Best Saunas in London (2026): The Ultimate Sauna & Cold Plunge Guide
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- Aug 12
- 12 min read
Best Saunas in London (2026)
London's sauna scene has exploded in recent years.
Today, you can choose from traditional Finnish-style saunas, Russian banyas, community sauna villages, floating wood-fired saunas, rooftop experiences, infrared saunas and dedicated sauna and cold plunge spaces.
So, what is the best sauna in London?
There isn't one answer.
The best sauna depends on what you're looking for.
If you want sauna and cold plunge in East London, Revitalise Urban Spa in Hackney is one of the strongest options.
If you're looking for a traditional Russian banya, Banya No.1 in Hoxton is an established choice.
If you want a community sauna, Community Sauna Baths has locations across London.
For something completely different, Skuna offers a floating wood-fired sauna experience on the Thames.
And if you're looking for a rooftop sauna with London views, Rooftop Saunas has locations in Hackney and Brixton.
We've put together this guide to help you compare London's best sauna experiences and find the right one for you.
Quick answer: For sauna and cold plunge in Hackney and East London, we'd recommend starting with Revitalise Urban Spa. For community sauna, consider Community Sauna Baths. For a traditional banya, Banya No.1 Hoxton is a standout. For a unique floating experience, Skuna Sauna is difficult to beat.
The best saunas in London at a glance
We've categorised the venues rather than simply creating a numbered list.
That's because a sauna designed for community sessions isn't necessarily better than a private sauna—and a traditional banya provides a completely different experience from an infrared sauna.
Sauna | Location | Best For | Cold Plunge / Ice Bath | Private Experience | Google Rating* |
Hackney | Sauna + cold plunge & wellness | ✅ | ✅ | 4.8/5 (188) | |
Hackney Wick & other London locations | Community sauna | ✅ | Selected sessions | 4.8/5 (724) | |
Hoxton | Traditional Russian banya | ✅ | ❌ | 4.8/5 (836) | |
King's Cross | Waterside bathhouse experience | Check venue | Check venue | 5.0/5 (75) | |
Peckham | Social sauna experience | Check venue | Check venue | 4.9/5 (562) | |
Canary Wharf | Floating sauna experience | Check venue | ✅ | 4.6/5 (1,675) | |
Hackney & Brixton | Rooftop sauna | ✅ | ✅ | 4.7/5 (152) | |
Camberwell | Traditional Finnish-style sauna | ✅ | Check venue | Check current listing |
1. Best Sauna & Cold Plunge in London: Revitalise Urban Spa
Location: Lower Clapton, Hackney, East LondonGoogle rating: 4.8/5 from 188 reviewsBest for: Sauna, cold plunge, contrast therapy, recovery and community
If you're specifically looking for a sauna and cold plunge in London, Revitalise Urban Spa is one of the strongest options to consider.
Based in Hackney, East London, Revitalise combines traditional sauna, infrared sauna and copper ice baths with a wider focus on wellbeing, recovery and community.
The experience is designed to be about more than simply sitting in a hot room.
Guests can combine heat and cold through contrast therapy, attend wellness events, book private sessions or simply use the space as somewhere to slow down and switch off.
Revitalise Urban Spa at a glance
Location: Hackney, East London
Sauna: Traditional + infrared
Cold therapy: Copper ice baths
Contrast therapy: Yes
Private hire: Yes
Community events: Yes
Corporate wellness: Yes
Google rating: 4.8/5 from 188 reviews
Who is Revitalise best for?
Revitalise is particularly suited to people looking for:
Sauna and cold plunge together
Recovery after exercise
A beginner-friendly sauna experience
Corporate wellbeing
The space is also designed to feel welcoming to people who have never tried a cold plunge before.
Rather than encouraging guests to push themselves to extremes, the emphasis is on learning how to use heat and cold comfortably and responsibly.
"We created Revitalise because we wanted to create somewhere people could genuinely switch off. The sauna and ice baths are important, but the bigger goal is helping people leave feeling better than when they arrived."
Kacper, Founder of Revitalise Urban Spa
Why we think Revitalise stands out
There are plenty of excellent saunas in London.
What makes Revitalise different is the combination of sauna + cold plunge + community in one Hackney space.
Best for: Sauna + cold plunge, contrast therapy, recovery and community.
2. Best Community Sauna in London: Community Sauna Baths
Location: Hackney Wick, with other London locations
Google rating: 4.8/5 from 724 reviews
Best for: Community sauna and social wellness
Community Sauna Baths has become one of the most recognisable names in London's modern sauna movement.
