Sauna Island Opens in Helsinki
Saunasaari’s smoke sauna and palju. Photo: Woodward Creative, Helsinki Partners
Helsinki, 25 June 2026 – A sauna-dedicated island is opening in the heart of Helsinki, offering a unique archipelago sauna experience with panoramic views of the city’s urban core. The island opens to guests on the 26th of June and can be reserved for Fridays and Saturdays until the season ends on the 8th of August.
Sauna was born in Finland and continues to play a vital role in Helsinki city life. With over 3 million saunas, there are enough saunas for the entire population of Finland to enjoy a sauna at the exact same time. But Helsinkians want more.
Traditionally, sauna is best paired with a refreshing dip in a nearby lake or sea. Surrounded by sea on three sides, Helsinki offers exactly the environment best suited for the full sauna ritual. And with over 300 islands in the city’s archipelago, a sauna specific island just makes sense.
From Helsinki’s Market Square, a quick water taxi takes you to Saunasaari, which literally translates to Sauna Island in Finnish. Stepping on shore immediately transports guests far from the urban bustle. The location perfectly balances city life and nature, as guests seemingly leave the city behind while remaining in the heart of Helsinki.
Saunasaari is a short ferry ride from Helsinki center. Photo: Woodward Creative, Helsinki Partners
Matching wooden cottages sprawl across the island, forming a quaint wellness village. Standing on the island’s shores offers uninterrupted panoramic views of Helsinki’s entire eastern profile, from the southern tip of Kaivopuisto past Helsinki’s Market Square towards the recently opened Crown Bridges linking central Helsinki with the archipelago of Eastern Helsinki.
The team behind Saunasaari, Riku Stenros and Nina Stenros, have also been involved in developing Old Porvoo, known for its historic charm. When asked about their motive for opening Saunasaari, Nina states “the Finnish archipelago, traditional smoke sauna, open-fire cooking and genuine hospitality are all deeply rooted in our identity. We wanted to create an experience where visitors can step into that world without leaving Helsinki.” Leveraging their experience in both restaurants and hospitality, Riku and Nina aren’t reinventing the sauna, they’re bringing unprecedented access to something so cherished by Helsinkians for centuries. To them, Saunasaariis an experience, not a product.
The island is composed of several simple wooden buildings, each with its own purpose. Separate male and female changing cabins, a full dining hall capable of accommodating large dinner parties, a smaller more intimate dining space, a summer kitchen, and several separate saunas. The most eye catching of these is the large traditional smoke sauna, the only such sauna in Helsinki. Two traditional Finnish wood-fired hot tubs, called palju, adorn Saunasaari’s coasts offering relaxation with views over the capital. Various paths to the sea provide ideal conditions to move between the warmth of the saunas and paljus, to the refreshing waters of the Baltic Sea.
To enjoy Saunasaari, guests can book a ‘sauna and dine’ package for €128, which includes access to two smoke saunas and palju, as well as a char-grilled dinner menu cooked at the island’s summer kitchen called ‘Rök.’ The package also includes boat transfer from Helsinki’s Market Square, but guests can also come with their own boats. For private events, the entire island can be rented out.
A look inside one of Saunasaari’s tradtional smoke saunas. Photo: Woodward Creative, Helsinki Partners
Beyond the new relaxation possibilities Saunasaari offers Helsinkians, the opening of this Sauna island captures the true essence of Helsinki’s sea-oriented urban development. Throughout Helsinki’s history, locals have looked towards the sea for new opportunities, integrating the natural pockets of island isolation into the fabric of the cityscape. In Helsinki, access to nature and solitude is ever present and plentiful, while still respecting the purity and serenity of the natural landscape.
Despite the already 3 million saunas in Finland, the opening of Saunasaari proves there’s always room for more. While sauna has always been a favourite mode of relaxation and wellness for Helsinkians, it’s profile globally has recently started trending. These trends often place sauna in a hyper focused box surrounding wellness and fitness maximization, whereas in Finland, sauna can be for almost anything. Relaxation, socialisation, and evenin older generations as a place to give birth. Riku and Nina hope Saunasaari can strike the perfect balance between wellness and authenticity. “Fresh air, the beauty of the archipelago, local food, respect for traditions and the scientifically recognised health benefits of sauna culture are all becoming more relevant than ever. At the same time, visitors want experiences that feel real. They want to understand how people actually live, eat and relax in Finland rather than simply observing it from the outside” concludes Nina Stenros. While people use sauna for various reasons, Saunasaari doesn’t make you choose.
As the world discovers the happiness of sauna, Helsinki illustrates the endless forms sauna can take shape. From the sauna boats that float around Helsinki’s coastline, to the sauna ferris wheel soaring high over the skyline. From home saunas to the sauna in Helsinki Airport – there’s not just one way to enjoy sauna. But as Helsinki’s newly inaugurated sauna island exemplifies, sauna is best paired with good company and the nature that surrounds us.
For more information, please visit: www.saunasaari.fi & www.myhelsinki.fi/visit-helsinki/why-helsinki/helsinki-saunas/
Media Contact:
Gideon Hagström
Specialist, Brand & PR, Helsinki Partners
gideon.hagstrom@helsinkipartners.com
Helsinki Partners is a city marketing, investment and talent attraction company owned by the City of Helsinki. Their mission is to promote the city’s sustainable growth; attract international investment, businesses, talent and visitors, and to conduct international sales and marketing, as well as build Helsinki’s brand globally.
For more information, please visit www.myhelsinki.fi
