There is very little chance of a visitor committing fundamental social gaffes or breaches of etiquette that would … In Finland, sauna is always taken in the nude. Yes, Vappu is special. One towel to sweat on in the sauna & another to dry off with after your sauna session (feel free to bring your own or hire ours for $2.50 each) Shower before you sauna & enter the pool at all times Put all your belongings into a locker & pin the key to your sauna towel This is a public therapeutic space – please speak in hushed respectful tones. Try our quiz to find out more. They were a Finnish pop band before they visited the sauna. The Lake Superior area—specifically Minnesota, Upper Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa—is home to a large population of Swedish and Finnish Americans who maintain a popular sauna culture. Get updates straight to your mailbox. #11 After or during sauna, it’s a tradition to have a cold sauna drink (a beer, cider, long drink, lemonade, water) and a small snack, for example, a sausage. The sauna is a common ground and bridges barriers. So, don’t worry about where to put the key! But, traditionally, you get a sitting towel almost like a linen napkin to sit on around the sauna. Furthermore you have several others like sauna hermanni, Sompasauna, Kultuuri sauna,… My äiti and Ammi usually had cleaned the day before. A stone with a face made out of holes used to be brought inside and buried amongst the coals. In Finland, the custom is to bathe naked, but if you … Sign up for more updates straight to your mailbox! At my grandparents’ cottage, there is a big old-fashioned wood-fired sauna in which you also “shower” with soap and water buckets (there’s no running water). When moving into my apartment in Helsinki back in 2007 I “found” They are certainly a cure for sauna cravings when living in the city. This unanimity has remained unbroken for centuries and is sure to continue as long as there are children born in their native land, as long as the invitation still comes from the porch threshold in the evening twilight: “The sauna is ready.” Our cabin is on leased government land, and we can’t build any other structures, so a proper sauna building is out, so the tent sauna would be the only thing to do. I had it installed on a covered deck & now enjoy using it a couple of times a week. . ! For an authentic Finnish sauna experience visit this traditional woodfire heated sauna in the central district of Kallio. However: sparkling wine is always cold! Fundamental to the Finnish psyche the sauna … But, it can be a little confusing to know what to do. Such a fantastic sauna memory and so great it sparked a home sauna idea too! Finnish sauna etiquette calls for each person to shower before entering the sauna. To be precise, it’s almost a holy place. It’s only right for there to be a sauna available for Fans at the sports arena. Thank you so much, I’m happy to hear you enjoyed this article. I bet it was a bliss 10 000 years ago, though. I feel that Finns don’t mind where the towel is. Super site, I’ve found an old electric Harvia sauna that was thrown out of a sports centre. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I want to inspire you & turn your wildest travel dreams into a reality through my useful travel guides and tips! Also necessary to make a reservation in advance. Today, saunas are wooden rooms, usually tiered, which are wood burned, electric or smoked. You can be in the sauna as long as you like. Finnish customs and manners are clearly European, with only a few national variations, and attitudes are liberal. You will not be judged for preferring a towel or bathing suit. It’s not forbidden, although usually, Finns are pretty quiet in the sauna. Anything else to know about the whole process? My Australian husband can’t cope with the heat. . Fantastic Bindi! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to behave in a Finnish sauna. In Löyly they have their own bar. Wood to make the sauna, air to steam the sauna, water as you get to bathe and swim in the Baltic Sea and fire to heat the sauna and relax by afterwards. There are three types of sauna that you can enjoy in Finland, 2. Here is the scenario. Saunas have been always used for healing and relaxation. Some Finn’s may do this ten times over. Sauna Etiquette. Knock gently before entering. If you have a private sauna, anyone is permitted to throw water on the stones. Sauna Etiquette will describe the traditional Finnish sauna experience and contrast it to the type youre more likely to find locally. The temperature is regulated in public saunas, there’s no vastas and you can’t run into the pool to cool down.Which I understand for safety reasons. I never went to sauna before I came to Finland so actually got to know it there. That way, it’s nice and clean for the next person to sit on. Usually, the heat is not so sharp next to the door. Dear Judith, thank you so much for your lovely comment! Towel – this may or may not be provided to you but definitely bring one to wrap yourself in and to dry off after your shower. The sauna etiquette is always the same, though. The girls enjoy sauna together and wash the bride with an egg, salt and flour. He thinks a sauna needs to be at 100° C (212° F). Maybe this is the place to try a real sauna experience? to ask the others whether it was ok for them, as a warning. Kotiharju Sauna would certainly come as a total shock to German sauna goers. Finn’s are born in the sauna, grow up with the sauna and continue to use them