at the nearby shops). It’s also a good idea to pack some bottled spring water, not only for hydration, but also for pouring on the rocks to create löyly (aka steam) to steam up the sauna, since sea water drastically shortens the lifespan of sauna stoves and cannot be used on sauna rocks. While you’re there, volunteers may also dish out tasks for everyone to contribute.

The only rule? Sauna peace (saunarauha), which means respect and a safe, freeing atmosphere for our fellow humans without disturbance, violence or harassment. In short: “don’t be stubid”, which also means no alcohol or other substances that can impact the safety of yourself and others. This is actually not a party or event space, so no large gatherings or loud music/crappy Bluetooth speakers either! As long as you’re there with respect like in any public space, it should be smooth sailing, but here is the official list of rules if you need them.

Sompasauna is very much clothing-optional. You could wear your swimsuit if you like (many do), but many others aren’t afraid to get nude here, which just so happens to tick off many boxes for the classic Daoist health benefits: time spent in the sunshine, free nudity in the sunshine, sweating/detox, togetherness, and hot and cold exposure. Refreshingly unsexualized, mixed nudity is expected here, from sea swims to sunbathing, but it was certainly a new experience for me to be having a casual conversation with a 65 year old local man while wrapped in nothing but a towel. You’ll often hear the odd acoustic guitar playing, which further adds to the relaxed, convivial atmosphere. 

There are no washrooms and no refreshments available, so make sure you bring your own bottles of water. There aren’t any lockers either, so only bring your least valuable stuff, and help create a high-trust environment. Sompasauna used to be out in the middle of nowhere, but now there’s currently a lot of construction, noise and development in the area encroaching upon the sauna premises, which slightly took away from the experience (though you’re allowed to walk through it all to access the sauna).

If you don’t get the chance to contribute to the maintenance of the premises, you can always donate to Sompasauna here to help keep it running. You could also check out the website and contact the board members to discover how you can get more involved and contribute your skills.

Sompasauna / sompasauna.fi

Opening hours: 24/7, 365

Admission: free

Verkkosaarenkuja 6, 00580 Helsinki, Finland

sompasauna@sompasauna.fi

Kotiharjun Sauna 

This was one of the saunas that Ville Valo’s dad recommended to me as the only remaining traditional wood-heated neighbourhood sauna in Helsinki. There’s no sea swimming here, but it’s a historic place for locals and tourists alike to chill out and unwind a few times a week. Nudity was the default here, although you could definitely wear your swimsuit if you like. The sauna itself was spacious, comforting and well-preserved with neighbourhood vibes, and could probably be the epitome of modern wabi-sabi wellness aesthetics. The large rustic furnace has an opening where you can pour water onto the rocks to create löyly (steam) once in a while in order to increase the sauna’s heat and humidity so you can sweat (and detox) more thoroughly.

The traditional public saunas are separated by men’s and women’s (no appointment is needed for these), and there is another mixed sauna by appointment only for families, events, and small groups. If you have access to the mixed sauna, you also have access to the public saunas. Towels are available for hire, or just bring your own! Flip flops are provided for free use, and refreshments and snacks are available at the front desk. You can wash up for as long as you want, and sit outside in the front (wrapped in a towel) to cool off and observe the street view, trees and nearby park in the trendy Kallio district. A drop-in will cost 15€.

Kotiharjun Sauna / kotiharjunsauna.fi

Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 14:00 to 20:00
(sauna time until 21:30)

Harjutorinkatu 1, 00500 Helsinki, Finland

Tel. +358-9-7531535

Sauna Hermanni

Established back in 1953 in Helsinki’s Hermanni district, this is one of the last remaining traditional urban public Finnish saunas still in use today, except they’ve updated their inner workings to use the modern IKI Sauna stoves instead of burning wood. Sauna Hermanni is not as sleek or shiny as some of its contemporaries, but this cozy little nook on the basement level is a big part of the cultural tapestry of Finnish saunas, and will have you feeling like a local with its friendly service and laid-back, nostalgic and authentic vintage vibe taking you to another time and place. 

