Sauna Like a N. European

Northern Europe is the birthplace of the sauna. Take time to enjoy a sauna the native way.

Aug 24, 2006

While traveling in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, or Iceland, you will undoubtedly have the opportunity to take a sauna. If you are from an English speaking country, chances are you might have been in a sauna only a handful of times, maybe while visiting a spa or a health club. In Northern Europe, though, saunas are an integral part of the tradition, history, and culture. Homes and apartments are equipped with saunas. Many families own summer cottages in the country and no summer cottage is complete without a sauna!

Here are some common questions people have when being introduced to sauna culture in northern Europe.

To Wear or Not To Wear...Clothing?

The authentic way to take a sauna is sans clothing. Of course, if you are with northern Europeans, they usually understand that many their Anglo brethren feel uncomfortable being naked, so no one will laugh at you if you insist on wearing a bathing suit. Bring a towel to sit on in the sauna.

Mixed Groups or Same Sex Groups?

If you are with a group, the women might go first, and then the men. Most people grow up taking mixed group saunas with their families and good friends, often after a day of invigorating outdoor activity (or after a night of drinking and watching a hockey match). Most northern Europeans will tell you that the sauna is definitely not sexual.

How Hot is the Sauna?

Northern Europeans will tell you that anything below 80 degrees Celsius (176 Fahrenheit) is merely a warm room. The standard sauna temperature is between 80 - 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit). If you have never visited a sauna before you might want to ease into it by setting the temperature to 70 Celsius (158 Fahrenheit).

Where Can Travelers Find a Sauna in Northern Europe?

Most hotels in the region have saunas. Ask at the reception desk if there is a sign up sheet for the sauna and if it is included in the price of your room. Of course, all spas have saunas. If your hotel does not have a sauna there are many swimming halls open to the public that have saunas. Or, try to befriend a local, and maybe they will invite you for a sauna!

The copyright of the article Sauna Like a N. European in N Europe Travel is owned by Lisa Sabol-Sikorski. Permission to republish Sauna Like a N. European in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Aug 27, 2006 4:23 AM

Lisa Sabol-Sikorski :

I am interested in hearing if many people have taken saunas in the US/Canada/Australia/UK and if taking a sauna while visiting Scandinavia or Finland interests you. Before moving to Finland I had very little interest in taking a sauna because I wasn't interested in sitting around and sweating. But, after being here during the cold winter months, I really learned to enjoy the sauna, especially after I've been outside cross country skiing, or doing other outdoor activities. Also, going to a sauna while at a summer cottage in the country (and then taking a dip in a cold lake!) is a great experience, totally Finnish.

I must say that sauna doesn't appeal to me when it is hot outside, but lots of people here like to do it no matter what the temperature. Someone told me that the Finnish embassy in Saudi Arabia even has a sauna!

So readers, does the sauna appeal to you? Would you feel comfortable going into a sauna with strangers?