A Local Heatwave: My First Visit to Sauna85 on Rentemestervej

I just went to Sauna85 on Rentemestervej for the first time, and it was a really interesting experience. It’s actually the company’s first permanent sauna — they started out with a mobile container sauna that traveled to scenic spots near open water (for that hot/cold plunge combo), and opened their first fixed location here in March 2024. Since then, they’ve added locations in Sydhavn and Aarhus.

What’s great about this one is that it’s super local for me — close enough that I can literally walk home in a towel. And while there’s another sauna nearby, it’s nice to see how different places can still offer such distinct vibes.

They’ve just expanded to a much larger sauna space that can fit 20+ people comfortably, which is impressive. It’s roomy, giving the gusmester (the person leading the sauna infusion) a lot of space to move around and work with the heat and steam — a definite plus.

There are cold showers (very cold, actually!), but no cold plunge at the moment. I saw on their Instagram that they used to have small tubs, but none were there when I visited. If you're okay fully immersing under the cold shower, it does the trick.

Changing rooms are spacious but not locked during sessions. If the weather is decent, I’d recommend placing your valuables outside the sauna itself where you can keep an eye on them through the glass windows.

Nice touches:

• Snacks like cereal bars during sessions

• Optional saunagus felt hats, which I love

• Friendly, relaxed atmosphere

The gusmester during my session didn’t talk much except for practical explanations, which made it more introspective — though I personally prefer the more meditative, guided style. That said, he was very active with the towel work and heat distribution, which made for a strong and invigorating session.

The music wasn’t the soothing kind I usually gravitate towards, but it was still thought-provoking and worked in its own way.

One thing to note: the session I attended was in Danish. This might vary by event or location, but most other saunas I’ve been to offer sessions in English, so it’s worth checking if language matters to you.

If you’re looking to make it more of a full outing, there are a few great spots just around the corner for a bite or coffee before or after your session. Flere Fugle is always a solid option for a warm drink and something sweet, Kaffedepartementet has good coffee and pastries, and if it’s during the week, Tekno Eatery does thoughtful, seasonal plates for lunch. Whether you’re meeting a friend or just refueling solo, these places make it easy to turn a sauna session into a cozy ritual.

I came away with a fresh appreciation for the different ways people approach saunagus — whether it's for mindfulness or physical health, everyone’s there with their own intention. As always, I met lovely, smiley people, even if we didn’t know each other. It just added to the warmth (pun intended).

All in all, Sauna85 on Rentemestervej is a fantastic and convenient local option, and I’m already looking forward to going back.

Useful Info:

• Instagram

• Find them on Google Maps

• Book your session!