Experience Tradition: Sipoonjoki Heritage Sauna Is a Must-Visit in Sipoo

Photos: Sipoonjoen Perinnesauna

This is something that’s hard to put into words. Sipoonjoen Perinnesauna (eng. Sipoonjoki Heritage Sauna) does exactly what I’ve been hoping to find. It’s a sauna that follows traditions, but is still by no means just a traditional sauna.

The Finnish sauna culture is a massive part of Finnish mental well-being and has been for centuries. In the past, the spiritual significance of the sauna was even greater than in today’s wellness-focused culture.

The sauna carries a great deal of ancient symbolism.
The sauna building represents the body and the stove is its heart. The stove spreads warmth through the space, and this warmth is called löyly, the spirit of the sauna. When the fire inside the stove fades, the sauna cools down—just as a human body does when the heart stops beating.

What would an experience like this be without dedicated sauna hosts?
The worst thing a heritage-based service can do is exoticize or reduce a rich cultural tradition to a mere caricature. At Sipoonjoki there is a deep understanding of what sauna culture in Finland has historically been, and it shows! Everything is based on archival records, well-researched, historically authentic, and respectful of traditions.

Another reason why Sipoonjoki Heritage Sauna is such a special experience is that it is a savusauna (smoke sauna). In addition to the characteristic smoky aroma of the soot-darkened sauna, the steam is soft and gentle. However, it’s important to note that because the ventilation of a smoke sauna differs from modern saunas, the walls and benches may leave black streaks or marks on bathers. So, it’s best to avoid wearing your finest swimwear!

We happened to attend a sauna ceremony at Sipoonjoki entirely by chance on Kalevala Day, Finland’s national day of culture. These evenings honor not only the ancient sauna traditions and their spiritual dimensions but also the cycle of the year — something our ancestors celebrated and revered. In late February and early March, we observe Talvi-Matti, marking the beginning of spring and the awakening of the bear.

During the sauna ritual, experienced sauna hosts offer honey and cold water for the face. They gently fan bathers with fragrant herbs and provide birch and pine vihtas (bundles of branches) for use during the ritual. Before entering the sauna and between sessions, guests can relax in either a hot tub or a cold-water plunge pool.

The silence of the earth-covered smoke sauna is otherworldly in itself.
As we chanted in the cave-like space of the sauna, I was reminded once again how distinct the Finnic cultural heritage is from the modern Western culture. The Finnish peninsula holds a vast diversity of traditions, dialects, foods, and customs that many never get to experience.

We encourage everyone living in or visiting Finland to step off the beaten path, try traditional foods that might sound unusual, and most importantly, ask locals about their thoughts on the places they call home.

The Sipoonjoki Heritage Sauna is an absolute must-visit for any culturally curious traveler exploring Finland!

You can reach Sipoonjoki Heritage Sauna by car or public transportation. For example, bus 841 from Itäkeskus (Helsinki) stops about a kilometer away, and the sauna also offers transportation for larger groups if needed.