1–2–3 Sauna!
21.05.2025
Photo: (c) Julia Kivelä and Visit Jyväskylä Region
Sauna is now hotter than ever, thanks to Finnish band KAJ that represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with their catchy song Bara Bada Bastu or ”just take a sauna bath”. There are about 140,000 saunas in the Jyväskylä Region, which makes it the Sauna Region of the World. The region is also the top summer destination for Finns, and when Finns relax, they bathe in a sauna midst the beautiful lakeside view. In this blog, we have gathered you the true gems of Finnish sauna, stretching from Once in a Lifetime experiences to traditional smoke saunas and relaxing treatments. And when the sauna gets too hot for you, enjoy other remarkable destinations of the region.
Take the time and will to experience destinations at your own pace. This is not a guided trip, so you can drive where and when you want to. Visit one, two or as many destinations as you like. Experience the freedom of travel by Avis e-Car Adventures.
1. Sauna Village, Jämsä
Located along the waterfront of Lake Päijänne, the Sauna Village offers a genuine sauna experience and a journey into the history of Finnish sauna spanning over hundreds of years. Just over five minutes’ drive away from Himos Ski Centre, the Sauna Village provides visitors with an opportunity to become acquainted with the most extensive collection of Finnish smoke saunas. Come to the Sauna Village to find out what the sauna from Moskuvaara looks like, to test the traditional smoke sauna from Virpiö, or to experience how many sauna bathers can fit in a smoke sauna built by Klaus Kerttula in 1909. Or would you rather fancy a rose or tar scented theme sauna? https://www.himosjamsa.fi/en/saunavillage/
Other places to see: Finland is renowned for its thousands of lakes, so why not explore its nature from the water surface. Rent a canoe or kayak and set off to glide across the blue, glimmering lake surface, either alone or on a guided tour. Paddling quietly will get you closer to nature and its fauna. https://www.himosjamsa.fi/en/activities/summer-activities/paddling/
2. Hideaway Glamping, Muurame
You think that camping is not for you? Try glamorous camping or glamping instead! Hideaway Glamping offers a great opportunity to relax in privacy, yet near to interesting places to visit. Here less is more! The Hideaway Glamping is the place for couples and friends who appreciate nature, want to create wonderful memories and experience Finnish hospitality. Top off your glamping experience with a relaxing peat treatment and massage in the sauna. https://hideawayglamping.com/en/
Other places to see: If you are a fan of Finnish architecture, stop your car after 20 minutes’ drive at Säynätsalo Town Hall, designed by the legendary architect Alvar Aalto. Constructed between 1949 and 1952, the Town Hall is among Alvar Aalto’s most significant works. It holds a special status in the history of twentieth-century architecture. https://tavolobianco.com/en_US
3. Bathing and activities at Varjola Resort
The Varjola farm in Laukaa has been cultivating land and raising livestock for five generations. Now you can also enjoy the traditional Finnish countryside with various sauna and activity packages. Stay at the idyllic Riihihuvila, enjoy the steam in the smoke sauna and combine your stay with activities, like ziplining or an e-fat bike ride. You can also buy a backpack of delicious picnic snacks and head for a nice stroll in the Finnish nature. https://www.varjola.com/en/summer-pampering-vacation-package
Other places to see: If you're looking for pampering rather than activities, combine your sauna holiday with a pampering package with sparkling wine and delicious meals. https://www.varjola.com/en/summer-pampering-vacation-package
4. Igloo Sauna at Revontuli Resort
Revontuli Resort at Hankasalmi offers relaxing experiences in the middle of nature. You can even get close to nature in a sauna –the glass-walled igloo sauna lets you admire the sunset from the warmth of the sauna or from the outdoor jacuzzi. The destination also has sauna evenings open to everyone and larger saunas for rent for groups or holiday parties. If you wish, you can also continue the igloo theme by staying overnight in a glass igloo. https://www.revontuli.fi/en/finnish-sauna/
Other places to see: Finnish summer is all about old-fashioned ballroom dances on an outdoor dance floor by a lake. Here you can still hear an accordion playing spicy tango or romantic waltz. Join the feeling and get charmed by this Finnish summer tradition or test your dancing skills in practice. Revontuli Resort organizes joint packages with the nearby Hanga Dance Stage during the summer. https://www.revontuli.fi/en/entertaiment/
5. Smoke sauna at Kinkamon Pirtti
Finns have been warming in a sauna for thousands of years. One of the oldest versions is a smoke sauna which must be heated first for hours with skill before you can enjoy the soft, relaxing warmth. Afterwards, cool down by a lake in the evening sun, when you can only hear birds chirping and waves rippling. Kinkamon Pirtti in Keuruu invites you to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature all year round. In summertime, you can even spend the night in the lap of nature in a Tentsile treehouse, a “floating” tent stretched between the trees. https://kinkamonpirtti.fi/en_US/sauna/smoke-sauna-shift-3
