Travel Offices of Helsinki & Lakeland Finland

Home , Finnish Lakeland, Mikkeli, Savonlinna

(Helsinki-Kouvola-Mikkeli-Savonlinna-Jyväskylä-Tampere-Helsinki,route is approx. 1200 km long)

In Finland, sauna is an an essential part of everyday life and wellbeing. This tour is meant for all those genuinely interested in Finnish sauna culture and traditions. To this route, we have gathered the best and most wildest Finnish saunas from Helsinki and Finnish Lakeland area - some public, some private, some traditional and some representing the newest in Finnish sauna design.

More information about Finnish sauna culture here.

Read also about sauna in Finland or see the articles of the Finnish Sauna Society.

Enjoy your trip through Helsinki and Finnish Lakeland!

Travel offices of Helsinki & Lakeland Finland Helsinki For Sauna Lovers

The fresh sea breeze, the green surroundings, the rustling leaves and the sound of your own footsteps. A genu- ine – and genuinely hot – Finnish sauna. A wellness treatment from head to toe. A dive into the crystal clear water beneath a magnificent blue sky. Which sounds best to you?

Indeed, it is almost impossible to avoid having a sauna when visiting the Finnish capital. While most hotels and apartments have modern electric saunas, a much more fun and authentic way to experience this Finnish spe- cialty is by visiting one of Helsinki’s public saunas. Public saunas offer a true inside look at the Finnish bathing tradition.

Text: Heidi Kalmari / Matkailulehti Mondo – Mondo Helsinki Travel Guide

We warmly recommend for You:

Kotiharjun Sauna - Built in 1928 and situated in Kallio is a legendary wood-heated public sauna that is a living part of Helsinki’s urban culture.

Sauna Hermanni is over 50 years old public sauna. You can bring your own refreshments with or buy some from the cashier.

Sauna Arla, founded in 1929, has a long tradition in public saunas in Helsinki. The sauna is heated by natural gas and wood.

The newest public sauna is the Kulttuurisauna “culture sauna” on the shoreline in Hakaniemenranta. Opened as part of World Design Capital 2012, the culture sauna also offers sauna-goers and others an entertaining cul- tural programme, and from the terrace you can enjoy a beautiful view to the sea.

Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall - An impressive example of 1920s classicism and it is an important building histori- cally as well as architecturally. There are separate times for women and men. Customers may swim with or without a bathing suit.

Swimming Stadium, an outdoor swimming area consisting of four different pools: 50-metre pool, diving pool, children's pool, wading pool.

Pihlajasaari Island is a former villa island that is now a versatile outdoor recreation area. It still has a few old villas set amongst rocks, wooded areas, groves and beaches. Varying terrain, good location and services have made Pihlajasaari the most popular summer island in Helsinki.

General Information:

Planning your stay in Helsinki: www.visithelsinki.fi/en www.facebook.com/visithelsinki www.youtube.com/Visithelsinki https://twitter.com/HelsinkiTourism Traveller Discussions Helsinki Mobile Apps Helsinki City Tourist Information Address: Unioninkatu 28, Helsinki Tel: +358-9-310 13300 Email: [email protected]

Other Tourist Information Centers in Helsinki: Helsinki Region Tourist Information - Helsinki-Vantaa airport (Terminal 2 – Arrival Hall 2A) Tourist Information - Central Railway Station

Public Transport Taxis, car rentals and parking Experience Wireless Helsinki

Travelling in Finland by train or airplane

Travel Advice: We recommend road number 7 or 130 for travelling from Helsinki to Kouvola.

Kouvola for Sauna Lovers

Saunas in Yli-Kaitala Holiday Cottages Yli-Kaitala holiday cottages in Iitti offer two very special saunas for visitors: ”Sammal” and ”Kettu”. Not only the saunas, but all holiday cottages in Yli-Kaitala have also their own sauna.

”Sammal” is a moss sauna, a Finnish sauna innovation made to the round shape. Visitors of moss sauna may select their unique sounds, perfumes and lights, and if the sauna itself is not enough, an outdoor jacuzzi is located right next to the sauna!

“Kettu” is a traditional Finnish sauna, that is located just 1m from the lake. Also this sauna is equipped with a hot tub.

Tykkimäki Camping – Located by the Tykkimäki amusement park, the camping site houses its own sauna and beach for the visitors.

Orilampi Cottage and Holiday Centre offers sauna and swimming opportunities for the whole family.

General Information: Planning your stay in Kouvola region: www.visitkouvola.fi/en

Tourist Information in Kouvola Kauppalankatu 5, Kouvola, Finland Tel: +358-2061-55295 E-mail: [email protected]

Travel Advice: We recommend taking the road 15 and continue on road 368 towards Mäntyharju and Mikkeli region.

