Locals Share Their Sauna Stories While Helsinki Celebrates Eurovision with a Steamy Line-Up of Events
Eurovision has sparked global curiosity about one of Finland’s most iconic traditions: the sauna. For many travellers, stepping into a sauna often comes with a swirl of uncertainty—do you need to be nude, can you talk, what’s the deal with the felt hat? Now, Helsinki is embracing this moment of international attention to showcase an important truth: sauna culture in Finland, and especially in its capital, is not about rules. It’s about doing what feels right.
As Eurovision fans look toward the stage in Basel, Helsinki is shining a spotlight on another cultural headliner—one with steam, soul, and centuries of tradition. While the mental image of a steaming wooden room and cold plunge may be familiar, the experience itself can feel unfamiliar to visitors.
International visitors are often curious but hesitant. Questions come up around sauna etiquette: Must one go in without clothing? Is it okay to speak inside? Can water be thrown onto the stove? Why is someone wearing a hat in 90-degree heat?
In Helsinki, the answer to most questions is refreshingly simple: do what feels natural to you and remain respectful of others. Comfort, personal boundaries, and shared respect guide the experience more than any fixed set of rules.
It’s Time to Drop the Myths
“It’s time to forget the rules and rituals you might have heard. In Helsinki, the sauna is a reflection of freedom, self-expression, and social connection,” says Sanna Forsström, Head of Brand & Events for the City of Helsinki. “Once inside, most visitors are surprised to learn how relaxed, diverse, and personal the experience really is. For many, the sauna becomes one of the most memorable parts of their stay.”
Locals of all ages in Helsinki sauna year-round—sometimes even daily. It’s a deeply embedded lifestyle, welcoming everyone regardless of age, background, or body type. To highlight this openness, Helsinki launched a sauna-themed photo campaign featuring locals showcasing their own ways of enjoying sauna. Their portraits now appear throughout Helsinki and even on the streets of Basel, encouraging Eurovision fans to experience sauna culture their own way.
Helsinki Heats Up for Eurovision
This Eurovision season brings extra steam to the city. Finland’s official entry, Erika Vikman, is generating buzz, and the Swedish delegation includes KAJ, a trio of Finnish performers, two of whom call Helsinki home. To celebrate, Helsinki is hosting a wide range of sauna-themed festivities across the city—and even beyond its borders.
Between May 15 and 17, Helsinki will participate in Bara Bastu, a three-day public sauna experience on Djurgården Island in Stockholm, sharing the joy of sauna culture with Eurovision fans across the sea.
In Helsinki, the festivities begin with SAUNAVISION, a public sauna pre-party at Töölönlahdenpuisto, where locals and visitors alike can try around ten different saunas before the Eurovision Grand Final. More celebratory steam sessions include the Kyrö Distillery sauna on Keskuskatu and the upcoming Super Terrace sauna experience opening downtown on June 12.
Although May will be full of sauna-focused events, Helsinki’s sauna culture continues long after the stage lights dim. With more than 60 public saunas, the city welcomes locals and visitors all year. These include world-famous architectural icons like Löyly and Allas Sea Pool, scenic island saunas such as Lonna, and beloved local gems like the self-service Sompasauna.
A Living Tradition with Deep Roots
The Finnish sauna was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, recognising it as a living tradition passed through generations.
In Helsinki alone, the number of public saunas has changed over the years—reaching over 120 in the 1940s before home saunas became widespread. Today, the city hosts around 60, depending on how they are counted.
With a population of 5.5 million and approximately 3.3 million saunas across the country, Finland has more saunas than cars.
Roughly one sauna exists for every 1.67 people. Around 90% of Finns take a sauna at least once a week, with 40% going multiple times.
Even a one-minute cold plunge after a sauna can elevate mood by boosting happy hormones. Alternating the heat of the sauna with a 30–60 second dip in cold water, a lake, or even a brisk shower, activates a powerful sense of wellbeing.
First Time in a Finnish Sauna? Here’s What to Know
- There are no strict rules – your comfort is the best guide.
- Everyone is welcome – children, elders, locals, and travellers.
- Dress codes vary – in many public mixed saunas, swimsuits are worn; in others, towels are fine.
- Stay hydrated – bring water and choose a bench that feels right for you.
- Take breaks as needed – step outside to cool off when your body asks for it.
- The felt hat helps – regulating body temperature, it’s a practical choice.
- Ask a local – most are happy to share their favourite sauna tips.
In Finland, the sauna is a part of life. It welcomes all, asks only for respect, and rewards those who enter with a deep sense of calm and community. Eurovision may take centre stage, but in Helsinki, the true headliner is an experience that speaks to heart, body, and soul.
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