Although there is no cold plunging in the sea here, there is an outdoor area to cool off, and a small selection of refreshments and snacks at the front counter, including sparkling water, sausages, and potato salad. The changing rooms and saunas are separated by men’s and women’s, and the outdoor area hosts private events, live music and parties that can be booked in person or on their website.

A drop-in will cost 13€ with special lower pricing for the unemployed, and towels are available for rent for 3€, but you can bring your own as I did. The website says cash only, but I used my card no problem. 

Sauna Hermanni / saunahermanni.fi 

Opening hours:

Wed thru Fri: 3pm to 8pm

Sat and Sun: 2pm to 6pm

Hämeentie 63, Helsinki, Finland

Tel. +358 09 701 2424

Löyly Sauna 

This is one of the newer and shinier saunas out here, much like Allas Sea Pool. Löyly is a world class facility for enjoying sauna and sea swims (aka hot and cold contrast therapy). Here you’ll find three different top-notch saunas: one of which is an OG Finnish smoke sauna, and two other wood-heated saunas. Löyly essentially means steam, and sure enough, in the sauna you can pour water from the bucket onto the rocks to create steam and intensify your sweat experience (better detox).

At Löyly, you have year-round access to the sea where they cut a hole in the ice for cold plunging in the winter, and there’s a spacious lounge area with a fireplace and epic views of the sea. The changing rooms at Löyly are separated by male and female, and both later combine into the mixed main area with the saunas, lounge, terrace and dining areas, and a ladder for dipping into the open sea, year round. Swim suits are required here, and the bar and restaurant offer refreshments, snacks and meals after your experience.

While the premises, interior and user experience are sleek, modern and visually appealing, it didn’t have the cozy, worn-in feeling that many of the older, less touristy Helsinki neighbourhood saunas had. I’ve discovered that I prefer the saunas with mineral-rich sea swims due to the greater amount of health benefits and more fun, so I think that was the main advantage of this place. As hyped as Löyly is (and it’s even been noted by TIME Magazine as one of the best places in the world), between this and Allas on the other side of the city, I’d recommend Allas if you’re staying in town longer due to the ease of drop-ins and multi-use subscriptions rather than having to make a reservation and stand in line like at Löyly. Allas also has the advantage of proximity to other activities in the more central, bustling area of Katajanokka with the SkySauna, bookstore, cafes, ferries, shops, and tram stops. I’ve found that the sea swim at Allas is also more pleasant since the small pool has calmer waters. The Munkkisaari/Hernessari district is currently a nice and peaceful area that will undergo some development in the next few years though, and Löyly is still enjoyable and worth checking out, so better get there quick!

Reservations are required to avoid overcrowding, and a session includes a locker key, towel, and pefletti for rent. Book online, a two-hour session will cost 23€.

Löyly Sauna / loylyhelsinki.fi

Opening hours:

MONDAY 16-22

TUESDAY THRU THURSDAY 13-22

FRIDAY 13-23

SATURDAY 9-11 & 13-23

SUNDAY 11-21
Hernesaarenranta, 400150 Helsinki, Finland

Tel. +358 50 3820 885

Uusi Sauna 

Newly established in the Jätkäsaari district by one of the original entrepreneurs behind the classic but now defunct Arla Sauna, Uusi (New) Sauna is a modern, classically wood-heated sauna that welcomes everyone and revitalizes the concept of the small traditional neighbourhood sauna, riding the wave of this past decade’s sauna boom.

The front reception consists of a cafe and dining area offering a small selection of regional and traditionally inspired fare, while the changing rooms and saunas are separated by male and female. The main sauna itself is quite small with a wood burning stove that’ll help you get a proper sweat, and there’s an electric mixed gender sauna for larger group reservations. Nudity is optional inside the sauna. Cool off and relax with refreshments in the outdoor area in the back of the building.

Sauna drop-ins are 18€, any towels rented are 5€, and a bathrobe rental is 8€. Reservations available for larger groups. Bring your own flip flops! 

