Finnish vs Hammam vs Infrared in Lisbon

Finnish Sauna

The original. A Finnish sauna uses a wood or electric heater to push a room to 80–100°C with low humidity (10–20%). Water thrown on hot stones creates bursts of steam called löyly that briefly raise the intensity. Sessions typically last 10–20 minutes, often alternated with cold water immersion — the hot-cold cycling that Finns have practiced for over 2,000 years.

What it feels like: The heat hits you immediately. Your skin prickles, your heart rate climbs, and within a few minutes you're sweating heavily. The air is dry and hot, but it feels clean rather than oppressive. Step into a cold plunge afterwards and the endorphin rush is like nothing else.

Health benefits: This is the most researched type of sauna. A landmark 2015 study from the University of Eastern Finland found that men who used a Finnish sauna 4–7 times per week had a 63% lower risk of sudden cardiac death compared to once-a-week users. Regular use is also linked to reduced inflammation, improved sleep quality, lower blood pressure, and significant endorphin release.

Best for: People who enjoy intense heat, want the strongest evidence-backed health benefits, and are interested in contrast therapy (hot-cold cycling).

Where to find Finnish saunas in Lisbon

• The Hot Cold Club (€28, Príncipe Real) — Two 88°C Finnish saunas with four ice baths at varying temperatures. The gold standard for purists and contrast therapy enthusiasts.
• Healthy Horizon (€40, Príncipe Real) — Custom 85°C sauna with cold plunge and an arsenal of biohacking extras including red light therapy and floating tanks.
• Vidnova (€15, Av. da Liberdade) — The most affordable Finnish sauna in Lisbon. No frills, just a good sauna at a great price.
• BluSpa Jupiter Lisboa (€25, Saldanha) — Finnish sauna as part of a full water circuit with steam bath, jacuzzi, and heated pool.
• El Spa at Meliá Lisboa (€25, near the airport) — Finnish sauna plus Turkish bath, indoor/outdoor pools, and gym access.

Hammam

The hammam is a centuries-old bathing tradition from the Middle East and North Africa. Where Finnish saunas are about intense dry heat, hammams are about a slow, ritualistic cleansing process. You move through warm, humid rooms of gradually increasing temperature, and the centerpiece is a full-body scrub with a coarse kessa glove and black soap, followed by a rinse and massage.

The distinction between a hammam and a "Turkish bath" matters — in Lisbon, most hotel spas label their steam rooms as "Turkish baths," but they're really just steam rooms without the traditional scrub ritual. A true hammam includes the hands-on treatment.

What it feels like: Warm and enveloping rather than scorching. The temperatures are gentle (40–50°C), and you spend most of the session lying on a heated marble slab while a therapist works on you. The scrub itself is vigorous — your skin will feel impossibly smooth afterwards. It's as much a treatment as it is a bath.

Health benefits: Deep skin exfoliation removes dead cells and improves circulation. The warm steam opens pores and softens the skin. Stress relief and muscle relaxation are significant. The communal, ritualistic aspect also has documented mental health benefits — it forces you to slow down.

Best for: People who prefer gentler heat with a hands-on treatment experience. First-timers who find the idea of a 90°C room intimidating. Couples looking for a shared wellness experience.

Where to find hammams in Lisbon

• The Oriental Spa (€75, Príncipe Real) — Lisbon's only authentic hammam with skilled therapists, traditional scrub ritual, and the option of couples sessions. The €75 price reflects the hands-on, hour-long treatment — not just room access.

Infrared Sauna

Infrared saunas are the newcomer. Instead of heating the air around you, infrared light panels heat your body directly — the way sunlight warms your skin on a cool day. The room temperature stays lower (45–65°C), but you still sweat heavily because the infrared energy penetrates 3–4 centimeters into your tissues.

What it feels like: A gentle, penetrating warmth that builds gradually. You won't gasp when you walk in. The air stays comfortable enough to breathe easily and even read a book. After 10–15 minutes, the sweat kicks in and it starts to feel like a real sauna session. Many people describe the heat as "deeper" than a Finnish sauna.

