Making a break for the coast? Here are the best saunas to visit all around Ireland.
Over the past five years, Ireland’s seaside sauna boom has been well documented. Cold water therapy has become an obsession, with groups of friends and families across the country waking early and descending on the sea for a revitalising dip, and the pairing with a wood-fired sauna? Well, it’s magic.
Boosting your circulation, reducing inflammation and alleviating pain, the physical benefits are tangible. Moving from the heat of the sauna to the icy cold of the Irish sea also helps to reduce stress, improve your quality of sleep, and up all those happy hormones.
There’s also the social aspect. In a society that’s becoming increasingly disconnected, booking into a shared group sauna session encourages conversation. They give you a place to gather, forge a community and spend time together away from the pub. Third spaces in Ireland are seriously lacking, and shared saunas are helping to fill that gap.
There are so very many mobile saunas traversing around Ireland, stationing themselves at some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. We’ve rounded up just some of the best around.
Sona Sauna
Ventry Bay Beach, Dingle, Kerry
One of the finest saunas on the Dingle Peninsula, Sona is a wood-fired sauna located at Ceann Trá, Ventry.
Skellig Sauna
Cuas Crom Beach, Cahersiveen, Kerry
Based on the scenic peninsula of Iveragh in southwest Kerry, this sauna is right in the midst of The Dark Sky Reserve — perfect for late-night stargazing.
Réalt na Mara Saunas
Courtown Beach, Wexford
Nestled right on the water’s edge in the sunny South East’s Courtown, Réalt na Mara provides the perfect setting for a peaceful escape, a wellness retreat, or a social experience with friends.
Sweathouse
Renvyle Beach, Connemara, Galway and Baginbun Beach, Wexford
Experience the Atlantic Ocean, mountain lakes and spring rivers in a new way in these ecological, outdoor saunas. Enjoy temperatures of between 70 and 110 degrees in the sauna, and then air-cooling or water-cooling when the heat gets too much.
Driftwood Sauna
Spiddal, Galway
Driftwood Sauna is an award-winning wood-fired sauna providing you with a wild and authentic bathing experience on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way. From their window, you can see panoramic views out to the Aran Islands and beyond.
Sauna Fiáin
Renville Pier, Oranmore, Galway
Born out of love and the heartfelt desire to create a space where wellness and joy are explored with nature in community, Sauna Fiáin is a wild sauna open Friday to Sunday.
Power Sauna
Silverstrand, Galway
Open seven days a week, Power Sauna run 55-minute sessions, but also offers a monthly membership programme for the die-hard wood-fired sauna lovers.
The Hot Pod
Locations across Waterford
With locations in Clonlea, Kilmurrin, and Dunmore East, The Hot Pod has the sauna lovers of Waterford well taken care of — they even offer private hire!
Sauna Sásta
Dunmoran Strand, Skreen, Sligo
Located 35km west of Sligo town at the picturesque Dunmoran Strand, Sauna Sásta offers a sanctuary where both locals and visitors can escape the demands of daily life while gazing out over the Atlantic Ocean combined with some of the most stunning sunsets.
West Coast Sauna Co.
Enniscrone Pier, Sligo and Kilcummin, Mayo
With one-hour or 45-minute sessions available, the wood-fired seaside sauna at Enniscrone Pier offers an incredible view across Killala Bay.
Coastal Cabin
Garryvoe Beach, East Cork
This beachside sauna has wide benches and can hold up to ten people for ultimate comfort. It has a view of the sea and Ballycotton Lighthouse, to connect you to the area’s amazing coastline.
The Sweaty Sanctuary Sauna
Inch Beach, East Cork
Open Thursday to Sunday, The Sweaty Sanctuary Sauna offers 30-minute or one-hour timeslots, and has a special shared session as Gaeilge so you can flex the cúpla focal.
My Hot Spot
Redbarn Strand, Youghal, Cork
In addition to their seaside sauna, My Hot Spot also has unique ice barrels and an outdoor shower to get your blood pumping.
West Cork Sauna
Locations across West Cork
Keeping the good people of West Cork warm since 2021, West Cork Sauna have locations at Snave Pier, Kilcrohane Pier, Lough Hyne, Broadstrand, Dereentra Pier, Zetland Pier, and also has full moon sauna sessions.
The Hot Box Sauna
Locations across Ireland
The Hot Box Sauna have six locations scattered across Ireland: Killiney Beach in Dublin, Inchicore Sauna Village in Dublin, Bective Mill House in Meath, Rosses Point in Sligo, Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch in Carlow, and Carlingford Marina in Louth.
Sauna Suaimhneas
Locations across Clare
Run by a brother and sister duo from Clare, Sauna Suaimhneas can be found popping up at Whitestrand Beach in Miltown Malbay, Lahinch Beach, Spanish Point, Clahane Shore, and Fanore.
The Sea Sauna
Tower Bay Beach on the Donabate & Portrane Peninsula, North County Dublin
Dublin’s original seaside sauna experience, they’ve got three handcrafted saunas to choose from: the cosy Barrel, the roomy Box, or the scenic Snug.
The Wood Fired Sauna
Rush and Skerries, Dublin
With 45-minute sessions accommodating up to 8-10 people, The Wood Fired Sauna also offers private bookings. Walk-ins are welcome, though they recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Sandycove Sauna
Sandycove Beach, Dublin
Whether you’re here to unwind, recharge, or share moments with others, Sandycove Sauna is your haven for unforgettable seaside experiences.
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