Why you must experience the Traditional Finnish Sauna
Why You Should Add a Traditional Finnish Sauna Experience to Your Lapland Adventure
No trip to Finnish Lapland is truly complete without stepping into the soul of Finnish culture – the sauna. For many travellers, it might seem like a simple way to warm up after a snowy adventure. But for Finns, the sauna is so much more. It’s a sacred space, a wellness ritual, a place to connect, cleanse and restore. Steeped in centuries of tradition, the Finnish sauna is an experience of its own – and one you don’t want to miss.
Somebody once said to me, “To visit Finland without stepping into a sauna is like visiting Italy and skipping the pasta. You can do it – but you’ll miss the heart of the culture.” They were right!
So when you plan your Lapland itinerary, don’t just pencil in the sauna – highlight it. Choose accommodations that include private saunas, visit a lakeside smoke sauna, or join a traditional Finnish sauna experience with locals. Let it ground you, restore you and give you a true taste of Finnish soul.
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A brief history of the Finnish Sauna
The Finnish sauna dates back thousands of years. The earliest saunas were simple pits dug into the earth and heated with stones. Later, smoke saunas (savusauna) became common – small wooden cabins without chimneys where stones were heated for hours before bathing began. Smoke would fill the room and then be aired out, leaving behind a lingering warmth and distinct scent.
Historically, saunas weren’t just for washing. They were used for childbirth, healing, spiritual rituals and even as a place to prepare the dead. They were the cleanest room in the house and held deep cultural and practical significance.
Sauna as a way of life
Today, Finland – a country of just over 5.5 million people – is home to around 3.3 million saunas. That’s more than one sauna for every two people. Saunas can be found in city apartments, countryside cabins, lakeside cottages, offices, parliament buildings and even icebreakers and ferries.
For Finns, sauna is not a luxury. It’s part of everyday life. It’s where families gather, friends unwind and problems are solved. There’s even a Finnish saying: “First build the sauna, then the house.”
Sauna etiquette: What you need to know
If you’re new to sauna culture, don’t worry – it’s simple and relaxed. But there are a few etiquette tips worth knowing:
- Clothing: In Finland, sauna is traditionally enjoyed naked. However, if you’re in a public or mixed-gender sauna, swimwear or a towel is acceptable and often required.
- Showering: Always shower before entering the sauna to keep it clean.
- Silence or quiet talk: Some saunas are silent sanctuaries, others are social – just follow the lead of those around you.
- Löyly: This is the steam created when water is thrown onto hot stones. It’s polite to ask others before adding more.
- Cool down: After 10-20 minutes, step outside into the snow or take a dip in an icy lake. This hot-cold cycle is invigorating and part of the full experience.
- Hydrate: Drink water before and after. Beer or cider is also sometimes enjoyed, especially at lakeside saunas.
Me enjoying my Finnish sauna experience, coupled with icy cold lake dips and cold beer at The House of Northern Senses – brrr!
Where you can experience a Finnish sauna in Lapland
The Rovaniemi Sauna World Experience offers a luxurious and authentic taste of Finnish sauna culture in a stunning forest setting, just outside the city. During this 90-minute session, guests can unwind in six unique saunas – each with its own scent, temperature and atmosphere – before alternating between a traditional wood-fired hot tub, a modern jacuzzi and a cold plunge pool. The experience also includes a Finnish tapas plate and a non-alcoholic drink, adding a delicious local touch. Towels, bathrobes, slippers, and Lappish shower products are provided and a free shuttle is available from central Rovaniemi. Ideal for individuals or families, this relaxing retreat is the perfect way to slow down and embrace the soul of Lapland.
Traditional Finnish sauna and ice swimming experience in Rovaniemi
The Traditional Finnish Sauna and Ice Swimming Experience in Rovaniemi offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Finnish culture. Located approximately 20 minutes from Rovaniemi’s city centre, this renovated 1958 lakeside sauna provides a tranquil setting for relaxation. Guests are provided with essentials such as towels, clogs, and potable water. The session is guided by a multilingual host fluent in English, Spanish, German, and French. This private activity lasts about 1.5 hours and is accessible via public transportation, with the nearest bus stop just a short walk away. It’s an excellent addition to any Lapland adventure, offering both cultural insight and a rejuvenating experience.