throughout their lives. A long term UK expat in India turned travel blogger. There is a second floor with a sauna area that you relax in and order coffee. I love it the most, as do many other sauna fans in Finland. Sauna is the place for cleaning both body and mind.It is also a place to get away from the stresses of the world. In addition to being places to warm up and relax, they were also places to get clean — and cleanliness is an important Finnish value. With over two million saunas in Finland, there are officially more saunas than there are cars! Hope this helps! Upon entering, choose a seat. I am expecting the package in 2 weeks. Especially when it is -40 deg outside and your bones hurt from the cold. If you didn’t get the memo about sauna culture in Finland, let’s change that right now. But, it’s definitely something you should try while you’re in Finland. We stayed overnight on Silverskar island not far from Klobben. Leaving her heart in India, which gifted her a "Third Eye", she felt inspired to share her travel stories in the hope of encouraging others to explore this big beautiful world of ours. Check out some of my other posts: After this quick cultural class, you’ll know…. They have small differences in usage. For example, in Germany, there’s a “sauna master” who throws the water on the hot stones and he is the only person to do this. It was also super crowded and I asked the guy on reception when it gets quiet and he replied ‘never on ladies day’, so there you have it! They have electrically heated sauna, but also three fantastic savu sauna. I am missing the authentic sauna experience. Being invited to someone’s sauna is an honor. As you probably know, the sauna is a major part of Finnish culture. Incredible! What is down with the ashes for when you throw water on the stones? Thank you…. This article explains a very short history of the Finnish sauna culture and dives into the practical things: How to enjoy sauna like a Finn and what are the key elements of the Finnish sauna etiquette. But, in Finland, the etiquette can be very different to other countries. But, I would definitely try to come at an off peak time if you don’t want that same experience. Third Eye Traveller is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk. On their channels, there is a lot of information and if there’s anything one likes to ask in detail, one can send an email neuvonta (at) trasek.fi. One should carry a towel, not to cover the body, but to place on the heated benches while in the sauna chamber. But, you can just shower too or walk out the room to cool off. <3, Your email address will not be published. Saunas are deeply rooted in Finland’s culture and have existed there for over 2,000 years. Public saunas have a specific disposable sauna tissue for you. Finland pretty much invented the sauna as we know it today, coined the name and are partly responsible for saunas being built around the world in spas. And you can be in the sauna as long as you want! So I bought a sauna tent with a wood stove that I could take wherever I want. Here’s everything you need to know about Finnish sauna etiquette if you’re a tourist in Finland! So, from one tourist to another, I thought I’d pass over the baton of wisdom to help you out. We go to camp year round now. Hi Varpu – How long do Finns stay in the sauna? Hope this helps, thanks Sophie x. Wouldn’t bathing in cold water right after sauna cause health issues? Keep it up, What and where is the Sauna place? Usually there’s a sign near the sauna). It was my first time in Finland and I visited a few saunas while I was here. So much fun to visit these sites and get in touch with my heritage. These tips will help you understand what Finnish sauna culture is like. #7 You sit on a towel in a sauna. In public saunas, like Löyly, or a mixed gender sauna where everyone goes in together, swimsuits or towels must be worn. To see more about, it, click here. https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-finnish-saunas We do them all! Will it get too damp to be useful? o Use a towel on the bench. Great article! Finnish sauna etiquette. After the sauna pit, a smoke sauna appeared. Pssst… Follow me on Instagram and add more Finland to your life immediately! Then, I go on to describe the three Finnish sauna types. Finnish Sauna Culture — Not Just a Cliché “There is nothing that Finns have been so unanimous about as their sauna. Kaurilan Sauna is hardly a local secret—it made The New York Times 2017 guide to Helsinki's best public saunas—but despite the press, it's retained the charm and character of a traditional no-fuss Finnish sauna. Love it!! Over hundreds of years, sauna procedures have remained similar to what was practiced back in the days. At Christmas, you can give him a bowl of rice porridge. 