What is a gusa?
An hour to slow down. Heat, scent and fresh air — with a good guide through it all.
Illustrative image, not a photo of a specific place.
More than a sauna
A gusa (plural gusur) is the Icelandic take on the aufguss tradition known from Germany and the Nordic countries: a guided sauna session led by a gusa master. A session usually lasts about an hour and is split into three rounds of about 12–15 minutes each. The gusa master pours water on the hot stones and uses heat, essential oils, music and towel waving to move the hot air around the sauna.
In Iceland, many gusur take place in small wood-fired saunas by the sea, so cooling off often means a dip in the North Atlantic between rounds.
Heat and scent
Settle in and follow the gusa master’s lead.
Cooling and breathing space
Sea, snow or fresh air between rounds.
Three calm rounds
About 12–15 minutes each, with cooling in between.
First time?
Come prepared and book ahead.