The chill of the cold winter air, the sweltering heat of a blazing fire and the rush of a frigid, almost unbearable cold plunge, the traditional sauna experience is simultaneously relaxing, nerve-wracking and energizing all at once. Those who partake in the process are inclined to do so again and again, and with origins in Scandinavia and an increasing popularity around the world, we’re sure most wellness-minded travelers have been intrigued by the ritual of sauna at least once in their lives. Whether they plan a voyage to the sauna motherland or want to test it out closer to home, the below winter destinations are perfect places to experience sauna culture.
Finland
Largely considered the birthplace of the sauna, in Finland, the time-honored practice of sweating it out in a near-200-degree-Fahrenheit spruce, aspen, pine, alder or cedar box isn’t a passing wellness fad, it’s a way of life. Dating back thousands of years, the Finnish sauna is so integral to local life that “Sauna culture in Finland” was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Pair the ritual with a dip in a nearby frozen lake, and travelers will be feeling like a local in no time. Rajaportti sauna is the country’s oldest public sauna at over 100-years-old, while places like Kotiharjun sauna, Sompasauna Helsinki and Suomen Latu Kiilopää are also popular among visitors.
Japan
A country famed for its traditional onsen (hot springs), the Japanese have mastered the art of basking in and reaping the benefits of warm, healing waters. And while onsens remain one of resident’s preferred methods of relaxation, sauna use in Japan is on the rise, something some credit to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics when the Finns arrived with sauna equipment in tow. Since then, the country has enjoyed something of a “sauna boom” with dry, mist, salt, whisking and other various varieties of saunas cropping up across Japan. Travelers hoping to tap into the “saunnaer” side of The Land of the Rising Sun might consider visiting popular spots like Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort, Hoshino Resorts Aomoriya, Guest House LAMP and Nolla naguri, Sauna Tokyo, Shibuya SAUNAs, CYCL and more.
Sweden
Abundant in wide-open spaces and breathtaking moments, the practice of sauna effortlessly compliments the Swedish way of life. As quintessential to the country as lingonberries and IKEA, Sweden’s residents have mastered the balance of mind, body and nature, and their centuries-old combination of sauna and cold-water dips is no different. Whether they opt for the floating or underwater variety or a facility tucked deep into a forest or nestled alongside a river, Sweden is home to many unique saunas for visitors to enjoy including favorite spots like Arctic Bath, Adventure Mine, The sauna in Jubileumsparken, Underwater sauna at Ästad Vingård and more.
United States
A symptom of the state’s Scandinavian influence, visitors to Upper Michigan shouldn’t be surprised if they spot a sauna or two in locals’ backyards. Barrel saunas are particularly popular in the region, and, as the name implies, travelers will recognize them by their distinct, barrel-like shape. One of the most popular spots to indulge in a Michigan sauna session is the state’s Keweenaw Peninsula, the state’s northernmost point, where visitors will find the region is ripe with waterfront and cabin sauna experiences. Similarly, local hotels and resorts are also known to boast infrared saunas and steam rooms alongside their list of onsite amenities.
Iceland
Often paired with a session in one of the country’s famed geothermal pools, Iceland is a fabulous destination for travelers hoping to embrace sauna culture. While beloved attractions like the Blue Lagoon, Laugarvatn Fontana and Sky Lagoon are a few of the area’s most notable spots for all things bathing, steaming and sauna-ing, the country’s capital city Reykjavik is home to a handful of off-the-beaten-path gems worthy of visitors’ attention. For example, Breiðholtslaug was named the best sauna in Reykjavik by the Finnish embassy in 2022 (and we know the Finns mean business), while local swimming pools like Vesturbæjarlaug and Grafarvogslaug also have saunas offering a truly local and unique experience for travelers.
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