Your first Finnish sauna, in Helsinki

How a public sauna works, what to bring, and the 17 public saunas within 4 km of Helsinki Central Station to start with, with the price and a booking link wherever the operator publishes them.

How it works

  1. Shower first. Rinse off before you go in; the showers are warm.MyHelsinki
  2. Swimsuit or not: the sauna decides. Signs say men’s, women’s or mixed (sekasauna). Mixed saunas usually let you wear a swimsuit or a towel; the men’s and women’s saunas at swimming halls do not allow swimsuits. Finns typically go nude, and where both are allowed it is your choice.MyHelsinki · Visit Finland
  3. Sit on a seat cover. A disposable one (pefletti) or your own linen.MyHelsinki
  4. Leave the phone outside. No phones and no food in the sauna.MyHelsinki
  5. Ask before you throw löyly. Löyly is the steam that rises when water is ladled onto the hot stones; ask the others before you add more.MyHelsinki · Visit Finland
  6. Go at your own pace. A Finnish sauna runs at 70–90 °C and there is no rule for how long you stay. Cool off between rounds in a cold shower or the sea, and drink water.MyHelsinki · Visit Finland
  7. Talk, or keep quiet. Both are fine; shouting is not.MyHelsinki

Sources: MyHelsinki — Helsinki sauna etiquette: 7 simple tips (City of Helsinki visitor site, updated 27 August 2026), read 2026-10-08 · Visit Finland — Sauna (Business Finland), read 2026-10-08.

What to bring

Operator pages: Löyly (read 2026-10-08) · Sompasauna (read 2026-09-24) · Kulttuurisauna (read 2026-09-24).

17 public saunas to start with

Every public sauna the atlas has verified at its own source within 4 km of Helsinki Central Station, nearest first. The price is the lowest adult price the operator’s page states; “Book online” appears where the operator takes bookings online.

Next

Hours, prices and rules change; check the sauna’s own page before you go.