Health benefits: Pain relief and reduced muscle soreness, making infrared popular with athletes for recovery between training sessions. Some studies suggest improved skin health and collagen production. The lower temperature makes it accessible to people who can't tolerate extreme heat — including older adults and those with certain cardiovascular conditions (though always check with your doctor).

Best for: People sensitive to extreme heat. Athletes recovering between sessions. Anyone who finds traditional saunas too intense or claustrophobic. People who want to multitask (read, meditate) during their session.

Where to find infrared saunas in Lisbon

• Core Collective (€25, Marquês de Pombal) — Infrared sauna paired with whole-body cryotherapy for a modern fire-and-ice recovery protocol.
• The Reformer Lab (€30, Amoreiras) — Infrared sauna alongside LED rejuvenation therapy in a premium pilates studio.

Steam Room (Turkish Bath)

Steam rooms pump moist heat at 40–50°C with near-100% humidity. In Lisbon's hotel spas, they're almost always labeled "Turkish bath" (banho turco), though they're simpler than a traditional hammam — no scrub, no therapist, just a tiled room filled with thick, warm steam.

What it feels like: Heavy, wet heat that opens your sinuses the moment you step in. Visibility drops to a metre or two. The temperature is lower than a Finnish sauna, but the humidity makes it feel intense. Your skin gets damp instantly, making it hard to tell when you're actually sweating. It's intensely warming without the burning sensation of dry heat.

Health benefits: Respiratory relief is the standout benefit — steam rooms are excellent for clearing congestion, opening sinuses, and soothing irritated airways. Skin hydration improves because the moisture prevents the drying effect of traditional saunas. Stress reduction and muscle relaxation are comparable to other sauna types.

Best for: People who struggle with dry heat. Anyone with respiratory concerns, allergies, or sinus issues. Those wanting a gentler, more accessible heat experience.

Where to find steam rooms in Lisbon

Most hotel spas in Lisbon include a Turkish bath or steam room as part of their spa circuit:

• Sayanna Wellness & Spa (€50) — Turkish bath with 14m pool, waterfalls, and ice fountain
• BSpa by Karin Herzog (€50) — Turkish bath with Tagus River views
• Spa at Iberostar Lisboa (€40) — Turkish bath with pool, massage, and three-course dinner included
• The ReTreat Spa (€35) — Turkish bath with jacuzzi and organic treatments
• The Vintage Lisbon Spa (€35) — Steam room with water lounge and organic herbal tea

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Side-by-Side Comparison

| | Finnish | Hammam | Infrared | Steam | |---|---|---|---|---| | Temperature | 80–100°C | 40–50°C | 45–65°C | 40–50°C | | Humidity | Low (10–20%) | High (80%+) | Very low | Very high (100%) | | Intensity | High | Medium | Low–Medium | Medium | | Session length | 10–20 min | 60–90 min | 20–40 min | 10–20 min | | Price in Lisbon | From €15 | From €75 | From €25 | From €35 | | Best for | Purists & athletes | Ritual lovers | Recovery & beginners | Respiratory health | | Cold contrast? | Yes, essential | Not typical | Sometimes (cryo) | Rarely |

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Our Recommendation

First time? Start with a hotel spa circuit that includes both a steam room and a Finnish sauna — like BluSpa Jupiter Lisboa (€25) or El Spa at Meliá Lisboa (€25). You'll experience two different types of heat in one visit and figure out which you prefer before committing to a pricier venue.

Know you like intense heat? Go straight to The Hot Cold Club (€28) for the best Finnish sauna and contrast therapy experience in the city.

Want a treatment, not just heat? Book The Oriental Spa (€75) for a genuine hammam ritual. It's a different category of experience entirely.

Sensitive to heat? Try Core Collective (€25) for infrared — the gentler temperatures make it accessible to almost everyone.

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Want to see every option? Browse the complete guide to all saunas in Lisbon, find budget-friendly saunas under €30, or explore contrast therapy spots.