What is Saunagus? A Complete Guide to the Danish Sauna Ritual

If you have spent any time around the Danish sauna scene, you have probably heard the word "saunagus" — sometimes written as "sauna gus" or simply "gus." It is one of those experiences that is difficult to describe until you have been in the room. But here is our best attempt.

The short version

Saunagus is a guided sensory experience inside a hot sauna. A trained sauna master (gusmaster) pours water infused with essential oils over heated stones, creating a wave of aromatic steam. Using a towel or fan, they circulate the hot air throughout the room in rhythmic, almost ceremonial movements. The heat intensifies. The scent fills your lungs. And for 10 to 15 minutes, everything else disappears.

How a typical session works

A standard saunagus session at Turban Sauna lasts 75 minutes and follows a simple rhythm:

• —Round 1 (12–15 min): The gusmaster introduces the first infusion. The room heats up gradually. Breathe slowly, find your pace.
• —Cooling break (5–10 min): Step outside into the fresh air, take a cold plunge, or rinse off with a cold shower. Let your body reset.
• —Round 2 (12–15 min): A different essential oil. The heat builds again. The towel work gets more dynamic.
• —Cooling break: Same as before — cold water, fresh air, rest.
• —Round 3 (12–15 min): The final round. Often the most intense. Some gusmasters end with a quieter, meditative infusion.

Between rounds, there is no pressure. You can sit outside, drink water, talk to other guests, or just be still. The entire experience lasts about 75 minutes.

What makes it different from "just sitting in a sauna"

A regular sauna visit is passive. You sit, you sweat, you leave. Saunagus is active and guided. The gusmaster controls the temperature, the scent, the airflow, and the rhythm of each round. It transforms the sauna from a warm room into something closer to a ritual.

The essential oils are not random. Common choices include eucalyptus (opens the airways), birch tar (earthy, grounding), citrus blends (energising), and pine (classic Nordic). Each gusmaster has their own style and preferences.

What to bring

• —Two towels — one to sit on inside the sauna, one for drying off
• —Swimwear — required at most public sessions
• —Water or a non-alcoholic drink
• —Sandals or flip-flops
• —Optional: a sauna hat (protects your head and ears from the heat)

Is it for beginners?

Absolutely. Most guests at Turban Sauna are trying saunagus for the first time. The lower bench is always less intense, and you can step out at any point during a round. The gusmaster is there to guide, not to push. There is no wrong way to do it — the only rule is to listen to your body.

Where to try saunagus in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has a growing sauna culture, with several public and private options. Turban Sauna at Vasbygade 18 in Sydhavnen offers guided saunagus sessions every evening at 18:00, 19:30, and 21:00. Sessions are 149 DKK per person and can be booked online. The space is intimate — max 12 guests per session — which keeps the experience personal.