Tallinn’s sauna scene is where old-world tradition meets modern spa luxury. In Estonia’s capital, you can sweat it out in nearly century-old bathhouses or unwind in sleek rooftop spas with skyline views. Below we count down ten of the best public saunas in Tallinn – from rustic wood-fired sanctuaries to contemporary sauna parks – each offering a unique way to experience the Estonian leil (steam). Grab a towel and get ready for a tour of Tallinn’s hottest spots!
1. Tallinn Sauna (Tartu Maantee 73)
Estonia’s Oldest Sauna House – Since 1882
Tallinn Sauna – also known as Tallinna Saun or Tartu maantee saun – is believed to be the oldest public sauna still operating in Europe. Built in 1882, this elegant bathhouse opposite the main bus station preserves its historic charm with brick-vaulted ceilings and vintage crown light fixtures. It offers separate men’s and women’s sections, each with a traditional steam sauna (wood-fired) and washroom facilities. Locals love the no-frills authenticity: donning a seat cover, tossing water on the gas-heated stove, and chatting with neighbors just as Tallinn residents have for over 140 years. Don’t be shy – pick up a birch whisk (viht or vasta) sold on-site and give yourself a gentle leafy massage to complete the experience. After a good sweat, you can cool off in the shower and grab a kvas or beer from the lobby kiosk. It’s a time capsule of Estonian sauna culture right in the city center.
- Address: Tartu mnt 73, Tallinn (City Centre)
- Opening hours: Mon–Tue & Thu–Sun 10:00–21:00 (Men daily except Wed; Women on Mon, Fri, Sun). Closed on Wednesdays for maintenance.
- Price: ~€12 for a 2-hour public session (pensioner and child discounts available).
- Features: Historic 19th-century building, gas and wood-fired stoves, separate male/female saunas, on-site snacks/drinks and sauna whisks for sale.
2. Raua Saun
Community Classic with a Modern Twist
Raua Saun is a Tallinn legend that’s been steaming since 1936. Recently renovated, this city-run public sauna in the Kadriorg neighborhood combines old-school communal bathing with clean, updated facilities. Inside you’ll find a spacious electric-heated sauna and a Turkish-style steam room, plus rows of showers and the classic sitting benches with buckets for self-dousing. Men and women have separate sauna areas, each operating daily from late morning to evening. Raua Saun is beloved for being affordable and unpretentious – entry is only around €8–10 for a two-hour session, making it easy on the wallet. Regulars (from grandpas to young families) come here to unwind, chat, and keep the sauna tradition alive in the city. For added flair, Raua sells aromatic sauna whisks on-site – you can choose birch, eucalyptus or even red oak branches to liven up your steam session. After sweating it out, step into the attached Café Fe (named after the chemical symbol for iron, a pun on “Raua” which means iron in Estonian). There you can sip a cold beer or hot tea while you cool down. Raua Saun offers an authentic neighborhood sauna experience with a welcoming atmosphere and a dash of modern comfort.
- Address: Raua 23, Tallinn (Kadriorg area)
- Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–21:00 (public sauna); closed Mondays for cleaning. Separate sections for men and women operate concurrently.
- Price: €8 (weekday) to €10 (weekends) per 2 hours in the public sauna; towel rental available.
- Features: Large electric sauna + steam room, recently upgraded showers & lockers, on-site café Fe for post-sauna refreshments, sauna whisks sold (birch, oak, eucalyptus), friendly local crowd.
3. Kalma Saun
Historic Bathhouse of Kalamaja
Opened in 1928, Kalma Saun is perhaps Tallinn’s most iconic public sauna, tucked in the bohemian Kalamaja district. The building’s dignified Art Deco façade (with Kalma Saun spelled out above the columns) hints at its long pedigree – aside from modern renovations, much of the original atmosphere remains. “Kalma” means grave in Estonian, but fear not – the name actually abbreviates Kalamaja (the neighborhood) and the vibe inside is lively, not grim! Men and women have separate sections here, each open daily (Mon–Fri 11:00–22:00, weekends 10:00–23:00). The men’s sauna is the highlight: it’s wood-fired, providing an intense löyly (steam), and even offers a small cold-water plunge pool to cool down. There’s also a steam room on the men’s side for a gentler heat. The women’s sauna is heated by electric stove – still plenty hot – and women, too, have a tiny pool for a brisk dip between rounds.
