Helsinki is probably home to one of the most diverse sauna scenes in the world. You’ll find a range of top-quality and unpretentious bathing experiences, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide which is best.
On this page is everything a local or visitor needs to know about Helsinki’s public saunas: opening times, ice-swimming chances, gender splits, and if you’ll need swimwear.
Last updated January 2026: Always check individual sauna’s pages for the most up-to-date information.
- You’re always welcome to throw water on the rocks
- If it’s below 0°C/32°F and there is access to the sea, ice dipping and cold plunging is usually 100% possible
- In most saunas it’s common to talk and socialise, but pay attention if the saunas are separated by gender
- In some saunas you are welcome to enjoy beers when cooling off
- Apart from more premium offerings, it’s wise to bring a towel, sandals and a water bottle
- Kotijarju
- Löyly
- Furuvik Rantasauna
- Sompasauna
- Kulttuurisauna
- Löylykontti
- Uunisaari
- Yrjönkatu
- Allas Pool
- Uusi Sauna
- Lonna
- Sauna Hermanni
- Kyrö Sauna Bar
- Lahteen Sauna
Kotiharju
An old-school sauna in the heart of the artsy neighbourhood. Open since 1928 it has brilliant löyly, friendly regulars, and an unpretentious vibe. It’s likely the sauna on your postcard.
Open: Tue-Sun, 14:00-21:30 (Last entry 20:00)
Cost: 16 €
Reservation: No
Location: Harjutorinkatu 1, 00500(Kallio)
Sauna Type: Wood
Cool-down: Outside & changing room
Gender: Separate saunas
Wear: Naked in sauna, towel outside
Link: kotiharjunsauna.fi/
Extra Info: Welcome to bring your own drinks, and possible to purchase branches (vihta) to hit yourself with.
Photos: Helsinki Partners (1-3), Yiping Feng and Ling Ouyang (1), Maija Astikainen (2-3), Caelum Davies (4)
Löyly
Löyly is a top-class experience with the only smoke sauna within walking distance of downtown. Architecturally stunning, incredibly Instagram-able. Where locals bring foreign friends.
Open: Most days 12:00-22:00, hours vary
Cost: 26 € for two hours
Reservation: Highly Recommended
Location: Hernesaarenranta 4, 00150 (Hernesaari)
Sauna Type: Wood, Smoke & Electric
Cool-down: Sea, outside & fireplace
Gender: Sauna together
Wear: Swimsuit required
Link: loylyhelsinki.fi/
Extra Info: One towel provided on entry
Furuvik Rantasauna (Seaside Sauna)
A gem a little outside of the city centre. Sat on the shoreline and surrounded by nature, you’re bound to enjoy the steam and ice-dips with some of the most friendly sauna goers.
Open: Most days, but check website.
Cost: ~10 – 25€ depending on time
Reservation: Required
Location: Furuvikintie 5, 00870 (Laajasalo)
Sauna Type: Electric & sometimes wood
Cool-down: Sea, outside & sauna shelter
Gender: Usually mixed, some women only slots
Wear: Swimsuit required
Link: saunat.fi/lippu/villa-furuvik-rantasauna
Extra Info: You might meet the creator of World Sauna Day.
Photos: Helsinki Partners (1), Aleksi Poutanen (1)
Sompasauna
A community driven 24/7 sauna that is free for all. It’s moved locations over the year, but its latest home is a paradise for hippies and hipsters alike, everyone is welcome here.
Open: Almost 24/7
Cost: Free/Donations
Reservation: No
Location: On Mustikkamaa island
Sauna Type: Multiple wood
Cool-Down: Sea & outside
Gender: Sauna together
Wear: Swimsuit or nude
Link: sompasauna.fi/
Extra Info: Changing is outside, bring a padlock to use small valuables lockers. No photos. (The photo here is from their previous location)
Photos: Caelum Davies (1)
Kulttuurisauna
This unique sauna blends good heat with beautiful architecture. It’s a fusion of Finnish and Japanese influences. A wonderful space for some tranquil moments.
Open: Fri-Sun 08:00-11:30 (Last entry 10:30) & Wed-Sun 16:00-20:00 (Last entry 18:45)
Cost: 17 € for ninety minutes
Reservation: Highly recommended
Location: Hakaniemenranta 17, 00530 (Hakaniemi)
Sauna Type: Wood
Cool-down: Sea & garden
Gender: Separate sauna, mixed relaxation space
Wear: Naked in sauna, swimsuit to swim
Link: kulttuurisauna.fi/
Extra Info: No groups lager than 2 people may enter. Considered a quiet/silent sauna
Löylykontti
More and more container saunas are popping up across the Helsinki shoreline. Book a slot, get a code, open the door – a true, convenient self-service sauna.
Open: Varies by location, often 06:00-00:30
Cost: ~6 to 12 € for one hour
Reservation: Required
Location: Multiple locations
Sauna Type: Electric
Cool-down: Sea in all current locations
Gender: Sauna together
Wear: Swimsuit required
Link: loylykontti.fi/en
Extra Info: Private rental of whole sauna possible. Photo from Sörnäinen sauna.