4 generations of my family have washed up in our sauna. Apartment complexes and hotels have saunas for residents to reserve for use and they even have saunas in their government and office buildings. I’d say most Finns think that when a sauna is around 80 Celsius degrees/175F it is warm enough. It was a mixed sauna where people wore towels and it was the first time I learned that the sauna’s “a quiet room”. The sauna is decorated with candles and flowers. As a tourist, trying a Finnish sauna should be at the top of your bucket list. You should try :) Sophie x, Your email address will not be published. It was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists at the December 17, 2020 meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. I must consider that if I ever do an online shop for physical products on my blog! In fact, the Finnish sauna still has old rituals that live on in modern society. To compare Finnish and German sauna culture, check out my post on Finnish sauna etiquette here! To compare Finnish and German sauna culture, check out my post on Finnish sauna etiquette here! You’ll be following in the footsteps of a true Finn! It means so much to me. So, go careful and only stay with what you’re comfortable with. Swimsuit – if you’re not prepared to undergo the whole sitting naked experience, I’d bring one. Yup! Although I travel to Finland and have friends there since 10 years I only stumbled over this blog now. Hi! So, go with the one you feel best in and don’t feel pressured to sit too long! In many public saunas where both sexes are inside, swimsuits must be worn. Don’t say no unless you have a really good reason. Thanks! Do you have any recommendations? Types of Sauna in Finland. This sauna type is warm and moist and it’s the most popular sauna type in Finnish summer cabins and the countryside. Besides Löyly and Kotiharju there are many more sauna places in Helsinki worth visiting: Lonna: situated on the island of Lonna and reachable by boat from the market square. Lastly, I have included three awesome sauna destinations in Helsinki. It is a place for physical and mental cleansing, and many suggest one should behave in a sauna as they would in church. So, if you feel like it, throw some on! Any particular recommended size to the stones and how many to use? It is considered polite to shower before going in. I assume that first off there is a fire pit in the structure in which you have the sauna stones. A tradition that is still honoured today! Hei Adam, hahhah, so true! For example in our summer cottage, we have a smoke sauna and some people take their towel and hang it inside the sauna (the rack is very low, otherwise the towels would get all black). We have our original camp, built in 1942, up in the UP of Michigan. But the best: all the saunas on the islands you only reach by boat and hear up yourself with wood. The higher benches involve more intense heat. In the wintertime, you can have those sauna scents, candles etc. I guess it’s similar to  leaving cookies for Santa or carrots for his reindeer! I miss sauna time it’s not the same at the public sauna in the public pools. Finn’s usually bathe in the sea, lake or snow after their sauna. Hei Peter, thank you so much for your comment and question! Hei Sari, thank you so much for commenting. Something I would want to make it amazing? To get a true Finnish sauna experience, the sauna needs to be at around 80° Celsius (176° F) but for example my son thinks that’s too cold! Hello, If you’re visiting a sauna in Finland, leave your bathers behind and follow these steam room dos and don’ts… 1 Shower first. The whole family lived there as long as it took the main house to finish! T. here might be several questions on your mind! Also, if you think that sweating in a wooden box and then bathing in icy water is strange, I’m with you there. Most sauna experiences, especially in the western world, are very similar to the Finnish sauna experience. Some don’t allow swimwear inside! Throw water on the hot stones as much as you want. Of course, you can just dip then come back up, you don’t need to swim a mile or anything. To a Finn, the sauna (pronounced Sow-nah in Finland) is a part of their everyday lifestyle, some Finn’s were even born in saunas before hospitals were around! They were busy, hectic with limited space and everyone has to get changed in the open. I recently got yelled at because I threw water on the stones (being alone in the sauna ) and other people entered to complain about the moisture and lecture me “that you don’t do this”. Have you already been in a sauna? For the last few years, I've been travelling (mostly) solo around the world. Some people, however, are quite happy in 70-degree heat. I found a great article with pics about a tent sauna: https://www.maaseuduntulevaisuus.fi/rakentaminen/n%C3%A4in-rakennat-telttasaunan-ja-saat-mit%C3%A4-muhevimmat-l%C3%B6ylyt-1.147218 Does this link open up for you? Once you poured water on it with the coals, the reaction would make the spirit ‘speak’ bringing good luck to the sauna. Join 80,000 readers. Sadly, I last used my sauna over 2 years ago and had to sell it 1.5 years ago when I needed money fast to move I bought an electric heater made in Finland, now I need to build a new sauna to put it in. There is a fantastic site called “Sauna from Finland” https://saunafromfinland.com/ which is specially designed for sauna related business opportunities. Finnish-speaking Finns have a less elaborate and less structured drinking etiquette, although there are schnapps songs in Finnish too. If you are going into a traditional Finnish sauna, which should be made of wood, it will be hotter than you think. Hi Varpu, Finnish saunas are hygienic with lots of health benefits, 5. Don’t be shy if there are already people in there, it’s normal to be busy! One thing you must try is the star of the world sea, lake or snow during time! Places have separate saunas, like Löyly, or a freshwater lake here, I always ran up! You … Finnish sauna still has old rituals that live on in modern society use your sitting towel sit. This blog now email, and attitudes are liberal my Helsinki for hosting my trip to Finland you ’! 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