Kandice VincentA few weeks ago, my cousin was in a bad place—her brows were furrowed 24/7, and her shoulders were always stiff. She was also so stressed and wound up so tightly that she would snap at anyone at the drop of a hat.
So, I decided to step in—I gifted her with a couple of free sauna sessions from a spa near her home, which she accepted with a scowl.
We met after a couple of weeks, and I marveled at the difference! She was actually (*gasp*) smiling, and we even made plans to have a brunch and sauna date.
Yep, don’t underestimate the power of saunas—they can certainly help you sweat out all the bad stuff. For those who want to melt away all of their adulting sorrows, here’s our complete guide to Toronto’s best saunas.
Alter
Media credit: alter.toronto
Website: https://www.alterwellness.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alter.toronto/
Address: 860 College St
Hours: Mon – Wed: 8 AM – 10 AM, 3 PM – 9 PM
Thursday: 7 AM – 10 AM, 3 PM – 9 PM
Fri – Sun: 8 AM – 9:30 PM
Contact: (416) 530-0553iii
Alter, a sauna and ice bath studio, was founded by four friends with a mission—for everyone to make hot and cold exposure a habit.
Their Finnish sauna is cranked up to 80ºC to 90ºC, and they recommend four 15-minute sessions a week to boost heart health and relieve stress—because science!
Want to take it up a notch? In the sauna, toss snowballs and water laced with aromatherapy onto the rocks—you’ll get an amazing experience that relaxes muscles and clears the mind—all while smelling amazing essential oils.
Feel free to choose between a self-led sauna session or an instructor-led one. They offer signature classes led by experts in yoga, meditation, and breathwork.
Pro Tip:
Sorry, no loungewear is allowed here—Alter requires guests to wear swimsuits. Plus, you should only get dressed or undressed in the private stalls of the changing room.
Element Outdoor Sauna
Media credit: elementoutdoorsauna
Website: https://www.elementoutdoorsauna.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elementoutdoorsauna/
Address: 257 Danforth Ave
Hours: Wed – Sun: 8 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 262-4310
Perched on the rooftop of The Inner Arts Collective, Element Outdoor Sauna offers a sanctuary where there’s no music, no reading, and no distractions. It’s just you, the heat, and fresh air.
They have a 100°C Scandinavian barrel sauna with zero humidity for an intense heat session. And if you’re up for it, you can follow it up with an ice bath that will jolt your senses awake—in the best way possible.
You can book a solo session ($59), or you can bring a friend ($105). Each booking comes with access to a private shower, locker, and change room, as well as towels, hair ties, water, electrolytes, and complimentary body wash.
Just a heads up—appointments here are required, so no walk-ins!
Pro Tip:
Got a wellness lover in your life? Gift them an Element Outdoor Sauna session if you want to introduce them to the magic of contrast therapy (or if you just want to dunk them in ice-cold water).
Santé Salt Cave & Healing Spa
Media credit: santesaltcave
Website: https://www.santehealingspas.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santesaltcave/
Address: 1200 Hwy 7 Unit 3, Vaughan
Hours: Monday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Thurs – Fri: 10 AM – 8 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Contact: (905) 886-4727
Inspired by the health benefits observed in Polish salt mines, Santé Salt Cave & Healing Spa harnesses the power of pink Himalayan salt for total relaxation.
We love their Crystal Wet Sauna, which features gorgeous Brazilian green agate walls and a heater packed with authentic Jadeite or Imperial Jade stones, which help generate therapeutic steam (65°C to 70°C). The space can fit up to 4 guests.
They also have an Infrared Salt Sauna, which uses dry heat to make you sweat at lower temperatures—perfect for those who cannot tolerate very high temps. It’s also a go-to for relieving sore muscles, joint pain, and fatigue.
Other wellness treatments that you can try include massage therapy, saltwater flotation tanks, meditation, and even oxygen cocktails!
