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Tallinn Saunas

Saunas are definitely part of the Estonian culture, an important health ritual and an unbeatable way to keep warm and spend a few hours relaxing…plus it’s one of the best cures for hangovers we have found.

The Estonian saun has been practiced for centuries and is part of the Estonian way of life. If you’re a first-time visitor to Tallinn, or just someone who’s curious about this important part of Estonian life, you’ll definitely want to make at least one sauna stop while you’re here. If you’re not up with your sauna etiquette, then we’ve provided some tips below to help you get more out of the experience.

A guide to saunas

Don’t be shameful: Get naked and let the world see. No matter what you look like, saunas are a social experience where everyone’s in the same boat [or sauna]. There are single sex or mixed groups which means that you might be sharing with your grandma but sit back, relax and enjoy.

Be prepared: Always bring a towel as the benches get really hot. Remember that the higher bench you choose the hotter it’ll be and the Estonians like it hot, so be aware.

Watering down: Pouring water on the stones makes it hotter so don’t go crazy but once your good and sweaty it’s time to take out the birch and give yourself a good whipping. Just gently swat your back, torso and limbs and this kind of massage will increase your circulation and make you perspire more, getting rid of all those nasty toxins.

Limit your time: Ten minutes is normally enough for anyone, so now you’re ready for either a dip in the freezing lake or snow or if this isn’t available, a nice cold shower.

saunas in Tallinn

Beer House: [Dunkri 5, 627 65 20] The Old Town beer house/nightclub is also home to some cosy, private saunas. The small sauna costs 300kr/hr, the large sauna with Jacuzzi is 600kr/hr. Open 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 02:00.

Club 26: [in Reval Hotel Olümpia Liivalaia 33, 631 55 85] A health club on the 26th floor with fantastic, bird’s-eye views of the city. 300kr/hr until 15:00, 600kr/hr after. Open 06:30 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 07:30 - 23:00.

Domina City Hotel: [Vana-Posti 11/13, 681 39 00] A 10-person sauna, tastefully decorated and comes with such amenities as a 6-person Jacuzzi, a refrigerator, and cable TV. Hotel guests pay 400kr/hr, others pay 500kr/hr.

Domina Ilmarine Hotel: [Põhja pst. 23, tel. 614 09 00] A large, luxury sauna in the Domina Ilmarine Hotel is divided into two floors and includes a Jacuzzi and a cosy sitting room with wooden beams and a fireplace. 350kr/hr for hotel guests, 500kr/hr for others.

Kalma: [Vana-Kalamaja 9a, 627 18 11] Tallinn’s oldest public bath with men’s and women’s baths as well as private saunas for rent. Men 65 - 90kr/person, women 55 - 75kr/person. Open 10:00 - 23:00.

Meriton Grand Hotel: [Toompuiestee 27, 667 70 00] You can pick from a special ‘sauna menu’ including fruit plates, cheese plate, meat plate and fish plate – nothing like a good plate. 2 hours costs 500kr; after 17:00, 800kr.

Old Town Maestro’s: [Suur-Karja 10, 626 20 00] This Old Town hotel has built a very cool sauna area on its top floor, which includes a lounge and a fairly large Jacuzzi. Experiece spectacular views of Toompea hill. 500kr/hour.