In Finland, a sauna isn’t something reserved for a trip to a spa — it’s part of everyday life. Saunas are everywhere, from apartment buildings and office blocks to lakeside cabins, ski resorts, and even city attractions. The 3.3 million saunas in the country — more than the number of registered cars and around one for every 1.6 residents — are as much a part of the country’s landscape as its forests and lakes. Whether you’re looking to relax after a day outdoors or simply experience a treasured custom, here’s how to embrace the Finns’ love for stepping inside a steaming hot room.

A Tradition Thousands of Years in the Making

Historians trace the roots of the Finnish sauna tradition almost 10,000 years back, to the earliest settlers after the last ice age. These ancient versions were simple pits dug into the ground, then covered with animal skins and lined with heated stones. They provided warmth to survive harsh winters, as well as places to wash and gather as a family. Folklore held that sauna bathing should take place during daylight to avoid disturbing the spirits believed to inhabit the night.

As the settlements grew, primitive shelters evolved into wooden buildings that became the most important area of a home. Warm, clean, and easy to maintain, the sauna was one of the home’s most hygienic areas, especially in rural villages. It was even a place where women would give birth and the deceased were washed before burials. While modern saunas are more likely to feature electric heaters or traditional wood-burning stoves, many Finns continue the time-honored tradition of visiting at least once a week — which over 90% of people do.

The Heart of Finnish Culture

Ask a Finn what makes a sauna so special, and you’ll likely hear more about the feeling it creates than the actual heat. In today’s fast-moving world, it’s one of the few places where people truly slow down. Phones are put away, thoughts are left to drift, and conversations flow naturally — or often not at all. 

The sauna is also one of the great equalizers in the world’s happiest country; title, status, and social hierarchy are all left at the door. Some people spend time in the sauna after work, while others visit after hiking, skiing, or swimming. But everyone comes for the same reason: to unwind. For visitors, joining a sauna session isn’t just about enduring temperatures of 176 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit — it’s arguably the most authentic way to discover everyday Finnish life.

Sauna Etiquette First-Timers Should Know

While the idea of disrobing and stepping into a steaming hot room may sound daunting, the sauna is a welcoming place in Finland. The rules are simple, and you are unlikely to get scolded for not getting everything right the first time. Start by taking a quick shower in order to enter clean. Going nude is the norm, but whether you choose to embrace this custom or use swimwear is up to you. Bring a small towel to place on the wooden bench and catch your drops of sweat. 

A word you might hear is löyly, which is the practice of throwing water onto the hot stones to create steam. It raises humidity, making the heat feel more intense, so make sure everyone is comfortable with an increase before doing so. You may also see people using a vihta (or vasta), a bundle of birch branches used to gently tap the skin and stimulate circulation.

After 10 to 15 minutes inside the sauna, most people cool off by taking a cold shower, jumping into a pool or lake, or even rolling in snow. For many, the combination of steam and a dip in a forest-lined lake is the ultimate ritual — and with over 180,000 lakes across the country, there’s often one waiting nearby. It’s normal to then return to the sauna for a second round. 

Be sure to stay for only as long as you feel comfortable, drink plenty of water, and try to avoid heavy meals and alcohol beforehand. Men and women typically visit separate saunas; mixed-gender public facilities and hotel spas will usually require swimwear or a towel. If in doubt, follow the lead of those around you.

Where To Experience Finnish Sauna Culture

The traditional wooden sauna is hard to beat, and there are few better than Rajaportti. Located in the lakeside city of Tampere — often billed as the “Sauna Capital of Finland” because of its 70-plus public saunas — it opened in 1906 and is the country’s oldest public sauna still in operation. It features separate wood-heated sections for men and women, plus a coffee shop and massage area. 

For a more modern twist, Helsinki is home to saunas that have become tourist attractions in their own right. Head to the waterfront Löyly for both public and private smoke- and wood-fired sauna options, views across the Baltic Sea, a seawater pool for cooling down, and an on-site restaurant. Nearby, SkySauna Helsinki takes the tradition to new heights inside a heated gondola on an observation wheel. Meanwhile, Tupaswilla in Laukaa can accommodate private groups of up to 130 guests. 

Or head to Finland’s northernmost Lapland region to find Rukan Salonki Resort, offering a selection of saunas along with wellness experiences on the shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi. There’s also a unique igloo sauna available in the winter months. Another memorable Lapland option is Ylläs Ski Resort, where you can relax in a sauna inside a moving gondola as it glides above the snowy mountains.