🧊 Avantouinti for beginners: where to dive in and how to stay safe
When the city smells of snow and smoke from chimneys, I usually do one simple thing: I grab my mittens and wool socks and head for the water. Finnish avantouinti is not about heroism and "musts", but about silence, clarity and a brief encounter with oneself. In this article, you will learn how to safely take your first dip, where to go in different cities, how much it costs, how queues work in winter and why it is better for beginners to start with a nearby sauna.
Why do people go avanto and where to start
Avantouinti is a short dip in natural water in winter. In Finnish, it is simply part of a peaceful lifestyle: after the sauna, go out to the ice hole, breathe in the crisp air, dip your shoulders into the black water and return to the warmth. It is important for beginners to remember that moderation is key: 15–60 seconds for the first dip is enough, and the magic lies in regularity and calm cycles of "warmth → cold → rest".
Helpful tip: if you have cardiovascular disease, asthma, are pregnant, have diabetes, or are taking medication, talk to your doctor first. A one-time "test" is a bad idea; the right approach is a gentle introduction, preferably with an instructor or in a public sauna with staff. Be sure not to go alone.
A brief overview of the season: in most cities, the winter swimming season lasts from September/October to May. Peak times are Friday evenings and weekends (especially after 4 p.m.). Weekdays before 3 p.m. are noticeably quieter.
Reader's voice
Ekaterina V., Moscow: "I was afraid it would be 'too much'. But it turned out to be a short pause, like a reset button. On our first evening at Kuusijärvi, we only dipped in for 20-30 seconds and warmed ourselves on the lower shelves. On the third lap, my body asked for another short dip — and then the rest of the day was surprisingly calm."
Etiquette and safety: how not to do anything stupid
The unspoken rules are simple and very Finnish: respect, silence, taking turns, and cleanliness.
● Put your belongings and phone in a locker/bag; take only a towel, rubber slippers and a hat to the water's edge.
● Do not run. The paths, steps and pontoons are icy. Hold on to the handrail and move slowly.
● No alcohol. Neither "for courage" nor "afterwards" — the cold intensifies the effect of alcohol and disrupts thermoregulation.
● No fanaticism: the first time — ankle/waist deep, one or two breaths and back to the warmth.
● Children should only be supervised by adults; pregnant women and people with chronic conditions should only do so after consulting a doctor.
● Ask before taking photos/videos. In some places (e.g. saunas in Helsinki in winter), filming is prohibited or undesirable — everyone is vulnerable in the water.
❌ Error: "The colder and longer, the better"
No. The value lies in short, controlled exposure and calm breathing.
⚠️ Mistake: "I'll jump alone and quickly"
Always with a partner or in a public location with staff and lighting.
✅ Correct: "Slowly and at your own pace"
Two or three short sessions, with 10-15 minutes of warmth, tea and rest in between.
First time in a sauna: a step-by-step guide
1) Warm-up
10–15 minutes on the lower shelves. Drink water/warm tea, no alcohol. Monitor your pulse.
2) To cold water
In slippers, holding onto the handrail. First entry — 15–30 seconds. Breathe calmly: exhale longer than you inhale.
3) Return to warmth
Dry yourself off, then return to the sauna for 5–10 minutes. Repeat the cycle 2–3 times. Stop before you get too much of a rush.
4) After
Dress in layers and take a slow walk. Do not take a hot shower right away. In the evening, eat a normal meal and go to bed.
Locations and price guides: Helsinki, Vantaa, Tampere, Oulu, Espoo
Below is a clear overview of where to go, what the format is, and how prices and queues work. I have indicated what is important for beginners: the availability of a sauna, towel/swimsuit rental, and how crowded it gets during the season.
Important: exact prices and opening hours depend on the day of the week and the season — check your booking online before visiting; popular places fill up quickly in winter.
Helsinki (city and centre)
| Location | Format | Price range | Queues | Towels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allas Sea Pool (near Kauppatori) | Sea pool + sauna | Membership from ~€49/month; single tickets online | Peak times – evenings/weekends | Rental/sale available |
| Löyly (Hernesaarenranta) | Saunas + access to the sea | ~€26 for 2 hours, includes towel | Advance booking required | Included in the ticket |
| Kulttuurisauna (Hakaniemi) | Austere city sauna + plunge pool | Fixed ticket; quiet mode | Quieter on weekdays | Often — with your own |
— For the city scene, it's handy to keep avantouinti in Helsinki close at hand — there we'll collect addresses and the current schedule for each place.