Other places to see: Hop in your car and drive 10 minutes to the center of Keuruu. Here you can head out in to the open lake on the paddle wheel ship S/S Elias Lönnrot. Pay also a visit to the charming wooden houses of Old Keuruu, the oldest of which date back to the 19th century. https://www.visitkeuruu.fi/en/service/paddlewheeler-elias-lonnrot/
6. Ilmatar – sauna in an airplane
Sauna in an airplane? Oh yes! This destination is perfect for airplane enthusiasts, those looking for a Once in a lifetime experience or for travel nostalgy. The 35-seat SAAB 340B plane was auctioned in 2022, after which it started a new life as a sauna hotel in Uurainen. After sauna, book yourself a place to sleep in the cockpit and admire the starry sky from the plane's windows. https://ilmatarlodge.fi/en/
Other places to see: For aircraft enthusiast, the trip won’t be complete without the Finnish Aviation Museum, a twenty-minute drive away in Tikkakoski. The museum displays the history of passenger, recreational and military aviation, including around 70 aircraft and a wealth of aviation-related objects. The museum also has several different flight simulators, where you can imagine yourself at the controls of a passenger plane or a Draken fighter plane. https://ilmailumuseo.fi/en/nayttelyt/
7. Hut sauna at Kultaranta
Kultaranta Manor is located on the shore of Summanen, a crater lake formed by a meteorite impact. At Kultaranta, you can enjoy the soft steam of a wood-fired hut sauna or an old-fashioned smoke sauna, relax in a hot tub surrounded by nature, or dip your toes in the sand on the manor's own sandy beach. The property also offers accommodation options. https://kartanokultaranta.fi/en/saunas-and-huts/
Other places to see: The rugged nature in Jyväskylä Region charmed Finland’s national poet J.L. Runeberg in the 19th century, so we bet it will charm you, too. Go for a hike to Julmat Lammit area (literally, the Cruel Ponds) and see the ravine lakes, rocky cliffs and the same wilderness where young Runeberg hiked and wrote his immemorial poems! The three-kilometer hiking trail has a roofed campfire place, a viewing platform and a beach. https://www.visitsaarijarvi.fi/en-what-to-do/en-julmat-lammit/
8. World of saunas at Peurunka
Peurunka Spa in Laukaa invites you for some relaxation and good time. You can choose your favorite option from their wide collection of saunas. Maybe you want to spend time with a group of friends in a barrel sauna and jacuzzis with a lake view? Or are you more attracted by the hazy atmosphere of a traditional smoke sauna and the softest steam baths?https://peurunka.fi/en/experience-peurunka/saunas/
Other places to see: If feel relaxed enough and want some watery action, start your day at Peurunka Spa's water park, where you will find two activity areas of different levels. Here you can swim, climb, balance and overcome various obstacles. https://peurunka.fi/en/spa/
Tailor you own tour in Finland! Pick one or many of these lovely authentic sauna destinations and book your rental car at https://www.avis.fi/en/
If you start your drive at Helsinki Airport, we recommend you the following tour:
- From the airport, follow signs to Lahti (E75), after Lahti, turn to road 24 towards Jämsä and the Sauna Village (Pataniemi 420, 42100 Jämsä).
- For the second night, continue north-east on road E63 towards Muurame and Hideaway Glamping (Syväsalmentie 214, 40950 Muurame).
- For the third day and night, follow signs to Jyväskylä and then Laukaa. Continue north-east on road 637 to Varjola (Vilppulantie 51, 41370 Kuusa)
- Spend your fourth night at igloo at Revontuli Resort (Revontulentie 1, 41500 Hankasalmi).
- You can combine other activities in Middle Finland (see more hints in our blog at https://autotarpeeseen.net/en/autotarpeesen-english-blog or at https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/) or take roads E63 and E75 south and back to Helsinki.
Alternatively, you can visit enchanting sauna destinations north of Jyväskylä as follows:
- Start your journey in Jyväskylä and head west on road 18 towards Keuruu and Kinkamon Pirtti (Kinkamontie 80, 42700 Keuruu).
- For your second day and night, continue north-east to Ilmatar aircraft sauna and accommodation in Uurainen (Hiirolantie 640b, 41230 Uurainen)
- For third day and night, head north on road 6304 to Kultaranta Manor (Kivikirveentie 10, Saarijärvi).
- Spend your fourth sauna day and night at Peurunka Spa (Peurungantie 85, 41340 Laukaa).
- Next, you can head back to Jyväskylä or combine other destinations to your sauna tour. See more hints at our blog https://autotarpeeseen.net/en/autotarpeesen-english-blog or at https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/).
Please note! This is an example of roadtrip in Jyväskylä Region. No preliminary bookings have been made – you are requested to contact the service providers yourself for appropriate days. Avis is not responsible for any changes in the offering of other service providers.
For e-car and other car rentals, please contact www.avis.fi/en
More information on our e-car fleet and driving an e-car, please visit also https://one.avisworld.com/en_GB/Avis-ecaradventures/
This themed roadtrip has been set up in cooperation with Visit Jyväskylä Region. More information on the region is available at: https://visitjyvaskyla.fi/en/
Photos (c): Visit Jyväskylä Region / Juuso Asikainen, Valtteri Vainio, Julia Kivelä, Omar El Mrabt and Julie Weien Forøy
