Holiday homes with sauna in Belgium

The saunas in our properties are not tourist gimmicks. They are solid installations, often finished in wood, with space for two to four people. Some properties combine the sauna with an infrared cabin, steam bath or outdoor shower. Firewood for the Finnish sauna is usually provided by the owner.

Holiday homes with sauna can be found in the Ardennes, where many chalets have a sauna cabin as standard, but also in the Campine and Flemish Ardennes. It's an amenity that makes the difference between a good holiday and an unforgettable one.

A sauna in the holiday home is becoming less and less an exception in Belgium. Especially in the Ardennes, many chalets and farmhouse gîtes have a private sauna as standard. After a day of hiking in the Ardennes forests or a ski trip in the High Fens, there's little more pleasant than an hour in the sauna, followed by a cold shower and a glass of wine by the fire.

The great advantage of a private sauna is freedom. You choose when to go, how long to stay and how hot it gets. No strangers, no fixed opening times. The Campine and Flemish Ardennes also have a growing offer of holiday homes with sauna.

A Finnish sauna heats up to between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius. Throwing water on the hot stones creates a brief burst of intense heat that stimulates circulation and relaxes muscles. An infrared cabin operates at 40 to 60 degrees and warms the body more gently from the inside, making it a good choice for anyone who finds high temperatures difficult to tolerate. A steam room, by contrast, uses warm, humid air at around 45 degrees, which is particularly beneficial for the airways and skin.

Many modern holiday homes combine more than one type: a Finnish sauna for the traditional experience alongside an infrared cabin for quieter recovery sessions. If you have a preference, read the property description carefully or ask the owner which type of sauna is available before you book.

A private sauna within your holiday home means the facility is entirely yours: no fixed session times, no queuing and no sharing with other guests. That is especially convenient when you want to use the sauna on a whim or simply value your privacy. With most of the properties on our platform the sauna is included in the price.

On larger estates with several holiday homes the sauna may occasionally be shared with other guests. Check the listing description or ask the owner directly. If privacy matters to you, look for properties that explicitly state an exclusive private sauna rather than a communal wellness area.

The Ardennes is the most popular region for a sauna break in Belgium. Around La Roche-en-Ardenne, Durbuy, Bouillon and Malmedy you will find a wide range of chalets and forest houses that include a sauna, a hot tub or both. Visitors heading to the High Fens in winter can almost always find a sauna close by after a walk across the snowy plateau.

The Campine and the Flemish Ardennes also have holiday homes with saunas, though the choice is smaller than in the Ardennes. The area around Durbuy and the Ourthe valley has the highest concentration of properties that combine sauna and jacuzzi, making it an ideal destination for a wellness weekend in autumn or winter.

A Finnish sauna takes roughly an hour to reach the right temperature, so factor that in if you are planning an evening session. An infrared cabin is ready in 15 to 20 minutes. Knowing which type the property has lets you plan your time more easily.

Ask the owner whether towels and sauna wraps are provided or whether you should bring your own. Make sure you drink enough water: you can easily lose half a litre or more through sweating. After your session, step outside into the fresh air or take a cold shower to boost circulation and deepen the feeling of relaxation.