Visitors walking past Uusi Sauna for the first time often mistake it for a bar, because from the street that is what it is. The saunas are behind it, and the two halves of the building work as one place.
The format revives the korttelisauna, the block sauna that once served whole neighbourhoods, and reviewers who know that history say so explicitly. What is new is the beer list, the food, and the fact that people sit in the front room in robes.
It sits near the ferry terminals in Jätkäsaari, and a noticeable share of the reviews come from travellers who dropped in on a layover and stayed longer than planned. The directory lists it among the public saunas in Helsinki.
What saunas are there at Uusi Sauna?
Three saunas. A men’s and a women’s room, both wood-fired, where visitors go naked; and a mixed sauna where swimwear is required. Guests move between them freely during a session, and reviewers describe the mixed room as the hottest.
The löyly draws the strongest praise in the corpus. Reviewers describe it as smooth, even and long-lasting, crediting a large stove that heats the room consistently rather than in bursts. Several who had visited every notable sauna in the city rank this one first for steam quality. Another wood-fired public sauna in the city, Kotiharjun Sauna, is reviewed separately.
Beside the mixed sauna sits a small cold plunge, reported at single-digit temperatures. There is also an enclosed courtyard, walled and open to the sky, which in winter cools visitors faster than the plunge does. Reviewers consistently describe the courtyard rather than the pool as the best part of the loop.
What is the bar side like?
A full craft beer selection on tap and in cans, and food that reviewers rate on its own terms rather than as sauna fare. The sauna sausage comes up repeatedly, usually from people who expected less of it.
Drinks can be taken through into the sauna area, and the front room fills with people eating in towels and robes. There is live music and a DJ on some evenings, and pets are allowed.
The mixed area attracts couples and families; the single-sex rooms run quieter. Several reviewers note working on laptops in the bar before or after a session, which gives a fair sense of how informal the place is.
What should visitors know before going?
Bring flip-flops. Floors are wet throughout and the shared areas are walked barefoot otherwise — the most repeated practical tip in the set. Lockers are self-service and free.
Bring a towel unless you want to pay the rental fee, which several reviewers flag as an irritation on top of the entry price. Seat covers and body wash are provided at no charge, and robes can be rented.
The one recurring complaint is smell: a handful of reviewers over different visits report an unpleasant odour in parts of the building, alongside many who describe it as spotless. One visitor suggested posted guidance on how much water to throw, having watched other guests overdo it.
Directory details
Plan your visit
Uusi Sauna · Välimerenkatu 10, Jätkäsaari, 00220 Helsinki. Three saunas: men’s, women’s and mixed · Swimwear required in the mixed sauna · Bar and kitchen on site. Use the live listing card and map on this page for the current rating, review count and route link.
Open the full sauna listingPractical answers
Frequently asked questions
How many saunas are there at Uusi Sauna?
Three: separate men’s and women’s saunas where visitors go naked, and a mixed sauna where swimwear is required.
Is there a cold plunge?
Yes, a small plunge pool beside the mixed sauna at single-digit temperatures. Many visitors prefer the walled courtyard for cooling, particularly in winter.
Can drinks be taken into the sauna area?
Yes. The bar and sauna operate as one venue and visitors move between them, with the front room used for eating and drinking between rounds.
Is a towel included?
No. Towels and robes are rented separately, which several reviewers note on top of the entry fee. Seat covers and body wash are provided free.
Are pets allowed?
Reviewers report that pets are permitted in the bar area.
Location
Find Uusi Sauna on the map
Check the location and open directions before you set out.