Kalma’s interior is old-fashioned and straightforward: expect steamy benches, a communal washing room, and the chatter of regulars. It’s a bit of a social club for some, yet newcomers are welcome (just follow along with the locals’ sauna etiquette). If you need a drink or a snack, a small kiosk in the lobby sells beverages and sauna essentials – you can even buy a sauna beer or a soft drink to enjoy in the resting area. Prices range from about €12 (weekday daytime) up to €18 (weekend evenings) for a public session. For groups, Kalma Saun also rents private rooms (including a larger party sauna with its own pool). Stepping into Kalma is like traveling back in time to the golden age of public bathing, complete with a friendly local crowd and an authentic wood-smoke aroma wafting from the chimney.
- Address: Vana-Kalamaja 9a, Tallinn (Kalamaja)
- Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–22:00; Sat–Sun 10:00–23:00 (separate men’s and women’s sections open daily).
- Price: €12–€18 for a public sauna ticket (2.5 hours) depending on day/time. Discounts for students, seniors, kids; private sauna rental available.
- Features: Wood-fired sauna stove (men’s side), electric sauna (women’s side), steam room, cold plunge pools in both sections, historic Art Deco architecture (built 1928), small bar/kiosk selling drinks, snacks and sauna supplies.
4. Heldeke! Sauna (Theatre-Bar Sauna)
Burlesque, Beer & Steam – A Sauna with a Twist
In the hip Kalamaja district, Heldeke! is a one-of-a-kind venue – by night it’s a vaudeville-style speakeasy and theatre bar, but it also happens to house a delightful little public sauna. If you’re looking for a playful sauna experience, Heldeke delivers with its weekly “Sauna Social” events. Every Wednesday and Sunday evening, the Heldeke sauna is fired up and open to all genders together (unisex). They run two mixed sessions per night (typically 17:30–19:30 and 20:00–22:00), where up to about 10–15 people share the heat. The idea is to recreate the cozy feeling of a home sauna party – except this “home” has a full bar and even a tiny stage! Indeed, Heldeke’s bar opens on sauna nights, serving craft beers, cocktails and soft drinks that you can bring into the sauna lounge (in plastic cups). The sauna itself is electric, kept at ~85 °C, and there’s a cold plunge pool (at a brisk 15 °C) waiting to cool you off between sweat sessions. Don’t worry about what to wear (or not wear) – Heldeke’s mixed sauna is very inclusive. Many go in with swimsuits or towels, while others feel comfortable being nude; all approaches are welcome in this judgement-free zone. Note that the changing area is also unisex, adding to the casual, house-sauna vibe. You’ll often find a friendly crowd of locals and travelers chatting away – sometimes even entertainers from the bar’s shows hop in. It’s social, slightly eccentric, and tons of fun. At just €7.50–€8.50 per person for a 2-hour session (yes, really!), Heldeke might be the best deal in town for combining sauna with nightlife. They also rent the sauna for private groups if you want your own little sauna party. Pro tip: check Heldeke’s calendar for special “Sauna Social” theme nights – occasionally they’ll do a Friday or Saturday sauna event or combine sauna with live music, making this experience even more memorable.
- Address: Tööstuse 13, Tallinn (Kalamaja, near Old Town)
- Opening hours: Public “Sauna Social” sessions every Wed & Sun, two slots at 17:30 and 20:00 (2 hours each). Private bookings available other days.
- Price: €7.50 online (or €8.50 at door) per person per session. Towel rental €3.
- Features: Unisex mixed sauna sessions, 85 °C electric sauna, ~15 °C cold plunge pool, full bar on-site (drinks allowed in sauna area), lively social atmosphere (hosts comedy, burlesque, music events in adjoining bar).