Pro Tip:
For the ultimate self-care treat, we recommend their 120-minute Jade Stone Massage Package. This includes a 50-minute jade hot stone massage, a 25-minute crystal wet sauna session, and access to the Santé Lounge.
Othership Adelaide
Media credit: othership
Website: http://www.othership.us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/othership/
Address: 425 Adelaide St W
Hours: Monday: 7 AM – 10:30 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM – 11:30 PM
Wednesday: 7 AM – 11:30 PM
Thursday: 6 AM – 12 AM
Friday: 7 AM – 12 AM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 12:40 AM
Sunday: 8 AM – 11:45 PM
Contact: (416) 361-0101
If you prefer a social self-care environment in the heart of the city, visit Othership. This amazing sauna and ice bath spot was even featured in Goop, Vogue, Forbes, and Financial Times, so you know the hype must be real.
This spa boasts the largest performance saunas in North America, with temps reaching 80°C to 85°C! To enhance your session, throw in some aromatic snowballs—trust me, you’ll be addicted to the restorative scents in the air.
For a self-guided trip, go for their Free Flow 75-minute session, which lets you bounce between the sauna, ice baths, and common areas at your own pace. Speaking of which, don’t miss their amphitheater-style tea lounge, complete with a fireplace!
But for a more structured approach, sign up for their Guided Class: Up. Here, an instructor will guide you through the wellness sessions, which include a sauna, ice bath, and breathwork.
Pro Tip:
To make the most out of your visit, go ahead and try their other signature add-ons like aromatherapy, visualizations, and somatic release.
South-Western Bathhouse and Tea Room
Media credit: lubavertue
Website: https://www.banya.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/south-western-bathhouse/
Address: 2200 Dundas St E, Mississauga
Hours: Tue – Fri: 4 PM – 12 AM
Saturday: 12 PM – 12 AM
Sunday: 12 PM – 11 PM
Contact: (289) 232-6088
South-Western Bathhouse and Tea Room is a family-owned Russian spa with Turkish and Finnish influences. This quaint sauna spot has actually been featured in Saveur Magazine, The Star, Daily VICE, and Toronto Life—and for good reason.
Check out their Finnish sauna, which is built from pine, with cedar benches that give off a woodsy aroma while cranking up the dry heat. Unlike some saunas, there’s no water used inside, making it a true low-humidity session.
In addition to the Finnish sauna, your $65 entry fee also gives you access to other traditional heat rooms like a Hammam steam room and a Parilka wet sauna.
Once you’re fully relaxed, head over to their Tudor Soviet-style Tea Room, where you can sip complimentary teas or even something stronger. Expect local beers, Georgian wines, and of course, premium vodkas.
Pro Tip:
Come hungry since their Tea Room also serves delicious Russian fare. Enjoy chakhokhbili—a rich Georgian chicken and potato stew—or their famous borscht, which is slow-simmered for 6 hours!
Banya Richmond Hill
Media credit: eatraveldream
Website: https://banyarichmondhill.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banyarichmondhill
Address: 13110 Yonge St #1, Richmond Hill
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 4 PM – 11:30 PM
Fri – Sat: 12 PM – 11:30 PM
Sunday: 12 PM – 11 PM
Contact: (289) 234-0441
If you want to try an authentic Eastern European sauna, head on over to Banya Richmond Hill. According to the ancient Slavs, the Banya is a sacred place, where fire, water, air, and earth all come together to heal the body and ward off illness.
Built entirely of wood with stacked benches, the Banya operates at 60°C to 80°C—the higher your seat, the higher the temp. And if you’re craving more heat, simply open the oven and toss in some water.
Afterward, you can use venik—bundles of birch twigs—to gently hit yourself after steaming. It’s a traditional move that helps loosen up muscles and improve circulation.
Now, if you want to cool down, you have two options. Either take a dip in their coldwater pool or dump a bucket of ice-cold water over yourself.
Pro Tip:
After all that sweating, you’ll definitely get hungry. So, we recommend ordering their Lamb Pilaf—cooked for hours in a Kazan or giant Dutch oven, it’s got that perfectly caramelized aroma—yum!
