Frozen Sea Tent Sauna & Ice Swimming
Tent Sauna in Oulu, Steam by the Sea at Nallikari in Winter and Summer
A tent sauna at Nallikari lets you enjoy an authentic Finnish sauna right beside the sea, and you can experience it in two very different seasons. In winter the sauna is set up on the frozen sea itself, and in summer it warms up on the sandy beach. Both bring together soft steam, the closeness of the sea and a deeply relaxing atmosphere, so an evening in the tent sauna is one of the most memorable and easygoing ways to feel the Finnish north.
Where is Oulu?
Oulu is a coastal city in Northern Finland, sitting on the Gulf of Bothnia just south of the Arctic Circle, and Nallikari is its seaside beach area only about 15 minutes from the city centre. Oulu was named one of National Geographic’s Best of the World 2026 destinations and is a European Capital of Culture in 2026. Because the sea here truly freezes over each winter, Oulu can offer something few places in the world can, a wood heated sauna standing on a frozen sea, and all within easy reach of the city.
What is a tent sauna?
A tent sauna is a movable sauna built inside a tent and heated with a traditional wood stove, exactly like a classic Finnish sauna. Because it is portable, it can be set up where no fixed sauna exists, such as on a sandy beach or out on the ice, so you get to bathe right in the middle of the landscape. Inside, wooden benches and gentle steam create a warm and genuine experience, and when you open the door the sea is right in front of you. That combination of warm steam and wide open nature is what makes a tent sauna so special.
Winter, a tent sauna on the frozen sea
Winter is when this experience is at its most magical. The wood heated sauna is set up on the sea ice in front of Nallikari, and as darkness falls and the frozen sea surrounds you, the atmosphere becomes something you will not forget. After the heat, you can cool off with a dip in an ice hole that sits safely in shallow water with a sandy bottom, though it is entirely optional and many simply enjoy the steam and the silence. The winter tent sauna is popular and runs on selected evenings, so it is always booked in advance to make sure your slot is reserved.
Summer, a tent sauna on Nallikari beach
In summer the tent sauna warms up right on the sandy beach at Nallikari, and it is a relaxed way to round off a warm day by the sea. Between rounds of steam you can cool down in the sea and soak up the long, bright evenings when the sun barely sets this far north. The summer tent sauna is open from Thursday to Saturday, so it is easy to combine with a beach day or other activities in the area.
Book your own Sauna Experience by the sea
How it works
You change in the warm indoor facilities at the Nallikari Experience Center, right beside the sauna, and afterwards you can freshen up in the showers of the Aalto building. Towels and washing supplies are included, so all you need to bring is a swimsuit and a relaxed mindset. Bookings and details are handled through Nallikari Safaris, and the staff are glad to help you find a time that suits you.
The health benefits of a Finnish sauna
A sauna is far more than a warm room, because it is genuinely good for both body and mind. The heat relaxes tired and tense muscles, eases stress and helps many people wind down and sleep better, which makes it a rewarding way to end a day spent outdoors in the fresh Finnish air. Alternating between warm steam inside and cooling off outside gives you a refreshing, almost reset feeling, and for a moment the only thing on your mind is the warmth and the sea in front of you. There is no strict rule for how long to stay or how hot it should be, since Finns simply go by feel, warming up for a while, stepping out to cool down, and repeating as often as feels good. That gentle rhythm is exactly what makes a traditional wood heated sauna so restorative.
Finnish sauna culture
To understand a sauna, it helps to understand how central it is to Finnish life, because in Finland the sauna is not a luxury but a everyday part of the culture. There are more saunas in the country than cars, and for centuries the sauna has been a place to clean both body and mind, to slow down and to spend calm, unhurried time together. It is such a defining part of the national identity that Finnish sauna culture was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage in 2020. A key part of the ritual is the löyly, the soft wave of steam that rises when water is thrown onto the hot stones, and just as important is the cool down afterwards, traditionally a dip in a lake or the sea. Experiencing all of this in a real wood heated tent sauna right by the water at Nallikari is about as authentic as a first visit to the Finnish sauna can get.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tent sauna, and how is it different from a normal sauna?
It is a wood heated sauna built inside a tent, so it can be set up on a beach or on the ice rather than in a fixed building. You get the same authentic Finnish steam, but with the sea and open nature right outside the door.
Are saunas good for you, and what are the benefits?
A traditional Finnish sauna is a wonderful way to relax and unwind. The warmth soothes tired muscles and eases stress, and many people find it helps them sleep better, which makes it a rewarding way to end a day outdoors.
How long should you stay in the sauna, and how hot is it?
There is no single rule. Finns tend to go by feel, warming up for a while, stepping out to cool down, and repeating as often as feels good. A tent sauna gives you that authentic warm, steamy heat, and you set your own pace.
What should I wear?
Bring a swimsuit, which you will want especially if you take a dip in the sea or the ice hole. You can change in the warm indoor facilities beside the sauna.
Do I have to swim in the ice hole in winter?
Not at all. The ice dip is completely optional, and it sits in shallow water with a sandy bottom, so it is safe if you do decide to try it.
Do I need to book in advance?
The winter tent sauna on the ice is always booked in advance, since it runs on selected evenings. The summer sauna on the beach is open Thursday to Saturday.
What else is there to do in Oulu?
Plenty, in every season. You can pair your sauna with winter activities such as ice fishing, snowshoeing or a northern lights evening, or with summer paddling and beach days, and find more with Nallikari Safaris.
One area, everything close by
A sauna evening is easy to build into a whole experience by the sea at Nallikari. Before or after your steam you can enjoy a meal or drink nearby at Ravintola Nallikari or Bistoria Patio, and relax further with treatments at Osfysio. You can stay the night close by at Nallikari Aalto, the Poiju villas, the holiday cottages or the camping area. More things to do all year round are waiting with the guided tours and equipment rental of Nallikari Safaris. Steam by the sea in the evening and everything else close at hand, all in one seaside area in Oulu.