Uusi Sauna Jätkäsaari / uusisauna.fi

Opening hours: Tue - Sat, 16:00 - 24:00

Välimerenkatu 10, Helsinki, Finland

Tel. +044 758 3228

Lonna Sauna

A ticket from Jt-line or FRS Finland will get you on a water bus that takes you to the Suomenlinna, Vallisaari, and/or Lonna islands, part of the archipelago just in front of Helsinki’s city center. Lonna is a tiny island just about 10 minutes away, home to Restaurant Lonna, coffee shop and bar, and Lonna Sauna. Lonna Sauna explicitly welcomes everyone and consists of two wood-burning, spacious mixed gender loft saunas where you can experience the calm and almost sacred feeling of the traditional Finnish style sauna for 19 euros. The nearby restaurant Ravintola Lonna features seasonal, local whole food ingredients in high quality, regional dishes that you can enjoy when you’re done with your sauna session.

This modern sauna is very integrated with the natural elements, being on the small, picturesque island of Lonna. There are unisex washrooms, outdoor showers, an outdoor lounge/cooling off area in the back, and a rocky beach out to the shallow sea swimming area (remember your flip flops!). The vibe here was not unlike that of Sompasauna’s, and some people went nude, others were in swim suits. Even though all areas are mixed, there seemed to be unofficial male and female sides for the changing rooms, so once you get there, read the room(s), and help ensure a safe and positive experience for sauna goers.

Reservations are highly recommended in advance to avoid overcrowding, and are all booked separately for the water bus to the island, the sauna, and the restaurant if you’re going. BYO towel, shampoo, spring water, flip flops and swim suit, since renting a towel costs a hefty 9€. Opening hours vary seasonally for both, so check the website.

Lonna Sauna / lonna.fi

Open Tues - Sat. Times vary, make a reservation

Lonna Island, Helsinki, Finland

Bastion Bistro 

Bastion Bistro is located on the UNESCO World Heritage site, Suomenlinna Island. It’s easy to get to via the ferry at the Kauppatori terminal, which runs to-and-from all day long. You can buy a ferry ticket from the machine there or simply transfer an HSL AB zone bus ticket/day pass.

A short walk from the ferry stop, Bastion Bistro is primarily a restaurant built into a historic barracks building dating back to 1892. To access the sauna, you have to get past the dining area, which serves typical bistro-style fare with Finnish ingredients like pizza, burgers, salmon soup, and sandwiches. Reservations are necessary well in advance for both the cafe and sauna.

The sauna must be booked in advance as a group and only holds 8 people at a time, so if you’re solo coming in on a whim, better look for a more casual drop-in sauna elsewhere, though the island will be plenty to explore by itself. 150€ will get you 1.5 hours in the sauna with your party. 

Bastion Bistro / bastionbistro.fi

Opening hours:

Lonna Island, Helsinki, Finland

Kultuurisauna

This academia-oriented sauna was established by architect Tuomas Toivonen and Nene Tsuboi in the south part of the Kallio district, perched right next to the sea since 2013. The exterior might not look like much, but the interior is stunning with warm, understated vintage elements, smart natural lighting sculpting the interior, and timeless, intentional wabi-sabi textures in great harmony. This sauna is beautiful down to every detail, and I was in aesthetics and design heaven. It seems they’ve taken the best parts of Helsinki’s historic neighbourhood saunas and brought it all together here with a sort of monastic or temple-like feeling. You’ll also see interesting interior objects that can enhance good energy and health, such as crystals, a Himalayan salt lamp, and a single lit candle in the lounge area with interesting books. Sometimes there are experimental live music shows in the front yard.

The traditional wood-burning saunas are separated by male and female, and nudity is actually mandatory within the sauna, which I prefer as the sweating is more consistent. Within the sauna is a window with a view of the sea. A shared outdoor area for sea swims and temperature contrast therapy wraps it all up after dressing in your swimsuit once you’re done with your sauna session. Light refreshments like boiled eggs, pickles (hello electrolytes and hydration), tea and kombucha are offered for a small fee. It’s definitely a trip to get here as you’ll have to walk through ongoing major construction in the area (on designated paths), but Kulttuurisauna truly serves as a calm, Zen oasis in the middle of the city, especially if you’re into art and design.

