The Heart of Finnish Life: Sauna Culture, From Steam to Silence

If you’ve ever visited Finland—or just daydreamed about it on a rainy Monday afternoon—there’s a good chance you’ve heard whispers of our sauna culture. In Finland, the sauna isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifestyle. With over 2 million saunas for just 5.5 million people, we’re not exaggerating when we say that the sauna is as essential to our rhythm as eating or sleeping.

Here at Rather Be in Finland, we believe the sauna is more than just a place to get warm. It’s a sacred moment of calm, a reconnection with the natural world, and, for many of us, home.

What Is a Finnish Sauna, Really?

By dictionary standards, a sauna is defined as a “Finnish steam bath where water is thrown on hot stones to create steam (löyly).” But to a Finn, it’s much more than that. It’s the place where silence speaks, where generations come together, and where stress melts off your shoulders with every drop of sweat.

We always say: “A bad sauna is better than no sauna.” But once you experience a Finnish one, you’ll understand why we set the bar high.

My Sauna Story: The “Sauna Fox”

Personally, I’ve been going to the sauna since I was about a year old. My family affectionately calls me saunakettu—a “sauna fox”—because I love my löyly HOT and would go every day if I could. I’m not entirely sure how foxes and saunas relate, but somehow the name fits.

From the midsummer weekend’s two-a-day sessions to the soul-resetting Christmas sauna, this tradition is etched deep into our lives. There’s no celebration without it. No true rest, either.

A Look Back: Sauna Through the Ages

The sauna is one of the oldest traditions in Finland, dating back thousands of years to “ground pit saunas” from the Stone Age. Eventually, these evolved into above-ground log buildings, often the first structure built on a new property.

Historically, saunas weren’t just for bathing. They were birthing rooms, healing spaces, and places to prepare the dead. In other words, they accompanied us through life’s biggest transitions.

Later, the smoke sauna (savusauna) became popular, followed by wood-burning and eventually electric saunas. Each type has its own character:

• Wood-burning sauna: Rustic, aromatic, and often found in summer cottages. You heat the stones by burning wood in a stove.

• Electric sauna: Convenient and common in apartments. Turn a knob, wait 45 minutes, and you’re good to go.

• Smoke sauna: The oldest and most revered type. Takes hours to heat, but offers the softest, most ethereal heat imaginable.

Some saunas, especially smoke ones, are prone to catching fire every decade or so—but that only adds to their mystique. Like many things in Finland, they demand respect and patience.

What to Do in a Sauna

There’s no single “right way” to enjoy a sauna, but here’s what most Finns do:

1. Shower first. Always.

2. Enter naked (unless it's a public or mixed sauna—then a bathing suit is fine).

3. Throw water on the stones (löyly) to create steam.

4. Relax. Breathe deeply. Let time slow down.

5. Take breaks to cool off outside or swim (yes, even in winter).

6. Repeat. Heat, cool, heat again.

7. Use a vihta or vasta. Gently whip yourself with birch twigs to stimulate the skin and blood flow.

8. Add essential oils. Birch, pine, or tar infusions elevate the experience.

Finish with a cool shower and a tall glass of water. You’ll feel new again.

Why Sauna Is Good for You

Science now confirms what Finns have known for centuries: sauna bathing is healing.

• Detoxifies your body through sweating

• Relieves muscle pain

• Improves sleep quality

• Reduces stress and boosts mood

• Strengthens your immune system

• Helps maintain healthy skin and circulation

• Ice swimming after sauna? Even better. It improves your tolerance to cold, reduces blood pressure, and gives you a natural endorphin boost.

Honestly, if every country had the sauna–swim combo, we’d all be better off.

Where to Find a Sauna in Finland

In Finland, saunas are everywhere. Nearly every home and apartment building has one. Even Burger King in Helsinki has a built-in sauna—and yes, you can eat your burger while sweating.

If you’re visiting and don’t know any locals, don’t worry. Public saunas are open year-round, and you can even rent private ones for you and your friends. Hotels often have saunas too.

Some of the most unique saunas in Finland can be found:

• In a tent

• On a floating dock

• Inside a barrel
  

• Built into an old car

You name it, we’ve probably turned it into a sauna.

Join Us for a Sauna Adventure

At Rather Be in Finland, we offer guided smoke sauna experiences paired with national park hikes. No stress about etiquette—we’ve got you covered. The sauna is public and mixed-gender, so swimsuits are required. There’s a lake nearby for cooling off, and yes, we swim year-round.

If you’ve never tried a sauna before, this is the perfect introduction. Think of it as a warm welcome into Finnish life.

After all, when things get hectic out there, I’d rather be in Finland—wrapped in birch-scented steam, watching snow fall softly outside a smoke-dark window.

Discover our collection of sauna-themed shirts