From Iceland's winter bathing culture to Finnish saunas, Polish rituals and Japanese hot springs, there's something fascinating about how different countries enjoy heat, water and a little time to slow down.
Why we wanted to write this
One of the loveliest things about running YOU Sauna Hitchin is meeting people and hearing their stories.
Some of our visitors have been using saunas for years, often in different countries where it's simply part of everyday life. Others are stepping into a sauna or trying a cold plunge for the very first time.
And we love hearing about both!
We’re originally from Poland, so sauna wasn’t completely new to us. We’d experienced Polish saunas before, but it was during a winter trip to Iceland that I really fell in love with sauna and the whole hot-and-cold experience.
There was something magical about being surrounded by the cold Icelandic air and stepping into the warmth. That contrast, the atmosphere, the feeling of slowing down. It stayed with me long after the trip.
It made me realise that these experiences can be so much more than just getting hot and cooling down.
And the more we've learned about sauna cultures around the world, the more interesting it gets. Every country has its own traditions, little rituals and ways of doing things.
So we thought we'd share a few of our favourites. Maybe you've experienced some yourself, or perhaps you'll discover somewhere new to visit. :)
Iceland: Where my love for sauna began
Iceland will always have a special place in my heart.
What makes Iceland so interesting is how naturally hot bathing fits into everyday life. People visit geothermal pools and hot tubs throughout the year, even during the coldest winter months.
And these places aren't just somewhere to warm up. They're part of the local community. People meet, chat, relax and spend time together.
I love that.
In fact, Iceland's swimming pool culture was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2025, recognising how important these spaces are to everyday Icelandic life.
Of course, Iceland's bathing culture isn't quite the same as traditional Finnish sauna. It's more closely connected to geothermal pools and hot tubs, although many facilities also have saunas and steam rooms.
For me, it was that whole winter experience that made such an impression.
I started to understand why people make heat and cold part of their regular routine rather than saving it for a special occasion.
And I suppose that idea never really left me.
Finland: Where sauna is just part of life
You can't write about sauna culture without mentioning Finland.
There are around 3.3 million saunas in a country of approximately 5.5 million people, according to UNESCO's documentation of Finnish sauna culture.
That's quite something!
But what's even more interesting is that sauna isn't necessarily considered a luxury there.
It's simply part of life.
Families enjoy it together, friends meet in saunas, and many people have their own at home. There's no need to make a big occasion out of it.
One of the best-known Finnish sauna traditions is löyly, the steam and wave of warmth created when water is poured onto the hot stones.
If you've visited YOU Sauna, you'll probably know how lovely that moment feels.
Finland's sauna culture was recognised by UNESCO in 2020, and it's easy to see why it means so much to people.
What we particularly love is the simplicity.
No complicated routines. No pressure to do things perfectly. Just heat, water and a chance to switch off for a while.
Sometimes, that's all you need.
Poland & Germany: Where sauna becomes a ritual
Being Polish, I couldn't write about sauna cultures without including Poland.
And interestingly, Polish sauna culture has quite a lot in common with Germany's, especially when it comes to organised sauna ceremonies.
In Germany, these are often called Aufguss, while in Poland they're known as seans saunowy.
If you've never experienced one, imagine sitting in a hot sauna while a sauna master pours water onto the stones and moves the warm air around using towels or fans.
There might be music, carefully chosen aromas or a particular theme.
Some ceremonies are calm and relaxing, while others feel almost like a little performance.
It's quite different from simply sitting in a sauna on your own.
Both German and Polish saunaria also tend to take etiquette seriously. Showering before entering, using towels properly and respecting other people's space are all important. Many traditional sauna areas are textile-free, which can be surprising if you're more familiar with UK leisure centres.
What I find interesting is how much thought goes into creating the whole experience.
Although I've tried saunas in Poland before, learning more about these rituals has made me curious to explore them properly.
I'm definitely going to try more sauna ceremonies next time I'm back in Poland! There are so many different experiences, and I'd love to discover more of them for myself.
Who knows, perhaps I'll come home with a few ideas for YOU Sauna too. :)
Estonia: A sauna tradition passed down through generations
Estonia has one of the most fascinating sauna traditions we’ve discovered. And we love that our very own sauna travelled all the way from Estonia to Hitchin! ❤️
In the Võromaa region of southern Estonia, families have preserved the tradition of the smoke sauna.
