Sauna Gus in Copenhagen: A Visitor's Guide

Copenhagen has quietly turned into one of the best cities in Europe for sauna. Not the hotel kind where you sit alone in a wooden box, but the social kind: a sauna on the harbour, a gus master working the steam, and a jump into cold seawater between rounds. If you're visiting or new in town, this guide covers what sauna gus is, where to go, what it costs and how to actually get a spot.

Want to skip the reading? See available sessions today.

What is sauna gus?

A gus (Danish "saunagus", German "Aufguss") is a guided sauna session. A gus master pours water, often with essential oils, on the hot stones and then uses a towel to push the steam around the room. A session usually runs 20 to 60 minutes, split into two or three rounds with breaks to cool down in between.

The difference from a regular sauna is that it has a shape. There's a start, a build-up and an end, and someone is in charge of the heat so you don't have to be. You just sit there and take it in. If you want the longer explanation, read what sauna gus is.

Why Copenhagen does it so well

Three things make the city different from most places:

• **The water is always close.** Many saunas sit right on the harbour or the beach, so cooling off means a ladder into the sea, not a cold shower.
• **Winter bathing is normal here.** Plenty of locals swim year round, and the sauna is what makes that bearable.
• **The places have gotten good.** Gus masters work with music, scents, themes and clear rounds, so the quality is much more consistent than it was a few years ago.

Where to go: the neighbourhoods

Rather than asking which sauna is best, ask what kind of evening you want. The city splits up nicely by atmosphere.

Nordhavn

The polished, modern side of Copenhagen. New architecture, harbour swimming and saunas with a view. Good if you want a calm session that feels like a small getaway without leaving the city. Try Sauna House or Analog Sauna.

Sydhavn and Sluseholmen

Rougher around the edges and very social. Sessions here tend to be intense, and the hot and cold contrast is the whole point. Sauna Club Sydhavn and Sidste Mole are local favourites.

Refshaleøen

The old shipyard island, now full of food markets and floating saunas. Big views across the harbour and a lively crowd, especially at weekends. Look at Sauna Svala - La Banchina and Havgus.

Amager

Beach, nature and city in one. Amager Strand has saunas right by the sea, and there's a wide range from small clubs to bigger venues. INIPI and Sauna Svala - Amager Strand are good starting points.

Frederiksberg

Indoor, quieter and more controlled. Smaller groups and a focus on the details. Frederiksberg Kurbad is a classic.

Indre By

Right in the centre, handy if you're staying in town. Social Sauna at Papirøen sits on the water across from Nyhavn.

A short trip out of town

If you have a free afternoon, it's worth leaving the city. North along the coast, Kurhotel Skodsborg has gus with direct access to the Øresund, and Temple Sea Bath is out in Gentofte. Both are easy to reach from the city.

You can browse every sauna on a map if you want to compare.

The kinds of gus you'll run into

"Sauna gus" isn't one thing. These are the formats you'll see most:

• **Aroma gus:** focus on scents and a slow build. A good place to start.
• **Power gus:** more heat, more steam, faster pace. For people who want a challenge.
• **Show gus:** music, rhythm and a lot of towel work. Popular and often sold out.
• **Breathwork gus:** combines breathing exercises with heat and cold.
• **Theme gus:** full moon, seasons, music nights. Copenhagen loves an event.

If you're not sure what you're signing up for, read the session description before booking. Most places say clearly how hot and how intense it will be.

What does it cost?

Expect to pay roughly 100 to 300 DKK for a session. Public swimming pools are at the low end, harbour saunas and special events at the high end. Many places sell punch cards that bring the price down if you go more than once.

What usually moves the price:

• access to the harbour, the sea or an ice bath
• whether it's a regular session or a themed event
• how long the session is and how big the group is

How to find a free spot

This is the annoying part. Every sauna has its own booking system, and the popular evening slots go fast. Zauna pulls the available times from saunas across Copenhagen and Zealand into one list, so you can:

• filter by neighbourhood, date and time
• see how many spots are left
• book directly with the sauna, with no extra fees and no Zauna account needed

Find available sessions

Before you go

You don't need to overthink it, but a few things help:

• **Bring two towels**, one to sit on and one for after.
• **Check the dress code.** Some places want swimwear, some don't. It says on the venue page.
• **Bring water.** You'll want it.
• **Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early** to change and find your spot.
• **Leave whenever you need to.** Nobody minds, and even regulars step out early sometimes.

There's a longer checklist in our guide to preparing for gus.

When to go

• **Winter:** the best season. Cold air and cold water make the contrast huge.
• **Summer:** easier to get a spot, and the harbour is actually pleasant to swim in.
• **Weekdays:** more availability and a calmer crowd.
• **Weekends:** sells out fast, so book a few days ahead.

The short version

Pick a neighbourhood that matches your mood, book a session that sounds right for your level, bring two towels and jump in the sea afterwards. If it's your first time, read how to choose your first sauna gus before you book.

Find available sauna gus sessions

See all available times and book directly at the sauna.

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