Credits: Arctic Sauna World
There is nothing more Finnish than sauna; many Finns think you can’t grasp Finland or its culture without bathing in a sauna. However, Finns understand that visitors have certain inhibitions and concerns when it comes to stepping in a heated box with no clothes on.
So, have a look at our tips below and worry no more!
Sauna is good for everybody. It relieves stress and has many proven health benefits. Only newborn babies and people with serious health conditions (like open wounds or heart problems) should avoid sauna. Everyone else can enjoy it with no worries – and in Finland, you’re more than likely to.
The atmosphere in a sauna in Finland is typically calm and quiet. Coloured lights, aromatic fragrances and relaxing music have nothing to do with Finnish sauna. Real Finnish saunas are dimly lit, there’s no music or smells except for fresh birch and natural tar.
The temperature is typically around 70-90 degrees Celcius (160-195 Fahrenheit). There is a lot of focus on the steam ("löyly" in Finnish) coming from the sauna stove keeping the air moist.
No. Finnish sauna has nothing to do with sex or intimacy, and suggesting it will not score points with Finns. It is a place for physical and mental cleansing. Many even suggest one should behave in a sauna as they would in church. That’s not to say you shouldn’t relax – just kick back and take it easy.
It depends. In groups, women and men go to sauna often separately, but families tend to go together. When in a mixed group that’s about to go to sauna, it’s perfectly fine to ask people and discuss who should go with who.
In public saunas, you'll find a sign on the door explaining if it's a sauna for men, women, or mixed ("sekasauna" in Finnish). If it's mixed, sauna-goers tend to wear swimsuits or towels.
Throwing water on the hot stones is called ‘löyly’, like the famous sauna in Helsinki. There are no rules for how often you should throw more water on the stove. Whenever you feel like another wave of steam, go for it, but be considerate for the people around you. It should be nice for everyone.
Yes, Finns might typically go to sauna in the nude even with strangers. Don’t worry – they’ve seen their fair share of naked human bodies and it’s not a “thing” for Finns. It’s only natural, and there’s no shame in being you. But it's perfectly ok to wear a swimsuit or a towel, Finns will understand this.
You can stay for 5-10 minutes, or for hours with cooling dips into a lake or the sea in between sauna sessions. Pay attention to how you are feeling. If it's too hot, simply step outside. Finns are seasoned sauna-goers so they'll often stay longer. The most important thing is to relax, have a couple of drinks, and enjoy the blissful post-sauna feeling of having cleaned both your body and your mind.
Yes. You’ll be sweating heavily in a sauna, so be sure to drink plenty. Water is the best thing to quench your thirst, but beer, cider, and soft drinks are also commonly enjoyed. If you get hungry, cooking sausages either on the open fire or in tin foil directly on the stove is another key part of the sauna experience. Savory food helps restore salt levels in the body.
It is called a ‘vasta’ or ‘vihta’ (the name depends on the region). It is a bundle of fresh birch twigs that you gently whip yourself with. It sounds strange, but it’s really good for your skin – you’ll feel the smoothness afterwards.
After a Finnish sauna, you are going to feel refreshed, both physically and mentally. Your muscles are relaxed, your skin feels cleansed, and there’s a light, almost weightless sensation in your body. Enjoy the bliss – and repeat!
Below you will find more sauna inspiration and places to be included in your sauna bucket list.