Kotiharjun Sauna

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.

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.

Awesome sauna.... Definitely a must if you want a real wood fired sauna. Take some beers, fizzy drinks, water (Definitely)... put them in the Freezer at the front because you'll experience standing out front, sitting wearing nothing but a towel in a residential area - between sauna sessions. It was fun and one of the best Saunas I've ever had. Oh... and sit on one of the timber board in the sauna - no towel required.... and run the timber board under water when you've finished.

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.

Great traditional wood heated sauna with rest room for friendly chats. The guests are advanced and professionals in terms of keeping up the temperature. I will go back over and over...

Authentic and cultural experience while in Helsinki. Full of locals enjoying. My only thing is that I thought it was quite expensive to pay 19€ for the entrance and a towel. I thought it was cheaper. Besides that everything else was a great experience that you must try while in Helsinki

Amazing first sauna experience! Everyone was super welcoming, it was a much more social experimence than I had expected.. picked up the rules/etiquette very quickly, and yes even getting naked (usually unthinkable for a prudish Australian) was fine! Highly recommended, especially if you're up for a chat with friendly locals

Great Sauna! Need to visit to feel local climate.

I love this place. Where else you can sit naked downtown on the street after a good sauna? The visitors are a friendly mix of long time local regulars and foreigners. Towels and sauna seat covers can be rented at location. There's also a fridge for your beers. The place can be very crowded, so if you want a more peaceful experience, come early and avoid Friday and especially Saturday. Note: at the moment they accept cash only - so remember to visit an ATM.

If you want to experience the authentic sauna experience this is your place. One of the last public saunas in Helsinki that is heated up with wood. It gets really busy so if you want to ensure a place in their heavenly warmth get there early (especially on weekends). You can bring your own drinks (beer is the choice of a true Finn). Towels can be rented from the establishment and non-alcoholic beverages are on sale.