How Many Saunas Are in Finland? Surprising Sauna Statistics

Finland loves saunas, so much that they have more saunas than cars! From cozy lakeside smoke saunas to modern urban spots, Finns use them every day to relax, socialize, and recharge. 

Curious how many saunas exist, why they matter, and what makes sauna culture so unique? Let’s dive into the steamy world of Finnish saunas.

• Discover how Finland has nearly three million saunas more than enough for every household.
  
  

• Learn why saunas are central to Finnish culture, wellness, and daily life.
  
  

• Understand the differences between public and private saunas and how each offers a unique experience.
  
  

• Explore the main types of Finnish saunas, from electric to wood-burning to traditional smoke saunas.
  
  

• See how sauna traditions, etiquette, and history shape Finland’s identity and attract visitors worldwide.

Finland is a country where saunas are more than just a way to relax, they are woven into the very fabric of daily life. 

With a population of around 5.5 million, the nation boasts an estimated three million saunas, meaning almost every household has one, whether in city apartments or countryside cottages. 

Big institutions even maintain their own saunas, and the president and prime minister each have official ones. 

As National Geographic notes, sauna bathing is a ritual dating back thousands of years, where people sit side by side on wooden benches, pouring water on hot stones to create the famous steam, or löyly. 

Some regions, like Tampere, take sauna culture even further; known as the Sauna Capital of the World, it has nearly 70 public saunas, including Rajaportti, Finland’s oldest continuously operating public sauna. 

Experiencing a Finnish sauna offers a window into local culture and lifestyle, so be courageous, step inside, and embrace the heat, because it’s more than just a bath; it’s a uniquely Finnish tradition.

Finland is home to over three million saunas, more than enough for every Finn, with roughly one sauna for every 1.6 people. 

This remarkable prevalence is deeply rooted in Finnish culture, where saunas have served for centuries as spaces for cleansing, reflection, and social bonding. 

Saunas aren’t just for relaxation; they host conversations, celebrations, and even political meetings, like at the Finnish Embassy in London. 

The health and emotional benefits are also undeniable. The warm, quiet environment promotes mental clarity, reduces stress, improves sleep, and can even ease anxiety and depression. 

Socially, saunas strengthen connections, making them central to community life. Research highlighted in Complementary Therapies in Medicine shows that nearly 60% of Finns use the sauna at least weekly, though only about 8% reach the four-times-a-week mark associated with maximum health benefits. 

Men tend to bathe more frequently than women, and younger women are the least frequent bathers. Overall, the Finnish sauna is a unique blend of culture, wellness, and social tradition.

If you want to connect with others and enjoy a social experience, choose a public sauna, where people gather and follow shared etiquette. 

For a quiet, personal retreat, a private sauna is ideal, letting you relax on your own terms. In Finland, public saunas are lively communal spaces, while private saunas are common in homes, giving you full control over your sauna experience.

In Finland, you can enjoy three main types of saunas based on their heat source. Electric saunas are easy to use, common in cities, and provide consistent heat. 

Wood-burning saunas are traditional, popular in cottages, and give a classic smoky scent. Smoke saunas are the oldest type, creating a unique dim atmosphere, but they take the longest to prepare, around two hours.

The Finnish sauna, a beloved cultural ritual, is believed to date back as far as 7,000 BCE. Early evidence shows simple pit saunas dug into the earth, heated by stones over a fire, sometimes doubling as winter shelters. 

By the Middle Ages, smoke saunas (savusaunan) became common, log structures where steam, or löyly, filled the room after ventilating the smoke. 

Saunas were more than just places to bathe; they were sacred spaces for social gatherings, healing, childbirth, and spiritual rituals. 

Over the centuries, sauna design evolved, from earth pits to log cabins, then to homes equipped with metal stoves and, by the mid-20th century, electric heaters, making urban saunas practical. 

Today, Finland’s 5.5 million inhabitants enjoy roughly three million saunas, found in homes, apartments, offices, and public spaces. 

Despite technological changes, the heart of the tradition—throwing water on hot stones to create löyly, remains. 

Recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, the sauna continues to embody Finnish resilience, community, and devotion to wellness.

• Shower First: Always wash and clean yourself before entering the sauna.
  
  

• Wear a Towel: Use minimal clothing or wrap a towel around yourself to respect tradition.
  
  

• Be Quiet and Respectful: Keep conversations low, respect others’ space, and follow basic sauna manners.
  
  

• Use Water Carefully: Splash water on the stones gently, and use a birch whisk (vihta) if you want to enhance the heat.
  
  

• Take Cooling Breaks: Step out to cool down between sessions to stay safe and enjoy the sauna properly.

Sauna bathing is a cornerstone of Finnish culture, with nearly 60% of Finns enjoying it at least once a week and many visiting two to three times weekly. 

Men tend to use saunas more frequently than women, while younger women under 35 are often the least regular bathers. 

Access plays a big role, those living in detached houses are much more likely to bathe four or more times a week compared to apartment dwellers. 

Only a small fraction, around 8%, reach this frequency, which is associated with the greatest health benefits. 

Finns cite relaxation, stress relief, muscle recovery, improved circulation, deeper sleep, and even cognitive benefits like reduced risk of dementia as key reasons for using saunas. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, about 20% of people decreased sauna visits due to restrictions, though some actually bathed more to relax and pass time. 

With widespread access and a strong cultural tradition, saunas remain an essential part of Finnish life, offering both physical and mental well-being.

