The best saunas in London can be found hidden down side streets of bustling neighbourhoods, or hidden in plain sight in bougie postcards. If you're lucky enough to find one, you're in for a treat – these saunas are a different breed from what you might be used to. Sleek with an almost cult-like fanbase, you'll soon see why. Extreme temperature wellness has been a thing for centuries, but in recent years, the trend has reached new heights. In the capital, Londoners are looking for the best ways to sweat out the stresses of big city life and reap the rewards of high-heat exposure. According to Healthline, benefits that include potential pain relief, improved blood circulation and stress relief, and a recent viral post by Dr Mark Hyman, co-founder of Function Health and senior medical advisor at the Cleveland Clinic, reveals further benefits, including improved “cardiovascular fitness, increased heart rate variability, regulates blood sugar and blood pressure, improves sleep and increases endorphins”. Below, find the best saunas in London, where you can sweat, de-stress and slow down.
Arc
Go back just a few years, and if you’d told me I’d be signing up to spend my Friday night doing breathwork with strangers in a bikini before immersing myself in a teeth-chatteringly cold bathtub, I’d have told you to go and hop in one yourself. But it’s 2025, and “social wellness” has become common parlance, the health-conscious set swapping spin classes for group contrast therapy and inner-child activations in a bid to heal body and soul in one zeitgeisty swoop. I’d been curious about the social wellness club concept since I heard of Othership launching in NYC’s Flatiron District in mid-2024, but Arc is the first of its kind to arrive in the UK, setting up in January 2025 in a subterranean complex in Canary Wharf. Founder Alanna Kit was inspired by the banya sauna culture of her Ukrainian heritage, and wanted to reignite European sauna traditions in the UK by blending Eastern and Western philosophies with science. Available to both members and drop-ins (a three-class intro pack is £45), Arc offers "communal contrast therapy” sessions in which groups alternate between the UK’s largest sauna and eight stainless steel ice baths – silvery, sci-fi constructions that invite Matrix comparisons. The list of benefits is impressive – more energy, a faster metabolism, better sleep, sharper focus, boosted immune system, disease prevention, a stronger sense of connection with yourself and others – with guided or free-flow sessions on offer. I join “Ground and Calm”, a slower-paced class during which somatic teacher Stephanie Nightingale guides us between the sauna and baths using breathwork, meditation and even snippets of poetry. After gathering in a circular antechamber reminiscent of a campfire, we proceed to the sauna for an Aufguss ritual, where snowballs infused with sandalwood and verbena hiss over hot coals and towels are flung above our supine forms. We tap our temples with our fingertips, give thanks to our bodies for carrying us through the day, and are invited to check in with ourselves regularly. The ice baths aren’t exactly pleasant, but there is something pleasing about maintaining composure through them, and afterwards I feel not only weirdly proud of myself but also sharper, more benevolent and more grateful. For the truly bold, “Arc After Dark” sessions promise to get participants to “connect, vibe and party”, soundtracked by DJ sets. As befits Canary Wharf, it’s all a little bit bougie and a little bit extra – but I can’t deny the buzz of being part of this open-hearted community, even if just for an evening. Olivia Squire
Address: Level -2, Unit 46, Minus, 1 Crossrail Pl, London E14 5AR
Website: arc-community.com
Sauna Social Club
Peckham is a place where community matters to locals, and it makes perfect sense that this London sauna designed for people to hang out, relax and unwind together should pop up here. “Our idea grew from a desire for healthier, more mindful spaces where people can connect and enjoy great music without a focus on consumption,” co-founder Nikki told us. “What we've learned from Benji's background as an actor and personal trainer, and my experience as a community organiser and DJ, reinforced the profound impact that community and the arts can have on wellbeing. We knew there had to be a different way to connect with others than just going to the pub — one that prioritises wellness and creativity.” The high-ceilinged space, decorated with squishy sofas and a soothing purple light dancing above, sets the tone for a session designed to relax and re-centre. I visited during one of the Aufguss wellbeing sessions, which featured guided meditations, aromatherapy oils and even some poetry. The sauna's heat is interspersed with ice bath plunges, which – although daunting – left me feeling invigorated, a perfect way to start the week. Next time, I’ll visit for one of their Friday or Saturday night ambient sessions featuring live DJs. Abbi Malbon
Address: Railway Arch 842 Brayards Road, Peckham, SE15 2AG
Website: saunasocialclub.co.uk
Rebase Recovery
Founders Alex and Waldo spent years travelling the world and testing different forms of extreme heat therapy, from ice baths in the Arctic to saunas in Finland. They returned to London and launched Rebase Recovery, a wellness haven in central London dedicated to providing busy city-dwellers with a place to recharge and relax. Among a host of other therapies (ice baths, cryotherapy, yoga, breathwork, infusions, to name a few), they offer both infrared and traditional saunas. The infrared saunas are heated to around 70-80°C for a longer, deeper experience, while the traditional saunas are kept between 85-95°C.
Address: 1a St Vincent Street, London, W1U 4DA
Website: rebaserecovery.com
Sauna & Plunge
This holistic studio takes into account the full spectrum of extreme temperature wellness. Inspired by the Scandinavian fjords, Sauna & Plunge allows guests to experience the benefits without breaking the bank – a 30-minute sauna and 5-minute ice bath is £30. The team encourages visitors to challenge themselves by trying to build up tolerance and track improvements. They’re also big on eco-friendly practices – the plunge pools were 3D printed using recycled materials.
Address: 124 Tabernacle street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 4SA
Website: saunaandplunge.life
Sweat Lounge
A rare West London sauna studio, Sweat Lounge offers infrared light therapy in the leafy Chiswick neighbourhood. Fed up with feeling drained and depleted from late nights, early mornings and the natural stressors of family life, Allison Huff-Ritchie decided to see whether regular sauna sessions would help – and, after significant improvement in her physical and mental health, she was determined to show others. Now, Sweat Lounge is home to a team of world-class experts working to ensure their saunas are as effective as can be. Stop by for a solo pod 30-minute session, or test out the IR cabin with added red light therapy.
Address: 48 Chiswick High Road, W4 1SZ
Website: sweatlounge.co.uk
Rooftop Saunas
London certainly has no shortage of sauna offerings, but few boast better city views than these. Perched on the rooftop at Netil Corner, sauna-goers can enjoy panoramic views over east London and beyond from the warmth and comfort of these sleek saunas (because, let's face it, as much as us Londoners love a rooftop, we don't often have the weather for them). I also like that these saunas are private rooms, so they are perfect for catching up with friends. You are also conveniently placed right next to the Netil360 rooftop bar, so you're teed up for a fun and well-rounded day out – although remember to keep hydrated if you plan to drink afterwards. Lucy Bruton
Address: Netil Corner, London E8 4RU, 2 Bocking St
Website: rooftopsaunas.com
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Hackney Community saunas
Situated in Hackney Wick, Community Saunas are a real gem for those seeking an escape from the feel of city life. The saunas are dotted around a quaint and ramshackle garden with an outdoor fire pit, full-length ice baths, standing cold water plunge barrels and outdoor showers. Each of the saunas varies in size and temperature and is a great option for groups or simply visiting solo, as I did. There’s even a silent sauna, which was great for switching off and away from the chatter of other sauna-goers. Overall, it feels like a very welcoming space – they also offer women-only and FLINTA sessions in the week. Plus, once you’ve had your sauna fill, you can grab a drink or bite to eat in the attached community cafe. Prices range from £8.50 for a 60-minute morning session to £15 peak (90 minutes). Lucy Bruton
Address: The Baths 80, Eastway, London E9 5JH
Website: community-sauna.co.uk