The organisation has developed a community-led approach to sauna bathing, with locations across London including Hackney Wick, Peckham, Walthamstow, Camberwell and Stratford.
The focus is less on traditional luxury spa culture and more on creating accessible, social sauna experiences.
This makes Community Sauna Baths particularly interesting if you want to make sauna part of your regular routine rather than treating it as an occasional spa day.
Best for
Community sauna sessions
Social wellness
Regular sauna users
Meeting other people
Outdoor/community sauna culture
Our verdict: One of the best choices in London if the community aspect of sauna matters as much to you as the heat itself.
3. Best Traditional Banya in London: Banya No.1 – Hoxton
Location: Hoxton, East London
Google rating: 4.8/5 from 836 reviews
Best for: Russian banya and traditional thermal rituals
If you're looking for something different from a conventional Finnish sauna, Banya No.1 offers a traditional Russian banya experience.
The Hoxton venue combines a steam sauna with cold-water facilities and relaxation areas.
One of its defining experiences is parenie, a traditional banya ritual involving steam and leafy branches.
Banya No.1 also offers dedicated sauna-and-plunge sessions.
Best for
Traditional Russian banya
Sauna and ice bath
Thermal rituals
Longer wellness experiences
People looking for something beyond a standard sauna
Our verdict: One of London's most distinctive sauna experiences, particularly if you want to experience banya culture rather than simply visit a hot room.
4. Best Floating Sauna Experience: Skuna Sauna
Location: Canary Wharf
Google rating: 4.6/5 from 1,675 reviews
Best for: Unique experiences, groups and floating sauna
If you want your London sauna experience to be genuinely different, Skuna is hard to ignore.
The sauna operates from floating wood-fired sauna pods on the water around Canary Wharf.
The sauna itself is a dry sauna heated by a wood-fired stove, designed to create a Finnish-style experience.
It's particularly suited to groups looking for something memorable rather than a conventional spa visit.
Best for
Unique London experiences
Groups of friends
Celebrations
Floating sauna
Wood-fired sauna
People wanting something different
Our verdict: One of London's most unusual sauna experiences—and exactly the sort of place worth including in a London-wide sauna guide.
5. Best Rooftop Sauna: Rooftop Saunas
Locations: Hackney and Brixton
Best for: Private sauna, views and couples
Rooftop Saunas offers a very different experience again.
The concept combines private sauna cabins with London rooftop settings, giving you the opportunity to experience heat therapy while looking out across the city.
The Hackney location is particularly relevant if you're already exploring East London's sauna scene.
Best for
Couples
Private sessions
Date nights
Small groups
Rooftop views
A memorable London experience
Our verdict: One of the best choices if the environment and views are as important to you as the sauna itself.
6. Best Waterside Bathhouse Experience: SOAK Bathhouse
Location: Regent's Canal, King's Cross
Google rating: 5.0/5 from 75 reviews
Best for: Waterside wellness and bathhouse experience
SOAK Bathhouse brings a different concept to London's wellness scene.
Located beside Regent's Canal in King's Cross, it combines the appeal of a waterside setting with sauna and bathhouse culture.
It's a good option for people who want their sauna visit to feel more like a complete experience rather than simply a session in a sauna room.
Best for
Waterside wellness
Relaxation
Couples and friends
A different take on London sauna culture
Our verdict: A distinctive option for anyone looking beyond traditional sauna venues
7. Best Social Sauna in South London: Sauna Social Club
Location: Peckham
Google rating: 4.9/5 from 562 reviews
Best for: Social sauna and community
Sauna Social Club takes the community side of sauna culture and puts it front and centre.
Based in Peckham, it has developed a strong social identity around sauna, music and shared experiences.
It's a particularly interesting option if you don't see sauna as something that needs to be silent or solitary.
Best for
Social sauna
Groups of friends
Music and events
South London
Community wellness
Our verdict: A strong option if you want your sauna session to feel more like a social experience.
8. Best Traditional Finnish-Style Sauna: Urban Heat
Location: Camberwell, South London
Best for: Traditional sauna and heat/cold contrast
Urban Heat is another London venue worth considering if you're looking for a more traditional sauna experience.
The venue has received recent editorial attention for its Finnish-style sauna, with reported sauna temperatures of around 75–85°C and ice baths available for cooling between rounds.
This makes it particularly relevant for people who want the classic combination of hot sauna and cold immersion.
