For many European naturists, including ourselves, a visit to the spa was the first experience of social nudity. This isn’t a coincidence. The step to try a nude spa is just a lot smaller than a visit to a naturist club or resort. While the latter encourage nudity, bathrobes and sarongs are embraced at the spa. Nudity is only obligatory inside the pool, the jacuzzi, and the other facilities. If you prefer some covering when walking from one spot to the other, that’s perfectly fine.
Spa centers typically receive a much wider range of guests than naturist venues. Because the focus is less on being naked and more on relaxation, many visitors of spa centers don’t call themselves naturists or nudists and feel little (yet) for exploring other nude options. For naturists, the spa is a welcome alternative when the temperatures drop and outdoor nudity isn’t very pleasant anymore.
What is a spa center?
When we explain the concept of the European spa center (also called wellness center, thermal baths, or even sauna), we often compare it to a water park, but for grown-ups. Instead of big slides and rapids, you will find pools, jacuzzis, saunas, hammams, and often a huge variety of massage services and treatments. Spa centers vary a lot in size. Some receive hundreds of visitors per day and take several hours to try all the facilities. Others prefer to keep it cozy with fewer facilities and guests.
In all spa centers, relaxation is the ultimate goal. A couple of hours or even days away from the outside world. A paradise of peace and quietness. Although many spas do allow children (if you can keep them quiet), you’ll find that most of the visitors will be adults.
Where can you enjoy a nude spa
As mentioned earlier, the nude spa is mostly a European thing. In fact, it’s only popular in a handful of European countries. Although we said that the spa has by definition little to do with naturism, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence that spa centers are especially popular in countries with a sprawling naturist community.
Nude spa in Germany
Being the birthplace of naturism and not particularly known as a country with year-round excellent weather, it’s not a surprise that Germany has a very popular spa culture. Because the Germans tend to be very open-minded towards nudity, spa and wellness centers in the country are by default nude obligatory and mixed. Unless otherwise stated.
One of the world’s most famous spa resort towns is Baden Baden in the north of the Black Forest. Because of the hot springs and thermal waters in the region, Baden Baden has been a magnet for spa aficionados since the 19th century. The options for spa vacations are plenty and for every budget. Top of the bill is the luxurious Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa.
Spa retreats are also very popular in the south of the country, especially in the region around Munich and the Bavarian Alps. Das Tegernsee resort at less than an hour’s drive from Munich is known for its excellent spa facilities but maybe even more for its amazing views.
Nude spa in Austria
Also in Austria, your birthday suit is the official dress code at the spa. Spa resorts are spread around the country and provide lots of indoor and outdoor facilities. Even during the coldest winter months, the outdoor pools and jacuzzis remain popular. What’s more relaxing than lounging in a hot pool while looking over the snowcapped mountains, right?
A top favorite is the Tauern Spa near Salzburg which covers more than 20 000 square meters and has both textile and nude areas. Other popular picks are the Narzissen Vital Resort, the Aqua Dome Therme, and the Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Carinzia.
Nude spa in the Netherlands
According to a recent survey, 2 million Dutch have enjoyed social nudity before. The country definitely has its fair share of naturist clubs, campgrounds, and nude beaches, but many went full monty for the first time at one of the spas. Most spa centers in the Netherlands maintain a no-clothing policy, but some have bathing suit days. In those days, bathing suits are allowed and in some cases even mandatory.
Top spa resorts in the Netherlands include Fort Resort Beemster, which is set in a luxuriously renovated fortress, and Wellness Resort Elysium, one of the largest spa centers in Europe.
Nude spa in Belgium
During the last decades, a relaxing spa and wellness day has also become a popular pastime of the Belgians. Both nude obligatory and bathing suit obligatory spa centers exist in Belgium, so it’s important to check this upfront if you prefer to spend your time clothes free. From our experience, the largest and nicest spa centers in Belgium are all obligatory nude.
The most popular spas in Belgium are Thermen Mineraal, Thermen Londerzeel, and Thermen Dilbeek. But there are several other great options.
