Sauna culture and what you did not know yet
Sauna culture is just a made up word, right? Sitting naked in a hot room, sweating and whisking yourself or others might not sound like it at a glance but it embodies a remarkable culture, reflecting heritage, climate, and lifestyle as a whole.
What’s even more fascinating is that around the world, each culture infuses its own significance into this seemingly simple act of sweating and washing.
All those differences do mean it’s horribly easy to make a mortifying mistake. Here you will find helpful tips to avoid embarrassment when going to a sauna in another country!
Allow sauna traditions to surprise you!
If you just want to get physically clean, a quick shower is your best choice. But, if you are ready for a spiritual experience and relaxation as well, sauna traditions are what you need.
With variations in etiquette, structure, and rituals, it is a fascinating journey to venture on, revealing what nuances make each tradition unique while at the same time offering a connection that spans continents and time.
ABC of sauna etiquette
Sauna etiquette is something of an afterthought even for people who are quite familiar with sauna, but it is worth spending a minute on thinking about it. Here’s a quick overview of sauna etiquette.
Should I be naked in a sauna?
You should know that especially in European cultures, sauna goers embrace nudity as a way of promoting openness and authenticity. In countries like Germany, Finland and Estonia, nudity is not seen as provocative or sexual but rather as a natural state, encouraging comfort and acceptance of the body.
While it is acceptable to wear a towel in all saunas if you’re uncomfortable, there do exist no-textile saunas. Safest bet is to always ask about towel, nudity, etc and you’ll be helped.
What if I have tattoos?
While in Europe and in Northern America no one bats an eye when you show up to a public sauna with a full back tattoo, even a small butterfly on your arm or leg might be enough to be denied entrance to some Japanese onsens. Depending on the location, covering your tattoo with a band aid or tape could make a difference but there are still some onsens where you will be turned away even with a covered up tattoo.
How about a nice cold beer?
Avoid drinking alcohol in saunas. Yes, it is acceptable and even expected in some cultures, a combination of sauna heat and alcohol can sneak up on you. Be smart, take it easy, hydrate with water and give yourself time to get used to what sauna has to offer.
Sure, saunas have been around for thousands of years but assuming sauna etiquette is the same across the world would be a sore mistake to make.
Sauna culture in Estonia as a true essence to the country
I say sauna, you think of Estonia. Or at least you should since sauna culture in Estonia is going nowhere!
Funny to know that even in such a small country like Estonia, there is a difference between traditional saunas of the north and of the south. Southern Estonia’s smoke saunas are something very close to heart for folks grown up there and new and exciting for those living in Northern Estonia and more accustomed to steam saunas.
Sauna has been a cornerstone of life in Estonia for centuries. Even nowadays, with friends and families, a sauna is more of a social space. Be ready for chatting and bonding and some whisking! It is also not unexpected to end up in a sauna with your colleagues, but when in public saunas, you might try to hold yourself back from chatting away with complete strangers.
Either way it is expected to grab a seat towel with you, whether you decide to enjoy sauna nude or wrapped in a towel.
Get naked – sauna culture in Germany
Did you know that sauna culture in Germany quite often means embracing full nudity? Yes, even in mixed-gender saunas and even with complete strangers.
Wearing swimwear in a sauna is considered unhygienic and it is not rare to see even public saunas forbidding you to wear swim clothes or bathrobe in a sauna. Even though you should bring a towel with you, it is meant to be sat on, not wrapped around oneself.
As a new trend, some saunas do have days or hours where swimwear is mandatory as to introduce sauna to people hesitant going nude at first.
And of course, do not forget about the Aufgussmaster, the sauna master responsible for turning a simple sauna visit into a true experience.
What to know about sauna etiquette in Europe?
European countries might look tiny when compared to countries in North-America or South-America but the differences of sauna etiquette in Europe are anything but.
Most likely one of the few things that is common across Europe is taking a shower before continuing to the sauna.
First sauna, then nap – welcome to Hungary sauna culture
Did you know in Hungary sauna culture might include a room with beds, meant for relaxing or even a quick nap after enjoying the baths. Be extra mindful to stay quiet and do not disturb others. That also includes using your phone to watch videos or chat with others!
Since Hungary has an abundance of thermal waters, you might experience thermal baths, steam rooms and saunas all in one establishment.