Best for
Traditional Finnish-style sauna
Sauna + ice bath
Recovery
Regular sauna users
Our verdict: One to consider if traditional heat and cold contrast are your priorities.
Which London Sauna Is Best for You?
The answer depends on what you're actually looking for.
Best sauna & cold plunge
Revitalise Urban Spa — Hackney
A strong choice if you want traditional and infrared sauna, copper ice baths, contrast therapy and a community-focused wellness environment.
Best community sauna
Community Sauna Baths
A good option if you want social, accessible sauna experiences and the opportunity to become part of London's growing sauna community.
Best traditional banya
Banya No.1 — Hoxton
Ideal if you're interested in Russian banya culture, steam and traditional thermal rituals.
Best unique sauna experience
Skuna Sauna — Canary Wharf
A floating wood-fired sauna experience unlike most other venues in London.
Best rooftop sauna
Rooftop Saunas — Hackney/Brixton
Ideal for private sessions, couples, groups and people who want London views.
Best waterside experience
SOAK Bathhouse — King's Cross
A distinctive option combining sauna and bathhouse culture beside Regent's Canal.
Best social sauna
Sauna Social Club — Peckham
Best suited to people who want sauna to be a social experience rather than a silent spa treatment.
How We Chose the Best Saunas in London
We don't believe there is one objective ranking of London's saunas.
Instead, we've considered several factors:
Sauna type and quality
Availability of cold plunge or ice bath facilities
Atmosphere
Community
Private hire options
Location and accessibility
Range of experiences
Customer reviews
What makes each venue different
We've also deliberately included different types of sauna experiences.
A traditional banya shouldn't be compared directly with a floating sauna, just as a community sauna shouldn't be judged by the same criteria as a private wellness space.
The purpose of this guide is to help you find the best sauna for your needs.
Why Is Sauna So Popular in London?
Sauna culture isn't new.
Saunas have been used for centuries, particularly across Finland and Northern Europe.
What's changed is London's relationship with them.
Modern city life can be relentless.
People spend hours commuting, sitting at desks, looking at screens and moving between meetings.
A sauna provides something surprisingly simple:
An hour where you have very little else to do.
Your phone stays outside.
You sit.
You sweat.
You breathe.
You cool down.
And increasingly, you do it alongside other people.
That combination of physical heat and social connection is one reason community sauna culture has grown so rapidly in London.
Sauna & Cold Plunge: Why Are They So Popular Together?
Many of London's newest sauna venues now combine heat with cold-water immersion.
This is commonly referred to as contrast therapy.
A typical session involves:
Sauna → cold plunge → rest → repeat
The exact temperatures and durations vary between venues.
For beginners, there's no reason to start with extreme temperatures or long cold plunges.
The aim is to have a controlled experience that you can gradually become more comfortable with.
At Revitalise Urban Spa, guests can combine traditional or infrared sauna with copper ice baths as part of their contrast therapy experience.
What Does the Research Say About Sauna?
Sauna isn't simply a wellness trend.
There is a growing body of research investigating associations between regular sauna use and health outcomes.
One of the best-known long-term studies followed more than 2,300 Finnish men for around 20 years.
Researchers found that more frequent sauna use was associated with lower risks of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
People using a sauna four to seven times per week had approximately:
40% lower risk of all-cause mortality
50% lower risk of fatal cardiovascular disease
63% lower risk of sudden cardiac death
However, these figures need context.
The study was observational, so it demonstrates an association rather than proving that sauna use directly caused these reductions.
Sauna should therefore be considered as one potential part of a healthy lifestyle—not a replacement for exercise, nutrition, sleep or medical care.
How Long Should You Stay in a Sauna?
If you're new to sauna, start conservatively.
Around 10–15 minutes is plenty for a first round.
Afterwards, cool down, drink some water and rest.
If you feel comfortable, you can repeat the process.
There's no prize for staying in the sauna the longest.
The best sauna routine is one that you enjoy and can incorporate consistently into your lifestyle.
What Should You Bring to a London Sauna?
Most venues will tell you exactly what you need when booking, but generally it's useful to bring:
Swimwear
Two towels
Flip-flops or sandals
Water bottle
Warm clothes for afterwards
If you're doing a cold plunge, bringing something warm to wear afterwards is particularly useful during the colder months.
Always check the individual venue's requirements before visiting.
Your First Sauna & Cold Plunge: What to Expect
If you've never tried a cold plunge before, don't worry.
You don't need to prove anything.
