Cold Vilnius, Hot Saunas: Relax in a Mansion SPA or a Former Prison Sauna

As winter blankets Lithuania in icy chill, locals turn to a tradition for warmth and well-being: the sauna. Vilnius offers unforgettable sauna sessions in nature and historic sites.

January 16, 2025 – Vilnius, Lithuania. In the Lithuanian capital, saunas offer the perfect escape from the winter cold, blending cultural history, tradition, and relaxation. From rustic, farm-style retreats to luxurious spa, Vilnius is home to some of the country’s most unique sauna experiences.

A Tradition Rooted in Culture and Healing

Saunas, locally known as “pirtis,” hold a sacred place in Lithuanian culture, dating back centuries. More than a wellness activity, they are intertwined with spiritual and communal life. Historically, saunas were central gathering spots for celebrations, where people performed cleansing rituals, and welcomed newborns into the world. While some traditions have faded, saunas in Lithuania remain an essential part of life, experiencing a revival as places for gathering and well-being.

Traditional practices include herbal infusions, honey treatments, and whole body massages using “vantos”–bundles of leafy birch, oak or other branches believed to have healing properties. The soothing “garas” (steam) completes the ritual, offering physical and spiritual renewal. Ancient smoke saunas, or “pirties dūmas,” add a deeper cultural dimension, creating an aromatic cleansing experience that endures today.

Globally, saunas have transitioned from niche wellness retreats to sought-after home additions, driven by rising interest in wellness and the health benefits linked to regular sauna use.

Exceptional Saunas in Vilnius

Scattered throughout the city, Vilnius’ saunas range from traditional wood-fired sanctuaries to upscale spa retreats, featuring amenities like ice baths, hot tubs, and herbal infusions:

Ivan Beats the Gong: Nordic Sauna Traditions Meet Urban Legends

One standout is Ivãnas Muša Gongã, a modern, boutique-style sauna in the heart of the city. Far from a typical public bathhouse, it promotes a healthy lifestyle through Nordic-inspired sauna culture. Guests can enjoy thematic sessions led by professional sauna masters, ranging from nail-standing practices and couples’ nude sauna experiences to yoga and wellness rituals. Everything needed for relaxation is provided, including towels, slippers, ponchos, sauna hats, brushwood, aromatherapy, meditation bowls, and body-scrub salts. The name "Ivānas Muša Gongą" comes from a local legend about a Jewish merchant named Joškė, who rang a gong whenever new goods arrived. His carefree nephew Ivãnas, uninterested in hard work, later transformed the shop into a sauna, where the gong still calls visitors seeking relaxation.

Vytautas Beats the Gong: Steamy Escapes in a Former Prison Yard

There’s something strangely exhilarating about relaxing in a steamy sauna within the walls of a former prison. Once a place for life-sentenced prisoners, Lukiškės Prison has transformed into the city’s cultural hub. Operating from 1904 until its closure in 2019, the prison housed around a thousand inmates before being repurposed into a tourist attraction. Among its features is Vytautas Muša Gongã, an igloo-shaped outdoor sauna inspired by the traditional dome-shaped Inuit dwellings. In the sauna’s courtyard, there’s a cold-water bath and guests can order food and drinks from the nearby Lukiškės Prison Café.

PACAI SPA: Baroque Elegance Meets Modern Wellness in a Historic Mansion

Situated beneath the historic walls of a 17th-century mansion once owned by the noble Pacai family, PACAI hotel’s SPA merges Baroque grandeur with contemporary design. The mansion, a symbol of Lithuania’s rich heritage, once hosted prominent historical figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte, Russian Emperor Alexander I, and Polish King and Grand Duke of Lithuania John Sobieski. Today, its legacy endures through the hotel’s thoughtfully curated design elements, including an opulent golden-tiled shower. The spa, nestled in a medieval cellar features three softly lit treatment rooms, a Technogym, a sauna, and a dry-air hammam, with the ancient walls of the cellar adding a historic touch. Its signature Lithuanian sauna ritual, enhanced with seaside sand, offers a refreshing and restorative experience.

Bokšto SPA: Relaxation Reimagined in a Historic Vilnius Setting

Bokšto SPA, the largest wellness center in Vilnius’ Old Town, offers an opportunity to relax amidst centuries of history. The spa is located beneath the main courtyard of the Bokšto Square complex, which won the 2024 Civic Trust Award for its exceptional restoration. Surrounded by lush greenery and historic churches, it’s rare to find such a spacious sanctuary among old buildings, where the walls hold centuries of history. The SPA features a 25-meter, four-lane swimming pool, treatment rooms housed in restored 15th-17th century cellars, offering experiences like the immersive “Cloud9” relaxation therapy and a sensory garden.

Pilaitė Mill’s Bathhouses: A Journey into Lithuania’s Spa Heritage

Built in 1923, the Pilaitė Mill is a unique piece of Lithuania’s industrial heritage, distinguished by its wooden base and remarkable height compared to other windmills in the region. Located on the outskirts of Vilnius in Pilaitė, the mill is surrounded by a forest, a pond, and a river. Nearby, along the Sudervėlė stream, are three bathhouses: the Old Bathhouse, the Great Bathhouse, and the Small Bathhouse. The saunas offer a range of services, including a sauna master and educational experiences on ancient spa traditions. Guests can enjoy three hours of relaxation, meditation, aromatherapy, washing, and treatments with honey and salt, culminating in a rejuvenating experience that promises the feeling of “rebirth.”

With around 40,000 saunas across the country, Lithuania has one of the highest sauna rates per capita. The tradition continues to evolve around the country, with unique experiences such as saunas built in trees, deep in forests, or even lined with therapeutic amber stones.