Do pay attention that when going to a dry sauna you take the towel with you but going to the steam room, leave the towel outside. And since you had nothing under your butt, it is polite to hose down your seat before you leave.
In either case, get in quickly and close the door. Letting the hot air or steam out will be sure to earn some angry mumbling from people trying to relax.
French sauna culture is a tranquil escape from everyday life
It might not be as common as lets say in Estonia, but you will find saunas in France. A big difference is that French sauna culture focuses more on massages and other spa treatments.
Silence and discretion are two words to remember. When it comes to nudity, the best option is to look at the signs as the guidelines differ from one establishment to another. You can be quite sure that if it’s a mixed-gender setting, nudity is not the norm.
Brief quiet conversation with friends is acceptable but avoid long or loud discussions and engaging with strangers who are looking to relax in a quiet atmosphere.
Beside your chattiness, leave the water behind as well. Unless you have the permission from all the sauna goers, throwing water onto the rocks is not the norm.
Traditional sauna culture in Scandinavia
Sauna culture in Scandinavia is so strong that it is one of the places where saunas are not a luxury but part of your daily or weekly routine, accessible and integral to the way of life.
One of the biggest differences is that Scandinavian saunas are characterized by rapid changes. First dry and not too hot. But throw the water to the rocks and it becomes humid with a spike in the temperature as well.
Beyond Sweden and Norway, Denmark also embraces the sauna, though often combined with cold water therapy, as Denmark’s coastal saunas include quick plunges into the sea.
This connection between hot and cold is fundamental to Scandinavian sauna culture, seen as beneficial to circulation and immune health. Give it a try next time there is fresh snow or cold water pool nearby!
Sauna culture in Finland
We talked about sauna culture in Estonia. To be honest, sauna culture in Finland is not too far off. There are some differences but what is the same is the long history where ancient communities relied on simple, nature-based saunas, using wood and stone, creating a minimalistic environment focused on simplicity and connection with nature.
Allow yourself to soak in sauna culture around the world
Sauna of course is not just an European thing. Sauna culture around the world is rich and diverse.
Ancient healing sanctuary
Temazcal is a permanent sweat lodge from Mesoamerica. It was used for its purifying and healing attributes and was a place to restore yourself after physical extortion, where to improve your health but also for women where to give birth.
Nowadays in the region they are still used for spiritual healing and health enrichment reasons.
Make sure you learn about Native American sweat lodges that were sacred spaces for ceremonies and cleansing. And how the caves were turned into natural saunas thanks to hot spring breaking ground just in the right place.
From tradition to modernity
A Traditional Korean sauna is called hanjeungma. While they used to be separate saunas, nowadays hanjeungmas are most often incorporated into jjimjilbang or also known as bathhouses. Since bathhouses include multiple sauna rooms, hot and cold baths, lounges to relax and even more specified areas, you can forget yourself there for hours.
When entering a Korean bathhouse, make sure to leave your shoes at a locker or area close to the entrance before heading towards the changing rooms. You also should not wear swimwear and although you have a towel with you, it is small and is not meant to cover you completely.
Turkish sauna culture knocks you off your feet
What should you know about Turkish sauna culture? First things first – Turkish hammam, or steam bath, offers an experience steeped in luxury and ritual, symbolizing the emphasis on hospitality and communal relaxation.
A hammam experience begins with gradual acclimation to heat, followed by thorough cleansing. While you lay on a heated marble slab, a skilled attendant offers massage and exfoliation.
Japanese sauna culture: from tattoos to towels
Modern Japanese sauna culture offers the traditional relaxation options, onsen and sentō, combined with Finnish saunas.
There are practically no mixed-gender saunas in Japan so if you go with friends from the opposite gender, be prepared to spend time in the sauna separately.
Another big taboo is tattoos. While some places offer you a flesh coloured patch to cover up the tattoo, others outright deny your entry if you have tattoos.
The small towel you would have in a Japanese sauna is meant to cover the front side of your body when moving in the general area. Inside the sauna the towel can be placed on your head to offer protection from the heat.
While usually the only device on the wall is the thermometer, in Japan you will most likely also see a clock and in some cases even a TV.
Everything old is new again
It is no secret that sauna traditions have gained more praise year after year.
What modern science is somewhat discovering now, has of course been known for hundreds and thousands of years and has formed into the sauna customs we know and admire nowadays. Some are better known, others are familiar only to real sauna fanatics but why not broaden your horizon and experience more?
