I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. It’s not exactly a social space, that’s what bars are for. Always check the rules but most of the time it’s allowed to wear a costume. Germans will firmly tell you this is for your heath as you alternate between teeth chatter stewing in your own sweat. Bathhouse regulars have their individual routines down to a science, but in general, optimal soaking time is considered to be 20 minutes. So, if you feel like it, throw some on! Always having a restless soul seeking adventure, she has now travelled to over 30+ countries, many of them solo. Or, you can break silence just a little and enquire. Sign Up to Get the Latest Adventures Straight to Your Mailbox! Then it developed into log huts without a chimney and stove which is what we know now as a smoke sauna. It’s the perfect accompaniment for after your sauna experience. A pair of clean flip flops are acceptable. Duration. It’s a centuries old tradition that runs deep and according to the Finnish Sauna Society out of the 5.3 million Finn’s approximately two million own a sauna. Once you're nice and clean, head to the tubs. But, I’m going to warn you that it’s FREEZING. Leaving her heart in India, which gifted her a "Third Eye", she felt inspired to share her travel stories in the hope of encouraging others to explore this big beautiful world of ours. Many families have their own private saunas. In many public saunas where both sexes are inside, swimsuits must be worn. Koreans, and women in particular, are mad about exfoliation, and you'll see them giving themselves long and hearty scrubs (you can also buy scrubbing towels and mitts at convenience stores and markets). I can really only stay inside for around five minutes at a time and then I have to leave. That’s not a strict rule though so don’t assume everyone is following that code. Touching. So, they won’t judge you for going in with nothing on. What to bring with you when using a Finnish Sauna; The best Finnish public saunas in Helsinki for tourists; Löyly; Yrjönkatu; Allas Sea Pool; 8 things every tourist should know about Finnish sauna etiquette; 1. The biggest issue is nudity (in my opinion) and what people are really wanting to know about. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Dim lighting, corridors lined with doors, dark alcoves from which groans emanate, sauna benches covered in nude male bodies, streams of men wearing nothing but a towel, staring, silent. A cornerstone of gay culture. Bathhouses are not usually the space to have conversations about HIV status, testing dates, and past behaviour. Which, for me, was quite stressful. You can make new friends, or chat with and amongst them. The Harvia sauna spirit is an old tradition that people still sometimes used today. So, you’ll need to check what day you can visit before you go. They might be men only, women only, or mixed. I’ll outline the best ones below; This is by far the best Sauna experience in the city, it’s really trendy and popular with locals too! But, traditionally, you get a sitting towel almost like a linen napkin to sit on around the sauna. In a corner of the bathroom, there will be a few plastic tables manned by ajumma (aunties) in their underwear (or men on the men's side) wielding scrubbing mitts. Saunas usually reach temperatures of 80 degrees celsius, 6. Bathhouses usually have a plentiful supply of condoms located throughout the facility and you’ll usually be given a couple when you check in. Traditionally, Finn’s would use saunas as bathing houses and then dip in the freshwater lake or the sea before running water became available. I mean, it’s almost criminal not to. I guess it’s similar to  leaving cookies for Santa or carrots for his reindeer! So, don’t worry about where to put the key! I want to inspire you & turn your wildest travel dreams into a reality through my useful travel guides and tips! You should try :) Sophie x, Your email address will not be published. The sauna is a common ground and bridges barriers. Don’t worry it’s filtered and treated so you won’t have anything unsanitary floating around in it. I would highly recommend reserving your sauna experience and a table at Löyly as it gets extremely busy. Early mornings during the week are best. Here is some bathhouse etiquette advice. Jjimjilbang, which are open 24-hours, actually double as Korea's best budget accommodations: for a few thousand won more than the standard entrance fee, you can opt to spend the night in the sleeping room. So leave them at home and just have a good shower when you get there. Wood to make the sauna, air to steam the sauna, water as you get to bathe and swim in the Baltic Sea and fire to heat the sauna and relax by afterwards.