The sauna has been a place of relaxation, wellness and tradition for the Finns for centuries. With over 3 million saunas for 5.5 million people, the sauna is as Finnish as it gets. You can experience it too — here in Saaristo, the Finnish archipelago.
It’s not complicated at all! Just follow the lead, and feel free to ask questions — the Finns are happy to help.
The Finns have known of the sauna’s health benefits for thousands of years, and today some of them are backed by science. Sauna for example improves circulation and cleanses the body.
Saaristo businesses offer authentic sauna experiences combined with forest bathing, whisking, or massage.
As the sauna reaches the right temperature, you step into the steam. When you relax in the silence, you experience a tradition that has taken place for millennia.
"A steaming sauna, a barking dog, a crowing rooster, and a meowing cat – those are the true signs of a good home.”
– many in Saaristo
are wood-warmed.
Feel the time slowing down while the sea and an abundance of islands open in front of you,
the droplets of sweat
running through your back,
hear the gentle hiss of the water hitting the stones emanating with heat,
and feel the edge of the rocky cliff beneath your feet as you jump into the dark, cooling sea.
Dip a fresh birch whisk in water before bringing it into the heat. The leaves release a clean, green aroma as they warm, and gently whisking the skin is a long-standing part of Finnish sauna culture. The Finnish language has two common names for the whisk: vihta and vasta.
