Visit The 15 Best Saunas in Finland

Ever imagined enjoying a sauna at 30,000 feet? At Ilmatar Airplane Lodge, you won’t quite be airborne, but you’ll certainly feel transported. Housed inside a fully repurposed DC-3 aircraft once operated by the Finnish Air Force, this extraordinary lodge includes a genuine Finnish sauna right where passenger seats once were. Blending aviation history with authentic sauna tradition, Ilmatar Airplane Lodge truly offers a sky-high sense of wonder on solid ground.

This is another old, traditional sauna with a rustic aesthetic. However, this one offers a slightly more boutique service. The building dates back to the 19th century, and the steam room still uses a wooden stove. While there are some public slots available, it is best to book a place in this sauna in advance as it can take a while to heat up.

Reopening in spring 2025, the world’s largest skate sauna raft combines relaxation with urban lifestyle. Equipped with a sauna for 8–12 people and a skate ramp, visitors can enjoy a refreshing blend of heat and adrenaline. With an inviting rooftop terrace and a grill for cookouts, this raft provides an unconventional sauna session that perfectly melds nature, sports, and pure Finnish tradition.

An ‘urban oasis’ on the Helsinki waterfront, the Löyly Sauna Complex has a restaurant and both public and private saunas overlooking the Baltic Sea. You can even cool off in the ocean after your sauna. The building’s architecture combines modern and traditional design styles with traditional wood and smoke burning saunas. It all complements to create a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere. A little more expensive than other public saunas, this sauna has much more to offer. The accompanying restaurant also serves some authentic Nordic dishes such as reindeer and Finnish beef steak.

The Sauna Ship combines two of Finland’s favourite pastimes— saunas and sailing. The Sauna Ship offers the chance to tour the islands of the Helsinki coastline while relaxing in an on-board sauna. Where else could you get a chance to see the sights in such a way? As well as the sauna, this boat trip can also organise fishing, wine tasting, meals, and barbeques.

Nestled in a historic manor setting in Häme region, Urpola Manor’s Viking Sauna World transports you back in time while offering modern-day comforts. The swing sauna and treehouse sauna cater to those longing for something out of the ordinary, featuring rustic architecture paired with calming forest views. A visit here promises an enchanting combination of traditional Finnish sauna bathing and a taste of Viking-era ambience.

Once a 10,000-litre cask for whisky, this converted barrel sauna brings a fresh twist to relaxation. With space for up to seven people around a continuously heated Parra wood stove, its cosy circular interior sets the stage for lively conversation and shared moments. Although the whisky aroma in the timber has faded, the spirited atmosphere remains.

This sauna has been open in Helsinki’s Hermanni district since the 1950’s. Another public sauna, it offers a more laid-back atmosphere, friendly service, and a chance to converse with locals. The outdoor area is used not only for cooling off but also for parties and live music. They also provide snacks such as sausages and potato salad on request and the sauna is also available for private hire.

Tucked away in the beautiful landscapes of Northern Karelia, Kotakylä invites you to disconnect from the hustle of modern life and reconnect with nature’s slower rhythms. Alongside canoeing and lakeside strolls, guests can relax in five distinct saunas—most notably the Muasaana and Kotasauna—among the surrounding barley fields. Muasaana is a sauna built over a duck pit with a turf roof, providing a rustic, earthy bathing experience, while Kotasauna (also known as a hut sauna) draws on Finnish heritage with its conical shape and wood-fired heat for a truly authentic steam session.

A spa and hotel in the central city of Kuopio, the Rauhalahti Smoke Sauna holds the world’s largest smoke sauna as well as a spa, restaurant, and numerous other traditional activities. The more remote countryside location also provides a more naturalistic setting than Helsinki’s saunas. Those travelling in central Finland and looking for a traditional experience, a cultural education, or luxury treatment, add this sauna to your itinerary.

The Kesän Floating Sauna truly provides a unique experience—A sauna on a raft. Run by volunteers on the Gulf of Bothnia that separates Finland and Sweden, this small wooden raft takes visitors for a trip on the Gulf and offers the unique chance of a floating sauna hard to find elsewhere. A rare unisex sauna, it only operates during the summer months.

The Kaupionoja Suana is operated by the local Winter Swimming Association in Tampere. Looking over stunning Näsijärvi Lake, this sauna welcomes over 50,000 visitors annually. On special event evenings, it can accommodate up to 400 bathers, making it a lively and unforgettable sauna experience! Although a sauna has stood at this location since 1977, it has evolved significantly over the years, with a complete renovation in 2008. Today, Kaupionoja remains a beloved destination, open “practically always”, making it a go to local hotspot!

In this luxurious spa on the Turku archipelago, Airisto Spa offers a range of both traditional and modern saunas including an underground sauna, an infrared sauna, and a new wood-heated sauna shaped like an igloo. During the winter, there is a chance to cool off with a swim in the frozen ocean, although this should be done with caution.

Housed inside a Gustaf-award winning museum, the Serlachius Art Sauna blends contemporary art, architecture, and traditional sauna culture. Found in Mänttä-Vilppulaa, a small yet established city in the Lakeland region, this ‘ultramodern’ art sauna, invites locals and travellers alike to enjoy the warmth of the sauna, take a refreshing dip in the lake, and admire curated artworks. The combination of historic and modern art and traditional sauna makes the Serlachius Art Sauna a must visit high-end destination for wellness lovers and cultural enthusiasts.

Rajaportin Sauna in Tampere is Finland’s oldest public sauna still in use, housed in a historic sauna block first built in the 20th century. Established in 1906, it retains its historic charm while providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Today, Tampere, is officially the known as the Sauna Capital and this sauna experience is perfect for transporting people back in time to see why as it rejects modernity making no changes since the 1930’s. Visitors can enjoy the gentle heat of the wood-fired sauna, unwind in the cosy courtyard, and immerse themselves in Finnish sauna culture. With its rich heritage and timeless appeal, Rajaportin Sauna is a must-visit for those seeking relaxation and a genuine taste of Finland’s oldest sauna traditions.

A visit to these saunas, or any sauna in Finland, allows a chance to relax, rejuvenate, and take part in a Finnish custom and piece of history.

Original article by Jessica Wood

For more information on visiting Finland, visit www.visitfinland.com/en/