Saunas are booming in Ireland, from Dublin to Cork, Galway and Donegal. Whether in a luxurious spa, a trendy beach sauna by the Atlantic, or in your own garden at home, more and more people across Ireland are turning to heat for relaxation, recovery and wellbeing.
Especially in the Dublin & Wicklow area, Greystones, Bray or Sandymount, a new sauna culture is flourishing. At the same time, households nationwide are discovering the convenience and long-term value of having a private sauna at home.
The most popular saunas & spas in Dublin
Dublin offers several high-end spas with saunas and steam rooms:
- Anantara The Marker Dublin – Spa & Wellness: sauna, steam room, infinity pool and jacuzzi in the Docklands.
- The Shelbourne – The Spa: historic 5-star hotel spa with sauna, steam and premium treatments.
- InterContinental Dublin – The Spa: sauna, steam and a 14-metre pool in Ballsbridge.
These are great for an occasional wellness day but for regular sauna users, costs add up fast.
Beach saunas in Dublin & Wicklow. The new trend.
Beach and mobile saunas combine hot sessions with cold sea dips, a social, healthy experience that’s become one of Ireland’s hottest wellness trends.
- The Barrel Sauna – Greystones Harbour: barrel saunas with plunge pool and sea view.
- Fad Saoil Saunas – Greystones: wood-fired sea sauna at The Cove.
- The Sea Sauna – Portrane: Finnish-style sauna at Tower Bay beach.
- Helios Sauna – Bray Rooftop: rooftop sauna overlooking Bray seafront.
- Sláinte Saunas – Sandymount: Dublin Bay sessions from ~€18.
Sauna + Cold Plunge. The sea feeling at home.
The hot-and-cold contrast (sauna + sea dip) is a big reason people love beach saunas. You can recreate that at home with a home outdoor sauna plus a Cold Plunge Tub, same effect, no bookings or weather dependency.
Beach sauna vs home sauna — direct comparison
| Sauna type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Spa in Dublin | Luxurious setting, extras like pools & treatments | Very expensive, limited flexibility |
| Beach sauna | Social, unique sea experience, relatively affordable | Time-limited (30–60 mins), no privacy, booking & weather dependent |
| Home garden sauna | Anytime, full privacy, long-term affordable, add cold plunge | Higher upfront cost, requires garden space |
Realistic costs for 2 sauna sessions per week
For regular sauna users, costs matter. Here’s a realistic comparison:
| Option | Cost per use | Twice per week | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spa in Dublin | €30–50 | ~€80 | €4,000+ |
| Beach sauna | €10–18 | ~€30 | €1,400–1,800 |
| Home sauna (running) | €1–3 (electricity/wood) | ~€5 | €250–300 |
| Home sauna (purchase) | from ~€4,000 (one-time) | — | — |
Health benefits of saunas
- Strengthens the immune system. Ideal for Ireland’s damp climate
- Cardio benefits from hot & cold alternation
- Stress relief relaxes muscles and mind
- Skin benefits open pores and better circulation
What to look for when buying a sauna in Ireland
- Quality & craftsmanship — durable wood suitable for Irish weather
- Insulation — saves energy, holds heat longer
- Heater type — wood-fired (traditional) or electric (convenience)
- Design & size — barrel, cube or igloo
- Assembly & delivery — DIY kit, professional installation or pre-assembled delivery
Polaris Sauna — your partner for outdoor saunas in Ireland
Based in Greystones (Co. Wicklow), we deliver and install across Ireland, Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Belfast. We offer only European-made outdoor saunas and matching cold plunge tubs.
