Aufguss: Everything You Need to Know

In a traditional sauna you mostly experience dry heat, while in an aufguss a sauna master pours water and essential oils onto the stove, creating a fragrant steam that's fanned around the room. The focus here is relaxation, calm and wellbeing. Different oils bring different qualities: eucalyptus is refreshing and good for opening the airways, while lavender has a calming effect on the body. The temperature during both aufguss and a traditional sauna sits around 80-90°C (176-194°F).

It's worth packing the right things so the experience is as comfortable as possible. Here's a checklist of what to bring:

Towel: Bring two if you can, one to sit on and one to dry off with afterwards.

Swimwear: Some places allow nude aufguss, but most require swimwear.

Water bottle: Makes it easy to drink during breaks. You sweat a lot, so hydrate before, during and after.

Sandals: Handy for getting from the changing room to the sauna, or down to the water.

Bathrobe: Nice to have before, during and after.

Change of clothes: Dry clothes to change into once you're done.

Headwear: More on why below.

Using a sauna or steam bath is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Many pregnant women enjoy spending time in a spa or sauna, but it's important to avoid overheating. Drink plenty of water before, during and after, and it's recommended that your body temperature doesn't exceed 39°C (102°F). Always check with your doctor before using a sauna or spa while pregnant, just to be safe.

During an aufguss session you can burn somewhere between 300 and 400 calories. At the same time, your body loses fluid, which helps flush out waste products, up to half a litre over the course of a session.

Aufguss takes place at temperatures around 80-90°C, comparable to a traditional sauna. The added humidity from the water often makes it feel hotter than a regular sauna session.

Hope this gave you a clearer picture of what aufguss is all about. If you're curious where to try it, we've rounded up 7 places to experience aufguss in Copenhagen. Or if you'd rather combine it with a stay, take a look at our unique stays.

Best, Magnus 👋