Wood-fired sauna
In the traditional manner, unlike the electric saunas of hotels.
Lasse Keskinen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lasse Keskinen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pekka Vyhtinen — CC BY 4.0 · Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) — CC BY-SA 4.0
A public sauna complex on the waterfront south of Helsinki, opened in 2016 and now among Finland's best-known contemporary buildings. Sauna is not a luxury in Finland but part of daily life: the country has roughly one sauna for every two people, and the custom is social and familial, centuries old. But the city's public saunas nearly disappeared in the twentieth century once every flat had its own, and this project is part of bringing them back. The building is the other reason for its fame: an angular timber mass of pine slats resembling a rock or a wave, whose sloping surface can be walked up and sat on with no ticket. Inside are wood-fired saunas in the traditional manner, and anyone wanting the full experience goes from the deck straight into the sea — including in winter through a hole in the ice. You should know the facilities are mixed: the saunas are shared and swimwear is required. Check the arrangements available before booking if that matters to you.
In the traditional manner, unlike the electric saunas of hotels.
Straight from the deck into the water — and in winter through a hole in the ice.
The sloping timber mass is a free public space looking over the sea.
Hernesaari, on the waterfront south of Helsinki
Hietalahti Market HallHietalahti Market Hall is a brick building of 1903 at the water's edge west of c16 minutes walk4.1
Design MuseumThe country that designed its life: the Design Museum in the Design District sou19 minutes walk4.0
Kamppi Chapel of SilenceA wooden vessel of silence in the city's noisiest square: Kamppi Chapel (2012) i25 minutes walk4.3
Esplanadi ParkHelsinki's elegant street: Esplanadi is a long park between two avenues from 18125 minutes walk4.6Showering before entering is required, silence or quiet conversation is the norm, and no photography at all inside. In public facilities like this swimwear is worn, unlike private saunas. Going out, cooling and returning several times is the usual pattern, and do not stay in the heat longer than is comfortable.
Some facilities set aside separate times or sections, and the city's older traditional saunas are often separated by nature. Ask specifically when booking about the arrangements on the day you want, as policies differ between places and cannot be assumed.