en
Alessandra Sarelin

Discover Finland's Living Sauna Heritage

Book a guided sauna ritual

Finnish sauna culture is an essential part of Finland's intangible cultural heritage. More than just heat and steam, the sauna has traditionally been a sacred space for rituals and connection with nature. 

Here you can book a guided Finnish sauna ceremony and have a unique sauna experience.

Guided Sauna Experience – Saunotus 

Saunotus is an ancient Finnish sauna ritual guided by a trained saunottaja (sauna healer). This experience is ideal for you if you are interested in cultural heritage, mythology, and wellness, and wish to go deeper than an ordinary sauna visit.

Saunotus is suitable for:

  • Sauna beginners and first-time visitors to Finland

  • Experienced sauna enthusiasts

  • Those seeking relaxation, grounding, and cultural insight

  • For travellers reconnecting with their heritage, saunotus will take you on a journey in the steps of your ancestors

  • For wellness tourism or for travellers on a cultural pilgrimage

Step Into the Enchanting World of the Finnish Sauna


Finnish sauna is about far more than sitting in a hot room. At the heart of the sauna is löyly—the steam created by pouring water onto hot stones. Löyly is considered  the breath, soul, or spirit of sauna.

In ancient times, the sauna was both sacred and practical: a place for bathing, healing, rituals, birth and everyday life. Finnish sauna culture is deeply intertwined with nature, forests, myths, and ancestral knowledge.

What to Expect


Saunotus is rooted in a deep connection to nature. Your visit will begin with the beauty and tranquility of a Finnish forest of birch, pine, and juniper. Before we enter into the sauna and feel the touch of löyly, your saunottaja introduces you to Finnish sauna folklore and traditions, including:

  • Why löyly is greeted with a song

  • The role of the kiuas (sauna stove) as the altar of the sauna

  • The meaning and use of vihtas (whisks made from branches of local trees)

After this introduction, you will take part in saunotus, a sauna ritual or ceremony that follows certain steps. 

A Multisensory Sauna Ceremony

Saunotus is a deeply immersive, multisensory experience that smells like a moss-covered forest.

The ritual includes:

  • Old rune songs and spoken spells

  • Gentle whisking with soft vihtas made from various trees

  • Natural scents and local herbs 

  • Sometimes salts, peat and honey are used

This experience is grounding, soothing, and deeply connected to Finnish nature and mythology.

Sauna Packages

Private Sauna Ceremony: A Gentle Introduction to Finnish Sauna

This private 60-minute guided sauna experience is perfect if you are new to Finnish sauna or want a lighter experience. This sauna ceremony is not public, which means that you can choose to come with your partner or friend or family (no children below the age of 10). 

You will experience:

  • Greeting the löyly (the spirit of the sauna) with a rune song

  • Whisking with vihtas from two different trees

  • A traditional herbal brew

Practical information:

  • Duration: 60 minutes (with breaks) 

  • Group size: 2–6 persons

  • Towels included

  • Sauna is booked by you or provided by your accommodation

  • Most hotels and accommodations in Finland have a sauna, often with the option to book a private time slot for an additional fee

  • The saunottaja travels to the sauna of your choice 

Prices:

  • 2 persons: 190 €

  • 3–4 persons: 250 €

  • 5–6 persons: 350 €

The Forest Temple Sauna Experience

The sauna has traditionally been seen as the temple of the forest, and this package offers a deeper, more immersive sauna ceremony experience. This is a longer private sauna ceremony. Everything is included and booked only for you: the private sauna, towels and a light meal. 

This is a deeply soothing ritual that includes an abundance of local herbs and vihtas made from birch, maple, pine, and juniper. 

You will experience:

  • Greeting the löyly with a rune song
  • Extended whisking ritual with several different trees
  • A light traditional Finnish meal after the sauna

Practical information:

  • Duration: 90 minutes

    • 30 minutes outside the sauna (introduction) 

    • 60 minutes in the sauna (with several breaks)

    • The sauna facilities are reserved for you for 2 hours. 

  • I book a suitable sauna for you

  • Locations near Turku (in cooperation with several local saunas). 

Price: 

  • 2 persons 320€. Rent for the private sauna, towels and a light meal are included. Possible also for a bigger group at additional 100€ per person. 

How to Proceed? 

1. Contact Me

Get in touch by:

Please contact me early when planning your trip. Let me know:

  • Which package you wish to book

  • Any allergies, food restrictions, or health-related considerations

2. Book a Sauna (if needed)

Most hotels and accommodations in Finland have a sauna, often with the option to book a private time slot for an additional fee.

You can also search for a sauna via SaunaOnline.

Wood-burning stoves are wonderful, but electric saunas are also perfectly suitable.


3. Prepare for Your Experience

After booking, you will receive further instructions by email on how to prepare and what to bring with you to your saunotus experience.