5. The Igloo Saunas at Iglupark
Seaside Sauna Retreat with Modern Flair
For a truly scenic sweat, head to Iglupark in Noblessner – Tallinn’s trendy waterfront quarter – where a cluster of barrel-shaped igloo saunas awaits. Iglupark features five charming igloo-style wooden sauna pods set on a large seaside terrace, just steps from the water. Each iglu (Estonian for “igloo”) sauna can host up to 10 people and is available for private booking, making it perfect for a group of friends or a family looking to relax in a unique setting. The experience here is all about the view and vibe: as you sit in the steamy warmth, you gaze out through the glass door at the Baltic Sea, and between sessions you can lounge on the deck inhaling fresh sea air.
Feeling brave? Take a leap off the terrace for a refreshing swim – yes, Iglupark encourages guests to cool off with a dip, whether it’s a hot summer day or the middle of winter (a ladder provides easy access to the water). The saunas are modern and well-kept, with heated changing rooms and showers included in your rental. Booking is easy and can be done online; you reserve by the hour (with a minimum of 2 hours). The hourly rate is around €55–€60, so roughly €120+ for a two-hour slot – which, split among a group of 8–10, ends up quite reasonable per person. The price includes towels and cleaning, so you can just show up with your swimsuit (or birthday suit – private sauna means you decide the dress code!).
Many groups like to bring their own snacks and drinks, but if you’d rather go out afterward, Noblessner’s cool eateries are at your doorstep. Within a few minutes’ walk you have everything from a Michelin-starred restaurant to casual beer halls, so an Iglupark sauna session can easily turn into a full half-day excursion. There’s something magical about sweating in these cozy igloos, then stepping outside to watch boats bob in the harbor and maybe catching a sunset over the sea. It’s modern Estonian sauna culture at its best – close to nature, design-forward, and just a bit luxurious.
- Address: Kalaranna 8/ Noblessner marina, Tallinn
- Opening hours: Daily, by advance booking. Sauna sessions usually available from morning until late night (check online schedule).
- Price: ~€110–€130 for a 2-hour private sauna rental (up to 10 people). Includes towels and final cleaning.
- Features: Five igloo-shaped saunas (10-person capacity each) on a seaside deck, panoramic sea views, direct sea access for swimming, private booking only (bring your own food/drinks), nearby restaurants and bars in Noblessner.
6. Põhjala Brewery Sauna (at Põhjala Tap Room)
Craft Beer and a Good Steam
What’s more satisfying than an ice-cold craft beer after a hot sauna? Having them in the same place! The renowned Põhjala Brewery – famous for its craft beers – operates a tap room and smokehouse restaurant in Noblessner, and tucked inside is their very own private sauna for guests. Housed in a former submarine factory, Põhjala’s tap room is already a destination for beer lovers, but the addition of a sauna makes it uniquely Estonian. You can rent the Põhjala sauna for your group during the bar’s opening hours, even as late as 2 AM on weekends. The facilities are top-notch: a dark-wood steam room that fits about 6–8 people comfortably, an adjoining shower and washing area, and a cozy lounge room with sofas where you can cool off.
The atmosphere is modern-industrial, in line with the brewery setting – think concrete, steel and stylish lighting, but warmed up by that hot sauna. Põhjala provides water and towels, and you can pre-order beers from downstairs (since wandering the brewery in your sauna attire isn’t practical). Many folks pair a sauna booking with a brewery tour or a hearty BBQ meal from the tap room’s kitchen. In fact, it’s popular for celebrations: birthday sauna parties, after-work gatherings, or even a quirky date night for two. Pricing is around €50 for the first hour and €30 for each additional hour – a fair deal given the quality of the space.
What makes Põhjala’s sauna special is the combination of craft beer culture with sauna culture. You can sweat out your stress, then step out and sip a pint of rich Baltic porter or refreshing IPA literally brewed on-site. Authentic Estonian juniper sauna meet hoppy aromas of a brewery – a true Tallinn experience. Just be sure to stay hydrated with water too! For beer and sauna enthusiasts, it’s hard to imagine a better place to spend an evening.
- Address: Peetri 5, Port Noblessner, Tallinn (Põhjala Tap Room & Brewery)
- Opening hours: Sauna available during tap room hours (Mon–Thu 12:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–02:00; Sun 12:00–20:00). Reservation required.
