Sauna etiquette in Sweden
Updated 16 October 2026 · All facts from each sauna’s own website
Going to a sauna in Sweden for the first time? It is easy and relaxed. Shower first, sit on a towel, ask before you throw water on the stones, and cool down in cold water between rounds. Here is everything you need to know, from what to wear to the Swedish words you will hear.
Before the sauna
- Shower and dry yourself. A dry body warms up faster.
- Take off jewellery and watches. Metal gets very hot.
- Bring a towel to sit on, swimwear, sandals and water to drink.
- Do not eat a big meal or drink alcohol just before.
What to wear
It depends on the sauna. In mixed saunas, where women and men are together, you wear swimwear. In saunas only for women or only for men, many people go naked, but swimwear is usually fine too. The sauna’s own website tells you the rules. Whatever you wear, always sit or lie on a towel.
In the sauna
- Say hello when you come in. A quiet “hej” is enough.
- Choose your heat. The higher benches are hotter. Start low if you are new.
- Ask before you throw water on the stones. In Swedish this is called att slå på. A simple “Får jag slå på?” (May I add water?) is polite.
- Keep your voice low, and leave your phone outside. Never take photos of other people.
- Leave when you want. 8–15 minutes is normal, but there is no rule. Listen to your body.
At a sauna show (aufguss), a sauna master adds water with scents and moves the hot air with a towel. Come on time and stay for the whole round if you can.
Cooling down
The best part: rinse off, then cool down in a cold shower, a cold pool, or the lake or the sea. Go in slowly and stay a short time – in winter a few seconds is enough. Then rest, drink water, and go back into the sauna. Many people do two or three rounds. Read more in Winter swimming and sauna in Stockholm.
Swedish sauna words
| Swedish | English |
|---|---|
| bastu | sauna |
| lave | sauna bench |
| aggregat / kamin | sauna stove (electric / wood) |
| slå på | throw water on the stones |
| bastuskopa | sauna ladle |
| kallbad / doppa sig | cold bath / take a dip |
| isvak | hole in the ice |
| dambastu / herrbastu / mixad | women only / men only / mixed |
Find a sauna
We list 77 saunas in Stockholm County. Start with the public saunas, where you pay per person, or compare prices in Sauna prices in Stockholm.
Questions and answers
Should I shower before the sauna?
Yes. Shower and dry yourself before you go in. A dry body gets warm faster, and it keeps the sauna clean for everyone.
What should I wear in a Swedish sauna?
In mixed saunas, wear swimwear. In saunas only for women or only for men, many people go naked, but swimwear is usually fine too. Always sit on a towel.
Is it better to sit or lie down?
Sit, if the sauna is busy, so there is space for everyone. If you are alone or with your own group, you can lie down. The higher bench is hotter.
What should I not do in a sauna?
Do not throw water on the stones without asking, do not talk loudly on the phone, do not take photos of other people, and do not drink alcohol before the sauna or a swim.