Mikkeli for Sauna Lovers

Mikkeli region is famous of its holiday cottages, being among the largest cottage regions in Finland. Most of the cottages have their own beach, sauna and a rowing boat.

Beach saunas are often heated by using wood. Water to sauna is carried from the lake and often people take a refreshing dip to the lake during a sauna. During wintertime, swimming is also possible through a hole in the ice, although only the most daring ones care to try the near-zero water temperatures. The ones who take a swim in the cold water, will feel the amazing relief in muscles when heading from cold water back to the hot sauna.

Unique experience in Mikkeli region is also the smoke sauna, which efficiently relives stress and sorrow. Sum- mery sauna is supplemented with a birch whisk that is used in sauna to revitalize the blood circulation from head to toes. Come, try and feel well in Mikkeli region!

We Warmly Recommend:

Koskenselkä, there are several traditional and modern saunas, and as a unique option bath barrel. Saunas also available for ice hole swimming in winter

Okkola Holiday Cottages has a special sauna with a window from which one can admire the beautiful nature of Niinisaari while bathing. The sauna is rented together with Kalliola cottage. Okkola also has a smoke sauna that is available in the summer by reservation

In Anttolanhovi, sauna and pool area are always ready for visitors. Saunas may be booked for private use every day, and on summertime the smoke sauna is heated Wednesdays from 5pm to 8pm. Great news for people accommodating in Art & Design villas – sauna is included in every villa!

General Information: Planning your stay in Mikkeli region: www.visitmikkeli.fi/en

Tourist Information in Mikkeli: Savilahdenkatu 8, 50100 Mikkeli, Finland (Stella) Tel: +358- 44 794 5669 E-mail: [email protected]

Travel Advice: We recommend using the route from Mikkeli to Sulkava and further to Savonlinna. Along the road 438, Vilkanharju scenic road and Kukkapää holiday centre are an experience for those, who timetables and kilometres are just a pleasant addition for the holiday fun! Savonlinna for Sauna Lovers

Built in islands, the city of Savonlinna has been a popular spa- and travel destination since the last century. Even today the sauna culture in Savonlinna is visible – saunas are included in nearly all summer cottages, hotels and even many ships crusing to and from Savonlinna.

We warmly Recommend:

Original Sokos Hotel Savonlinnan Seurahuone offers great location in the heart of Savonlinna – and a great location to have sauna over the Savonlinna rooftops. From the Sauna of Seurahuone, views are opened to the soothing Lake Saimaa. Sauna is available for customers Mon – Thu 5pm – 8pm and Sat – Sun 8am to 10am. Also available for non-accommodating visitors upon order.

Best Western Spa Hotel Casinolta offers traditional spa services and great location by the Savonlinna city. In Casino island, bathers may also enjoy the Lake Saimaa along with sauna – that’s also including the wintertime.

Holiday Centre Järvisydän, approx. 55 km from Savonlinna offers cozy sauna moments in a beautiful, traditional country milieu. Sauna world is available upon order, but summertime also individual travelers may enjoy the spirit of beach sauna! We offer traditional beach saunas, steam cave, smoke sauna and a hot tub. The most enthusiastic travelers may also try the water slide right into Lake Saimaa. All our villas are equipped with a sauna.

Punkaharju Holiday Centre, approx. 30 km from Savonlinna, offers a hot tub park for groups – and of course the sauna to go along with the hot tubs (upon order).

Hotel Herttua, Lake Puruvesi is known for its peat sauna evenings. Arranged on Thursdays, an advance notice is required by the previous day at noon. Reservations for minimum 5 pax, maximum of 10.

M/S Velmeri –ship offers an opportunity for groups to take a charter cruise on Lake Saimaa – during which the onboard sauna is heated in a convenient location by some of the 14.000 islands of the Saimaa area.

Linnansaari National Park offers a beach sauna for the travellers’ use. The island also includes a camping site, and can be accessed by boad, paddling, or a scheduled cruise.

General Information: Planning your stay in Savonlinna Region: www.savonlinna.travel

Tourist Information in Savonlinna Puistokatu 1, 57100 Savonlinna, Finland Tel: +358-600-30007 (0,76 €/min.) E-mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com/fromsavonlinnawithlove

Travel Advice: We recommend continuing the sauna tour towards Jyväskylä region. If travelling from Savonlinna, you will easily reach also the Linnansaari national park, which has signs by the road. Jyväskylä For Sauna Lovers

For the past decades, Jyväskylä region has been actively developing sauna and the sauna culture in Finland. New kinds of sauna services and products have been invented – yet respecting the Finnish sauna traditions. We offer travelers to try for example the peat sauna, sauna yoga, or a sauna of quietness. Jyväskylä is also a home to the world leading sauna stove manufacturer ”Harvia”, which has operated for almost 60 years by building and developing the Finnish sauna experience.