Arctic Tent Sauna with Ice Swimming in Ivalo, Saariselka or Inari (transfers available)
The Arctic Tent Sauna Experience with Ice Swimming offers an authentic Finnish wellness ritual in the serene wilderness near Lake Inari, just 15 minutes north of Ivalo. This 2-hour private session accommodates up to eight guests in a custom-designed tent sauna, providing a tranquil setting to unwind. The experience includes alternating between the warmth of the sauna and invigorating dips in a prepared ice hole, embracing the traditional hot-cold therapy known for its rejuvenating effects. Facilities feature indoor hot showers and a modern toilet, ensuring comfort amidst the natural surroundings. Essential amenities such as towels, soaps and shampoos are provided. For added convenience, optional transfer services are available from Ivalo, Saariselkä or Inari. Guests can enhance their visit with optional catering or reserve a self-catered open-fire dining tent. This experience is ideal for couples, families, or groups seeking a memorable escape into Finnish culture and nature.
Sauna, Ice swimming, Dinner & Northern Lights
The Best of Lapland: Sauna, Ice Swimming, Dinner & Northern Lights tour offers an immersive evening into Finnish culture and Arctic nature near Rovaniemi. This approximately 4-hour experience begins with a traditional wood-fired Finnish sauna, followed by an invigorating dip in an Arctic lake – an authentic hot-cold therapy cherished in Finland. Afterward, guests gather in a cosy wilderness cottage to enjoy a smoked salmon dinner prepared over an open fire, complemented by warm beverages. Throughout the evening, guides share insights into Lappish traditions and the significance of sauna rituals. For those joining the evening departures (typically around 5 PM) between late October and mid-March, there’s the added opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, weather permitting. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located accommodations in Rovaniemi and the Santa Claus Village. Towels and slippers are provided; guests should bring their own swimsuits. This small-group experience, limited to 14 participants, offers a memorable blend of relaxation, culture and natural beauty in the heart of Lapland.
The health benefits of Finnish sauna
The sauna isn’t just about relaxing – it’s good for you too. Scientific studies and centuries of tradition back up its many health benefits:
- Improves circulation and cardiovascular health
- Eases muscle and joint pain
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Boosts the immune system
- Promotes better sleep
- Enhances skin health through sweating and detoxification
Regular sauna-goers often credit it with helping them stay healthy, especially during the long, dark winters.
Types of Finnish saunas
While all Finnish saunas share the essence of heat, water, and wood, there are a few variations:
- Smoke Sauna (Savusauna)
The oldest and most traditional type – no chimney, lots of time to heat and an incredibly soft, deep heat. A must-try if you can find one. - Wood-Burning Sauna
Heated by a wood-burning stove, offering an authentic feel with the smell of burning wood and soft löyly. - Electric Sauna
Common in homes and hotels, electric saunas are convenient and quick to heat, offering consistent warmth. - Mobile or Tent Sauna
Popular at festivals or in remote areas – a fun, pop-up sauna experience often enjoyed near lakes or rivers. - Ice Sauna
Built entirely from snow and ice, these saunas are often part of winter experiences in Lapland and contrast the heat with the frozen structure around you.
Why add a sauna experience to your Lapland adventure?
After a day of husky sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, or chasing the Northern Lights, there’s nothing quite like stripping off the winter layers and stepping into the steamy warmth of a Finnish sauna. Whether it’s nestled in a log cabin by a frozen lake, hidden deep in a snowy forest, or part of your glass igloo accommodation – it becomes a core memory.
Imagine this: You’re wrapped in a towel, standing outside under the Arctic sky. The sauna’s warmth still clings to your skin as you crunch barefoot through snow and slide into an icy plunge pool or roll in powdery snow before racing back to the heat.
A sauna in Lapland isn’t just a wellness activity – it’s an invitation into Finnish life, tradition and values and will be included in all of my Lapland group tours and packages for this reason. It offers warmth, connection and reflection – something you’ll carry with you long after your Arctic adventure ends.
Accommodations that include a Finnish sauna experience
If you don’t want to spend money on a separate sauna and ice swimming experience, use the filter function on a booking site that allows you to filter out places that don’t have them.
Booking.com has a great “Smart Filter” where you can indicate exactly what you are looking for. Click on the image to see all of the different accommodation options that offer a sauna included in the cost.
I can personally recommend the following list of accommodation that offer a sauna experience included in the cost of your accommodation:
What if there isn’t an icy lake or plunge pool nearby?
If there isn’t an icy lake nearby – don’t worry, you can still embrace the tradition! Simply step outside and roll in the fresh snow for the same invigorating hot-cold effect. It might sound extreme, but the snowy plunge is a much-loved part of the experience, leaving your skin tingling and your mind completely refreshed. It’s as close to feeling truly alive as it gets – and makes for a great story to tell when you get home!
Erin Parker is a Finnish Lapland specialist, women’s adventure host and founder of Lapland Lowdown & Travel Her Way. She has travelled six continents and brings first-hand experience to every destination she writes about – from the Arctic wilderness of Finnish Lapland to the high Andes of Peru. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Erin helps long-haul travellers plan extraordinary Finnish Lapland adventures and leads small group trips for women who are ready to explore the world boldly.
