Take an authentic public sauna and Baltic sea dip in Helsinki
Bask in wood-fired steam (löyly) inside sculpted sculptural pine architecture before plunging straight into the chilled waters of the Baltic Sea.
At a glance
Year-round; summer brings sunny seaside terrace drinks, while winter delivers the exhilarating shock of avantouinti (ice swimming)
Late afternoon transitioning into evening as sunset reflects across the open sea
2 hours of sauna and swimming, followed by dinner or drinks on the terrace
Public smoke sauna & wood-fired sauna ritual · Cold Baltic sea immersion
Easy
Advance booking recommended
Why public sauna culture is the spiritual soul of Finland
Inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020, sauna culture is the undisputed core of Finnish identity. With over 3.3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million, the sauna has served for millennia as a bathhouse, hospital, kitchen, and sacred sanctuary where all social hierarchies vanish and everyone is fundamentally equal.
While private apartment saunas abound, Helsinki has witnessed a magnificent renaissance of communal public bathing. Foremost among these is Löyly, situated on an industrial waterfront point in Hernesaari. Built using FSC-certified wood and powered by zero-emission geothermal energy, its low faceted wooden cloak mirrors the coastline while sheltering three distinct saunas: a continuously heated wood-fired sauna, a traditional chimney-less smoke sauna (savusauna), and a private lounge.
Throwing water onto glowing stones to release 'löyly'—the soothing, aromatic spirit of the steam—and walking out onto the sea terrace to step down the icy metal ladder directly into the deep blue Baltic Sea delivers an electric endorphin rush that leaves your skin tingling and mind completely serene.
The rhythm of wood, steam, and sea
Warm welcome and locker preparation
Check in at the reception, collect your soft towel and seat cover (pefletti), change into swimwear, and shower thoroughly.
The wood-fired sauna
Begin in the wood-burning sauna, resting on wide birch benches as panoramic glass windows frame views of passing cargo ships.
The traditional smoke sauna
Step into the dark, soot-fragrant smoke sauna, feeling the deep, gentle, penetrating heat that only hours of wood smoke can impart.
Plunging into the Baltic Sea
Step onto the outer wooden pier and lower yourself down the metal steps into the invigorating Baltic waters before warming by the fireplace.
Plan your experience
When to go
Löyly is open year-round. Summer provides buzzing sunset terraces and easy sea swimming. Winter offers an unforgettable authentic Finnish experience: sitting in 90-degree steam before plunging through a hole in the frozen sea ice.
Getting there
Take tram line 6 from Helsinki Central Station or Hakaniemi directly to the southern terminus at Eiranranta, then walk 400 metres south along the waterfront promenade to the entrance.
Booking & permits
Due to strictly capped bather numbers to ensure uncrowded peace, advance online reservation through the official website (loylyhelsinki.fi) is highly recommended, particularly for late afternoon and weekend sessions.
What to bring
- Swimwear (swimsuit or swimming shorts are required in all public saunas and decks)
- Water sandals or flip-flops for walking comfortably between saunas and the cold sea pier
- Warm woollen beanie if visiting in winter (protects your head during the outdoor sea dip)
Before you go
- Shower thoroughly before entering the saunas, and always sit on your provided linen pefletti
- Stay hydrated: drink plenty of fresh water from the complimentary taps between sauna rounds
- Enjoy a post-sauna bowl of traditional creamy Finnish salmon soup (lohikeitto) at Löyly's seaside restaurant
Official information
Always verify permits, seasonal weather conditions and access directly with public authorities:
Official website for reserving sauna time slots, checking sea temperatures, and restaurant reservations.
City of Helsinki official tourism portal detailing heritage public saunas, etiquette, and ice swimming clubs.
Ways to experience it
Book a standard two-hour pass and alternate between the smoke sauna and sea dips at your own intuitive pace.
Join a Finnish sauna master workshop explaining the mythological origins of löyly, birch whisking rituals (vasta), and wellness science.
Certified providers & operators
Löyly Helsinki Wellness & Dining
Public and private Finnish sauna sessions and coastal dining
Flagship architectural public sauna established in 2016.