She also wanted to share what she sees as the true essence of sauna culture. That inspired her to write Helsinki by Sauna (Siltala, 2025), a curated guide to public saunas in and around the capital. Through her own winter swimming and sauna routine, Pantzar has built friendships and a strong sense of belonging. Katja Pantzar’s top 3 Helsinki sauna tips Villa Salmela Sauna is housed in a little wooden cottage in eastern Helsinki and the only Karelian-inspired sauna in the area. The smoke sauna at Löyly is the only authentic smoke sauna in the city centre.