Antti Huttunen Explores the Depths of Sauna – A Journey into the World of Saunas with a Passionate Enthusiast
Antti Huttunen, the founder of Finland Naturally, is a dedicated sauna enthusiast who has experienced over 179 saunas across the globe. Join him as he delves into the rituals, tranquility, and diversity of sauna culture, revealing the essence of this cherished Finnish tradition.
179 Saunas and Counting
“I have certainly bathed in at least 179 saunas in my life,” he begins with a smile. “Probably even more, but I can’t recall all from my childhood and youth. I remember most of them, though. I was surprised when the thought occurred to me recently, and I started recalling and counting. I think it shows how important sauna is to me.”
For him, sauna is not just a hobby but a way of life and a passion that has followed him since childhood.
First Steps into the World of Steam
“I don’t remember my first sauna experience because I was so young then. But I can pretty much guess the sauna—it was the indoor sauna in my childhood home. I was probably on the lower bench or sitting on the floor in a washbasin,” he reminisces. “I think my first memories of sauna are from around 4–5 years old. I remember being a bit nervous about the steam; I didn’t know how to enjoy it as I do now. But I sat on the lower bench, maybe with a basin of water as a cooling element.”
Sauna has been a purification ritual, a place of relaxation, and part of every Saturday. “I grew up with it as a way of life. It remains a natural and integral part of my life today.”
Most Memorable Sauna Experiences
When asked about his most memorable sauna experience, he takes us to the tranquility of a wilderness sauna. “One of the wilderness saunas I’ve visited, in complete silence. No electricity, no other people, nothing but the peace of nature around and a warm sauna. Sitting there in peace, throwing water on the stones occasionally, cooling off, swimming in the lake, and continuing until you don’t even know how many rounds you’ve done.”
In winter, this experience deepens with an ice hole. “A hole is made in the frozen lake, and you dip into the 4-degree water. A few rounds of that and sauna, and you reach an euphoria that’s hard to describe. That feeling after the sauna, like being reborn, and the ritual to achieve it—that’s the strongest and best memory.”
The Most Exotic Sauna Adventure
His most exotic sauna experience took him to the Russian Banya sauna at Therme Erding in Germany. “Therme Erding, near Munich, is Europe’s largest thermal spa, and it has a huge number of saunas. None of them resemble a Finnish sauna much, and what happens in them resembles it even less.”
He describes the astonishing situation: “At exactly 2 pm, reggae music starts playing really loud, and two young men dance in, waving and swirling towels. Occasionally, they pour ice chips on the stove, throw water on the stones, clap their hands rhythmically, and wave the towels again. Around them sit 200 naked German women and men, and the audience claps along. It was unbelievable. It’s a show, not sauna from a Finnish perspective.”
Choosing a Sauna – What Do You Look For?
“It depends on my mood,” he says. Usually, he doesn’t need to look for a sauna because his home has one. “Another is at my summer cottage, my parents’ cottage, and my parents’ home. These are present in my everyday life and always accessible.”
When he specifically seeks out a sauna, he often looks for a new place or one he’s heard good things about. “If I can choose, I usually prefer a wood-heated sauna. Electric saunas often have too small a stove that’s heated too hot, and the steam is sharply hot, not gently soft. I want the sauna to be unhurried and relaxing.”
Favorite Saunas – A Multitude of Top Choices
“My favorite sauna—this is a difficult question; I can’t pick just one above the others,” he reflects. “If I had to choose one, it would be the small cottage sauna my mother owns on an island. It has an earthen floor and incredibly soft steam. I’ve never experienced anything like it elsewhere. Its only downside is that it’s far away and hard to get to.”
He also values his home sauna. “I choose my home sauna because it’s accessible whenever I want, I know it well, and I know how to heat it and how much steam to throw. But that’s a boring answer, I know!”