Helsinki is a treasure trove for sauna lovers, with dozens of public saunas offering experiences that blend tradition and innovation. 

Tourists flock to iconic spots like Löyly, a modern waterfront complex with a smoke sauna and sea views, or Kotiharju Sauna, the city’s last wood-heated public sauna dating back to 1928. 

Floating and island saunas, such as Allas Sea Pool, Lonna, and Uunisaari, provide a unique way to enjoy the Baltic Sea while relaxing in steam. 

Even the adventurous can try the SkySauna, a sauna inside a Ferris wheel cabin with panoramic city views. 

Sauna culture has long been central to Helsinki’s urban life: historically, public saunas served as essential bathing spaces and social hubs, helping residents cleanse, relax, and connect. 

Today, modern spaces like Kulttuurisauna and Uusi Sauna continue this legacy, offering stylish, social environments for locals and visitors alike. 

From century-old wood stoves to rooftop and floating innovations, Helsinki’s public saunas capture both the city’s history and its vibrant contemporary spirit.

Tampere, often called Finland’s Sauna Capital, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century, when the city’s industrial working class needed public spaces to bathe, as private bathrooms were rare. 

Over time, these saunas became more than just places for washing, they served as social hubs, spots for relaxation, and even venues for special occasions. 

Today, Tampere boasts nearly 70 public saunas, including the historic Rajaportti, Finland’s oldest operating sauna, earning it the title “Sauna Capital of the World” in 2018. 

The city also hosts events like the annual Soul of Sauna Week, featuring guided smoke sauna tours, workshops, and celebrations on Finnish Sauna Day, attracting both locals and international tourists. 

Surveys and tourism data highlight that visitors come for authentic sauna experiences, enjoying physical relaxation, social interaction, and a glimpse into Finnish culture. 

With its mix of tradition, variety, and year-round accessibility, Tampere continues to be a must-visit destination for anyone eager to experience the heart of Finland’s sauna culture.

Lapland offers saunas surrounded by snowy forests and frozen lakes, some built over icy water for post-sauna swims. 

Visitors can combine ice swimming with Northern Lights viewing, and remote cabins provide private saunas for a peaceful retreat. Lapland saunas blend nature, adventure, and relaxation uniquely.

Savonlinna is known for its lakes and traditional smoke saunas. Many saunas are by the lake, allowing visitors to alternate between heat and cool water. 

Resorts offer lodging with public and private sauna options. First-time visitors can learn sauna etiquette, such as sitting on a towel and adjusting gradually to the heat.

Rovaniemi is ideal for combining sauna visits with Northern Lights viewing. The best time to see the Aurora Borealis is from late autumn to early spring. 

Tourists can enjoy winter activities like snowmobiling or husky rides, then relax in saunas, many with large windows for Aurora views. Private saunas are also available for a more intimate experience.

The Turku Archipelago offers island sauna retreats, many with overnight stays. Summer is ideal for swimming in the sea after a sauna. 

Nearby accommodations range from cottages to luxury lodges, allowing for a relaxing getaway amid Finland’s scenic islands.

Finland’s sauna culture stands out even among the Nordic countries, not just because of its quirky traditions and unique language, but because saunas are woven into everyday life. 

With around 3.3 million saunas for 5.4 million people, Finland has more saunas per capita than anywhere else in the world, far surpassing other Nordic nations. 

This deep-rooted habit shows in how often Finns use them: before the pandemic, about 60% of Finns enjoyed a sauna at least once a week, with men using them slightly more than women. 

While only about 8% bathe four times weekly, the level thought to offer the greatest health benefits, sauna use remains remarkably consistent across the population. 

Beyond comfort and tradition, saunas play a meaningful role in wellbeing. As highlighted by research published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, frequent sauna bathing has been associated with improved heart health, reduced inflammation, lower stress levels, and even a decreased risk of conditions like dementia and respiratory illnesses. 

Compared to countries where sauna culture is less common, Finns may gain broader social and health benefits simply because saunas are such an accessible and natural part of daily living.

A Finnish sauna is known for its comforting, intense heat, typically kept between 70°C and 100°C, with most Finns favoring a cozy middle ground of 80–90°C. Both electric and wood-fired saunas fall within this same temperature range, but the experience can feel quite different. Electric saunas heat up quickly and hold a steady, predictable warmth, making them convenient for everyday use. Wood-fired saunas, on the other hand, warm more slowly and create a softer, more natural heat that many people find deeply relaxing. The steam, or löyly, plays a big part too, electric heaters produce sharp, quick bursts of steam, while wood-heated stones give off a gentler, more aromatic wave. Surveys show that preferences vary: men often prefer hotter sessions, while those who stay in the sauna longer may choose slightly milder temperatures. Overall, the ideal Finnish sauna experience blends heat, steam, and personal comfort.

Yes, saunas are generally safe for you during pregnancy in Finland, as studies show no link to birth defects. You should use lower temperatures, stay for shorter periods, sit on cooler benches, and drink water before or after. Listen to your body and exit if you feel unwell. Consulting your doctor is recommended, especially for high-risk pregnancies, while enjoying this common Finnish tradition.

You should stay in a Finnish sauna for 10 to 20 minutes, starting with 5 to 10 minutes if you are a beginner. Listen to your body and leave if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable. Cool down between sessions with a cold shower, swim, or rest, and drink water. Experienced users can stay longer, but a single session should never exceed 30 minutes.