Budapest revealed among world’s sauna hotspots!

A new study has revealed which cities are home to the best saunas, with Budapest in Hungary ranking as the ninth best in the world!

Stepping into a sauna can be a highly effective way to disconnect from daily life and recharge in a calm, restorative space. Whether it’s a morning ritual or a post-work wind down, saunas have been proven to help alleviate stress, improve circulation and promote deep relaxation.

In 2025, saunas are having more than a moment. Their popularity is booming as more people realise their wellbeing benefits and use them as ways to socialise that do away with alcohol or the need to get dressed up. Plus, you’ll find saunas in some beautiful spas and stunning locations, meaning that planning a visit can add some much-needed downtime to a holiday.

The best saunas: a study

With sauna use increasing in popularity around the world, the study by SpaSeekers.com analysed review numbers and ratings, to give each city a ‘sauna score’ out of 100: in turn creating a must-visit list of sauna hotspots, for anyone that wants to add a detoxifying dose of relaxation to their holidays.

From traditional saunas that incorporate aromatherapy to outdoor saunas with breathtaking views, the list features many great options, but it’s Riga, the capital of Latvia, that ranks as the best sauna hotspot for 2025 with a sauna score of 90 out of 100. Kosice in Slovakia places second, with Helsinki in Finland completing the top three.

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, ranks among the top 10 best sauna destinations, taking ninth place with a score of 56/100.

The capital of Latvia, Riga, is revealed as the best sauna hotspot in 2025 with a sauna score of 90 out of 100. Out of the top 10, six of the destinations are located in Europe (excluding the UK), with Slovakia, Finland and Romania following respectively.