Finns love the sauna, and our unique sauna culture has even made it to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Your accommodation may have its own sauna, but you can also try different kinds of saunas and related treatments.
Sauna is a holiday must!
In Kuusamo, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy saunas in a range of different and unique locations. Almost all cottages have conventional electric saunas or even a sauna with a wood-burning stove; however, with us you’ll get to enjoy the gentle heat of a smoke sauna, an exotic tent sauna, ice sauna, sauna raft or even a sauna bus!
Sauna can be combined with other activities. A snowmobile safari can end in an exotic wilderness camp and a smoke sauna, or different wellness and beauty services can be booked in connection with enjoying a sauna. You can relax in a sauna and enjoy a refreshing swim and a delicious snack and drink made of pure, local ingredients.
Kuusamo offers sauna experiences for every day of the week. And each sauna has a story of its own, which makes it unique. Five saunas in Kuusamo operate under the name Saunatour – Wellbeing in Wilderness: Isokenkäisten Klubi, Pohjolan Pirtti, Rukan Salonki, Pyhäpiilo and Ruka Safaris’ Iisakki Village.
These saunas are also quality certified: the Authentic Finnish Sauna Experience quality label is granted to companies with sauna services that have passed strict quality criteria and are top quality.
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Health from cold water swimming
Opportunities for cold water swimming in Ruka area (with advance booking unless otherwise stated below):
Talvijärvi - Rukatonttu (no pre-bookings needed)
Top of Ruka Ski Resort - cold pool BASE Eat & Heat
Salonkijärvi - Rukan Salonki
Rukajärvi - Ruka Safaris/Iisakki Village
Pyhäjärvi - Pyhäpiilo
Opportunities for cold water swimming elsewhere in Kuusamo (with advance booking unless otherwise stated below):
Petäjälampi - Kuusamon Latu & Polku/Kuusamon Tropiikki (no pre-bookings needed, information in Finnish only)
Heikinjärvi - Isokenkäisten Klubi
Ruka-Kuusamo’s beaches
Official beaches are located at Kuusamo centre on Lake Kuusamojärvi on Kela beach, Pieni Helilampi, Petäjälampi (Kuusamon Tropiikki) and Tolpanniemi. In addition, there is an official beach in Käylä.
Talvijärvi has a sandy beach maintained by Hotel Rukatonttu. There's also a sandy beach along Talvijärventie maintained by Matkailumaja Heikkala (enclosed due to reindeer, free of use for all guests in the area). In addition, Basecamp Oulanka has a nice beach by lake Ala-Juumajärvi at Juuma near Oulanka National Park.
Sauna and swimming services:
Adventure Apes
BASE Eat & Heat
Basecamp Oulanka
Holiday Club Kuusamon Tropiikki Spa and treatments
Hostel Aurora
Hotel Rukatonttu
Iisakki Village Accommodation
Isokenkäisten Klubi
MyTrail MunPolku
Oivanki Outdoor Ecucation Centre
Pohjolan Pirtti & Kievari
Ruka Adventures
Ruka Peak - Boutique Hotel
Ruka Safaris
Rukan Salonki hitec smoke sauna
Rukan Salonki Resort
Rukapalvelu | Tailored Adventures