The Finnish sauna is experiencing remarkable global growth, combining authenticity, natural methods for recovery and relaxation, and meaningful rituals that bring balance to daily life. At the heart of this movement is Sauna from Finland, the world's leading network dedicated to authentic Finnish sauna experiences. It brings together over 250 companies and organisations from the sauna, wellness, hospitality and tourism sectors, representing 21 different countries.

Sauna from Finland: leading the way in authentic Finnish sauna

Its mission: to create the world's best sauna experiences and enable authentic Finnish sauna expertise to reach new international markets. It also serves as a meeting point for professionals developing spas, hotels, wellness destinations and new sauna concepts, and for companies that excel in creating high-quality sauna experiences. This international momentum was also reflected at the World Sauna Forum 2026 in Jyväskylä, which highlighted new opportunities and perspectives for the pool, spa and sauna industry.

What creates an authentic Finnish sauna experience?

In its simplest form, the Finnish sauna relies on three timeless elements: wood, water and fire. Wood connects us to nature and sets the sauna's atmosphere. Fire generates the heat. Water, upon contact with hot stones, creates "löyly" - the unique steam and sensation of the multisensory Finnish sauna experience.

However, for Sauna from Finland, a truly great sauna should be experienced as a holistic journey, encompassing the moments before, during and after the session. This is the heart of its "Authentic Finnish Sauna Experience" quality concept.

This experience is built around authenticity, a multisensory experience, presence and relaxation, wellbeing and health, hot and cold contrast, cleanliness, safety and responsibility. Together, these elements extend the sauna experience far beyond the heat itself.

Wellbeing relies not only on heat but also on recovery and thermal contrasts. Cooling down in fresh air, taking a cold plunge or taking a dip in a lake is a natural part of the Finnish sauna rhythm and contributes to the overall experience. The environment itself also plays an important role, helping users slow down, disconnect from everyday distractions and focus on the present moment.

At the same time, cleanliness, safety and responsibility form the foundation of an experience of genuine relaxation and trust. That is what makes the Finnish sauna unique.

As Sauna from Finland puts it, wood, water and fire create the sauna - but the experience is created by everything around them. The combination of löyly, nature, contrast, simplicity, presence and wellbeing is also helping Finnish sauna culture gain increasing relevance within the international wellness market.

Löyly, the steam created by pouring water over hot sauna stones, is at the heart of the authentic Finnish sauna experience

Sauna from Finland will bring this expertise to interbad 2026 in Stuttgart. Visitors to the "Finnish Sauna Lounge" will be able to discover the principles behind the authentic Finnish sauna experience and meet member companies representing Finnish expertise, products and innovation.

For professionals developing spas, hotels, wellness destinations or new sauna concepts, the lounge will also provide an opportunity to meet specialists and explore how authentic Finnish sauna principles can be integrated into future projects. Visit Sauna from Finland at the Finnish Sauna Lounge, Stand 1B51, during interbad 2026.