Unlike most modern saunas, a traditional smoke sauna doesn't have a chimney.
Instead, a fire heats the stones while smoke circulates through the room. Once the heating is finished, the smoke is allowed to clear before people enter.
It takes time and preparation, but that's part of the tradition.
Historically, these saunas have been places where families gather, talk and spend time together.
Birch whisks are also used as part of the bathing experience. The branches are gently brushed or tapped against the skin, often as part of a traditional sauna ritual.
The Võromaa smoke sauna tradition was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2014.
We find this particularly lovely because it shows how sauna can connect people with nature, family and traditions that have been passed down for generations.
We had a little taste of this atmosphere when we hosted our first birch sauna ritual at YOU Sauna Hitchin.
It was wonderful to bring a small part of that tradition into our local community.
Japan: Taking time to slow down
Japan has a slightly different approach to heat and bathing.
Rather than focusing entirely on saunas, Japanese bathing culture has long revolved around onsen and sento.
An onsen is a natural hot spring bath, while a sento is a public bathhouse.
Both have their own traditions, and there's a strong emphasis on cleanliness and respecting the shared space.
One important part of the experience is washing thoroughly before entering the water.
Bathing is often something to take your time over rather than rush through.
And we really like that idea.
Even though Japanese bathing traditions are different from those in Finland or Poland, there's something familiar about the experience.
Stepping away from everyday life, enjoying the warmth and giving yourself permission to do very little.
It's a simple idea, but perhaps one we could all use a little more often.
And where does the UK fit in?
This is the part we find particularly exciting.
For a long time, many people in the UK associated sauna with hotels, gyms or spa days.
But more communal and independent sauna spaces are appearing, and we're seeing growing interest in making sauna part of everyday life.
Not just as an occasional treat, but as somewhere to go regularly.
And that's exactly what we hoped to create when we opened YOU Sauna Hitchin.
We didn't want to build a traditional spa or recreate one particular country's sauna culture.
We wanted to bring together some of the things we love most about these experiences and create a welcoming space for our local community.
Somewhere you can visit on your own, catch up with a friend, meet new people or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
We have social sessions where gentle conversation is welcome, as well as silent sessions for those who prefer a little peace.
You can enjoy the sauna, try one of our two cold plunges or simply relax in the lounge with a cup of tea.
And there's no pressure to do everything.
Some visitors love the colder plunge, while others prefer to take things slowly. Some come for the social side, others for a bit of quiet.
We love that everyone has their own way of enjoying it.
What all these cultures have in common
The more we discover about sauna and bathing traditions, the more we realise that although the customs are different, there's often something similar at the heart of them.
In Finland, sauna is part of everyday life.
In Iceland, warm pools bring people together even in the middle of winter.
In Poland and Germany, sauna masters turn heat and steam into carefully planned rituals.
In Estonia, old traditions are still shared between generations.
And in Japan, communal bathing has its own beautiful customs around cleanliness and respect.
What connects them all is the idea of taking time away from the usual rush of life.
Whether you're chatting with friends, enjoying a traditional ceremony or simply sitting quietly, there's something rather lovely about having nowhere else you need to be for a little while.
And that's the feeling we hope people find at YOU Sauna Hitchin.
We're still learning, discovering new traditions and meeting people with their own sauna stories to share.
And that's one of the things that makes running this place so interesting.
We'd love to hear your sauna story!
Have you ever experienced a traditional sauna in Finland, a sauna ceremony in Poland or Germany, or a winter hot pool in Iceland?
Or perhaps your first sauna experience was right here in Hitchin?
We'd genuinely love to hear about it.
One of the best parts of running YOU Sauna has been discovering how many different experiences people bring with them.
And if you've never tried sauna before, we'd love to welcome you.
Our YOU Reset sessions give you 45 minutes to enjoy the sauna and cold plunges, while YOU Restore offers 90 minutes if you'd like to take things a little slower.
No experience needed. Come as you are, bring your swimwear, two towels and flip-flops, and we'll help with the rest.
See YOU soon!
Aggie & Monika ❤️
YOU Sauna Hitchin
45 Knowl Piece, Hitchin, Hertfordshire