We Warmly Recommend:

Tupaswilla and the world’s largest smoke sauna. Even larger groups are welcomed to the Tupaswilla, since the sauna will take up to 150 people at a time to enjoy the sauna experience! This mighty sauna is also often re- served for women’s peat sauna evenings.

Peat sauna - a Finnish innovation for pleasure-lovers. Purola Holiday Farm is located in picturesque country- side at lake Katajajärvi, close to Saarijärvi in Central Finland. Farm offers comfortable accommodation in new guest-house, delicious breakfast and dinner, nice farm holidays for families. In Purola is used Lehto Peat´s pure, 100% natural Finnish product, which is dug by hand from the marsh to avoid breaking the consistency. Minimum 2 persons.

Spa Hotel Peurunka in Laukaa offers Sauna Yoga. Sauna Yoga is like bathing in a sauna: simple, straightfor- ward and natural. It combines the tranquility and silent atmosphere of sauna with relaxing and strengthening effects of yoga-based poses. Sauna Yoga is a silent workout in a silent space. Pampering warmth and gentle seated exercises help relieve tensions and calm the mind. You’ll experience freedom in your spine, flexibility in your joints and strength in your muscles.

In Varjola Farm area there are several saunas to choose from. Traditional finnish Smoke saunas offer you a relaxing experience that you will never forget. Adventurous tent sauna is also worth testing as well as the log sauna for smaller groups. Smokesaunas and log sauna give you also a possibility to relax in a hot spring under the open sky!

M/S Löyly is a sauna barge, which offers unique surrounding for relaxation in Lake Jyväsjärvi. This sauna moves where the visitors want, and 12 people may enjoy the moment at a time. Sauna is available upon reservation. Also dining options and program services are available.

General information

Planning your stay in Jyväskylä Region: www.jyvaskylaregion.fi/travel, www.centralfinland.net

Tourist Information in Jyväskylä Asemakatu 6, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland Tel: +358-14-266 0113 E-mail: [email protected]

Tourist Information in Saarijärvi www.luonnonvoimaa.net Tampere For Nature Lovers

Rajaportti sauna The sauna block at Rajaportti in Pispala was built by Hermanni Lahtinen and his wife Maria in the beginning of the 20th century. It is the oldest public sauna in Finland and still going strong! At the turn of the millenium, a Sauna café was included and premises for a masseur service was initiated. The Pispala sauna association wellcomes all sauna loving people to take a bath with us and enjoy their stay at Rajaportti.

Rauhaniemi beach and public saunas Rauhaniemi is among the best beaches in Tampere. It is located only a few kilometres from Central Square (Keskustori) to Rauhaniemi in the Lapinniemi district. Except for the summers, Rauhaniemi draws swimmers also during the winter season. The saunas (2) are open all year round and a swimsuit is required.

Kaupinoja sauna Kaupinoja sauna is situated by lake Näsijärvi. There has been a sauna on the spot since 1977, but the sauna has gone through several transformations and renovations. Kaupinoja sauna is open practically always, except the second Tuesday of the month, when maintenance works are done. The winter months are the busiest, and some nights there may be over 200 visitors.

Miina’s smoke sauna Located in Hämeenkyrö, these two saunas are savior of a trip! Miina’s smoke sauna offers one to have a relaxing bath in smoke sauna and winter swimming in the river – why not also have some enjoyable wellness treatments like peat treatments, cupping, blood cupping, or hot stone therapy. The smoke sauna is over 100 years old, traditional Finnish smoke sauna.

There are several sauna barges floating in lakes Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi. The captain steers the barge to the lake for the attending visitors to have the ultimate lake sauna experience! Ask more about the sauna barges from the Visit Tampere tourist information.

General information: Plan your stay in Tampere Region www.visittampere.fi

Tourist Information in Tampere Rautatienkatu 25 A, 33100 Tampere Tel: +358-3-5656-6800 Email: [email protected]

Travel Advice:

For visitors travelling from Tampere to Helsinki by car, we recommend taking the road 130. This former highway travels through beautiful country- and lakeside views. Along the way, it's a good idea to stop by at Emil Vikström's art studio Visavuori or visit the Iittala Glass Centre to purchase authentic Finnish glass design for a souvenir. (Tampere–Helsinki about 184 km).

More information about Finnish travel destinations: www.visitfinland.com & sauna culture