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.
Winter in Vilnius. Photo by Go Vilnius
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.
