What to Bring to a Sauna Visit (And What to Leave at Home)
First time at a sauna? Knowing what to pack — and what will just get in the way — makes the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here is the definitive packing list.
One of the pleasures of sauna is how little equipment you need. Unlike a gym session (shoes, kit, water bottle, headphones) or a yoga class (mat, blocks, specific clothing), sauna requires almost nothing. The heat does the work. Your job is to show up.
That said, there are a few things that make the experience significantly more comfortable and a few things that are best left at home.
What to Bring
Towel (or two). This is the non-negotiable. You need at least one towel to sit on in the sauna — direct contact between skin and wooden benches is not acceptable hygiene practice. A second towel for drying off after cooling is highly useful. Most venues provide towels or rent them, but bringing your own is always a cleaner option and saves the rental fee.
Choose a towel that is large enough to sit on and wrap around you between sessions. A standard bath towel works. A hammam (pestemal) towel is popular with regular sauna users — it is thinner, dries faster, and takes up less space in a bag.
Swimwear (if the venue requires it). Check the venue's policy in advance. Nordic and German saunas are typically nudist. UK, Dutch, and most international venues offer swimwear as standard or required. At venues where both options are available, bring swimwear so you can decide on arrival rather than being forced into either option.
Flip-flops or waterproof sandals. Walking through wet changing room floors without footwear is uncomfortable and a potential hygiene issue. Most venues have smooth tiled floors between changing room and sauna — flip-flops make navigation much more pleasant.
Water bottle. You will sweat significantly in a sauna — potentially half a litre per session in a hot sauna. Staying hydrated is important. Many venues provide water fountains or chilled water in the relaxation area, but bringing a 500ml–750ml bottle gives you control over your hydration throughout the visit.
Hair tie (if applicable). Long hair in a sauna is more comfortable tied up. The heat is less intense at the back of the neck when hair is up, and you will avoid wet hair on the benches that other users will sit on after you.
Small bag for valuables. Most venues have lockers, but a small bag to organise your locker contents makes things easier. Keep it waterproof if possible.
Optional But Useful
Sauna hat (saunahattu). A felt or wool hat designed to protect your hair and the top of your head from the most intense heat near the ceiling. Common in Finland, increasingly available at Nordic-inspired venues elsewhere. Not essential, but if you find your head feels uncomfortably hot in the sauna, a sauna hat solves the problem instantly.
Moisturiser. The dry heat of a sauna draws moisture from the skin. Applying a light moisturiser after your final cool-down and before dressing keeps your skin feeling comfortable after the session.
Light snack for after. You will be hungry after a proper sauna session — the caloric expenditure of sweating and the thermal regulation effort is real. Many sauna venues have excellent food, but if yours does not, having something to eat nearby is welcome.
What to Leave at Home
Your phone. This cannot be overstated. Phones do not survive sauna temperatures. More importantly, bringing your phone signals to everyone around you that you intend to be distracted — which is antithetical to everything sauna is for. Leave it in the locker.
Jewellery. Metal jewellery heats up rapidly in a sauna and can cause burns. Remove rings, necklaces, and earrings before entering the sauna room. Most venues have a small shelf or hook for this purpose.
Contact lenses. The heat and humidity of a sauna are hard on contact lenses. Many wearers find them uncomfortable after five minutes in the heat. If you wear contacts regularly, consider removing them before your session or wearing glasses to the venue and storing them in your locker.
Heavy fragrances. Strong perfumes and body lotions mix badly with sauna heat and can be overwhelming in a small enclosed space. Others in the sauna will notice.
Anything you cannot afford to lose. Lockers are generally secure, but leave valuables at home where possible. Your experience will be more relaxed if you are not worried about what is in your locker.
What the Venue Usually Provides
At most well-run venues: towels (included or for hire), body wash, shampoo, hairdryers, and filtered water. Some provide sauna honey, birch oil, or other sauna accessories. High-end venues may provide robes, slippers, and a full range of toiletries.
Check the venue's website or call ahead to know what is included, so you can pack accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a swimsuit? Depends on the country. Finland and Germany are naked-default; Sweden and Norway lean swimsuit-friendly; the US and UK universally require swimsuits. See Sauna Etiquette by Country for the full breakdown.
What about visible tattoos? Most facilities are fine with tattoos. Some traditional Japanese onsen still ban them, but Nordic and German sauna culture has no such restriction. Recent ink (under 2 weeks old) should not be exposed to sauna heat — it can affect healing.
Should I bring a robe? Useful in larger Saunalandschaft facilities where you walk between rooms. Most facilities provide rentals if you don't have one. For a single-sauna visit, a large towel is usually enough.
What about water during the session? Some facilities allow water bottles inside the sauna; many don't (plastic in 90°C heat is suboptimal). Hydrate well before and after. Most regulars don't drink during the session itself.
Anything to avoid bringing? Phones (universally banned in sauna areas), heavy moisturizers (trap heat against skin), and metal jewelry (heats up uncomfortably).
Related reading
How to Prepare for Your First Sauna Visit, Beginner's Guide to Sauna, and What to Expect at a Public Sauna cover adjacent ground.