Vantaa (Kuusijärvi)
| Location | Format | Price range | Queues | Towels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuusijärvi (Kuusijärventie 3) | Electric + smoke saunas, lake | Electric sauna from ~€6.5, smoke sauna from ~€13 | Weekends — queues for smoke saunas | Towel/swimsuit rental ~€4 |
— Easy to get to: HSL bus no. 736 (Tikkurila ↔ Kuusijärvi). During the snow season, allow extra time for parking.
Tampere (Lake Näsijärvi)
| Location | Format | Price range | Queues | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaupinoja | Wood-fired sauna + lake | Single entry ~€12 adults | Peak times — evenings, weekends | Separate "quiet hours" in the schedule |
| Rauhaniemi Folk Spa | Saunas + winter plunge pool | Tickets online/on site | Peak time — after 5 p.m. | Beach area, convenient access to the water |
— For planning purposes, it is convenient to bookmark Tampere saunas — we will post the current schedule and links to tickets there.
Oulu (sea and river)
| Location | Format | Price range | Queues | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nallikari (winter tent saunas) | Tent sauna on ice + avanto | By date, online booking | Peak season — public holidays | Atmosphere of "sea and silence" |
| Olosauna (Hartaanselkä) | Modern "rustic" sauna + plunge pool | Tickets/membership from the operator | Quieter on weekdays | Coffee shop, warm relaxation area |
Espoo (Lake Bodom and coast)
| Location | Format | Price range | Queues | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oittaa (Lake Bodom) | Sauna in a stone barn + plunge pool | Paid sessions (on site/online) | Quieter during the day on weekdays | In winter — ski trails and cafes nearby |
Interactive map
Beginner's mistakes — bright stickers
🚫 "Since I'm here, I'll stay longer"
Long exposure to cold water increases the risk of hypothermia. It's better to do 2-3 short rounds.
🧯 "Straight into the hottest steam room"
Start with the lower shelves. Sudden pressure changes are not the goal, but a risk.
🧭 "Without a warming plan"
Plan a warm break: tea, a warm room, dry socks and mittens for when you leave.
Equipment and preparation checklist
🧣 What to bring
Mini-stories and ideas for the evening
● Quiet Helsinki: a short walk along the embankment, 2–3 rounds of "sauna → sea pool" and coffee by the water. For those with a sweet tooth — Finnish winter sweets after the steam room — try joulutorttu "to go" at dusk.
● Family evening in Vantaa: Kuusijärvi is a good "first choice" — it is well lit by the water, has a wide edge, and further on — dinner in a café.
● Tampere without haste: the wood-fired heat of Kaupinoja, a dip in Näsijärvi and a quiet road through the forest back to the city.
● Oulu by the sea: a tent sauna on the ice in Nallikari — and rare silence, when all you can hear is the snow.
A little bit of humanity and a request to you
If you found this material useful, share it with your friends, save it for the season, and write in the comments which locations, modes, and "little tricks" worked for you. We will add your tips to the map and checklist to make it even easier for the next reader to complete their first cycle of "warm → cold → warm".
❓ FAQ
Start with a place that has a sauna and a well-lit access to the water nearby: an urban setting (such as Allas Sea Pool in the city centre or the peaceful Kulttuurisauna) helps you get used to the cycles and not rush. Booking in advance and visiting on a weekday before 3 p.m. will give you peace and quiet and time to get used to it.
Yes, the electric and smoke saunas are open daily; there are queues for the smoke saunas on weekends. Plan to visit on a weekday or arrive before the evening rush; towels and swimsuits can be rented on site.
Kaupinoja — bright wood fire and trees all around; they have "quiet hours". Rauhaniemi — convenient access to the water and an intimate atmosphere. Both options are good; weekdays during the day are usually less crowded.
For your first experience, 15–30 seconds per dip is enough — and 2–3 cycles of "warm → cold → warm". The key is to breathe evenly and not rush.
Pregnant women, people with uncontrolled cardiovascular diseases, acute asthma, untreated hypertension and acute infections should only do so after consulting a doctor or refrain from doing so altogether.
Only go to officially prepared areas (with lighting, handrails, steps). Wear non-slip shoes/slippers, hold onto the railings, do not run, and keep your phone in a dry case. Do not go out in snowfall or strong winds without a partner.
Yes: slippers will protect you from ice and slipping, a thin hat will keep your head warm, and mittens will keep your fingers warm. When going outside, wear a base layer + insulation + wind protection: it is safer to warm up gradually.
Weekdays before 3 p.m., especially in the second half of the season (February–March). Early slots, online booking and choosing locations outside the city centre help
In Helsinki, walk or take the tram to the embankments; bus HSL 736 goes to Kuusijärvi (Vantaa). Espoo (Oittaa) can be reached by city bus plus a short walk.
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