Visit Finland presents five recommended saunas to visit this summer, including newly opened facilities and unique experiences found only in Finland. The Serlachius Museum Gösta Art Sauna, where art and sauna culture converge, opens on June 18, 2022. Sauna Restaurant Löyly, the Nordic's largest floating sauna, is set to open in summer 2022. Beyond these, discover numerous other saunas offering distinct Finnish experiences, from safari-integrated facilities to secluded retreats on small, nature-surrounded islands.

One of the best ways to experience Finland, the world's happiest country, is through its sauna culture. Finnish sauna, with its millennia-old history, is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, celebrating practices and knowledge that enhance quality of life. The word "sauna" itself is one of the few Finnish words to gain international traction, forming the bedrock of Finnish identity and lifestyle.

Terhi Ruutu, a sauna expert and author of "Sauna Therapy, Recipes for Wellbeing," as well as the founder of the Helsinki-based sauna community "Terhen," shares her insights:
"Sauna is an indispensable part of our lifestyle; it's a way to connect with nature, relax face-to-face with others, and refresh ourselves with a dip in a lake or the sea after the heat. Enjoying a sauna is simple and accessible for everyone, and the practice helps us maintain life balance, serving as one of the keys to Finnish happiness."

Here are three methods recommended by Ruutu for soothing the mind and body.

1. Salt and Honey Body Scrub
A salt and honey scrub exfoliates the skin, promotes circulation, and soothes. Salt draws out impurities while honey heals and nourishes. To prepare, mix 100ml of pure honey with 50ml of coarse salt until smooth. In the sauna, apply to the skin and leave for at least 10 minutes before rinsing off.

2. Cooling Foot Bath
Fill a bucket with cold water and immerse your feet while in the sauna. This is effective for relieving tired and swollen feet. Remember to stay hydrated. Many saunas are located by lakes or the sea, making a post-sauna swim a refreshing option.

3. Birch Branch Sauna Whisk (Vasta/Vihta)
Crafting a sauna whisk from birch branches is one of the most traditional Finnish sauna customs, especially essential during the midnight sun of summer. Birch possesses numerous therapeutic properties. If birch branches are unavailable, consider recreating the Nordic experience with birch sap or birch tea.

Five Saunas to Visit in Finland This Summer
With over 3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million, Finland offers a diverse range of sauna types, including electric, wood-fired, and smoke saunas. A quintessential summer experience in this land of the midnight sun is enjoying a sauna in the evening, followed by a refreshing dip in a lake or the sea under the perpetual daylight. Here are five recommended saunas for summer 2022.

1. The Nordic's Largest Floating Sauna
One of the most anticipated openings this year is Sauna Restaurant Meri, situated in Vaasa on the west coast of Ostrobothnia, facing the sea. Alongside its dynamic floating sauna and spa facilities, it features a restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Hans Välimäki. This spacious, modern complex is slated to open in summer 2022 and plans to operate year-round.
https://saunaravintolameri.fi

2. Sauna with Breathtaking Views
In Lapland, near the Arctic Sea, the new Hotel Cahkal offers a stunning sauna experience with panoramic views of the majestic Saana mountain through its large windows. After your sauna session, relax with a drink on the terrace while admiring the spectacular scenery.
https://cahkalhotel.fi/

3. Art and Sauna
The Art Sauna at Serlachius Museum Gösta opens on June 18, 2022. This architecturally remarkable sauna facility is integrated beautifully into the landscape on the shores of a serene lake, showcasing art and design within its structure.
https://serlachius.fi/en/sauna/