- Price: €50 for the first hour, +€30 per additional hour (up to 8 people). Includes towel rental.
- Features: Private beer-lover’s sauna inside a brewery, modern 8-person steam sauna with showers and lounge, option to order Põhjala craft beers and food to the sauna, unique industrial-chic setting in historic submarine factory.
7. Mustamäe Elamus Spa
Mega Spa Complex with 22 Saunas
If you’re the type who wants all the sauna options, Mustamäe Elamus Spa is your paradise. Billed as Scandinavia’s (and Estonia’s) largest spa and sauna complex, Elamus Spa boasts an incredible 22 different saunas under one roof. This modern facility, opened in 2018 in a suburban district of Tallinn, is more of a sauna theme park or wellness center than a single sauna. Here you can embark on a global sauna tour: there’s a traditional wood-burning Bath Whisk Sauna (where attendants perform rituals with scented water and whisks), an aroma sauna called the Bridge of Dreams, a low-temperature Mud Sauna for slathering healing mud on your skin, a sizzling Salt Sauna where you can scrub with sea salt, a mystical Japanese Onsen sauna, and many more – each with its own temperature and ambiance. In total, the family-friendly main area has 13 saunas, and the adults-only wing (called SPA21+) adds 9 more saunas exclusively for guests 18 and over. Beyond saunas, Elamus offers multiple pools: a 25-meter sport swimming pool, jacuzzis, cold plunge tubs, and even outdoor hot tubs on the terrace.
Every day, professional sauna masters lead aufguss-style sauna rituals where they wave towels and infuse the hot air with fragrant oils – an absolute must-try if you’ve never experienced a sauna show. Despite its size, Mustamäe Elamus Spa is thoughtfully designed to feel relaxing and luxurious. Mood lighting, music, and themed decor make each sauna an experience. You could easily spend all day here (and you’re allowed to – all tickets come with unlimited time). Feeling hungry? There’s a swim-up bar and a spa cafe for refreshments between sauna rounds. The spa is open late (until midnight), so it’s great for an evening wind-down as well. Prices for a full-access ticket are around €30–€39 for adults (depending on weekday or weekend), and that grants entry to both the main sauna world and the 21+ area (they’ll lend you a bathrobe for the adult section). Located about 15 minutes’ drive from the city center, Elamus Spa is absolutely worth the trip if you’re serious about saunas or traveling with family – kids will love the slides and pools, while adults can indulge in the sauna variety. It’s Estonia’s sauna culture supersized, yet still authentically delivered – as the largest ritual sauna here can seat 100 people, you might find yourself amid a hundred blissed-out Estonians, eyes closed as a sauna master tosses water on the stove and a cloud of scented steam washes over everyone. Talk about an immersive experience!
- Address: Akadeemia tee 30, Tallinn (Mustamäe district)
- Opening hours: Mon–Fri 07:30–00:00; Sat–Sun 10:00–00:00 (open daily until midnight).
- Price: €16–€34 for standard entrance, €34–€52 for full 21+ access (prices vary by time/day). All tickets allow unlimited time inside.
- Features: Enormous sauna selection (22 types) including steam, wood-fired, herbal, salt, mud, infrared, etc.; daily sauna rituals (aufguss) included; multiple pools and hot tubs (lap pool, kids’ pools, outdoor tubs); separate quiet Spa 21+ adults area with 9 specialty saunas; spa bar and café on site; towel and bathrobe provided for adults. Child-friendly and great for all-day relaxation.
8. Tallinn Viimsi Spa & Sauna Center
Family Fun and Grown-Up Relaxation
Located just 10 km from central Tallinn in the seaside district of Viimsi, Tallinn Viimsi Spa is a comprehensive wellness and waterpark complex that’s especially popular with families – yet it also hides a tranquil gem for adults. The main Sauna Center here offers a diverse mix of about 11 saunas (Finnish, steam, salt, juniper, etc.) plus pools and slides that kids will enjoy. You can go from a honey sauna to a salt stone sauna, then cool off under a cold waterfall or in a plunge pool. It’s a lively, family-friendly area where swimsuit-clad visitors of all ages experience sauna culture in a fun way. But for those seeking peace and quiet, Viimsi Spa has the exclusive SPA18+ area – an adults-only spa wing with six different saunas (including a steam room, sanarium, and Russian banya) and its own relaxation pools. In total, Viimsi Spa boasts 17 saunas between the two sections. The SPA18+ is perfect if you want a calmer atmosphere: they limit the number of guests, provide private lounging areas, and even have a sauna bar so you can sip a glass of wine or a smoothie in your robe.