Pre-booking is mandatory for a single 90 min. session at 17€. A 7-entry ticket is available for 77€. No cash payments, no groups. Bring your own towel, spring water bottle, and swim suit if swimming. 

Kulttuurisauna / kulttuurisauna.fi

Opening hours:

WED–SUN 4–9 pm (Last entry at 19:50)

Hakaniemenranta 17, 00530 Helsinki, Finland

Lähteen Sauna

For only 12 euros, you can get your sweat on in one of Helsinki’s most affordable sauna destinations. Lähteen Sauna is located at a former mental institution which is right beside a military cemetery, so if you’re sensitive to vibes, you might actually want to skip this one. Despite the potential vibes, Lähteen Sauna is a unique type of sauna raising awareness about mental well-being in the lovely Töölö neighbourhood by the lake, and the building itself has some rustic, old school charm. The museum and cafes are nice, but I just wasn’t up for a sauna session there! I recommend you check out the area to get a feel for it before investing in a ticket. The changing room is mixed, and women’s, men’s, and mixed shifts are available to book.

Lähteen Sauna / lapinlahdenlahde.fi/sauna

Opening hours vary, check the website

Lapinlahdenpolku 8, 00180 Helsinki, Finland

Kaurilan Sauna Shop

Kaurilan Sauna was one of Helsinki’s most romantic spa-like saunas that operated with a wooden stove in a little 19th century house, but it closed down in 2020, leaving just a small sauna shop operational in the Meilahti district. There are plans to reopen the sauna soon though, so keep an eye out on your next trip to Helsinki!

Kaurilan Sauna Shop / kaurilansauna.fi

Mon-Fri. 11-18
Sat. 10-16

Munkkiniemen puistotie 2, 00330 Helsinki

Tel. 044 985 7388

Kuusijärvi 

Kuusijärvi is a popular all-season outdoor recreation center in Vantaa, a little bit outside of Helsinki at the Sipoonkorpi national park. It’s worth the visit even without the saunas, as you can go cross-country skiing in the winter, swimming in the lake in the summer (and cold plunging in the winter), and use the sausage grilling pits (just BYO nitrate-free and preservative-free, pasture-raised sausages!). 

Kuusijärvi is home to THE only authentic, traditional smoke saunas in Vantaa, which is about a 40-minute bus ride away from the Helsinki city center, or you can take a day tour like I did with Taiga Times (not sponsored, just my honest recommendation). There are multiple smoke saunas as well as electric ones, which are unisex, and swim suits are mandatory. The smoke saunas are wildly popular and there are only a limited number of bracelet passes sold, so ensure you get there early in the day or prepare to wait, as reservations cannot be made in advance. The cold plunge area is a serene lake with a shallow end and a deeper end, so you don’t get the mineral benefits of the sea, but you’ll at least get the benefits of cold exposure and contrast therapy, and the shallow end can allow for a more zen cold plunge as your feet can touch the bottom.

Reservations are not required, but do try to get there early, especially on weekends and in the winter, and take the bus instead of a car to beat the crowd and the hectic parking lots. Entry to the electric saunas costs 6.50 euros, and entry to both the smoke and electric saunas costs 13 euros. Towels and swim suits are available for hire at 4 euros a piece. If you’re going in the winter, definitely bring some footwear or flip flops if you’re going to walk along the icy road to the lake to cold plunge in the ice hole.

Kuusijärvi / cafekuusijarvi.fi

Open year-round

Small smoke saunas open at 1 pm, large smoke sauna opens at 2 pm - no groups

Electric saunas open from 9 am to 8:30 pm - group reservations available

Tickets usually sold until 8 pm, premises close at 9 pm

Kuusijärventie 3, 01260 Vantaa, Finland

Tel. +358 10 322 7090

After this massive 2.5 month Helsinki sauna pilgrimage, I can confidently say that my energy is stronger than ever and that I’m a much more balanced, focused, inspired, and sane human. I hope this article is helpful whether you’re in Helsinki or on the other side of the world. Remember that a bad sauna is better than no sauna, so have yourself an enjoyable, memorable, inspirational and rewarding sauna experience!

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