Finnish sauna culture: and how to experience it at B&B Lapväärti

Finland has an estimated 3.2 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million, roughly one sauna for every two Finns. Nearly 90 percent of Finns sauna at least once a week. In December 2020, UNESCO inscribed Finnish sauna culture on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the first Finnish tradition ever to receive this recognition.

The private wood-fired sauna at B&B Lapväärti is not just a hot room. It is an invitation to experience this living, UNESCO-recognised tradition for yourself.

Why is a wood-fired sauna different?

An electric sauna heats evenly and efficiently, but a wood-fired sauna is an entirely different experience. The heat produced by a wood-burning stove breathes: it rises and falls with the fire, intensifying and softening in a natural rhythm. The löyly, the steam that rises from the hot stones, is gentler and more enveloping than anything an electric heater can produce.

A wood-fired sauna engages all the senses at once: the crackle of the fire, the scent of birch logs, the glow of the embers. None of that can be replicated by a thermostat. Even the process of heating the sauna is part of the experience. Carrying the logs, lighting the fire, waiting. It forces you to slow down.

At B&B Lapväärti we provide a large crate of firewood (12 EUR). You can heat the sauna yourself or ask us to do it for you. Heating takes about an hour, just enough time for an evening walk along the banks of the Lapväärtinjoki river.

Löyly: the soul of the sauna

The word “löyly” traces back to an ancient Finnish word meaning “spirit” or “soul.” It is the innermost essence of the sauna.

How to throw löyly:

1. Take the wooden ladle and scoop water from the bucket
2. Pour it slowly over the hot stones: do not throw a whole ladle at once
3. Steam rises immediately and a warm wave fills the sauna
4. Start with a small amount of water and add more as you wish

The quality of the löyly, how soft it feels, how gently it wraps around you, is exactly what Finns talk about when they discuss saunas. The large mass of stones in a wood-fired stove produces the very best löyly.

A guide to the sauna for first-time visitors

Before going in:

• Shower thoroughly beforehand, this is non-negotiable
• In the private sauna at B&B Lapväärti you do as you like: naked or with a towel, both are entirely acceptable

Inside the sauna:

• Sit on a towel on the benches
• The lower bench is cooler, the upper bench is hotter: start at the bottom
• A session of 10 to 20 minutes is an excellent starting point
• Leave whenever you feel like it, no one is keeping score

An important cultural note: The Finnish sauna has no connection whatsoever to intimacy. It is a place of physical and mental cleansing, rest, and quiet togetherness.

After the sauna: saunanjälkeinen

Finns even have their own word for the deep state of relaxation that follows a sauna: saunanjälkeinen. It describes a gentle, almost euphoric feeling, warmth from the inside out, complete peace.

The classic Finnish rhythm is heat, cool, repeat:

1. Two or three rounds in the sauna
2. A cooling-off break between each round: the covered patio at B&B Lapväärti is perfect for this
3. On a summer evening, the contrast between the hot sauna and the cool night air is profoundly pleasant
4. In winter the experience becomes more dramatic: cold air on bare skin is genuinely invigorating

Afterwards: Wrap yourself in a towel, sit on the covered patio with a cold drink and look up at the sky. That is saunanjälkeinen. That is the reason Finns keep coming back.

Health benefits

Long-term research from the University of Eastern Finland has shown that regular sauna use is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure. Combined with physical activity, the benefits are even more pronounced.

That said, a sauna visit does not need to be a health intervention. Above all it is a pleasure and a tradition. Listen to your body, drink plenty of water, and enjoy.

How does the Finnish sauna compare to other traditions?

	Finnish sauna	Russian banya	Turkish hammam
Temperature	70–100 °C	~70 °C	30–55 °C
Humidity	Low, increased with löyly	High	Very high
Core element	Löyly, personal peace	Venik, communal ritual	Washing and massage
Philosophy	Independent, quiet	Social, vigorous	Service-oriented

The Finnish sauna is an independent experience: no attendant, no masseur, no prescribed order. You decide the heat, the duration, and the pace. The sauna is a place of equality.

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The private wood-fired sauna, shower, and covered patio at B&B Lapväärti are waiting for you. Book your stay and experience this UNESCO-recognised tradition for yourself.

Sources: UNESCO, Visit Finland, Laukkanen et al., JAMA Internal Medicine 2015