Finnish Sauna

Proper sauna use works in rounds: 8-15 minutes in the hot cabin, then a shower and a rest; the cycle is repeated 2-3 times according to your tolerance. A sauna is not an endurance contest — what relaxes you is getting the rhythm right, not stretching the time.

1. A preparatory shower — Take a warm shower and towel off before entering; dry skin sweats more evenly.
2. First round (8-12 min) — Sit or lie on your towel. Beginners should start on the lower benches (cooler); the heat rises noticeably towards the upper benches.
3. Cooling off — After leaving the cabin, breathe normally for a few minutes first, then shower from lukewarm to cool. An ice-cold plunge is not a must — listen to your body.
4. Rest and water — Sit for 10-15 minutes and drink water. This pause is the most skipped — and most important — part of the cycle.
5. Second and third rounds — If you feel good, repeat the same pattern. As a general rule, total cabin time should stay under 30-40 minutes a day.

First time in a sauna?

For your first session, one round on the lower bench is plenty. If you feel dizzy, notice a racing heart or feel overwhelmed, step out and let our staff know. Sauna tolerance builds with time — don't aim for long sessions on day one.

The short answer: if you want a dry, quiet heat break, choose the sauna; if you want a steamy cleansing ritual with a scrub and foam, the Turkish bath is for you. They are not rivals — they complement each other beautifully.

• Type of heat: The sauna offers 80-90°C of dry heat with low humidity; the hammam greets you with a 40-50°C, steam-rich, humid environment.
• The experience: The sauna is silent and personal — you sit, sweat and rest. The hammam is a hands-on ritual guided by an attendant, with a kese scrub and foam massage.
• Time: A full sauna cycle takes 45-60 minutes; a hammam session runs 60-90 minutes.
• Skin: If you want physical exfoliation with the kese, choose the hammam; if you simply want to sweat and feel refreshed, the sauna is enough.

Can't decide? Combine them: a short sauna round first, then the hammam ritual — or plan your visit as a spa programme with rest and refreshment breaks in between. If you're not sure which order would suit you, tell us briefly what you need on the phone and we'll build the right combination together.

Enjoying the sauna comes down to a few simple rules: stay hydrated, don't overdo the time, and listen to your body. The list below is for both your comfort and your safety:

• Drink plenty of water before and after; save coffee and tea for the rest break.
• Never combine alcohol with the sauna — in the heat, alcohol strains the circulation and raises the risk of dizziness.
• Don't enter on a full stomach; leave at least 1-1.5 hours after your last meal.
• Leave jewellery, watches and glasses outside the cabin; metal heats up and becomes uncomfortable.
• Always sit on your towel; it is the foundation of both hygiene and sauna etiquette.
• If you don't feel well, don't push through the round — stepping out is always the right call.

Who should ask their doctor before using the sauna?

If you are pregnant, live with a heart or circulatory condition, fluctuating blood pressure or a fever, or take regular medication, please get your doctor's opinion before using the sauna. The sauna is not a medical treatment; health decisions always belong with your doctor.

For general use, 1-3 sessions a week with 30-40 minutes of total cabin time per session (in 2-3 rounds) is a comfortable measure for most people. More often is not automatically better; your body needs its recovery breaks too.

How hot should a sauna be?

A traditional Finnish sauna runs at 80-90°C. For beginners, the lower benches — the cooler zone of the cabin — are the right starting point; move higher as you get used to it. Our cabin temperature is checked regularly and kept steady.

When is the best time for a sauna?

There is no single right answer: evenings after work are ideal for letting go of mental load, while athletes prefer post-training rounds for muscle release. Since we are open every day from 09:00 to 01:00, both a calm morning visit and a late-night break are possible. Our one tip: finish 1-2 hours before bedtime rather than right before sleep, so your body temperature can settle.

Is a shower before the sauna a must?

Yes — for hygiene and for comfort alike. A short, warm shower prepares the skin to perspire, and entering dry helps the sweat start more evenly. The same goes for afterwards: rinse off before moving to the rest area.

After the sauna your muscles are warm and supple, so a massage session right afterwards feels much deeper — the therapist's hands reach the tight spots from the very first minute. That's why one of our guests' favourite combinations is a 20-30 minute sauna break followed by a 50-60 minute massage.

The reasons guests in İskenderun choose Relax Spa VIP for the sauna are the same as for our hammam: the cabin and rest area are aired and cleaned after every use, towels and peshtemals are fresh for each guest, and sessions are planned with privacy in mind. You can pair the sauna with the hammam ritual or a full spa programme whenever you like.

We are open every day from 09:00 to 01:00; for your sauna + massage plan, simply give us a call. We'll help you choose the right massage for your needs and prepare your session around your temperature and timing preferences.