Sauna Etiquette: What You Need to Know Before Your Next Session

When you step into a sauna, a heated room designed for relaxation and detoxification through dry or wet heat. Also known as steam room, it’s a place where your body unwinds and your mind resets. But in Dubai’s busy spa scene, knowing how to behave isn’t just polite—it’s expected. A sauna isn’t just about heat. It’s a shared space, and the rules around it are simple but firm. Skip the loud conversations, leave your phone in the locker, and don’t bring wet towels onto the wooden benches. These aren’t suggestions. They’re the baseline.

Another key part of sauna hygiene, the practice of keeping the sauna clean and safe for everyone. Also known as spa cleanliness, it starts with showering before you enter. Sweat, oils, and dead skin don’t belong on the benches. If you’ve just come from the pool or hammam, rinse off first. Bring a dry towel to sit on—it’s not optional. Many Dubai spas will turn you away if you don’t. And never, ever sit directly on the wood without one. It’s uncomfortable for others and unhygienic. Then there’s sauna behavior, how people act inside the sauna to respect personal space and quiet. Also known as spa conduct, it’s about reading the room. If someone’s sitting quietly with their eyes closed, don’t start a conversation. If the room is full, don’t hog the corner bench. Keep your session to 15–20 minutes unless you’re experienced. And always cool down slowly—jumping into cold water right after isn’t a stunt, it’s a risk. Even something as small as how you dry off matters. Don’t shake water everywhere after your shower. Use your towel. Don’t leave wet footprints. These aren’t minor details—they’re what keep the space calm and welcoming.

What you wear also counts. Most Dubai spas expect you to go naked under your towel, but if you’re uncomfortable, wear a clean cotton towel wrapped around you. No swimsuits. They hold in heat, trap bacteria, and leave residue. And if you’re using essential oils or lotions, skip them before entering. The heat turns them into sticky, smelly messes that stick to the walls and bother others.

There’s no mystery here. Sauna etiquette is just basic respect. You’re not there to perform. You’re there to relax—quietly, cleanly, and considerately. The people around you are doing the same. When everyone follows these simple rules, the heat feels better. The air feels cleaner. The whole experience lifts up.

Below, you’ll find real guides from people who’ve been there—covering everything from what to do after a sauna to how coffee fits into the routine, why timing matters, and how to avoid the mistakes most first-timers make. No theory. Just what works in Dubai’s spas today.