Europas 10 bästa städer för bastuälskare

Europe's cities have always had a complex relationship with public bathing. Roman thermae gave way to medieval bathhouses, which gave way to industrialisation and private hygiene, which gave way — in recent decades — to a remarkable renaissance of communal wellness culture. Today, the continent's best cities for sauna offer experiences ranging from centuries-old traditions to architecturally stunning new venues that would not look out of place in a design magazine.

Here are the ten cities that any serious sauna traveller should put on their list.

1. Helsinki, Finland

No list of sauna cities begins anywhere other than Helsinki. The Finnish capital has approximately 300 public saunas — from the recently restored historic Kotiharju Sauna (opened in 1928, still wood-fired) to the award-winning Löyly, a contemporary sauna and restaurant on the waterfront designed by Avanto Architects.

The Allas Sea Pool combines outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas on a pier extending into the harbour — with the sea itself as the cold plunge. Kulttuurisauna (Culture Sauna) in the Kallio neighbourhood is beloved for its black-tarred interior and direct access to the sea.

Helsinki is also the city where sauna culture is most deeply embedded in daily life. Local Helsinkians go to sauna weekly as a matter of course. Saunas are in apartment buildings, office buildings, and sports centres. The city lives by heat.

2. Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is arguably the most underrated sauna destination in Europe. The Estonian sauna tradition is closely related to but distinct from the Finnish — quieter, more contemplative, with a stronger smoke sauna tradition.

The old town's sauna venues combine medieval atmosphere with authentic heat. Kalma Saun, one of the oldest public saunas in Tallinn, offers a genuine slice of Estonian working-class sauna culture. For a more contemporary experience, Viru Saun and the hotel saunas in the design district provide sophisticated settings.

Tallinn's prices are among the lowest in Europe. A full sauna session that might cost €40 in Helsinki runs €12–€18 in Tallinn.

3. Oslo, Norway

Oslo has reinvented itself as a sauna city in spectacular fashion. The floating sauna format — pioneered here — has given the Norwegian capital a sauna scene unlike any other in the world.

SALT on the Tjuvholmen waterfront is the most famous, combining sauna with a programme of music, art, and events. Langkaia Bad near the Opera House offers a more intimate alternative. The fjord itself — icy even in summer — provides the cold plunge.

Oslo also has The Well in Kolbotn, one of the largest spa and sauna complexes in northern Europe, with eleven themed saunas, multiple pools, and a full wellness programme.