Link to original: https://saunologia.fi/how-to-visit-sauna-village/
Author: Lassi A. Liikkanen
Sauna Village, Saunakylä in Finnish, is a unique smoke sauna destination in Juokslahti, Jämsä municipality in Finland, 40 km from the city of Jyväskylä. This historical site hosts tens of old smoke saunas renovated and maintained by a volunteer association. During the summer season, one can visit the site on Saturday evening and enjoy about ten smoke saunas. Here’s how to do that.
Why visit Sauna village?
Sauna village is the only place in the world where you can experience multiple, different historical smoke saunas at once and get a feeling how the sauna experience was like in the 19th and early 20th century Finland.
You can also take your smoke sauna experience further by joining the group of volunteers early in the morning to partake in the process of heating a sauna. At times, there are also opportunities to participate in sauna construction and renovation. Where else could you learn about smoke saunas so thoroughly?
How to get there
The address for Sauna village is Pataniemi 420, 42100 Jämsä (Google Maps ).
The easiest solution to get there is by a car. There is a free, spacious parking lot. You can park there with a camper although there are no caravan services such as electricity available.
Opening times is usually from 4pm to 8pm on Saturdays, from June to September. There are some exceptions, please check the Facebook page for the latest info.
Closest public transportation stop is at Jämsä center, some 13 km (8 miles) south from Sauna Village.
What to pack for Sauna village
Sauna village is best for the well prepared. Because the site is run by volunteers, it does not provide all imaginable modern conveniences. Your experience is greatly enhanced by bringing the following items with you. I have a list of required and recommended equipment:
Required
- Payment method (cash in euros, credit/debit, Apple Pay, Google Wallet)
- Swimming suit (black or dark is preferred due to soot risk)
- Bathing towel
- Flip flops (any water tolerant slip-on footwear)
Recommended
- Water bottle
- Towel to sit on
- Bath robe (during colder weather)
- Sauna hat
- Personal soap or shampoo
- Special diet food and snack (vegan, gluten free etc.)
- Any special utensils required for food
What’s provided by the village
You can expect to find drinkable water, basic washing supplies like soap and shampoo as well as a lit fire pit.
The kiosk selling admission tickets also offers coffee, soft drinks and some sweet and salty snacks. There is excellent Saunakylä sausage available too in three flavors. However, people with vegetarian/vegan or other special diets should bring their own snacks.
How to explore Sauna village
Four steps you are expected to take once you get there:
- Pay the admission.
- Wear a swimming suit.
- Enjoy the saunas.
- Wash yourself clean from remaining soot.
- Feel good and have a good night’s sleep.
If in doubt, ask from other visitors or the staff. English is usually well understood.
Watch the drone video from 2022 to get a feeling of the area (Youtube link)
Sauna Village operates on the principles of trust and mutual respect. You are expected to pay the admission free (10€ for each adult at the time of writing) at the small kiosk next to the parking lot when you enter. Then you are free to roam the saunas for the rest of the evening.
Your first stop should be at the dressing rooms unless you already donned the mandatory swimming suit or sauna suit at home. Men and women have their dedicated sections with few lockers with an actual lock. You may want to store your valuables in your car if all the lockers are already taken even thou Sauna village should be considered a safe space.
After suiting up you can visit any sauna or other exhibit building. Not all of the saunas are ready to use or available on every Saturday.
The basic etiquette is that you can go inside any sauna when it has finished the heating process. There is usually a wooden sign with the text “Avoinna” (Open in Finnish) next to the door. The seating in the saunas is limited to maximum 10 people, usually only four or five. Queue in front the door. Don’t rush in or out.
There are no rules carved in stone, observe whatever people do, and follow good example. For instance, you can wear flip flops into sauna, but please rinse them at the basin at the door step to avoid carrying sand or mud into the sauna.
In the Finnish sauna custom, it’s allowed for everyone to create löyly (steam) by pouring water on the stones. There is a big bucket of water somewhere next to the benches.
Take breaks, dip in the lake, and drink a lot of water. When you will you’ve had enough, wash up to get rid of black soot marks on your skin.
Due to the nature of smoke saunas, not all saunas will be hot all through the evening. Smoke saunas will be hottest at the opening time. By 7pm, some of the saunas will run out of steam for the day. The biggest sauna Virpiö will usually serve you the best until the closing time.
Enjoy!
Author is a member of Suomen Saunakulttuuri association, which manages the Saunakylä
