If you want to relax in a truly Finnish way, head to a sauna — and with Helsinki easily accessible, your Finnish experience is closer than you think.
“Most airports have transit zones – some even have saunas. But only Helsinki Airport can offer a transit to Finnish happiness. It is the touchpoint to tune into the rhythm, values and mindset of Finland. Your story can go anywhere from here. To showcase this short transition, we built the world’s first runway sauna at Helsinki Airport,” says Anna Tuomi, Finavia’s Head of Marketing.
Sauna is a perfect way to start a holiday in Helsinki and the journey to Finnish happiness, as it is known for soothing and relaxing tired muscles, relieving mental fatigue and stress.
Helsinki Airport has been selected as the best airport in Europe seven times within the past eight years. More than a transition, it is a melting pot of diversity and a gateway to Finnish design and local values of trust and equity.
The sauna culture welcomes everyone
Our saunas are warm. There are over 3.2 million saunas in Finland, meaning there is at least one sauna for every three people in Finland, and likely even more.
“Finland is known as the world’s happiest country and the timeless tradition of sauna is at the heart of Finnish culture. At Finavia, we’ve brought these elements together to celebrate Finnish happiness,” says Tuomi.
The world’s first runway sauna was open for one day in June 2025.
The fastest route to sauna
- The word “sauna” is perhaps the only Finnish word which has spread around the world without being translated into other languages.
- For example, it only takes approximately three hours from London and two hours from Berlin to land in Helsinki to experience the local sauna culture.
- There are three saunas right at the Helsinki Airport terminal — and even more waiting for you in nearby hotels and around the airport area. From the airport, it’s only a short trip to explore the wide variety of saunas located across the Helsinki metropolitan area.
Ready to experience Finnish happiness for yourself? Whether you’re arriving for a quick layover or planning a longer stay, Helsinki offers an incredible range of hotels that put you within easy reach of the city’s iconic sauna culture, vibrant neighborhoods, and serene coastal beauty. Click here to discover top hotel options in Helsinki and make your stay as relaxing and rejuvenating as the saunas themselves.
