Finnish Sauna in Levi – A Guide to Sauna Culture
Everything you need to know about sauna on your Lapland holiday
Finland has over 3 million saunas – more than passenger cars. For Finns, the sauna is much more than a place to wash: it is a sanctuary of relaxation, silence and togetherness. UNESCO added Finnish sauna culture to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020. In Levi, this tradition is especially strong – nearly every cabin and apartment has its own sauna, and the area has over 2,000 saunas in total. This guide tells you everything you need to know about sauna on your Levi holiday – whether it's your first time or your thousandth.
Karhupirtti's traditional log sauna – warm lighting and the scent of wood create the authentic Finnish sauna experience
What Is Finnish Sauna?
Sauna is simple: you sit in a hot room (typically 65–80 °C / 150–175 °F), throw water on the hot stones to create steam (called "löyly"), sweat, cool down, and repeat. In Finnish sauna, the pleasure comes from the gentle heat, the hiss of steam, and the contrast with cold – in winter, that might mean a dip in an ice hole or a roll in the snow. Sauna is not a competition or an endurance test. Go at your own pace, listen to your body, and enjoy.
Health Benefits of Sauna
Circulation & Recovery
Heat dilates blood vessels and improves circulation. After a day on the slopes, sauna is the best recovery for sore muscles.
Stress Relief
Sauna lowers cortisol levels and releases endorphins. As the Finns say: "The sauna is the poor man's pharmacy."
Immune System
Regular sauna use combined with hot-cold alternation strengthens the immune system. Ice swimming after sauna is the ultimate version of this.
Sleep
An evening sauna helps you fall asleep. The drop in body temperature after sauna triggers natural drowsiness.
Sauna Etiquette – How to Behave
Shower first – Always shower before entering the sauna. This is an absolute rule.
Nudity is normal – In traditional Finnish sauna, people go nude, but wearing a swimsuit or towel is perfectly acceptable, especially in a cabin sauna with friends.
Use a seat cover – Most accommodations provide disposable seat covers for the sauna bench for hygiene reasons. The bench is usually not very hot, but you can splash a little cold water on it before sitting down.
Throw water gently – Start with a small amount of water on the stones. You can add more if you want more heat. Ask others before throwing more löyly.
Cool down – Step outside between rounds to cool down. In winter, you can stand on the terrace or take a dip in an ice hole.
Drink water – Sauna dehydrates. Drink water before, during and after.
Silence is golden – You can talk in the sauna, but many enjoy the silence. Respect the mood.
Don't compete – Sauna is not an endurance test. If it's too hot, move to a lower bench or step outside.
How to Heat an Electric Sauna
🔥 How to Heat an Electric Sauna in Your Accommodation
This guide covers the most common type of electric sauna heater – one with a manual timer dial. Some newer saunas may have a digital control panel, which is usually simpler to operate: just press the power button to turn it on and off. The instructions below apply to the traditional manual timer switch.
Before heating
Check the sauna room. Make sure there is no laundry or anything else on the heater and that the door and window are closed.
The heater is controlled by a timer switch
The timer switch has two ranges:
Timer switch with ranges A & B
The heating elements switch on immediately and the heater stays warm for the selected number of hours (h).
A preselected time after which the heater will switch on. For example, if you select 4, the heater will turn on after four hours and stay warm for four hours unless it is manually switched off earlier.
Temperature control
Turn the thermostat switch to set the desired temperature. Experiment to find the right level for you. Start with the maximum position of the control range. If the temperature gets too high during your bathing session, turn the switch slightly counterclockwise. Please note that even a small adjustment can cause a noticeable temperature change. A comfortable sauna temperature is 65–80 °C (150–175 °F).
⚠️ Important note: Electric radiators in the cottage/apartment may turn themselves off while the sauna is being heated. Please turn off the heater immediately after use so that the electric radiators turn on again.
Switching off
Turn the timer switch counterclockwise to the 0 position.
Heaters vary slightly between accommodations, but most electric sauna heaters work as described above.
📄 Detailed visual guide to the most common sauna heaterTips
- 💡 Heating time: The sauna takes about 30–45 minutes to heat up. You'll get a good steam once it's ready.
- 💡 Timer example: If you go out for 3 hours and want the sauna to be warm when you return – use timer range B and set it to the 2-hour mark. The sauna will start heating after 2 hours and be ready when you arrive.
- 💡 Throwing water: The air in the sauna becomes dry when heated. It is necessary to increase the humidity by throwing water on the heater stones. Experiment to find the right temperature and humidity for you. Throw only water on the heater – nothing else.
Sauna Experiences in Levi
In Levi, you can enjoy your accommodation's private sauna, but the area also offers unique sauna experiences:
Smoke Sauna
The smoke sauna is the oldest form of Finnish sauna – the stove is heated for hours without a chimney, resulting in a soft, mystical steam. In Levi, you can experience a smoke sauna at Sammuntupa and Immelkartano, among others.
Floating Arctic Sauna
Immelkartano's floating sauna on the frozen Lake Immeljärvi is a unique experience: a wood-heated sauna on ice, an ice hole, and a lake illuminated from below. Available during the winter season.
Igloo Sauna
At Northern Lights Village, you can sauna in an igloo sauna where you can see the starry sky and possible northern lights through the glass roof while bathing.
Ice Swimming
Many sauna experiences include ice swimming – a plunge into icy water (1–4 °C / 34–39 °F) after sauna. It sounds crazy, but the feeling is incredibly refreshing and leaves your body tingling. Available at Immelkartano, Sammuntupa and Elves Village, among others.
Water World Levi Spa
Located at Levi Hotel Spa, Water World Levi offers a traditional Finnish sauna, log sauna and steam room plus swimming pools, water slide and outdoor jacuzzis. Great for the whole family.
Private Sauna & Hot Tub
Many Levi accommodations offer a private sauna plus an outdoor hot tub. Imagine: sitting in a steaming hot tub in freezing temperatures, gazing at the starry sky or northern lights above. This is many visitors' highlight of their Lapland holiday.
Sauna in Your Accommodation
Nearly every rental cabin and apartment in Levi comes with its own private sauna – this is normal in Finland but often a surprise for international visitors. In practice, this means you can sauna every evening on your own schedule. Most accommodation saunas have an electric heater (see the instructions above), but some premium cabins have a wood-fired stove. Book accommodation with a sauna – it's the essential highlight of any Lapland holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The information on this page is intended as general tips and inspiration for planning your Levi holiday. Availability, prices, opening hours and business details may change without notice. We recommend verifying current information directly with service providers before making any bookings. Leville.net is not responsible for third-party services or any changes to their offerings.