You probably know that for many Finns, the sauna is a crucial part of everyday life. Almost every home, cottage, and even city apartment has one. From heating the stones and throwing water on the stove to cooling off with a lake swim or a quick shower, the ritual is deeply rooted in Finnish culture.
The Finnish sauna tradition is ancient—possibly up to 10,000 years old. In historical Finland, saunas were not just for bathing, but also sacred spaces for physical and spiritual cleansing, used for living, cooking, and even childbirth. Over time, the prehistoric sauna has evolved from simple earth pits to modern electric saunas with high-tech stoves. Yet, the traditional wood-heated sauna or the atmospheric smoke sauna remain the most beloved, especially at cottages.
Beyond its cultural significance, sauna has long been valued for its health benefits. In the heat, skin temperature and pulse rise, metabolism speeds up, and sore muscles relax. Sauna calms the mind, improves sleep, and promotes overall well-being. In short: sauna is pure health.
If you are curious about what makes sauna so central to Finnish summer, you can dive into The Soul of Finnish Summer: Saunas in Lakeland Finland, or discover different ways to try it in 10 Ways to Experience Sauna in Lakeland Finland. But to truly enjoy sauna like a local, it helps to know the unwritten rules.
This guide will walk you through the basics of Finnish sauna etiquette. It will help you to understand how to step in with confidence, respect the traditions, and make the most of this beloved ritual.
Prepare Your Body
Before stepping into the sauna, take a thorough shower. It’s both respectful and hygienic, and it helps your body adjust to the upcoming heat. Clean skin allows you to sweat more effectively and keeps the sauna fresh for everyone. After your session, shower again to rinse off sweat and cool down.
Naked or Towel Only
In a Finnish private or single‑gender sauna, nudity is standard. In mixed saunas, wearing a towel or swimsuit is usually fine, and in some places even required for modesty or hygiene. Always bring a small seat towel or pefletti (a thin disposable or washable mat) to sit on. This keeps the benches clean and makes your experience more comfortable.
Respectful Silence
Sauna is a place to unwind, and quietness is an important part of the experience. In public saunas, calm and reflection are highly valued. People usually speak softly and avoid loud conversations or debates. Think of it as a shared moment of peacefulness, almost like a quiet room.
In private saunas, especially with friends or family, the atmosphere can be more relaxed and social. Quiet reflection is still appreciated, but gentle conversation and laughter are common. The key is to read the room and respect the mood of the group.
Temperature, Timing & Cooling Off
Typical sauna temperatures range from 70–90 °C (160–195 °F). The upper bench is the hottest spot, while the lower benches offer a milder experience, perfect if you are a sauna beginner. Start with 5–10 minutes, listen to your body, and step out when you need to. After heating up, cool down with a dip in a lake, a roll in the snow, or a cold shower, then repeat as you like.
Stay Hydrated & Take Your Time
Sauna isn’t a competition to see who can endure the most heat or stay inside the longest. It is about slowing down and letting your body and mind adjust to the rhythm of heat and cool. Sweating leads to fluid loss, so it’s important to stay hydrated while having a sauna. Between sauna rounds, give yourself time to breathe, cool off, and enjoy the surroundings. Some Finns also enjoy a light salty snack afterwards to replenish electrolytes.
Equal Treatment, Equal Respect
One of the beautiful aspects of Finnish sauna culture is its sense of equality. In the sauna, everyone is on the same level— titles, professions, and social hierarchies are left at the door. Whether you’re a CEO or a student, everyone sits on the same benches, sharing the same heat. Privacy and personal space are highly respected. Avoid staring or making comments about others’ bodies, and give people room to enjoy the experience in their own way. Sauna is a shared space built on mutual trust and quiet respect, where everyone can relax without judgment.
Finnish Rituals & Extras
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can enhance your sauna experience with a few traditional Finnish rituals. One of the most beloved is the use of a vasta (or vihta, depending on the region) — a whisk made of fresh birch twigs tied together. Lightly tapping or brushing your skin with the vasta stimulates circulation, gently exfoliates, and releases a soothing forest aroma that fills the sauna. It’s a multisensory ritual that connects you to nature, and many Finns consider it an essential part of summer sauna.
Another important element of Finnish sauna culture is löyly. It is the burst of steam and heat created when water is thrown or poured onto the hot stones. Löyly is central to the atmosphere of the sauna, and it’s a shared experience, not a solo performance. If you want to add water, always check with others first. Some like gentle, rolling heat, while others prefer a strong wave of steam, so it’s polite to make sure everyone is comfortable with the intensity.
Join us for your next real Sauna experience in Lakeland Finland.
Sauna Dictionary
Finnish |
English |
German |
| Sauna | Sauna | Sauna |
| Löyly | Steam (from water on stones) | Aufguss / Saunadampf |
| Kiulu | Sauna bucket | Saunaeimer |
| Kauha / Kaukalo | Sauna ladle | Saunakelle / Schöpflöffel |
| Lauteet | Sauna benches | Saunabänke |
| Kiuas | Sauna stove | Saunaofen |
| Savusauna | Smoke sauna | Rauchsauna |
| Sähkösauna | Electric sauna | Elektrosauna |
| Puusauna | Wood-heated sauna | Holzsauna |
| Pefletti | Sauna seat cover / towel | Sitzunterlage |
| Vasta / Vihta | Birch whisk | Birkenquast |
| Löylynhenki | Spirit of the steam | Saunageist |
| Avantouinti | Ice swimming | Eisbaden |
| Jäähdyttely | Cooling down | Abkühlen |
| Rantasauna | Lakeside sauna | Seesauna / Ufer-Sauna |
| Saunajuoma | Drink after sauna | Saunagetränk |
| Saunamakkara | Sauna sausage | Saunagrillwurst |
| Saunatonttu | Sauna elf / spirit | Saunawichtel |
| Löylyhuone | Steam room (sauna room) | Saunaraum |
| Vilvoitteluhuone | Cooling-off room | Ruheraum / Abkühlraum |
