Finland is famous for its sauna culture, and now visitors to Helsinki have a brand-new way to experience one of the country's most cherished traditions. A new retreat called Saunasaari, which translates to "Sauna Island," has officially opened to the public, offering Helsinki's first public smoke sauna experience on a secluded island in the Baltic Sea.
Located on the northern tip of Vasikkasaari in the Helsinki archipelago, Saunasaari is just a short ferry ride from Helsinki's bustling Market Square. But despite its proximity to the city center, the island feels like a world away. Surrounded by forest, sea views, and rocky shoreline, the destination offers visitors a peaceful escape that embraces Finland's slow-living philosophy.
The experience is designed around one of Finland's oldest wellness rituals: alternating between intense heat and refreshing cold. Guests can spend the experience moving between two different saunas, soaking in two wood-fired hot tubs, and cooling off with a plunge into the Baltic Sea before warming up again. For those who prefer to stay dry, the island also offers waterfront relaxation areas where visitors can unwind while taking in panoramic views of Helsinki's skyline across the water.
One of the biggest draws is the island's savusauna, or traditional smoke sauna—a rarity even in Finland today. Unlike modern electric or continuously heated wood-burning saunas, a smoke sauna is warmed by a fire inside a large stone stove for several hours before guests arrive. During the heating process, smoke fills the room without a chimney, coating the wooden interior with a distinctive aroma. Once the fire has burned down, the smoke is ventilated out, leaving behind gentle, radiant heat that sauna enthusiasts often describe as softer, more humid, and deeply relaxing.
Smoke saunas are considered one of Finland's oldest sauna traditions, dating back hundreds of years. Because they require significant preparation and expertise to operate, they're far less common than modern saunas, making the opportunity to experience one especially memorable for travelers.
View this post on InstagramThe experience isn't just about saunas, either. Guests can also enjoy an open-fire dinner served outdoors, adding another layer to the immersive Nordic experience. Combining locally inspired cuisine with waterfront views and traditional wellness rituals, the retreat encourages visitors to slow down and embrace the Finnish concept of balance and connection with nature.
Helsinki has long been considered one of the world's great sauna cities, home to dozens of public saunas ranging from sleek waterfront complexes to historic neighborhood bathhouses. Saunasaari adds an entirely new dimension by transporting visitors to a private island where nature takes center stage.
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