Welcome to HIKI aboard the MS Evolution
The HIKI is a unique floating sauna experience with priceless views in Basel's harbor. In the Finnish sauna, you can enjoy a sweat at around 85 degrees Celsius with wonderfully fragrant infusions. Since the end of January 2026, the experience has been complemented by the yurt sauna at around 75 degrees Celsius. If you like, you can cool off between sauna sessions directly in the Rhine or under the waterfall shower.
HIKI is located on the upper deck of the charming MS Evolutie: a cargo ship built in 1946 that has been based in Basel since 2013. Snuggled up on furs and blankets, you can wonderfully leave the everyday world behind on the upper deck of this converted freighter, enjoying the winter sun and Basel's most beautiful sunsets. On the lower deck, there's a cozy relaxation room where you can unwind with complimentary tea from Graubünden by the crackling wood-burning stove. The charming bistro serves a variety of drinks, snacks, warm toast, and soup.
We look forward to your visit!
Simone & Beat
Our friend Norbert felled the Swiss pine logs in his forest in the South Tyrolean Dolomites in the winter of 2022 – Philipp dried them and processed them into paneling and slats. In late autumn 2023, we harvested the incredibly good-quality Swiss pine wood and used it to build the interior of the Finnish sauna.
Since the end of January 2026, the sauna offerings have been complemented by a yurt sauna, handcrafted in Huttwil by the Jurte team . The cozy and inviting atmosphere is thanks to the design and natural building materials (spruce wood, organic cotton , needle felt). Experiencing a yurt sauna is exclusive to HIKI in the region.
NATURAL
STEAM AMINE
ALL JUST HOT AIR
In both saunas we heat with wood until the thermometer shows approximately 85 degrees in the Finnish sauna and around 75 degrees in the yurt sauna.
Things get really hot in the Finnish sauna with the wonderfully fragrant ice infusions (once every half hour). On Sundays, we alternate between ice and venik (birch twigs).
In the yurt sauna, you are allowed to pour the water yourself, in consultation with your fellow sauna users.
Everyone is welcome here – regardless of gender or pronouns . Sauna bathing is textile-free and mixed, except on Saturdays, when sauna bathing is reserved for female guests from 2 pm to 6 pm.
When resting on and below deck or at the bar, you will feel comfortable in your own or borrowed bathrobe or poncho.
JEKA-SCHWITZI!
Swell in the bamboo forest
Cooling down between and after sauna sessions is essential, as it strengthens the immune system and stimulates circulation. The cascade shower in the bamboo forest provides a refreshing coolness from above, while the Rhine offers cooling from below. Of course, you can also cool off perfectly well in all kinds of weather.
Breaks can be enjoyed on the upper deck with a view into the distance and the most beautiful sunset in Basel, or in the cozy relaxation room on loungers with furs and with free tea .
The bistro offers a variety of drinks, snacks, warm toasts, and soups .
Together with the crew of the MS Evolutie and friends, family, and acquaintances, we worked almost around the clock from September until the opening at the end of December 2023 on our dream: the realization of a custom-built sauna on the deck of the most beautiful freighter there is. You can find pictures of the making-of here .
Outside of the sauna season, the MS Evolutie can be chartered for private and business parties and celebrations. Overnight stays are also possible in the captain's cabin .
FAMILY-FRIENDLY AND AUTHENTIC
CLUB MEMBER
Ovens
Saunas, relaxation room and bistro heated with wood
Finnish sauna
Temperature: plus/minus 85 degrees
Infusion: once an hour, always on the half hour / Thursday to Saturday with ice and natural essences / Sunday alternating with venik and ice
yurt sauna
Temperature: plus/minus 75 degrees
In consultation with fellow sauna enthusiasts, it is possible to pour the water yourself.
Sauna
Textile-free and mixed (exception: Saturdays from 2 pm to 6 pm exclusively for people perceived as female)
Sauna visit
Both advance booking and spontaneous visits are possible.
Upper deck
Saunas, waterfall shower, access to the Rhine, seating, wool blankets, drinking water station
Lower deck
Bistro & Check-in, cloakrooms (separate for female and male persons), relaxation room (loungers, furs, blankets, tea station, books), showers (hot and cold water, soap), toilets (unisex, hairdryer)
hygiene
Showering before the first sauna session is absolutely essential.
Wearing a bathrobe or poncho is mandatory for hygienic reasons.
Included in the price
1 x sauna towel & bath slippers
Tea and water available at your leisure
bathrobe
Available for rent for CHF 9.– or bring your own – we would be delighted :)
HIKI ponchos for CHF 75.– while stocks last
Additional sauna towel CHF 3.–
Club membership
As we are organized as an association, membership is mandatory. The membership fee of CHF 10.– is payable at the first meeting of each new association year (October 1st to September 30th).
pay
On site: cash, TWINT and various cards
Online: various credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay
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opening hours
Thursday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM mixed
Friday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM mixed
Saturday: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM exclusively for women
Women's reading & 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM mixed
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (mixed)
LOCATION & ARRIVAL
The HIKI sauna is located on the footpath between Nordstern and the Dreiländereck (three-country corner).
You can park your bicycle directly in front of the ship.
Take tram (No. 8) or bus (No. 36 or 46) and get off at the "Kleinhüningen" stop.
from where you can reach the HIKI in 7 minutes on foot.
You can park your car in the parking lot at the Dreiländereck (Westquaistrasse 60).
Parking rates: Mon to Sat, 6:00 am - 12:00 am > CHF 1.10 / hour & Sun: free
SO YOU COME TO US
Both the Finnish sauna and the yurt sauna can be booked for private groups.
Generally, outside of regular opening days and hours, we rent as follows:
➜ Mondays to Wednesdays between 12 pm and 10 pm (outside of regular opening days)
➜ Thursday or Friday between 12 pm and 4 pm (before operations begin)
Prices depend on the number of people (2 to 40), the days (outside or inside regular opening days) and the duration of use (2 to 6 hours).
Prices range between:
➜ CHF 360.– for 2 hours for up to 10 people
➜ up to CHF 1,200 for 3 hours for more than 30 people
Included in the price: 1 x sauna towel & slippers and unlimited tea & water. Drinks must be purchased from HIKI. Bathrobes must be brought along or can be rented for CHF 9 each upon request. We will gladly discuss the number of infusions in the Finnish sauna and any other requests directly with you.
➜ If you are interested, please contact us via the form :)
Hey, HIKI team!
SUPPORTERS
We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported us with advice and practical help. In particular, we thank OSW (Oswald Siegfried Werbeagentur) for developing the HIKI logo and its various applications, Flavia Schaub for the professional photos, and all the helpers who regularly support us in our operations.