Among public saunas, he mentions the smoke sauna at Kuopio’s Saana and the outdoor sauna Tyynelä at Lohja’s Neidonkeidas swimming hall. “The smoke sauna at the Korteniemi Heritage Farm in Häme is also one of my absolute favorites. I could probably continue my list with ten more saunas; maybe I’ll write an article about them someday!”
Types of Saunas and Their Differences
He has experienced a wide range of different saunas. “Of Finnish saunas, I’ve tried wood-heated saunas, smoke saunas, and electric saunas. As curiosities, also oil and gas-heated ones.”
The smoke sauna tops his list in terms of steam quality. “The smoke sauna offers the best steam, but the ease of a more modern wood-heated sauna makes it number one.”
About infrared saunas, he says: “I’ve been a few times, but I don’t really consider it a real sauna.”
He has also experienced various experience saunas like banyas, hammams, and tent saunas. “The differences between these would be a topic for another article.”
The Evolution of Sauna Bathing
As his experience has grown, so has his approach to sauna bathing. “I enjoy it more and more, and by trying different saunas, you also learn what you like. Visiting new saunas makes you pay attention to various details and always broadens your own experience of the sauna.”
His way of sauna bathing has evolved over the years towards a more meditative experience. “I increasingly want an unhurried, almost meditative sauna experience that deeply relaxes. To focus only on bodily sensations and let thoughts fly, or just sit with an empty mind.”
Rituals and Habits – The Heart of Sauna
When asked if he has any special rituals or habits in sauna bathing, he responds: “Certainly. This is a difficult question because so many things happen naturally without conscious attention, but they’re all an important part of the experience.”
He describes heating a wood-fired sauna on an unhurried evening: “I start by choosing and carrying the wood. I place them in the stove and light it. Even now, I can recall the memory of that scent when a bit of smoke escapes into the room. I make sure the wood catches fire and then go fetch water from the lake and put it to heat.”
The ritual also includes making a birch whisk and the aroma of birch leaves. “I warm the whisk slightly in warm water and start gently whipping myself with it. What a wonderful scent comes from the birch leaves! It’s absolutely divine.”
He also collects birch leaves in the summer, dries or preferably freezes them, and adds them to the water thrown on the stones. “That way, I get the same scent that using a whisk brings to the sauna. Some people use various extracts and oils to achieve the same, but none match real birch leaves.”
Tips for Beginner Sauna Bathers and Travelers to Finland
His advice to beginner sauna bathers and travelers to Finland is clear: “Be curious, open, and seek information. You can get started on your own and visit many interesting saunas, but if you want to dive deep, find a local who truly knows the Finnish sauna and sauna culture.”
He emphasizes the importance of taking your time: “When bathing, set aside time, listen to your body, and get accustomed to different things. Some like gentle steam, others prefer it stronger; some want to dip in an ice hole, others are not interested.”
And finally, he reminds us: “But above all, when you’ve seen one sauna, you’ve only seen one sauna. In the Finnish sauna, there’s a whole world of different experiences. Our country has as many saunas as cars. I don’t know if that’s a world record, but it’s a lot.”
Sharing the Sauna Experience with the World
His passion and deep understanding of the sauna make him an invaluable guide to the Finnish sauna experience. As the person behind Finland Naturally, he continues his journey into the world of saunas, sharing his experiences with all who are interested.
“Sauna is more than just a warm room. It’s part of the Finnish soul and identity. I hope as many people as possible get to experience its depth and richness.”
Finland Naturally welcomes everyone to explore the Finnish sauna under his guidance. With him, sauna bathing is not just an experience but a journey deep into Finnishness.
At Finland Naturally, you’ll find our recommended saunas on an interactive map, alongside curated sauna experiences, guided sauna tours, and immersive sauna journeys designed to connect you with the essence of Finnish sauna culture.
Read more
In Finnish Saunas, Nudity Isn’t a Taboo – Here’s Why That Matters
The Language of Löyly: Finnish Sauna ABC for Travelers
Finnish Sauna Etiquette for International Visitors
No Phones, No Books: Why the Finnish Sauna Is the Perfect Spiritual Detox
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