January 2, 2024, 6:23 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Finland is considered the homeland of the sauna. That’s why people here often refer to supposedly Finnish traditions when it comes to the rules for proper sauna use. However, TRAVELBOOK editor Angelika Pickardt’s visit to the Nordic country showed that sauna practices in Finland are not nearly as “strict” as they are in Germany.
Three women enter the sauna in a hotel in Helsinki, chatting loudly, where I’ve been sweating for a while. While I, as I was taught from childhood, have laid down a towel, the three ladies sit directly on the bare wooden bench without any covering. All three are wearing swimsuits, whereas I have only wrapped a towel around my hips. After all, one is supposed to be naked in the sauna, as I learned in Germany. It is said to be in line with Finnish tradition and is also considered medically and hygienically sensible, according to the German Sauna Association.
Yes, Finns also go naked in the sauna. But only when they are sweating together with family or close friends. In public saunas, they usually wear swimwear. And otherwise, many aspects of sauna practices in Finland differ from the common practices here.
The Most Important Rule for the Sauna in Finland: There Are No Rules!
“We don’t have specific guidelines for the sauna; everyone should do what feels best for them,” says Annika Korhonen from the cultural café Kulttuuripalvelu Kaiku Ky in Ruokolahti. Here, in the lake region of southeastern Finland, you can book a traditional smoke sauna for several people. Heating it takes 6 to 8 hours. Inside, it’s cozy, with carpets to sit on and candles providing sparse lighting.
There are no hourglasses in Finnish saunas like in Germany. The rule is: Everyone stays as long as they can handle it. Some stay for 10 minutes, others for 45 minutes or even several hours. How many sauna sessions you take or how long you rest in between is up to each individual. Unlike in Germany, Finns do not use scented additives when pouring water over the stones and usually opt for pure water, which is poured more frequently and in larger quantities over the heated stones. And while in Germany, people tend to enjoy the sauna quietly, Finns often engage in lively conversations throughout the sauna session.
Also interesting: 19 things to avoid in the sauna
Almost Everyone Does Ice Swimming!
The sauna is indeed an integral part of almost every Finn’s life. With 5.5 million inhabitants, there are 3 million saunas, and almost everyone has their own sauna at home or regularly uses public saunas in the cities. A popular place in Helsinki for sauna bathing is the Allas Sea Pool, an area with several saunas and outdoor pools overlooking the Baltic Sea and the old town.
Of course, the obligatory ice pool is not to be missed there. The water is only one degree “warm,” and I was determined to take a dip there–despite being quite sensitive to the cold. There’s only one way: just walk in, don’t think too long. I can only endure it for a few seconds; the water feels like needles on the skin. But: I did it! My body releases adrenaline and endorphins, a small moment of happiness.
At this moment, I understand for the first time what Finns mean when they talk about Sisu, this very special mentality that roughly translates to “strength” or “determination.” Finns don’t hesitate; they act. This is certainly one of the secrets why Finland has repeatedly topped the list of the happiest countries in the world.
The trip took place in March 2019 and was supported by the Finnish tourism board Visit Finland. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit