Credits: Projectico / Panko Concept
Finnish Lakeland offers a plethora of unique sauna experiences. From the country’s oldest public sauna to hotspots for winter swimmers, here are five Lakeland saunas every traveller should visit.
Located in the old district of Pispala in Tampere – the sauna capital of the world, Rajaportti is Finland’s oldest public sauna still in use. The sauna was originally built by Hermanni Lahtinen and his wife, Maria, back in 1906. Still heated by wood in a traditional manner, Rajaportti offers an authentic feeling of travelling back in time with its old-fashioned charm and simplicity. Visit the cosy courtyard café for traditional sauna sausages, freshly baked cinnamon buns, comforting soups, and a selection of local beers. A traditional massage completes the experience.
The Finnish word “saana” means “sauna” when pronounced in the Savonian dialect. Situated on the shores of Lake Kallavesi in Kuopio, Saana is a recent addition to Finland’s modern public sauna scene. It features three separate saunas – including a smoke one – an indoor hot tub, waterfall showers, two outdoor swimming pools, and the opportunity to try open-water swimming year-round. The restaurant serves locally sourced food and boasts picture-perfect views of magnificent Kallavesi.
Tucked into the cliffs of Puumala, Sahanlahti Resort is a historic sawmill site turned lakeside retreat, where heritage buildings and local cuisine meet panoramic Saimaa views. Its pride and joy is the smoke sauna, a log-walled haven heated slowly until the air is velvety and aromatic with wood smoke. After a round of steam, you can wander straight to the shoreline for a swim, or step into the outdoor hot tub perched above the water. Between sauna sessions, try one of the resort’s three restaurant serving local and seasonal dishes.
Combining traditional sauna with urban vibes, Kuuma is a welcome addition to Tampere’s sauna scene. The sleek lakeside building features two saunas and a popular restaurant serving seasonal, Nordic-style cuisine and a delicious tasting menu with select wines. On a summer day, the outdoor pool and large, two-story terrace overlooking Lake Pyhäjärvi fill with crowds enjoying food and drinks into the wee hours.
Kaupinoja sauna, which is run by the local winter swimming association, is located by Näsijärvi Lake and sees more than 50,000 visitors per year. On some nights, this sauna manages to host more than 400 bathers! While there’s been a sauna onsite since 1977, it’s undergone several transformations and was completely renovated after a fire in 2008. Kaupinoja is open “practically always,” except for the second Tuesday of the month, when it’s closed for maintenance.
Check out these fantastic sauna experiences in Lapland, on the Coast and Archipelago, and in Helsinki Region.
One the latest additions to the bustling Finnish public sauna scene is the Serlachius Museums’ new Art Sauna. This architectural masterpiece is located in Lakeland's Mänttä-Vilppula area, and stands on the shore of Serlachius Museum Gösta. The name Art Sauna is appropriate for this unique sauna, which houses both art and design.