Viimsi also hosts regular sauna rituals led by sauna masters in both the family and adult zones, enriching your experience with scents and steam wafting techniques. Beyond saunas, the complex includes a full water park (with big slides for kids), a gym, and a wellness center offering massages and treatments. A favorite feature for many is the outdoor jacuzzis – imagine sitting in warm bubbles under the open sky after a hot sauna round. Standard tickets allow access to the family sauna-pool area, while a premium ticket is needed for SPA18+ (which also grants access to everything). Expect to pay around €24 for a day ticket to the regular sauna center, and a surcharge to enter SPA18+ (often sold as a combined package around €35–€40). The spa’s hotel on-site means you could even stay overnight and roll from your room to the saunas in your slippers. As a bonus, Viimsi Spa is near Tallinn’s coastline – you might combine your sauna day with a stroll on the beach at Haabneeme or a visit to the nearby Viimsi Open Air Museum. With its mix of family fun and serene adult relaxation, Tallinn Viimsi Spa offers something for every sauna-goer. It’s a shining example of how Estonians weave sauna into leisure time, whether you’re 5 or 75 years old.
- Address: Randvere tee 11, Haabneeme (Viimsi) – ~15 min by car from Tallinn center
- Opening hours: Every day 09:30 – 22:00 (both Sauna Center and SPA18+).
- Price: ~€25 adult day pass (Sauna Centre); ~€35–€40 for adult + SPA18+ access. Children’s tickets and family packages available. Hotel guests may have discounted entry.
- Features: Total 17 saunas on site (incl. juniper sauna, salt sauna, steam, Russian sauna, etc.); large family sauna & pool area with slides and kids’ pools; separate SPA18+ adults-only area (6 saunas, private relaxation lounges); regular sauna ritual shows with sauna masters; indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs; spa services (massages, treatments) and fitness center; on-site restaurants and bars.
9. Swissôtel Tallinn’s Pürovel Spa (Panoramic Sauna)
Sky-High Sauna with a View
For a luxurious twist on the public sauna, consider a day at the Pürovel Spa & Sport on the top floor of Swissôtel Tallinn. This isn’t a communal sauna house, but a hotel spa that welcomes outside visitors – and its claim to fame is a panoramic view over the city and sea from its sauna and pool. Perched on the 28th floor of one of Tallinn’s tallest hotels, the spa’s Finnish sauna has floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can gaze out at Tallinn’s skyline while working up a sweat. Imagine sitting in the heat and seeing the Old Town’s medieval church spires, modern high-rises, and even the Gulf of Finland stretching to the horizon – it’s an unbeatable backdrop. There’s also a steam sauna (hammam) with a starry-sky ceiling effect, and an indoor pool that shares the same sweeping views. After a day of touring chilly cobblestone streets, relaxing in a warm pool with the city beneath you feels pretty magical. The facilities are impeccably clean and stylish, as you’d expect from a five-star hotel. If you’re not an overnight guest, you can purchase a day spa pass (around €33 per person) that grants you access to the saunas, pool, jacuzzi and gym for the day. Robes, towels, and lockers are provided.
Many locals and business travelers use this as a mini-escape or for a romantic treat. The spa also offers Swiss-quality massages and treatments (for extra cost) if you want to pamper yourself further. One tip: go in the late afternoon to catch sunset from the sauna, then cool down and perhaps head upstairs to the hotel’s rooftop bar for a cocktail – also with an epic view. While this experience is pricier and more private than Tallinn’s traditional public saunas, it’s a memorable way to see the city from a new perspective. The combination of heat, relaxation, and a bird’s-eye view of Tallinn will leave you utterly refreshed. As one visitor noted, “the pool and even the sauna have excellent views and the spa was very well run”. So if you crave some spa luxury, Swissôtel’s sauna is the height (literally) of indulgence in Tallinn.
