Kotiharjun Sauna
Helsinki's oldest wood-fired public sauna since 1928, offering an authentic, no-frills Finnish sauna experience.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more local feel
Kotiharjun Sauna
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more local feel
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Helsinki's oldest wood-fired public sauna since 1928, offering an authentic, no-frills Finnish sauna experience.
"A must-visit for sauna fans seeking a truly traditional and social experience in Helsinki."
Bring Your Own Towel
Towels are available for rent, but bringing your own disposable ones is recommended for convenience . :beachwithumbrella:
BYOB for Refreshments
You can buy beer or Finnish tap water, but bringing your own drinks is a common practice . :beer_mug:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Legendary Wood-Fired Oven
Sauna room
A massive, 3-meter-high oven with 1500 kg of stones, heating the sauna to intense temperatures.
Street-Side Cooling Off
Outside the sauna entrance
Experience the unique Finnish tradition of cooling down on a bench right on the street.
Authentic Kallio Atmosphere
Kallio neighborhood
Immerse yourself in the local vibe of Helsinki's historic Kallio district, a true local haunt.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Tradition: Go Nude or Swimsuit
Check Opening Days & Times
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Bring Your Own Towel
Towels are available for rent, but bringing your own disposable ones is recommended for convenience. :beachwithumbrella:
BYOB for Refreshments
You can buy beer or Finnish tap water, but bringing your own drinks is a common practice. :beer_mug:
Embrace the Nudity
Nudity is common and accepted. Swimsuits are allowed, but going nude is part of the authentic experience.
Check Opening Hours
Verify opening days and times, as they can vary and closures can be inconvenient. :clock1:
Tips
from all over the internet
Bring Your Own Towel
Towels are available for rent, but bringing your own disposable ones is recommended for convenience. :beachwithumbrella:
BYOB for Refreshments
You can buy beer or Finnish tap water, but bringing your own drinks is a common practice. :beer_mug:
Embrace the Nudity
Nudity is common and accepted. Swimsuits are allowed, but going nude is part of the authentic experience.
Check Opening Hours
Verify opening days and times, as they can vary and closures can be inconvenient. :clock1:
Hotter Higher Up
The higher you sit on the benches inside the sauna, the hotter it gets. :fire:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kotiharjun Sauna is lauded for its authentic, old-school wood-fired experience and legendary oven, offering a genuine taste of Finnish sauna culture. Visitors appreciate the social atmosphere and the unique tradition of cooling off on the street. However, some find the location slightly uneasy and the opening hours inconveniently limited.
"This was my only stop during my layover in Helsinki. You can take bus 600 from the airport and walk a bit.
Wood-fire sauna built in 1928.
16€ entrance fee. Card accepted. Women’s area is on the second floor, men on the first. Towels available for rent for additional fee. I recommend bringing disposable towels. You can buy beer or drink Finnish tap water. At that price I feel it is many tourists who wish to try something local. It was also many young people which is unique from what I experienced in east Asia. You can go nude or in your swimsuit/ towel. There is no hour glass in the sauna to track time.
In the women’s area, it is quiet and calm and mostly talking amongst friends. There are less women using the facility. You go into the sauna, have an icy cold shower and alternate. There are wooden pallets in sauna to help your bottom with the heat. The higher you go on the steps, the hotter it is. There is a ladle and pail with water near the door to create steam in the furnace.
I imagine the experience is different in winter to go outside but I thought it is not necessary as there was a lot of space in the women’s area to relax. Outside it is also very public with cars driving by and a park right opposite.
Shower gel, shampoo and conditioner were available. In the locker room when you explore, there are books/ brochures you can bring into the sauna, hairdryer, weighing machine, slippers. There is also a guest book with many messages from visitors around the world."
Jozin Lim
"Closed on Tuesdays during peak tourist season – a day when, at around 13 °C and pouring rain, a soothing sauna session would have been perfect.
Disappointing planning for overseas visitors hoping to warm up in inclement weather, but Finnish planning is not always tourist-friendly indeed. The sauna itself seems historically charming – at least wood‑heated, no reservations for public access – but accessibility is oddly limited.
