Public saunas in Britain have multiplied almost twentyfold in three years, yet the real devotees are packing their towels for the Nordic countries, where sweating it out is practically a national pastime. With winter closing in, Total Travel Protection's Sarah Findlay picks her three favourite places to take the heat, while NHS GP Dr Ellen Welch explains which travellers should think twice before stepping inside.

Sarah’s top three sauna locations in Europe

Finland

Sarah shares: “In Finland, a country which has just 5.5 million people, there are an estimated 3.3 million saunas, which is about one sauna for every 1.8 people. Given these stats, it's no surprise that the Finns have enjoyed saunas for thousands of years and previously used them for purification rituals before marriage and after death.

“These days, sauna is a big part of Finnish tourism, with Tampere, a city in southwestern Finland, becoming the world’s sauna capital in 2018. If you want to incorporate saunas into your next holiday, Tampere is the place to visit. It has the most public saunas in Finland, as well as the oldest operating public sauna, which dates back to 1906.

Estonia

“Situated further south of Finland, Estonia is home to more than 100,000 saunas for its 1.3 million population, and its smoke sauna culture was even added to UNESCO’s cultural heritage list,10,11. Similar to Finland, saunas used to be used as birthing rooms and, if you were poorly, as they were the cleanest room in the house.

“In Estonia, saunas are used all year round, and if you’re wanting a traditional Estonian sauna experience, I’d recommend trying a smoke sauna. There’s no chimney in this type of sauna, so the room fills with smoke as the sauna heats up; once the smoke has cleared, after one to two hours, it’s ready to use. Public saunas offer this experience; however, you’ll need to book in advance for the room to be prepared.

Ireland

“If you’re looking to experience sauna culture a bit closer to home, then I’d recommend trying one of the 242 independent Irish saunas. Ninety per cent of these saunas opened after 2020, with plenty of barrel saunas available, offering views of the lush Irish countryside or coast.

“While visiting, you can also learn about the tradition of the Irish sweat house, which was used when people were sick until the 1900s. Certain saunas in Ireland even incorporate some sweat house traditions, helping to rejuvenate the timely tradition.”

Health considerations for using saunas on holiday

While you don’t typically need to declare in your travel insurance that you plan on visiting a sauna on holiday, travellers with certain conditions should take extra care when using a sauna.

NHS GP and Total Travel Protection’s resident medical expert, Dr Ellen, explains that heat increases heart rate and widens blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure and put additional demands on the circulation.

Dr Ellen continues: “People with unstable angina, a recent heart attack or severe aortic stenosis should avoid using a sauna unless their treating clinician has confirmed it is safe. People with unstable or poorly controlled cardiovascular conditions, including worsening heart failure or poorly controlled high blood pressure, should also seek medical advice before using one.

“Having well-controlled high blood pressure does not automatically rule out sauna use. However, people who have low blood pressure or are prone to fainting need particular caution, because the heat can make dizziness and fainting more likely.

Pregnancy also requires additional caution, Dr Ellen explains, as there is limited research on sauna use during pregnancy, and overheating, dehydration and fainting are the main concerns, particularly during the first 12 weeks.

She continues: “Medication also matters, as diuretics and some blood-pressure medicines can increase vulnerability to dehydration or dizziness. A pharmacist or prescribing clinician can advise; people should not stop medication to use a sauna.

“I’d recommend avoiding alcohol before using a sauna, drinking water and keeping sessions brief, particularly if you are unfamiliar with saunas. There is no benefit in forcing yourself to stay until a timer runs out. Leave immediately if you feel dizzy, sick or unwell, and cool down gradually.

“On holiday, factors like a hot climate, a long walk or workout, alcohol, vomiting and diarrhoea can leave us all less able to tolerate additional heat. Sweating in a sauna adds to this fluid loss, potentially causing headaches, nausea, weakness, dizziness or fainting, so it's important to make sure you’re taking precautions when using a sauna, as severe overheating can become a medical emergency.”