I’m not a clown. But sometimes, I might as well be—I juggle a lot of things! Writing, editing, podcasting, plus all the usual home stuff and relationships. I love them all, but man, the pressure and stress can get to me. That’s when I knew I had to blow off steam.
I imagined screaming on a high mountaintop—except I hate hiking. Or dancing my heart out at a club—with my two left feet. No way! What I really need is stress relief, which requires low energy. So I thought about it and hit upon the sauna as a pretty chill idea!
But going alone? Not the best for a first-timer. I called up a bunch of friends, hit a bunch of saunas, and we did some fun reviews. Now, we’ve got the best ones on speed dial whenever stress hits. See for yourself as well!
How much does a sauna session cost in Ireland?
A sauna session in Ireland costs about €10 to €50, depending on the location, number of people, and type of sauna. Other things that can affect the cost include extra features, such as spa treatments and access to pools or other amenities.
How We Chose
1. Saltee Sauna
| VALUE FOR MONEY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
|---|---|
| BOOKING SYSTEM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
We think Saltee Sauna is a pretty charming option for your relaxation in Ireland. It’s right on the small beach in the fishing village of Kilmore Quay in County Wexford.
You can have a social sauna session or a private one if you prefer to keep it cosy with your crew. The private sauna can comfortably fit 7 people, but you can squeeze in more without any extra charge.
Inside, we love the clean look of the Scandinavian spruce wood lining the walls. But we say it’s not just about the aesthetics, either.
For one, the benches are made of aspen to keep you cool, and the exterior walls are made of larch to handle any weather throughout the year! This makes us believe that the sauna here is designed for maximum efficiency.
Another plus for us is the fantastic south-facing window—it’s a one-way glass that gives you a unique view of the beautiful surroundings in Ireland’s Ancient East!
Pros
- Beautiful beachside location
- One-way glass window with scenic sights
- Weatherproof sauna exteriors
- Takes bookings up to 2 months early
Cons
Loved It
“We loved our Saltee Sauna experience. Conor was so warm and welcoming when we arrived and the sauna is in the most beautiful location overlooking the beach in Kilmore Quay. Already looking forward to our next visit” — Sarah Eustace, Google Reviews
Great Experience
“We had a great experience at the sauna. Even though the tide was out we could go for a dip in the sea before and after and still had plenty of sauna time in between, and having the cold shower just outside the sauna was perfect for quickly cooling off. The sauna itself is beautiful, it’s very clean and the temperature is just right. The view from the window is fab, it was lovely to look out to the sea on a sunny day. Conor was so friendly and had some great food recommendations for afterwards. We will definitely be back!” — Rachel O’Grady, Google Reviews
2. The Hot Box Sauna
| VALUE FOR MONEY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| BOOKING SYSTEM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
If you’re a traveller looking for that traditional Irish vibe, we think The Hot Box Sauna is worth checking out. We like that the sauna creators wanted to blend the natural beauty of Irish lakes, seas, or rivers with the soothing warmth of steam or hot air.
And since the sauna is located by the Boyne River and the old Bective Mill, we reckon the views here are perfect for getting away from the daily grind.
Want that well-deserved “me time”? We like that this spot offers different-sized saunas that you can book just for yourself.
Otherwise, you can share it with others during social evenings to split the cost. Do note that the smallest fits 6 people, and the largest can hold up to 15.
On top of that, we love the sea and plunge pool options here—they seem like a great way to cool off! Moreover, we dig the roomy changing areas, making it easy to dry off and get dressed without fuss.
It’s also convenient for us that the sauna accepts various payment options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, MasterCard, Visa, and more. Less hassle for later!
Just something to remember, though. Some previous visitors we talked to mentioned that they didn’t like the sauna smell, so we believe you might want to bring some aroma oils just in case.
We recommend wearing comfy flip-flops when you get in as well. The riverbed is pretty rocky and uneven, although it’s shallow at the entry point.
Pros
- Classic Irish feel with natural surroundings
- Various sauna sizes available
- Spacious changing rooms
- Multiple ways to pay
Cons
- Complaints about the smell
- Need flip-flops for the rough riverbed
Gorgeous Experience
“Gorgeous experience! The entire space was so clean, the vibe was lovely. We went on a Monday afternoon and had the entire place to ourselves. There’s two saunas, a hot one for beginners and a very hot one for more experienced sauna-goers. The lake was so lovely to swim in and the plunge tubs are very refreshing. There’s group changing rooms as well as individual cubicles which was a nice thought! Staff are always so sound at all Hot Box locations.” — Emma O’Sullivan, Google Reviews
Great Spot
“Great spot, really nice saunas and the option to jump in the river is a nice touch. Would be nice if there were fresh water shower facilities just to clean up before you head out.” — Dolphin Shaving Ltd, Google Reviews
3. The Barrel Sauna
| VALUE FOR MONEY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| BOOKING SYSTEM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The Barrel Sauna has been serving up hot saunas for over 20 years, so we bet it’s a great choice for your next rejuvenating session in Ireland.
From the get-go, we like that there are 3 spacious saunas here, so there’s plenty of room. We reckon you won’t have to fight over the ice baths either since there are 3 of them.