The Kallio neighbourhood feels a bit uneasy too: I spotted four junkies loitering in the square opposite, which made me uneasy, though it wasn’t overtly threatening. All in all, a lovely old‑school experience hampered by inconvenient closure and a slightly dubious location."
Emmanuel P.
"If you're in Helsinki and a fan of saunas, you must visit this place. It's the oldest wood-heated sauna, and the entire vintage atmosphere adds to the great experience. The sauna was quite crowded. An interesting part is the cooling down on a bench literally out on the street, right in front of the sauna. Definitely a must-see in Helsinki. The price was €19, and towels and slippers are available."
Dejan Petje
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take bus 600 from the airport and then walk a bit to reach Kotiharjun Sauna. It's a convenient option for travelers.
Yes, it's located in the Kallio neighborhood and is accessible by public transport, making it a good option for those without a car.
The sauna is well-connected by public transport. Buses are a common and easy way to get there from various parts of Helsinki.
While the Kallio neighborhood has a local feel, some visitors have noted a slightly uneasy atmosphere with loitering individuals. However, it's generally not overtly threatening.
Yes, it's possible to walk or take a short public transport ride from the Taka Toola area to Kotiharjun Sauna.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entrance fee is around €16-€19, and card payments are accepted.
No reservations are needed for public access, making it easy to visit spontaneously.
Opening hours can vary, and the sauna may be closed on Tuesdays, especially during peak tourist season. It's crucial to check their schedule beforehand.
Yes, the women's area is on the second floor, and the men's area is on the first floor.
Swimsuits are allowed, but nudity is common and accepted as part of the traditional Finnish sauna experience.
🎫 🧖♀️ Onsite Experience
It offers an old-timey, authentic atmosphere with a mix of locals and tourists. It's known for being social and welcoming, even for first-timers.
Towels are available for rent, but bringing your own disposable towels is a practical suggestion.
Amenities include shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hairdryers, weighing machines, and slippers. There's also a guest book with messages from visitors worldwide.
Photography is generally not allowed inside the changing rooms or sauna areas due to privacy, as it's a place where people are nude.
The sauna is very hot, typically between 110-120 degrees Celsius, with hotter temperatures on the higher benches.
🍽️ 🥤 Food & Dining
You can purchase beer or Finnish tap water. Bringing your own drinks is also a common practice among visitors.
The Kallio neighborhood offers various local eateries and bars, providing options for dining before or after your sauna experience.
Tipping is not a standard practice in Finnish saunas. The entrance fee covers the service.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally discouraged or prohibited inside the sauna and changing areas to respect the privacy of other guests who are nude.
The exterior of the sauna and the surrounding Kallio neighborhood offer opportunities for street photography, capturing the local atmosphere.
The 'kikkeliaita' (penis fence) is a public art installation outside the sauna and can be photographed.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
🚶 Solo Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Heart of the Sauna: The Legendary Oven
It takes a significant amount of time, typically 3-5 hours, to heat up, showcasing the dedication to traditional methods. The intense heat generated by this behemoth is what creates the powerful löyly (steam) that Finnish saunas are famous for.The sheer scale and the visible consumption of wood by the oven are a spectacle in themselves.
Visitors often marvel at its size and the effort required to maintain its heat. This isn't a modern, quick-heating sauna; it's a testament to a bygone era, offering a raw and powerful heat that many sauna enthusiasts seek out. The experience of sitting in a sauna heated by such a historic and imposing oven is a core part of what makes Kotiharjun so special.Authenticity Over Luxury: The Kotiharjun Experience
This is where you'll find a genuine slice of Finnish sauna culture, frequented by locals and those seeking a more traditional setting. The atmosphere is often social, with opportunities to chat with friendly locals.The unique aspect of cooling down on a bench literally on the street, right in front of the sauna, is a memorable part of the experience.
Navigating the Kallio Neighborhood
Exploring Kallio before or after your sauna visit can be rewarding. You'll find a variety of local cafes, bars, and shops. The proximity of the sauna to the street, where people cool down, also adds to the neighborhood's unique charm. It's a part of Helsinki that feels lived-in and less curated for tourists, offering a different perspective on the city.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit