I have noticed something brilliant happening across North Wales over the last couple of years. Saunas are popping up everywhere, from quiet woodland spots to dramatic stretches of coastline. What used to feel like a Nordic niche has suddenly become a full blown local trend, and I am very much here for it.
Most of these new saunas are not just about the heat. They usually come paired with a cold dip, whether that is a plunge into the sea, a nearby river, or a purpose built cold water tank. The contrast is what makes it addictive. You sweat it out in the warmth of the sauna, step outside into fresh Welsh air, then brave the cold. It sounds intense, and it can be, but it is also incredibly refreshing and grounding.
I love how these saunas fit so naturally into the North Wales landscape. They encourage you to slow down, get outside and enjoy places we already love in a new way. Below are 12 of my favourite saunas in North Wales, each with its own personality, setting, and reason to visit.
If you know of any more, please let me know and I’ll add them to the list!
Sawna Porth Poeth, Abersoch
Sawna Porth Poeth was the first sauna I visited in north Wales and this is what started it all off for me! Access to Swana Porth Poeth is via The Warren, an exclusive holiday park, and it’s set on the beach near the cafe/bar, so access, parking and that post-sauna drink couldn’t be easier.
Set close to the sea, it offers that classic sauna and sea combination that feels incredible. I really like how simple and unfussy it is, letting the location do most of the talking. No matter what the weather is, you can sit in the sauna and stare out to that view all day.
The sauna itself is warm, welcoming and well maintained, with enough space to sit comfortably without feeling cramped. After a good sweat, the cold dip usually involves heading straight for the sea, which adds a real sense of adventure!
It is a great option if you want to combine a coastal walk along the Warren Beach or dine at The Sandbar which is open to the public.
Niku Naku Sauna, Bala
Niku Naku Sauna is one of the newer saunas. They currently have one lakeside sauna in Bala and they’re opening a seaside sauna in Tywyn. They’re documenting their journey on Instagram and it’s really interesting to follow along!
The name Niku Naku comes from a playful Finnish term meaning naked, bare or stripped back and I think that encompasses this brand perfectly.
I haven’t visited (yet!) but I plan to soon and I can’t wait to combine the sauna with a dip in the lake. Bala is also a great place to make it a full day out with so many activities in the area.
Shacks Wild Sauna, Llangollen
Shacks Wild Sauna is a little different to the others because you book a 3-hour private session and you light the fire and maintain the sauna yourself. It’s much more of an experience and it’s about the fire, the scenery, the surrounding landscape and enjoying the outdoors around you.
Set on a remote hill overlooking Llangollen, Shacks Wild Sauna is also the wildest of them all! It really is remote!
I visited while staying at their cabins nearby and I loved spending a whole afternoon here, lighting the fire and alternating between the heat and the cold shower outside.
It did take a good hour to get properly hot so keep this in mind. You can go for a walk, enjoy the field and views or bring a book and a picnic and enjoy the sauna before it gets too hot.
Faraway Follies, Llandegla
Faraway Follies is a sauna I’m desperate to visit. I’ve followed the owners, Margaret and Jenny, on Instagram for years and their recent cold water immersion content is so inspiring. They have three quirky glamping lodges and their Secret Sauna and Penguin Pool is open to the public.
The pool is filled with fresh mountain spring water and it looks lovely. It’s a bit different to many of the other saunas thanks to the hidden, secret vibe! I can’t wait to visit.
Sawna Bach, Anglesey and Llanberis
Sawna Bach is a small but mighty addition to the North Wales sauna scene with locations in both Anglesey and Llanberis. There’s a real community vibe around Sawna Bach and these two locations have a very different feel.
At the Anglesey location you can run straight from the sauna into the sea. The Llanberis location is on the shores of Llyn Padarn, a glacial lake in Snowdonia (where that famous Lonely Tree gets photographed all over Instagram!)
The atmosphere at Sawna Bach is calm and friendly, making it ideal if you are new to sauna culture or a bit nervous about your first cold dip.
If you’re travelling to Anglesey then the island itself is a huge part of the appeal. You can easily turn a sauna visit into a full day out, exploring beaches and coastal paths before or after your session.
Llanberis is a fantastic choice if you have been hiking in the area or simply want to unwind after exploring or paddleboarding on the lake. It feels deeply connected to the landscape and encourages you to pause and breathe it all in.