Nude spa in the UK
It has always surprised us that, given the typical weather, the nude spa isn’t all that popular in the UK. The current uprise of naturism in the country will hopefully change that, as we’re pretty sure that there are many British who would also love to get naked on a rainy day. One very popular nude spa in the UK is Clover Spa in Birmingham.
Nude spa in Eastern Europe
While Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium definitely provide the most variety of nude spa centers in Europe, also several eastern European countries maintain a spa culture and have embraced social nudity. Habits and local customs may differ from country to country or even place to place. So it’s always best to check upfront whether nudity is allowed and in which areas. If you’re visiting with your partner, you also want to check if the facilities are mixed gender.
In Poland, spa centers can be found in most large cities. Aquapark in Wroclaw is a huge textile water park for families but has a large nude spa section as well. Other popular choices are Cezar, which is part of a naturist domain, and Termy Krakowskie.
The Czech Republic has several spa resort towns, of which Mariánské Lázně and Karlovy Vary are the most popular. Aquapalace hotel in Prague has its own spa complex called Sauna World.
Another great spa resort town is Bešeňová in Slovakia, with its popular water park. There are several hotels inside the park, of which Hotel Galeria Thermal Bešeňová is especially popular among spa visitors. Other great choices in Slovakia are Aphrodite Palace and Thermia Palace Ensana.
Hungary has a long time spa culture as well and nudity is quite common. Many spa resorts in Hungary do have gender-separated facilities though. The wellness facilities of Bükfürdő Thermal & Spa are mixed.
The thermal waters and hot springs of Slovenia are yet another option for those looking for a spa getaway. It has to be mentioned though that the local etiquette dictates that nudity is common (and often obligatory) in the sauna and hammam. In other facilities, you may be required to wrap a towel around your body. Popular locations are Terme 3000 and Thermana Lasko
Nude sauna in northern Europe
The concept of the spa center, with many different facilities, didn’t really become popular in the Nordic countries. What those countries do have, is a long-lasting sauna culture. Especially in Finland and Sweden, sweating it out in the sauna is a popular pastime. Saunas are also seen as a social place and often have space for up to 50 people. It’s very common to visit the sauna with friends, with the family, and with colleagues. It’s even said that some of the largest business deals are made among naked sweaty bodies.
In Finland, women and men go to the sauna separately whereas the saunas in Sweden are often mixed gender. In both countries, it’s considered an honor to be invited to the sauna and you better make up a good reason if you’re planning to decline the invitation.
Maybe the most idyllic spa in all of Europe is the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Unfortunately, bathing suits are mandatory here. This is something we found pretty weird during our visit to Iceland because the Icelanders didn’t seem to have a particular aversion to nudity. In fact, most of the public swimming pools only have communal dressing rooms. So it’s perfectly fine being naked among each other while dressing/undressing and while taking a shower, but to enjoy the baths you’ll need a bathing suit.
Even though some textile is mandatory, The Blue Lagoon is definitely a recommendation. It can easily be visited from the capital Reykjavik or for the ultimate experience, you can stay at The Blue Lagoon Retreat right inside the domain. And who knows, maybe they’ll drop their clothing policy one day and allow us to drop our clothes as well.
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In Belgium a few Spas organize also clothing optional days. Such a coexistence of nude and clothed people in a resort is going very well. This is the perfect solution for mixed (naturist – nonnaturist) couples. It is also excellent to introduce people in nude recreation. If only more Spas would follow these examples to organize such CO days …
We definitely agree that a mix of naturist & non-naturist is the way forward. It creates an easy step for first-timers and improves the general perception of social nudity. Eventually, this might encourage others to create more venues that allow nudity.
What about Seitzerland? Why don’t you mention the great choice of excellent nude spas?
We don’t know much about the nude spa options in Switzerland, feel free to give some recommendations!
