A Must-Try Wellness Tradition
Estonians have long embraced the sauna as more than just a place to relax—it’s their original social network. Estonians drop their inhibitions and open up when the temperature rises and steam fills the room. Saunas are where people negotiate, share news, commiserate, and collaborate—one of the few social interactions they still prefer to have in person rather than online.
Visiting a sauna is the most “like a local” experience you can have in Estonia. New households often build their sauna first; in many ways, life still revolves around this centuries-old tradition.
What does sauna mean to Estonians?
Historically, the life of Estonians began and ended in a sauna. New households still build saunas first, and in many ways, life revolves around the sauna, even today.
UNESCO has recognized how integral the sauna is to Estonian culture by listing the Võromaa smoke sauna tradition—the entire ritual, not just the sauna building itself—on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Visitors to Estonia can experience the smoke sauna tradition. Estonia offers over 150 sauna spots and 20 different types of saunas, each with its own unique experience. From lakeside saunas in the countryside to floating saunas in the Baltic Sea, there’s a sauna for every season and preference. Many saunas welcome visitors to experience their traditions firsthand, making it easy to take part in this time-honored ritual.
Discover the sacred smoke sauna ritual
A traditional smoke sauna has no chimney; a fire is lit, and the room fills with smoke. The smoke is let out, and in you go, clothed only in a felt hat. The steam created by throwing water on heated stones — leil, as it’s known in Estonian — is said to clear the mind and cleanse the spirit. Stimulate your circulation and exfoliate your skin by “whisking” your body with birch boughs. After your body heats up, cool down by plunging into icy waters nearby. You’ll emerge feeling transformed.
Whether you’re looking for deep relaxation, cultural immersion, or a truly local experience, Estonia’s sauna culture offers an unforgettable journey. So, are you ready to embrace the heat? Just don your felt hat—and nothing else—and step into Estonia’s oldest and most cherished tradition.
