The sauna is the heart of Finnish culture — there are more saunas than cars in Finland — and experiencing one, ideally followed by a plunge into an icy lake, is an essential part of any Lapland winter trip. Here is how it works, the etiquette, and why you should try it.
What the Sauna Means in Finland
Sauna is not a luxury add-on in Finland; it is a way of life woven into homes, cabins and even offices. Traditionally a place to relax, cleanse and socialise, the sauna is warm, calm and unpretentious. Trying an authentic Finnish sauna is one of the most genuine cultural experiences of a Lapland trip.
How a Finnish Sauna Works
A wood or electric stove heats stones to around 70–100°C. You throw water on the stones to create löyly, a burst of soft steam that makes the heat feel intense then soothing. You sit, relax, cool off, and repeat over several rounds. It is deeply relaxing after a day in the cold.
Ice Swimming and the Avanto
The classic Finnish ritual is to alternate the hot sauna with a cold plunge — into a lake through a hole in the ice (avanto), a cold pool, or a roll in the snow. The contrast is invigorating and, many say, addictive. It is entirely optional, done briefly, and always near the warm sauna.
Sauna Etiquette for Visitors
Saunas are usually enjoyed without swimwear in private or single-sex settings, though mixed public and tour saunas often ask for swimwear — follow your host's lead. Shower first, keep voices low and relaxed, sit on a towel, and stay hydrated. There is no need to endure the heat longer than is comfortable.
Health and Wellness Benefits
Finns associate regular sauna with relaxation, better sleep, muscle recovery and simply feeling good, and it is a wonderful way to warm up after aurora hunting or a husky safari. The hot-cold contrast leaves most people feeling refreshed and calm.
Where to Try It on Your Trip
Most Lapland cabins and hotels have a sauna, and many of our packages include a traditional smoke or lakeside sauna experience, sometimes paired with ice swimming or a starlit hot tub. Tell us you would like an authentic sauna evening and we will build it into your itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you wear clothes in a Finnish sauna?
In private or single-sex saunas Finns usually go without swimwear, but mixed public and tour saunas often ask for swimwear. Follow your host's guidance — either is fine.
Is ice swimming after the sauna safe?
For most healthy people a brief dip is safe and invigorating, always done close to the warm sauna. Keep it short, listen to your body, and skip it if you have heart or blood-pressure concerns.
Is a sauna included in Lapland tours?
Most cabins and hotels have a sauna, and many of our packages include an authentic sauna experience, sometimes with ice swimming or a hot tub. Just ask.