A simple first experience could involve:
1. Start in the sauna
Spend around 10–15 minutes getting comfortable with the heat.
2. Cool down
Leave the sauna and take a moment before entering the cold water.
3. Try a short plunge
Start with a short immersion rather than trying to stay in for as long as possible.
4. Rest
Give your body time to return towards its normal temperature.
5. Repeat if comfortable
If you feel good, you can complete another round.
The experience should be challenging without becoming a competition.
Making a Sauna Day Out of London
One of the best things about London's sauna scene is that you can combine your session with the rest of the city.
Depending on where you visit, you could:
Explore a London market
Walk along a canal
Visit a park
Grab coffee
Meet friends for lunch
Visit a gallery
Combine your sauna with a workout
If you're visiting Revitalise in Hackney, for example, you can easily combine your session with London Fields, Broadway Market, Victoria Park or Regent's Canal.
That combination of wellness, food, culture and community is part of what makes London's sauna scene so interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions About London's Best Saunas
What is the best sauna in London?
There isn't one sauna that is objectively best for everyone.
For sauna and cold plunge in Hackney, Revitalise Urban Spa is a strong option.
For a community sauna, Community Sauna Baths is one of London's best-known choices.
For a traditional Russian banya, Banya No.1 Hoxton is a standout.
For a unique floating sauna, Skuna Sauna offers something very different.
Your best choice depends on the type of experience you're looking for.
What is the best sauna and cold plunge in London?
For a dedicated sauna and cold-plunge experience in East London, Revitalise Urban Spa in Hackney is one of the options worth considering.
It combines traditional and infrared sauna with copper ice baths and contrast therapy.
Other London venues, including Banya No.1, Urban Heat and Rooftop Saunas, also offer combinations of heat and cold.
Where can I find a sauna in Hackney?
Hackney has become one of London's strongest areas for sauna culture.
Options include Revitalise Urban Spa, Community Sauna Baths in nearby Hackney Wick and Rooftop Saunas Hackney.
For a more detailed comparison, see our guide to the Best Sauna & Cold Plunge in Hackney.
What is the difference between a sauna and a banya?
Both involve heat and sweating, but a traditional Russian banya has its own culture and rituals.
Banya No.1, for example, offers parenie, a traditional thermal ritual involving steam and leafy branches.
A Finnish-style sauna generally places more emphasis on dry heat and sauna bathing itself.
Is sauna good for recovery?
Many athletes and active people incorporate sauna into their recovery routines.
Heat exposure can increase circulation and heart rate, while the relaxation aspect can make sauna a useful addition to a broader recovery routine.
However, sauna should complement—not replace—sleep, hydration, nutrition and appropriate recovery.
Is cold plunging better after a sauna?
There isn't a universal answer.
Many people enjoy the contrast between heat and cold and find it invigorating.
If you're new to cold-water immersion, start gradually and follow the guidance of the venue you're visiting.
How often should I use a sauna?
There isn't a single ideal frequency for everyone.
Some people visit weekly, while others incorporate sauna into their routine several times per week.
Start gradually and find a routine that works for you.
Are saunas suitable for beginners?
Yes.
Most dedicated sauna venues welcome first-time visitors.
If you're new to sauna or cold plunging, choose a venue where staff can explain how the facilities work and don't feel pressured to stay in for longer than you're comfortable with.
Final Thoughts
London's sauna scene is now diverse enough that there's genuinely something for almost everyone.
You can experience a traditional Russian banya in Hoxton, a community sauna in Hackney Wick, a floating wood-fired sauna in Canary Wharf, a rooftop sauna overlooking London, or a dedicated sauna and cold-plunge experience in Hackney.
That's what makes London's sauna culture so exciting.
There isn't one correct way to do sauna.
Find the experience that fits you.
If you're specifically looking for sauna and cold plunge in Hackney or East London, Revitalise Urban Spa combines traditional and infrared sauna, copper ice baths, contrast therapy and a strong community focus.
Explore More
Our detailed local guide to Hackney's sauna and cold-plunge experiences.
Our guide to the best sauna and ice-bath experiences across East London.
Learn more about combining sauna and cold-water immersion.
Find out more about our sauna and cold-plunge experience.
Sources & Methodology
Venue information, facilities and ratings can change. Google ratings and review counts in this guide were checked in August 2026 and should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent score.
Where possible, venue information should be checked against the individual sauna's official website before booking.
Health statistics should be interpreted in the context of the underlying research, particularly because much of the long-term sauna research is observational.
This blog post was signed off by Kacper
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