By the zauna editorial team · Updated 2 October 2026
Pack a large towel for the bench and a separate towel for drying, along with sandals or flip-flops. Bring swimwear to suit the venue’s rules, comfortable clothes and fresh underwear for afterwards. Check its drinks policy before packing a water bottle, and find out whether you need a robe, toiletries, a locker padlock or booking confirmation.
Start with the basics
You do not need specialist accessories to pack for a sauna. The guides share a few basics: a large towel to sit or lie on, with a separate towel kept for drying. Add swimwear if the venue requires it and sandals or flip-flops. A water bottle belongs on the list too, subject to the drinks policy. Keep loose, comfortable clothes and fresh underwear ready for afterwards.
An ordinary bag will do. Kelly Samantha suggests a tote or backpack; EOS recommends a sports bag. A small backpack is enough if it holds your kit, so there is no need to buy a dedicated sauna bag.
Check what the venue supplies before packing everything. Thermen offers robes and towels to rent or buy, as well as slippers. Elsewhere, you will need to check what is available.
Keep your bench towel separate
Plan on 2 towels, keeping the bench towel separate from the towel you dry yourself with. Wild Sauna Guide and Paper & Sons both recommend this arrangement. Thermen likewise distinguishes its large sitting towel from those used after showering.
Your bench towel should be large enough for sitting or lying down, depending on how you plan to use it. EOS recommends a sauna towel approximately 2 metres long. Check whether your venue specifies a size.
Outdoors, a drying towel can double as a wrap for the walk between the sauna and the water, as Wild Sauna Guide suggests.
A bathrobe serves a different purpose from a bench towel: it is useful between sessions. Thermen requires a robe in parts of its resorts, so check the rules before leaving yours at home.
Dress for the venue you have booked
Wild Sauna Guide includes swimwear among its outdoor essentials. At Thermen, it is needed on designated swimwear days. EOS suggests packing it for pools that require it. Check the dress rules for your booking before choosing what to wear.
Footwear needs a closer look too. Kelly Samantha recommends waterproof sandals in changing rooms and showers, and inside the sauna. Thermen requires bath slippers around the resort but asks guests to remove them inside its saunas. Your venue’s instructions should settle where you can wear yours, including on the sauna floor or bench.
For afterwards, loose clothes and fresh underwear are useful. Wild Sauna Guide notes that loose clothing is easier to pull on over damp skin. Pack hair ties too if you want to keep your hair out of the way.
Drinks and a few useful extras
Water bottles appear across the packing guides. For outdoor sessions in colder weather, Wild Sauna Guide also suggests a flask for a hot drink afterwards. Neither needs to be a specialist item.
Thermen’s drinks advice needs clarification. It lists a water bottle but also says guests cannot bring their own food and drinks. The supplied extract does not explain how those instructions fit together. Ask the venue whether you can bring a filled bottle.
If you plan to shower, consider which toiletries you will use. The lists include shampoo and a choice of soap or shower gel; a comb or brush may be useful afterwards. Kelly Samantha suggests a reusable waterproof pouch to hold toiletries. EOS lists toiletries too, but separately advises against using soap or shower gel after the session. The guides do not describe a shared washing routine.
You could pack a book or magazine for breaks. For resting, particularly in winter, EOS also suggests thick socks.
Packing for an outdoor session
Find out where you will change before choosing your kit. Wild Sauna Guide describes venues with private huts or cubicles. Others have sheltered changing areas, or no changing facilities at all. When space is limited, it suggests arriving with your swimsuit under your clothes.
You do not need a changing robe for your first outdoor session. It is optional, and a private changing area can serve instead. The guide also lists a waterproof changing mat or bag, plus spare socks. A simple shopping bag can work as a changing mat on damp or muddy ground.
Before leaving, have your booking confirmation or entry pass ready, along with any payment method you need. Ask whether you must bring a padlock for the locker.
A charged phone can help you navigate to the venue, but check where you may use it once you arrive. Thermen requires phones to stay in lockers after reception, including in changing rooms. Tablets and cameras must also be left in lockers.
Questions people ask
- Do I need to buy a special sauna bag?
- No. An ordinary tote, small backpack or sports bag will do if it holds your kit.
- Can I bring just one towel?
- Several guides recommend 2 so you can keep your bench towel separate from your drying towel. Check whether your venue provides towels or rents them out before packing.
- Do I need a changing robe for an outdoor sauna?
- Wild Sauna Guide treats it as optional. Find out whether there is a private changing area before deciding.
- Should I bring my phone?
- It can help with navigation and showing your booking confirmation. Usage rules still apply: at Thermen, phones must stay in lockers after reception, including in changing rooms.
- Can I wear flip-flops inside the sauna?
- Check with your venue. Kelly Samantha suggests sandals inside the sauna, but Thermen requires guests to remove bath slippers before entering.