Sauna Cwtch, Hope (Park in the Past)
Sauna Cwtch lives up to its name. The word ‘cwtch’ means a cuddle in Welsh, and that sense of comfort runs through the whole experience. Sauna Cwtch is a sauna tent rather than a traditional wooden sauna but it still has all the same health benefits.
It’s located in Park in the Past, a conservation and heritage project with outdoor activities across 120 acres. You can walk, swim in the lake, paddleboard, join in with the Saturday morning Park Run or take a tour with a knowledgeable guide.
The sauna itself is cosy without feeling too small, and there is a real emphasis on creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone. You can break up your sweaty sauna sessions with dips in the lake to get that invigorating rush of endorphins!
It’s worth keeping an eye on their Facebook page to see when they have community events like Park Run combined with sauna sessions.
Stoked Sawna, Llangollen
Stoked Sawna is in a gorgeous location next to the River Dee in Llangollen and it brings a playful, energetic vibe to the sauna world. I get the impression it attracts a mix of kayakers, swimmers and outdoor lovers who already have a strong connection to the sea.
It’s set next to TNR outdoors and Llangollen Canoe Club so you can spot kayakers, paddleboarders and rafters from the warmth of the sauna! There’s also a cafe there that is open to the public.
The sessions here feel lively and social, which can be a really nice contrast to more silent, meditative saunas. You can chat, laugh, and share the experience with others, then head out for a cold dip that really wakes you up.
There are two cold plunge pools or you can dip in the river if you’re feeling brave. The rocks down to the river can be slippery so it’s worth bringing water shoes if you plan to do this.
If you like your wellness with a bit of buzz and community spirit, Stoked Sawna is well worth a visit. You can combine it with a day out in Llangollen.
Seacoast Sauna, Beaumaris, Anglesey
Seacoast Sauna is all about location, and what a location it is with views out over the Menai Strait and those incredible mountains.
Sitting on the pebbley shoreline or Beaumaris Beach, it offers uninterrupted views and easy access to the sea for cold dips. It’s incredibly calming to watch the water and the boats bobbing about while warming up inside.
The sauna is thoughtfully designed, making the most of natural light and the surrounding scenery. It feels like a place where you can properly switch off, even if only for an hour or two. There’s a cold water dipping pool and, unlike other saunas in North Wales, this one also has a hot tub you can hire too!
This is an ideal stop if you are craving fresh air, open space, and that classic hot and cold contrast by the sea.
Sauna Mor, Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsula
Sauna Mor is another coastal favourite that really celebrates its setting. Located in Aberdaron, this is the most incredible sauna to sit and watch the sunset. Sessions here often encourage you to take your time, moving slowly between heat and cold without rushing.
They also run night time sauna and sea dips (weather permitting) which isn’t something I’ve experienced yet but it looks incredible.
The sauna is located in an area of outstanding beauty so you’re guaranteed incredible views as you soak up the warmth inside.
Sauna Cwm Cynfal, Blaenau Ffestiniog
Sauna Cwm Cynfal offers something a little different, with a more secluded and natural feel. Tucked away in a valley, it feels like a proper escape from everyday life. The surrounding mountains add a sense of privacy and stillness that is hard to come by and it just feels more peaceful compared to the wild coastal saunas. You’ll have incredible mountain views and there’s a small tub for cold dips!
Tan Coed Sawna, Corwen
Tan Coed Sawna, near Corwen, is beautifully set up surrounded by rolling Welsh hills. This is a lovely option if you want something different from the coast, while still enjoying that essential hot and cold contrast. This one is currently only open during the weekend.
Cedar Hut Sauna, Anglesey (near Penmon Point)
Cedar Hut Sauna feels like a classic, rustic take on the modern sauna trend. It’s on the shores of the Menai Strait and is gorgeous, especially when the tide is high and you can combine your sauna with a refreshing dip!
The experience here is simple and focused on the basics, good heat, fresh air, and a refreshing cool down. Sometimes that is all you need.
What I love most about these saunas is how they invite us to experience North Wales differently. They encourage us to slow down, connect with nature and look after ourselves in a way that feels both ancient and modern.
I read something that suggested the popularity in outdoor saunas is something to do with people wanting new ways to socialise without alcohol, and I actually think there’s a lot of truth in that. Me and my friends no longer spend our weekends ‘in the club’ and don’t always want to drink or spend loads of money. And these saunas are such a gorgeous activity for us to do together without alcohol.
Whether you are drawn to the sea, the mountains or quiet woodland, there is a sauna here for you. If you have not tried one yet, I really recommend giving it a go. You might just find yourself hooked, like I am!
