Sweat, dip, repeat in Helsinki

Nestled along the icy shores of the Baltic Sea, Helsinki’s sauna culture is a time-honoured tradition that continues to thrive in the heart of Finland’s capital. As home to the most saunas per capita anywhere in the world, here, the use of saunas is embedded into the fabric of the city itself.

In a country that embraces both its long winters and its sun-soaked summers, the sauna offers a space for year-round relaxation and connection. Helsinki’s saunas serve as a cultural hub where past meets present, and where the essence of Finnish life is deeply intertwined with the simple act of bathing in steam.

The roots of sauna culture in Finland stretch back over 2,000 years, long before the city of Helsinki was founded. Evidence suggests that ancient Finns relied on saunas for both practical and spiritual purposes. Heated stones created steam-filled rooms that not only provided warmth and relaxation during long winters but were also believed to cleanse the body and soul. Over time, the sauna evolved from a utilitarian necessity into a cultural ritual, and in Helsinki today, the tradition is celebrated in both public and private spaces.

The many public saunas in Helsinki offer locals and visitors alike a chance to participate in this age-old custom. Inside, the sauna becomes a place of egalitarianism, where hierarchies are stripped away, and people from all walks of life come together to experience the therapeutic heat.

The ritual is simple yet profound: a few moments spent basking in the warm, wood-scented air, followed by a bracing cold plunge – often straight into the sea or nearby lake – before returning to the heat
once more. 

In recent years, Helsinki has enjoyed a sauna renaissance with new seaside venues adding a touch of architectural flair and sweeping views to the experience. Though the design may have evolved over the centuries, the essence of the sauna – quiet contemplation, communal connection, and physical rejuvenation – remains unchanged. 

Today, as Helsinki grows and modernises, the sauna continues to serve as a bridge between the city’s history and its future, providing a space where tradition and modernity meet, and where the culture of bathing is celebrated in its purest form.

Kulttuurisauna

Kulttuurisauna offers the kind of no-frills, authentic sauna experience that makes you feel like a local. A nude sauna split by gender, it embraces traditional Finnish sauna culture with a wood-fired stove fueling the steam. Visitors can enjoy the simplicity of the wooden sauna while gazing through a small window out to the industrial harbour. After heating up, everyone throws their bathers on and mingles outside for a refreshing dip in the Baltic Sea, adding to the genuine, communal atmosphere.

Allas Sea Pool

Located in the heart of Helsinki’s central harbour, Allas Sea Pool offers a great blend of locals and tourists. Visitors can enjoy swimming laps in the outdoor pools, followed by time in the mixed-gender saunas. The location provides stunning views of the surrounding city and waterfront, creating a perfect mix of urban energy and relaxation.

Löyly

Perhaps one of the most recognisable saunas in the world now, Löyly is a design-led architectural gem on Helsinki’s industrial waterfront. Its sleek, minimalist wood-clad structure blends modern aesthetics with traditional sauna culture, making it a point of local pride. With its location right on the Baltic, Löyly offers a perfect combination of sauna time and refreshing sea dips. While popular with visitors, it remains a much-loved spot for Helsinki’s residents, who take pride in its iconic design and welcoming atmosphere.

Kuusijarvi

Kuusijärvi is a serene retreat set on a tranquil lake just 30 minutes from Helsinki by bus. With both electric and smoke saunas available, this spot offers an authentic Finnish sauna experience. A nude sauna that’s split-gendered once inside, the ritual involves alternating between the intense heat and icy lake dips. Arriving early and watching the smoke saunas heat up against a backdrop of snow and frozen water is magical – and feels a world away from the city streets just a few minutes away.

Words by Mitch Parker.