- Address: Swissôtel Tallinn, Tornimäe 3, Tallinn (28th floor spa)
- Opening hours: Spa facilities open daily (typically 06:30 – 22:00 for hotel guests; day visitors can choose packages with flexible hours).
- Price: ~€33 for a Day Spa pass (includes sauna, steam room, pool, gym). Massages or treatments from €50+.
- Features: 28th-floor panoramic sauna with floor-to-ceiling window views, steam sauna, infinity pool and jacuzzi overlooking the city, upscale changing rooms with amenities, fitness center access, optional spa treatments. Towels and robes included. Great for couples or solo relaxation with a view.
10. Estonian Open Air Museum’s Smoke Sauna
A Journey to Sauna’s Rustic Roots
To experience where Estonian sauna culture began, you can’t miss the smoke sauna at the Estonian Open Air Museum. Located in the Rocca al Mare area of Tallinn, this sprawling outdoor museum showcases historic rural life – including farmsteads with their old saunamajas (sauna houses). On special occasions, the museum fires up the 19th-century Pulga farm smoke sauna, giving visitors a rare peek into the past. Unlike modern saunas, a smoke sauna (suitsusaun in Estonian) has no chimney – wood is burned for hours to heat the room, filling it with smoke, and then vented before people enter, leaving a gentle woodsy aroma and soft heat. The Open Air Museum demonstrates this process on the third Thursday of every month (summer season), roughly from noon to 4 PM. During these events, museum staff (often dressed in traditional outfit) will heat the sauna from scratch, explaining each step: from lighting the fire, managing the ventilation, to preparing birch whisks and folklore around sauna customs.
You’ll learn how Estonians of old would treat the sauna as a sacred place – used not just for bathing, but for curing ailments and even giving birth. And yes, if you’re lucky and come prepared, you might get to sit inside the smoke sauna and feel its unique heat yourself (availability can vary, sometimes it’s more of a demonstration than a public bath – check with the museum). This is a truly authentic experience: imagine the dim interior lit by just the embers, the gentle crackle of wood, and steam rising from the large stone stove. Afterwards, you can stand outside by the thatched-roof hut, surrounded by green forest, and let the cool breeze refresh you – just as sauna-goers did centuries ago. Regular museum admission (around €10) covers the smoke sauna demonstrations, making it a great daytime outing for culture lovers. And even if you don’t catch a live session, the sauna hut is there to see year-round. The Open Air Museum’s smoke sauna connects you with Estonia’s UNESCO-listed sauna heritage and reminds you that beyond the spa luxuries and electric heaters, the heart of sauna culture is a simple wooden hut where body and soul are cleansed in silence and steam. It’s a beautiful finale to any Tallinn sauna tour – a moment of rustic peace echoing with history.
- Address: Estonian Open Air Museum, Vabaõhumuuseumi tee 12, Tallinn (Rocca al Mare)
- Opening hours: Smoke sauna demonstration typically on 3rd Thursday of each month, ~12:00–16:00 (May–Sep). Museum open daily 10:00–18:00 (summer hours; shorter in winter).
- Price: Included with museum entry (Adult €10, concessions €7). Private group smoke sauna experiences can sometimes be booked via the museum.
- Features: Traditional smoke sauna (wood-fired, no chimney) in a 150-year-old log cabin, live demonstrations of heating & old sauna customs, authentic rural setting. Note: This is primarily an educational/cultural experience – availability of actual sauna bathing may be limited to special programs. Bring swimwear and towel if hoping to participate.
Estonians have over 100,000 saunas for 1.3 million people – about one sauna per 13 people! It’s no surprise Tallinn offers everything from historic public bathhouses to creative new sauna venues. Whether you seek a budget-friendly steam with locals or a spa day of sauna-hopping, Tallinn’s public saunas welcome you to embrace the heat, pour some water on the hot stones, and relax in true Estonian style. Enjoy your sauna adventure – or as locals would say, “Head leili!” (Good steam!).
