How to use the Saivo Sauna in Nuuksio National Park

Experience an authentic Finnish Dry Sauna at the gateway to Nuuksio National Park, just a short 35 min journey from Helsinki. In Saivo’s private sauna at the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, you can unwind, enjoy traditional sauna rituals, and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Finland’s beloved natural landscapes.

Is there anything I should take into account beforehand?

Yes. Please book your sauna session in advance either online, by phone (+35840 163 6200), or by email. Also check whether you wish to rent towels, order refreshments, or reserve the sauna outside Haltia’s regular opening hours. We recommend making your reservation well ahead of time to ensure your preferred time and services are available.

What should I expect when I arrive at Saivo?

Arrive at Haltia’s customer service desk, where you will receive the key to Saivo. A standard reservation without additional services (such as meals) includes a representative Finnish sauna with an electric heater that is already heated for use, as well as shower and dressing facilities and a private lounge with access to an outdoor viewing terrace. If you have rented towels and/or shower sandals, they will be waiting in the dressing room.

The lounge features a modern, compact kitchenette equipped with drinking glasses and good-quality tap water. All of the above-mentioned facilities, except for the viewing terrace, are reserved for your private use only when you have booked the sauna in advance. The sauna is equipped with washing products and disposable sauna seat covers.

What should I do before entering the sauna?

Before sauna bathing, undress in the dressing room. The door to Saivo remains locked and you have the key, so you can safely leave your belongings in the dressing room. It is also a good idea to drink plenty of water before entering the sauna, as you will sweat. Before going in, take a shower and wash yourself thoroughly. Washing beforehand makes the sauna more pleasant, and it is better to enter with damp skin rather than dry.

*In Saivo’s shower, you will find high-quality Finnish washing products.*

Do I need footwear, a hat, or a swimsuit?

In Finland, sauna bathing is generally done nude. If you are in a mixed group where people do not know each other well, it can be polite to wear a towel or swimsuit—you may agree together on how you wish to proceed.

Shower sandals can also be used if you prefer, and you may rent them from us as well.

Some enjoy using a sauna hat, but it is not necessary and mainly a matter of preference.

How should I sit in the sauna, and what is the sauna seat cover for?

The sauna door is usually kept closed during bathing so that the steam and heat stay inside. In the sauna, you sit on the benches on top of a seat cover. The upper bench is the hottest, while the lower bench is cooler. The seat cover is a small mat that protects the benches and keeps them clean. Use the disposable paper-like covers provided in the sauna.

*The heat is strongest on the upper bench. If it feels too hot, you can easily move to a lower level.*

How do I pour water on the stones?

You can adjust the heat by pouring water onto the heater’s hot stones. This is called throwing “löyly.” Use the ladle and water bucket provided, and pour the water carefully. Usually a couple of ladles at a time is enough, but you may start with one and wait a moment to feel how the heat spreads and whether you want more. Note that the stones are extremely hot, so always exercise care and caution near them.

How do I know if I have poured the right amount of löyly?

If the air feels pleasantly humid and the warmth spreads evenly, you have added the right amount. If the air feels too hot to breathe or your skin starts to sting, there is too much löyly. In that case, move to a lower bench or leave the sauna for a moment to cool off. You can also open the sauna door to let the excess steam escape more quickly.

The amount of löyly is a matter of personal preference—try gradually and consider the wishes of others.

How long should one stay in the sauna?

Sauna sessions typically last 10–15 minutes at a time, but there is no strict rule. Some prefer much shorter sessions, while others stay longer. Listen to your body—if it feels too hot or you start feeling light-headed, it is time to step out and cool off before returning. We recommend drinking water each time you cool down.

Is it allowed to talk in the sauna, or should it be quiet?

The sauna is a place for relaxation, and the atmosphere varies depending on the situation. If you are with friends or colleagues, light conversation is perfectly natural. If someone prefers silence, that is also part of the sauna experience—Finns value both.

Is eating or drinking allowed in connection with sauna bathing?

Food is not eaten inside the sauna, but drinking is important because sweating dehydrates the body. You can get drinking water from the tap in Saivo’s lounge, where glasses are available, and the lounge is reserved for your private use during your session. You do not need to drink in the sauna itself—it is enough to hydrate when cooling off.

How do I cool off?

It is customary to cool down between sauna sessions. Saivo’s private lounge has direct access to the viewing terrace, where you can step outside to enjoy the fresh outdoor air. Please note that the terrace is also used by other visitors at Haltia, so if you have chosen to sauna nude, it’s a good idea to wrap a towel around yourself while cooling off!

You can also cool down in the lounge simply by relaxing. If you go to the terrace, remember to take the key with you so you do not lock yourself out.

At Saivo, you may enjoy your own snacks or pre-order refreshments from Restaurant Haltia. Behind the large windows, the nature of Nuuksio unfolds, and by stepping out onto the terrace you can admire it from even closer.

May I go for a swim?

From the terrace, you can access the stairs leading down to the shore of Lake Nuuksion Pitkäjärvi, where you may swim from the sandy beach when the lake is not frozen. Please note that the piers in the area are private and should not be used.

In summer, the lake typically reaches pleasant temperatures (around 20°C), but in autumn it becomes cool or even cold until it eventually freezes. If you wish to try cold-water swimming during your sauna visit, do not go alone—always bring someone with you for safety. This is a common safety practice in Finland. Also remember to bring the key with you to avoid locking yourself out.

Can I go to the sauna several times?

Yes, and it is recommended. Divide your sauna experience into several short sessions with cooling breaks on the terrace or in the lounge. You will have time for several rounds during your reserved 2-hour session.

*Saivo’s kitchenette provides fresh, clean, and perfectly drinkable water.*

What should I do after I have finished sauna bathing?

When you have had enough or your reserved time is coming to an end, wash yourself, dry off, and get dressed.

After sauna bathing and departure

What should I do before leaving the sauna?

The person who made the reservation is responsible for a light clean-up after use—for example collecting any rubbish and ensuring general tidiness.

What happens after the sauna?

After sauna bathing, you may relax in the lounge or cool off on the viewing terrace if you still have time left in your reservation. When you are ready to leave or your session is ending, ensure the space is tidy and that you have taken all your belongings. Remember to return the key to Saivo at the customer service desk before leaving Haltia.

What should I do with any rented towels or shower sandals?

If you rented towels and/or sandals, you may leave them in the dressing room after use.

Can I combine sauna bathing with a meeting or a nature excursion?

Absolutely. Saivo’s sauna is an excellent way to conclude a meeting, team day, nature outing, or even a press trip. We offer a wide range of such services at Haltia. A particularly memorable Finnish-themed day might include a nature walk, campfire crêpes, and a sauna session.

Welcome to enjoy a sauna in Nuuksio! How to use the Saivo Sauna at the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia

Is there anything I should take into account beforehand?

What should I expect when I arrive at Saivo?

What should I do before entering the sauna?

Do I need footwear, a hat, or a swimsuit?