Ritual Beauty & Wellness
Media credit: ritualtoronto
Website: https://ritual.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritualtoronto
Address: 571 Wellington St W
Hours: Tue – Fri: 11 AM – 8 PM
Sat – Sun: 9:30 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (416) 306-0040
Ritual Beauty & Wellness offers a total body reset that’ll make you feel as good on the inside as you look on the outside.
Choose from two sauna rooms—the first is the Revival Room, which features an infrared sauna and a cold plunge. It’s perfect for solo or small group sessions.
The second room is the Cascade Room. It offers an infrared sauna and a cold waterfall bucket, designed to shock your system into gear, while also releasing tension and restoring balance.
The spa’s other high-end treatments are RMT, Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage, Buccal Facials, and plenty more.
Pro Tip:
Keep an eye out for their monthly promotions online. Hopefully, you can snag up to 50% off contrast therapy sessions.
Elmspa
Media credit: elmspa_to
Website: https://www.elmspa.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmspa_to/
Address: 557 Church St
Hours: Mon – Sun: 11 AM – 7 PM
Contact: (416) 964-4500
Just a few blocks from Cabbagetown and Yorkville lies Elmspa. It offers seven specialized treatment rooms, water features, zen pebbles, and even a garden terrace.
Don’t miss one of their Infrared Sauna Packages and enjoy the benefits of detoxifying heat at a discount. Grab 3 sessions for $94.50, 5 for $148.75, or even 10 for $280.
Now, if you want their sauna along with other relaxing services, book one of their combo packages. For instance, we love their Wellness Relax Package, where you’ll have access to their sauna, steam room, and showers with premium products.
They even offer several gift card options for specific treatments—a thoughtful present for those in your life who need some much-deserved pampering.
Pro Tip:
Want an easy 10% discount on your next appointment? Simply sign up for their mailing list and you can save a little cash with minimal effort.
Seoul Zimzilbang
Media credit: theworldtraveler_official/
Website: https://ilovesauna.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seoul-zimzilbang-korean-sauna/?hl=en
Address: 382 Magnetic Dr, North York
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 12 AM
Contact: (416) 514-1965
Seoul Zimzilbang is Toronto’s first traditional Korean spa, which we think is pretty cool. This 16,000-square-foot spa is an all-in-one wellness retreat, where you can sweat, soak, and chill by yourself or with friends.
At the entrance, you’ll be given a locker key. Then, you can ditch your shoes and change into their comfy loungewear.
For only $30 and up, you’ll get access to their sauna and lounge areas—definitely one of the best-value sauna experiences in the 6ix. There’s also a hot tub, steam rooms, and showers.
As for the main lounge, it has couches, a mani-pedi area, and a billiards table. You’ll also find TVs and exercise equipment, so you definitely won’t get bored here.
Pro Tip:
Everyone knows that food hits different after a long sauna session. That’s why we suggest visiting their canteen for classic Korean snacks like ramen, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh maki rolls.
Damara Day Spa
Media credit: damara_spa_yorkville
Website: https://damaraspayorkville.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damara_spa_yorkville/
Address: 66 Avenue Rd
Hours: Mon, Thurs, Sat: 10 AM – 7 PM
Tuesday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Wed, Sun: 10 AM – 6 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 926-9303
Damara Day Spa combines ancient healing techniques with modern wellness. This is the place to go if you’re craving therapeutic treatments like massages, facials, and of course, sauna sessions.
Their infrared sauna packages range from $60 to $325, depending on how many sessions you book. A popular option is their Single Detox Package, where you’ll get three sessions for only $60.
Now, if you’re planning to make sauna therapy part of your routine, go for their Unlimited Monthly Sauna Sessions for $150.
Before or after your session, make sure to stop by their Tea Room, a calm and quiet space known for its premium herbal tea selection.
Pro Tip:
If tea isn’t going to cut it, go over Damara Day Spa’s lunch and smoothie options for a light, nutritious boost.
