Tampere – The Sauna Capital of the World
The story of how Tampere became the center of Finnish sauna culture.
Official Status
Tampere received the official title of "Sauna Capital of the World" in 2018. This recognition was granted by the International Sauna Association (ISA) and the Finnish Sauna Society. It is not just a slogan, but based on the city's exceptionally wide and high-quality range of saunas.
Cradle of Public Saunas
Tampere has the most public saunas in Finland. There are over 60 saunas open to the public in the region, ranging from traditional neighborhood saunas to modern lakeside complexes. This density is unique even on a Finnish scale.
Historical Heritage
The heart of the city's sauna culture is the Rajaportti Sauna in Pispala, which is the oldest still-operating public sauna in Finland. Opened in 1906, it still offers gentle steams in its original form and is living proof of Tampere's long sauna history.
Community and Culture
In Tampere, sauna bathing is a social event that brings people together regardless of background. In the steam room, everyone is equal. In 2020, Finnish sauna culture was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and Tampere is a strong guardian of this heritage.