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 wonderfully fragrant infusions at temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees Celsius. Recently, the experience has been enhanced with a 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 from the 1940s 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 cargo ship, 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
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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 also due to the natural building materials (spruce wood, organic cotton , needle felt). The yurt sauna experience is unique in the region.
NATURAL
STEAM AMINE
ALL JUST HOT AIR
Our original Finnish Löyly IKI oven is fed with beech wood from the region until the thermometer shows plus/minus 80 degrees.
We'll do the lighting and greetings - we'll leave the sweating to you!
By the way, here's the advertising film for our oven-making Ikikiuas :-)
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!
TRANSPIRATION,
COOLING &
INSTPIARTION
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, it's also a great place to cool off in all kinds of weather.
Take a break on the upper deck with a view into the distance and Basel's most beautiful sunset, or in the cozy relaxation room on loungers with furs and with free tea .
The bistro offers a variety of drinks, snacks, warm toast, and soup .
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 historic freighter from the 1940s. 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
NEW STEAM ON OLD STEAMBOAT
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Wood-fired Finnish sauna with a temperature of 85 to 90 degrees Celsius
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Wood-fired yurt sauna with temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Celsius
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Sauna: clothing -optional and mixed ( exception: Saturdays from 2 pm to 6 pm exclusively for women)
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Infusions in the Finnish sauna: Wednesdays to Saturdays once an hour with ice and natural essences & Sundays once an hour alternating with venik and ice
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Advance booking or spontaneous visit
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Club membership is mandatory.
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Wearing a bathrobe or poncho is mandatory for hygienic reasons (bringing your own is very welcome).
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Included in the price: sauna towel, slippers, tea and water
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Upper deck: sauna, waterfall shower, access to the Rhine, seating and Basel's most beautiful sunset
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Lower deck: Bistro, relaxation room, changing rooms, showers and toilets
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Payment: Cash, TWINT and various cards
HIKI
SPECIALS
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 &
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM mixed
Sunday
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM mixed
SO YOU COME TO US
The HIKI is located below the North Star, or rather on the footpath towards the tripoint.
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 6 minutes on foot.
You can park your car in the parking lot in front of Swissterminal AG (Westquaistrasse 12).
Parking rates: Mon to Sat, 6:00 am - 12:00 am > CHF 1.10 / hour & Sun: free
PAY
On site: cash, TWINT and various cards
Online: various credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay
Hey, HIKI team!
We are happy to answer your questions at any time via email or live on site.
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.