The Finnish Sauna Road Trip: 5 Days of Steam and Harmony

Finland is a paradise for sauna enthusiasts, offering a unique and unforgettable experiences. With over two million saunas scattered across the country, there's a steamy retreat waiting around every corner.
Whether you're a seasoned sauna-goer or a curious newcomer, a sauna-themed road trip is an excellent way to immerse yourself in this integral part of Finnish culture.

Central Finland Sauna Tour (5 Days): Suggested route

Day 1: Helsinki – Steam with a view

🍃 Morning: Arrive in Helsinki, drop your bags, and head off to start your sauna experience.
🍃 Afternoon: Get your first taste of Finnish sauna culture at SkySauna, a ferris wheel cabin that doubles as a steam room, offering panoramic views over the city.
🍃 Evening: Grab dinner at a local bistro and see what Helsinki’s nightlife has to offer – sauna is just the beginning.

Day 2: Helsinki to Tampere (approx. 180 km / 2 hours)

🍃 Morning: Get your rental car from Europcar Helsinki downtown station, if you did not already rent on arrival at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Hit the road toward Tampere, Finland’s unofficial sauna capital. With over 50 public saunas, it’s the perfect place to sweat like a local.
🍃 Afternoon: Pick your heat: Rajaportti Sauna, Finland’s oldest still-running public sauna, or Kuuma Sauna & Restaurant, where you can pair modern Nordic experience with a lakeside swim.
🍃 Evening: Overnight in Tampere. Want to combine entertainment and heat? Lapland Hotels Arena lets you catch an event at Nokia Arena straight from a private sauna lounge.

Day 3: Tampere to Mänttä (approx. 96 km / 1h 15min)

🍃 Morning: Take a drive to North towards Mänttä, a little town known for its art scene.
🍃 Afternoon: Wander the halls of the several Serlachius Museums – a mix of classic and contemporary Finnish and international art.
🍃 Evening: Unwind in the Art Sauna, where Nordic architecture, natural surroundings and art blend into one beautiful, quiet moment.
Photo: Art Sauna, Sampo Linkoneva, Mänttä

Day 4: Mänttä to Kuopio (approx. 233 km/3 h)

🍃 Morning: Start your drive towards Kuopio in Eastern part of Finland.
🍃 Afternoon: Arrive in Kuopio, a city celebrating its 250th anniversary. Explore the festive events and famous local fried fish delicacy – muikku (vendace).
🍃 Evening: End your day at Jätkänkämppä’s traditional smoke sauna evening at Spa Hotel Rauhalahti. With a lumberjack atmosphere, rustic snacks, and live accordion music, it feels like time stands still.

Day 5: Kuopio to Helsinki via Jämsä (approx. 425 km )

🍃 Morning: Head back to Helsinki, but not before one more sauna stop.
🍃 Afternoon: Pause in Jämsä to visit the Sauna Village. It’s home to the world’s largest collection of historical smoke saunas – including some from the 1700s. Guided tours are available.
🍃 Evening: Roll back into Helsinki – relaxed, refreshed, and full of sauna stories to tell.

Bonus tip:

If you're a Eurovision enthusiast, consider adding a detour to Vörå (Vöyri) at Finnish Ostrobothnia. It is the home of the Finnish-Swedish comedy-pop trio KAJ, who are representing Sweden in Eurovision 2025 with their sauna-themed hit "Bara bada bastu".
While in Vörå region, immerse yourself in the local culture and perhaps even experience a traditional Finnish sauna.
Nearby, you can conveniently stay for example at Scandic Waskia in Vaasa, where some rooms come with private saunas. P.S. Scandic Friends members get a discount on Europcar rental cars!
If you want to extend your sauna trip even more, drive to Oulu and have a dip at Oulujoki river from Koivuranta sauna raft.
Header image: Spa Hotel Rauhalahti, Kuopio

UP TO

15%

OFF

SPECIAL OFFER

Get -15% off for your sauna trip

There’s no better way to explore Finland’s sauna treasures than behind the wheel of your rental car.
Book and travel by June 30, 2025 – and enjoy your savings.
Book now

WELCOME TO EUROPCAR

Find your rental station