SANNA 2026! Health comes from the sauna! In Rõuge, locals open the doors to their private home saunas, celebrate the traditional whisking festival, and introduce sauna culture in its most authentic form.
On 9–11 October 2026, unique saunas and host families in Rõuge parish, Võru County, will open their doors and hearts to share the joy of sauna and the authentic charms of rural life.
SUNDAY, 11 October at 11:00 AM THE GREAT WHISKING FESTIVAL on the shores of Lake Rõuge Suurjärv.
Buy your ticket to the whisking festival here.
Estonia's largest sauna tent can accommodate over a hundred people whisking together. Now that's what we call a true, powerful experience!
Whisk yourself or let your fellow sauna-goers treat you. Between steam sessions, take a refreshing plunge in Estonia's deepest lake. All of this accompanied by sauna spells, sauna drums, whisking tips, and a wonderful, lively atmosphere. A changing tent is located next to the whisking tent. Swimwear is welcome. Please bring your own sauna towel, drinking mug, and two sauna whisks (viht).
Sauna connects people, heals, and opens up the unique lifestyle of sauna-goers. The best way to get to know local people and their everyday culture is to go to the sauna with them.
Sauna-going and its customs are an essential part of Southern Estonia's identity and cultural heritage. Every family has its own sauna traditions, beliefs, and rituals.
A shared sauna session connects communities, mindsets, families, tribes, and nations. The SANNA! 2025 event warms up and opens hearts for person-to-person, family-to-family, and community-to-community communication. It encourages associations and businesses to take guests to their favorite spots in the wonderful nature, homes, saunas, and soulful cultural landscapes of Rõuge parish.
FRIDAY, 9 October at 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM EXCURSION TO THE SMOKE SAUNAS of the Karula region
We gather at 11:55 AM at the Karula National Park Visitor Centre, from where we will carpool to explore the local saunas of the Karula area, guided by Marko Puksing. Tickets are available on Fienta.
SATURDAY, 10 October 2026 SANNA! OPEN SAUNAS DAY and workshops in saunas.
During the day, you can participate in workshops and activities at Ärni smoke sauna:
— 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sauna salt making workshop
— 2:30 PM Presentation: Exhibition and soundscape "In the Lap of the Sauna – Saunan sylissä" featuring 6 sauna textiles inspired by Finnish sauna heritage (paintings and installations by Sanna Pelliccioni, soundscape by Gabriela Ariana and Sanna Pelliccioni)
— 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM Sauna wise-woman Helen introduces Estonian sauna heritage - a lecture on sauna culture "From Cradle to Grave"
— 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Sauna salt making workshop, suitable for the whole family
— 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM Sing-along around the campfire with Kätlin Lainola and Kati Taal
NB! Throughout the day, from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, a café and a sauna and farm produce shop will be open.
More info about the Ärni event
The list of saunas and booking links will appear here. |
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 Ala Sarise sauna house lake sauna — A lakeside sauna open from sunrise to sunset. Accommodates 4 people at a time, price €10/person.Booking and more info |
 Vaskna tourism farm morning sauna — Morning sauna from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, a wood-fired, clean, and bright sauna with a view of Lake Vaskna.Booking and more info |
 Kuppari farm smoke sauna — An old smoke sauna heated with hardwood, open for sauna-goers from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Spaces available to join.Booking and more info |
 Harrõoro smoke sauna — A smoke sauna where the host joins you to share the stories of the sauna and the farm. From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with 2 spots remaining.Booking and more info |
 Linnusõbra Pesä (Bird-lover's Nest) — Choice of smoke sauna with a hot tub (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM). Up to 6 people.Booking and more info |
 Puraviku sauna, Ööbikuoru Villa — A small electric-heater sauna by the lake, two-hour sessions at 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. Accommodates 4 people.Booking and more info |