Photos: Helsinki Partners (1), Kari Ylitalo (1)
Uunisaari Sauna
Great for thoes that like it hot, or who are looking for a sauna close to the city centre. There are multiple saunas to visit here all with the same ticket, and a great (ice) swimming spot!
Open: Wed-Fri 15:00-21:00, Sat 11:00-21:00, Sun 12:00-20:00
Cost: 15 – 18 € for two hours
Reservation: Highly Recomended
Location: Pohjoinen Uunisaari 2, 00140 (Eira)
Sauna Type: Multiple electric
Cool-down: Sea, outside & changing room
Gender: Mainly mixed
Wear: Swimsuit required in mixed saunas
Link: uunisaari.fi/sauna/ (Tickets: saunat.fi/lippu/avanto-sauna-uunisaari)
Extra Info: By summer, access only by a short and regular boat ride for a small fee. In winter, a bridge connects the sauna to the mainland.
Photos: Helsinki Partners (1), Shoot Hayley & Jussi Hellsten (1)
Yrjönkadun uimahalli (Swimming Hall)
This 1920s swimming hall is as unique as it is beautiful. Buy an upstairs ticket to get access to all saunas, a napping cabin, and poolside balcony bar service. A spot beloved by locals.
Open: Reopening Feb 2026 // Note: Women only: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun – Men only: Tue, Thur, Sat.
Cost: 5,50 € for basic entry, 16 € for upstairs entry
Reservation: Half of all upstairs slots are by reservation, half are by queuing at the door
Location: Yrjönkatu 21b, 00120 (Center)
Sauna Type: Multiple electric, Wood, Infrared & Steam
Cool-down: Pool, poolside balcony & private nap cabin
Gender: Separate days for men and women
Wear: Naked sauna, swimwear optional in pool
Link: liikunta.hel.fi/fi/venues/tprek:41102
Extra Info: Robe and towel provided with upstairs ticket, but the downstairs ‘pool only’ still includes two electric saunas.
Allas Pool
The views of the city here are second to none, and the outdoor heated pool is an incredible experience especially in the deep winter. You can’t get more central and convenient than this!
Open: Mon-Fri 06:30-21:00, Sat-Sun 08:00-21:00
Cost: 18 or 22 €
Reservation: No
Location: Katajanokanlaituri 2 A, 00160 (Center)
Sauna Type: Multiple electric
Cool-down: Heated and cold pools, outside
Gender: Primarily mixed saunas
Wear: Swimwear required in mixed saunas
Link: allaspool.fi/en/
Uusi Sauna
A modern twist on the classic neighbourhood sauna, opened by a legend in the Helsinki sauna scene. They have a great selection of craft beer, and is close to West Harbour terminal.
Open: Tue-Sat 16-24, Sun 16-22
Cost: 18 €
Reservation: No
Location: Välimerenkatu 10, 00220 (Jätkäsaari)
Sauna Type:
Cool-down: Courtyard, bar and cold-plunge
Gender: Separate and mixed saunas
Wear:
Link: uusisauna.fi/
Lonna
If you want to experience all the archipelago has to offer, Lonna is only a boat ride away. While the löyly might not be the best ever, the tranquillity is perfection. Very Tove Jannson.
Open: Summers Only
Cost: TBD in 2026
Reservation: Highly Required
Location: Lonnan saari (Lonna Island), 00190
Sauna Type:
Cool-down: Sea & outside
Gender: Mixed
Wear: Nude or swimsuit
Link: lonna.fi/saaren-palvelut/sauna/
Extra Info: Only accessible by boat for a fee, boats run frequently
Photos: Helsinki Partners (1), Julia Kivelä (1)
Sauna Hermanni
A sauna filled with 1950s charm, and one of the last remaining old-school neighbourhood saunas. You’ll find a lot of Finnish trinkets and decorations, and a very laid-back atmosphere.
Open: Wed-Fri 15:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 14:00-18:00
Cost: 14 €
Reservation: No
Location: Hämeentie 63, 00550 (Hermanni)
Sauna Type: Electric
Cool-down: Changing room
Gender: Separate saunas
Wear: Naked in sauna
Link: www.saunahermanni.fi/
Extra Info: Cash only
Kyrö Sauna Bar
Just across the road from Central Railway Station, this is a small but effective new urban sauna, great if you’re in a rush. Kyrö is most famous for their fantasy Finnish whisky.
Open: Temporarily closed
Cost: 25 € for ninety minutes
Reservation: Highly recommend
Location: Keskuskatu 6, 00100 (City Centre)
Sauna Type: Electric
Cool-down:
Gender: Mixed
Wear: Swimsuit
Link: visit.kyrodistillery.com/pages/kyro-sauna-bar
Extra Info: Towel, robe and shampoo provided
Lähteen Sauna
This is a simple and unpretentious spot. Surrounded by nature, artists, artisans, and activists this is a volunteer run sauna with proceeds going to charity.
Open: Changes monthly, see website
Cost: 12 €
Reservation: No
Location: Lapinlahdenpolku 8, 00108 (Lapinlahti)
Sauna Type: Electric
Cool-down: Sea, outside, & changing room
Gender: Often mixed, but check website for shifts
Wear: When outside the sauna, swimsuit or towel is required
Link: lapinlahdenlahde.fi/sauna/
Extra Info: Cash recommended