Sauna Rules in Finland: The Complete Guide for Visitors

Finland takes sauna seriously. Not in a po-faced, rules-obsessed way — but in the way that any culture takes seriously something central to its identity. The sauna is a sacred space in Finnish culture, not in a religious sense but in the sense of being genuinely set apart from everyday life.

Getting sauna etiquette right in Finland is less about avoiding offence and more about allowing yourself to have the experience it offers. These guidelines will help.

Nudity Is Standard — But Not Mandatory Everywhere

In traditional Finnish saunas and when you are a guest in a Finnish home, nudity is the standard and expected approach. The word alasti (naked) is associated so naturally with sauna that asking a Finn whether you should be naked in their sauna is a little like asking whether you should remove your shoes before entering their home — the answer is yes, and the question itself might seem slightly odd.

That said:

• Mixed-gender public saunas in Finland increasingly accommodate swimwear, particularly at tourist-oriented venues. Many major tourist destinations in Helsinki (Löyly, Allas Sea Pool) welcome swimwear.
• Separate men's and women's saunas at traditional public venues are typically nude.
• Private cottage saunas with mixed company often have some flexibility for guests from non-Nordic cultures.

If you are a guest at a Finnish home and invited to sauna, the culturally correct response is to participate nude. Asking to wear swimwear is not offensive, but it is noticeable.

Showering Before Entering

Always shower before the sauna. This is the first and most non-negotiable rule. The sauna is a clean space — entering without washing first is considered unhygienic and inconsiderate of others sharing the space.

Löyly: Who Throws and When

In Finnish home saunas and small private saunas, the senior member of the household typically manages the löyly — ladling water onto the stones, controlling the steam intensity, and managing the pace of the session. As a guest, you should wait to be invited to ladle, or ask permission before doing so.

In communal public saunas, the protocol varies. Many allow any user to ladle; others have an attendant who manages the steam. If in doubt, wait and observe what others do, or ask quietly.

When ladling: use measured amounts. A single ladle of water produces a substantial steam response. Adding too much too quickly makes the air unbearable — particularly for those less experienced with high temperatures.