First time in a sauna?

A visit has several rounds. One round has three steps: heat, cool down, rest. Usually that is 2–3 rounds, and in each you stay in the sauna for a few to about fifteen minutes. Beginners should start shorter and leave as soon as they feel they have had enough.

1. Shower and dry your body well before you go in.
2. In the sauna: sit or lie on your towel and breathe calmly.
3. Cool down: a cool shower, fresh air or a cold plunge pool — enter gradually, do not jump straight in.
4. Rest: a quarter of an hour on a lounger, a glass of water. Only then the next round.

Rest matters as much as heat. Nobody is checking how long you last.

Aufguss (pronounced “OWF-goose”, German for “infusion”) is a ceremony led by a sauna master. The master pours scented water over the stones and then fans the hot air around the whole cabin with a towel so that a wave of heat reaches everyone.

• A ceremony usually lasts around a quarter of an hour. The facility gives the exact time and theme (classic, herbal, scrub, a show with music).
• Arrive a few minutes early. Once the ceremony starts, the door is usually kept shut so the heat does not escape.
• If you feel unwell, leave — your health matters more than the ceremony. Do it calmly and quietly.
• In a facility’s session plan in SaunaPlanet, look for the theme “For beginners”.

• two large towels: one to sit and lie on in the sauna, one to dry off (some facilities rent them — check the facility page),
• flip-flops or sandals, and a robe or a large towel for breaks,
• a bottle of water,
• swimwear if the sauna is textile or the facility has pools,
• shower products and a hair tie.

Take off jewellery and your watch — metal gets very hot. Leave your phone in the changing room.

In a textile sauna you wear swimwear. In a textile-free sauna (German “FKK”, “textilfrei”) you go without: wrapped in a towel up to the door, then sitting or lying on a towel in the cabin. This is ordinary practice in many European countries.

The facility sets the rules. There may be textile and textile-free areas side by side, or themed days. You will find it on the facility page in SaunaPlanet (textile or textile-free area) and at the entrance. Not sure? Ask the staff.

• Look people in the eye, not at their bodies.
• Do not take photos in the sauna area.
• If you do not feel comfortable, choose a textile sauna or a quieter time. That is perfectly fine.

1. Quiet: whisper, or do not talk at all.
2. Towel under your whole body, feet included — skin should not touch the wood.
3. Wash before you go in, with no lotion or oil on your skin.
4. Never pour water on the stones yourself — the sauna master or staff do that.
5. Enter and leave quickly and calmly so the heat does not escape.
6. Between rounds cool down and rest, and drink water on the way.

A sauna puts real strain on your body. These are general tips, not medical advice.

See a doctor before your first visit if you have heart or circulatory disease, high or low blood pressure, epilepsy, you are pregnant, you take regular medication or you have other chronic conditions.

• Do not go in with a fever or an infection, after alcohol, after a large meal or when you are very tired.
• Leave at once if you feel dizzy, sick, your heart races or you are uncomfortable. Sit somewhere cooler and drink some water.
• The facility sets the rules for children (age, supervision).

1. Open this weekend's events (you can switch the Weekend filter to Today or Tomorrow). Turn on “Near me” to see the closest ones.
2. Look for relaxation, herbal or classic ceremonies — they are usually calmer than show ones.
3. Check the facility: photos, reviews, hours, prices and whether its saunas are textile or textile-free.
4. Get to know the sauna master: profile and specialities. If you like, follow them to get an e-mail about their next events.
5. Register for the event. Registration reserves your spot for free and is not a ticket — see how it works.

A question? Write to us.