 Kuutsi farm smoke sauna and hot tub — A century-old smoke sauna and hot tub, open from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Accommodates 4–5 people at a time.Booking and more info |
 Vana-Hinniala cave smoke sauna — A unique new cave smoke sauna on the banks of the Piusa River, starting at 3:00 PM. Last spots left!Booking and more info |
 Meldre farm modern smoke sauna with a closed heater — A contemporary smoke sauna by Lake Perajärv, open from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. No advance booking needed, just show up!More info |
 Pokumaa smoke sauna — A smoke sauna for children together with parents or grandparents, open from 4:00 PM. Just show up with your kids! |
 Tuulepesa smoke sauna (Men's sauna) — A manly smoke sauna for village men, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM — if the sauna-goers can't fit on the platform, the steam-maker hasn't done their job right! Booking and more info |
 Telecom and Laptop Museum's smoke sauna — A smoke sauna next to the museum, heated and ready by 4:00 PM. 5 spots still available to join. Booking and more info |
 Lillemäe farm wood-fired sauna — A sauna on the shore of a pond, complete with showers and an exhibition of hunting trophies. Open sauna from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Booking and more info |
 Vanamehe (Old Man's) smoke sauna — An unrenovated, rustic smoke sauna in Mauri village. Gathering at 3:40 PM, start at 4:00 PM. Booking and more info |
 Suhka farm smoke sauna — An over 100-year-old smoke sauna and smithy. Suhka sauna starting at 6:00 PM. Booking and more info |
 Suur Munamägi sauna journeys — A mobile sauna at the foot of the Suur Munamägi sightseeing tower, guided by sauna master Jaan Reigo. Open sauna from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Just show up! Booking and more info |
 FULLY BOOKED Ööbikuoru Villa smoke sauna journey — A guided smoke sauna experience accompanied by sauna master Aivar, starting at 2:00 PM. Up to 6 people. Booking and more info |
 FULLY BOOKED Alliku farm mindfulness sauna — A Seto-style smoke sauna for women, a space for presence guided by the hostess. From 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Booking and more info |
 FULLY BOOKED Mõtsavahi guided women's sauna — The newest smoke sauna in Old Võromaa, a guided women's sauna session. From 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, up to 8 women.Booking and more info |
 FULLY BOOKED Uue-Saaluse wine farm smoke sauna — A smoke sauna on the lake shore with the wine farm family, up to 8 people. Option to add a wine tasting. Booking and more info |
 FULLY BOOKED Ärni smoke sauna — Guided sauna sessions with sauna women, plus workshops, a café, stories, herbal tea, and hot soup by the campfire.Booking and more info about the workshops |
 FULLY BOOKED Nurmenuku farm smoke sauna and clean sauna — An old smoke sauna and a wood-fired chimney sauna, heated by 4:00 PM. |
 FULLY BOOKED Mõniste Peasant Museum's smoke sauna — A smoke sauna heated next to the museum, ready at 2:00 PM.More info |
 FULLY BOOKED Pärlioru farm smoke sauna (Pallipere) — A smoke sauna with a unique dome heater, heated by 4:00 PM. Accommodates 6–8 people. More info |
 FULLY BOOKED Ööbiksaare farm smoke sauna — An old smoke sauna restored with a great sense of style, heated by 4:00 PM. Accommodates 6 people in addition to the host family. More info |
FULLY BOOKED Jõeäärse farm saunas. A hundred-year-old smoke sauna, a wood-fired country sauna, an igloo sauna, a hot tub, a co-sauna, a round sauna, and a pond. |
SUNDAY, 11 October at 11:00 AM THE GREAT WHISKING FESTIVAL on the shores of Lake Rõuge Suurjärv.
Buy your ticket to the whisking festival here.
Estonia's largest sauna tent can accommodate over a hundred people whisking together. Now that's what we call a true, powerful experience!
Whisk yourself or let your fellow sauna-goers treat you. Between steam sessions, take a refreshing plunge in Estonia's deepest lake. All of this accompanied by sauna spells, sauna drums, whisking tips, and a wonderful, lively atmosphere. A changing tent is located next to the whisking tent. Swimwear is welcome. Please bring your own sauna towel, drinking mug, and two sauna whisks (viht).
Event organized by: Sann ja Süük MTÜ eda.veeroja@gmail.com +3725032341