But if that’s not your thing, there are 3 showers too! Our advice is be quick to hop on one because they’re also cold! This is why we suggest chilling in the sun between sauna rounds—we find this a healthy and calming way to connect with nature.
Plenty of street parking is also available nearby, which we feel makes the experience more hassle-free. And if you get hungry, you might love that there are many places to eat just around the corner!
If interested, you can book all sessions through the Wunderbook app. For us, it makes everything faster and more organised. But there’s an extra fee for using it, so keep that in mind too.
Pros
- Over 2 decades in the business
- Ample roomy saunas and cool-off options
- Efficient app booking process
- Adequate parking around the area
- Many foodie spots nearby
Cons
- App reservations incur an extra fee
100% Recommended
“Great & friendly staff, great place to recover and spend some quality time. Love the fact that there are cold showers, and barrels prepared for cold & extremely cold plunges, so everybody can choose the “cold plunge” for your own level. Some eatings spots just around the corner, so super convenient. 100% recommended!” — Povilas Z, Google Reviews
I’ll Be Back
“Great value for your money and very easy to book through the app. Sauna was very hot and cold plunges are fun. Will definitely be back.” — Patricia Antal, Google Reviews
4. The Sea Sauna
| VALUE FOR MONEY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| BOOKING SYSTEM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
The Sea Sauna is where old-school wood-fired saunas meet the stunning views of Tower Bay Beach in Portrane, Co. Dublin. We like that you can also swim there if you wish!
We love how clients can soak up the sauna’s warmth and then stroll along the Irish Sea. In our view, it’s amazing to experience the mix of the sauna’s heat and the sea’s coolness.
You can pick between the cosy barrel or box sauna too. For us, the barrel one is perfect if you’re with just a few people and want a quieter vibe.
Another cool thing we noticed is that this spot offers longer sauna sessions than others. While most saunas in the city only give you 10 to 15 minutes, here you get either 30 or 45-minute sessions for up to 10 people.
Do note that the staff asks clients to bring 2 towels (one to sit on and one to use after), plus water and snacks—it’s a great way to save some cash!
But if you forget, we like that they also sell towels and sauna hats. We love the nearby coffee truck as well!
If you want to check this sauna out, it’s open 4 days a week, from Thursday to Sunday, but the hours vary, so make sure to check online.
We also appreciate that the staff tries to fit in walk-ins when they can, unlike some stricter places. Still, we find it’s best to book ahead to make sure you get a spot.
One thing to note, though, is that the cold water hoses here aren’t super strong, but we heard this sauna is planning to install permanent showers soon.
Pros
- Near Tower Bay Beach for a quick swim
- Longer sessions compared to others
- Handy coffee truck nearby
- Considers walk-ins
Cons
- Weak water hoses for cool-off
Absolutely Stunning
“I’ve been to The Sea Sauna now a number of times and I cannot recommend it enough. The setting of the sauna is absolutely stunning and having the sea so close by makes this place an absolute gem. The vibe the staff set out there is second to none and view belongs on a post card. Already looking forward to my next visit!” — Adam Alsybury, Google Reviews
Great Saunas
“Fab! 2 great saunas on site and you can take a dip in the ocean to cool off. The coffee truck in the car park gives you the warm drinks you might need after!” — Ronan Cooney, Google Reviews
5. Driftwood Sauna
| VALUE FOR MONEY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| BOOKING SYSTEM | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Driftwood Sauna is perfect for sauna lovers who want to enjoy the cosy warmth of a wood-fired stove while feeling the refreshing breeze from the Wild Atlantic wind or sea.
Tired of city smoke? Here, we appreciate that you can breathe in the pure scent of beautiful aspen benches and the herbal-scented steam, or löyly, that wraps around you.
We also love how environmentally friendly this place is! The warm, solar-powered lighting creates a glow that lasts long after your sauna session.
But something we noticed is that the saunas here are quite small and can only fit up to 8 people at a time. It’s best to keep this in mind if you’re planning to visit with a group.
For us, it’s also good to book early—the sauna allows up to 1 month in advance! It’s also only open 3 days a week, from Friday to Sunday, with shorter hours on Friday.
Plus, we appreciate that the sauna sends an instant automated email confirmation to keep things in order.
And if you drive or bike, we reckon you might love the ample parking space right next to the establishment as well. Less stress for you to focus solely on your sauna sesh!
Pros
- Eco-friendly with solar-powered lights
- Filled with fresh aspen scent and herbal steam
- Quick email confirmation for bookings
- Plenty of parking for cars and bikes
Cons
- Limited availability
- Caters mostly to smaller groups
Epic Experience
“Edward & Monique have created this wonderful magical outdoor sauna haven on spiddal pier. The moonlit sauna sessions is the epic experience you need in your life. The campfire on the beach afterwards with fresh cacao made by Monique is the perfect way to end the day, chatting to like-minded people, meeting new people and roasting marshmallows over the fire. If you haven’t been down to driftwood sauna yet this is your sign. Thanks for creating such a cool and safe space. Can’t wait for my next visit” — Aishling McDonagh, Google Reviews
Absolutely Great
“Beautiful sauna and such a scenic location. The owners are absolutely great – so friendly and helpful. They do a really wide range of sauna experiences so can’t wait to try something new next time!” — Rachel Lafferty, Google Reviews