Go to the „Alpentherme“Spa in Leukerbad (Valais) and enjoy a nude day in the Roman baths or in the sauna „Walliser Dorf“. Besides this there are plenty of nude spas in nearly every holiday resort of the georgeous Swiss Alps.
Thanks a lot for the tips!
You should mention (and visit) dolomites in Italy too! In North East Italy, we have some beautiful public spa, as well nearly all hotels with it!
Sauna and wellness culture and mandatory nudity in the cabins / pools. PS: Cron4 is where the Aufguss Championship was born back in 2007 😀
Feel free to ask advices!
Love Ur blog btw!
It’s on our list for a future trip to Italy 😀
Great article! The nude spas of Europe were practically life changing for me when I lived in the Netherlands. Elysium is one of my favorites. However, I believe the largest nude spa in the world is at Therme Erding (the adults only section) outside of Munich… I desperately wish we had places like this in North America. Keep up the good work!
In Norway, we have this place:
https://thewell.no/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKCAjw0On8BRAgEiwAincsHDsLhNjWEO6_gisFZoB1ulABwOB5QGtkZk7ASITtOgvthUMqetH5BBoC70YQAvD_BwE
Thanks a lot for the tip Rune!
And also Farris bad, https://farrisbad.no/en/spa/, which also allow some coed nudity: https://farrisbad.no/en/spa/worth-knowing-in-spa/
tip , in Germany we liked Oase Wellness-Welt in Bremen . https://www.oase-weserpark.de/
You forgot about the best of Poland 😉 http://www.termyrzymskie.pl/en/
Thanks for the tip!
I can say one of my first nudist experiences was in a spa in Europe. I have not yet been to one of the large camp ground type places.
As an American, Spas and the number or rules and just cultural differences are confusing but in a good way. Ill just speak of my experiences most recently in Berlin where there are several good places. First it is just the process of getting in and then what to bring from sandals to a book (for lounging). In most all the places I went in Berlin the changing rooms were mixed sex, as an American getting naked with the opposite sex is a bit of an eye opener but quickly adjusted to. Next is just understanding the various hot and wet sauna and pools; what order to use, temps and what is happening in them. As I write this I am thinking of Vabali Spa an oasis in the middle of Berlin. Once you figure all that out is just hey when / if can I chat someone up in conversation? Still figuring that one out. I have not done a massage yet at Vabali but have other places. I will just say being nude in the Spa is a freeing experience that you can do for a hour or several without getting into the countryside. I also think it is a place to get you toes wet so to speak. I like European Spa culture but sadly for a variety of cultural reasons I do not see it working in the USA. But the US does have I think a solid nudist resort culture that European’s visiting should enjoy during a visit.
Interesting that you say that the nude spa culture might not work in the USA. The nudist resorts that we visited in California pretty much all had a “spa”, which is basically a miniature edition of the European spa, with just a jacuzzi and a sauna. But the idea is there and it seems to be used.
But these are all inside nudist resorts, and one of the reasons why the spa is more popular in Europe than nudist/naturist resorts is exactly because they’re not connected to naturism/nudism. The lifestyle comes with a lot of background and there are many people who enjoy non-sexual nudity but don’t like to categorize themselves as naturists/nudists.
Public saunas are definately not mixed gender in Sweden.
Some are, but not all.
My two favourite places in Berlin:
Vabali – https://www.vabali.de/online/
and Kristalltherme Ludwigsfelde – https://kristall-therme-ludwigsfelde.de
Both are temporary closed due to the COVID lockdown, but hopefully will open soon. While the Vabali is more SPA place, where wearing a bath robe is suggested outside of pools and sauns facilities, the Kristalltherme is a truly naturist place.
I would like to add Lithuania to this list. They have https://www.akvapark.lt/en/aqua-park/entertainment/bathhouse-area/. It is not easy to read from the website, but the whole sauna area is clothing optional. Including around 19 saunas, large indoor swimming pool with a bar and some outdoor pools. Waterpark section requires swimming suits.
Awesome! Thanks a lot for the tip. We’ve heard that Lithuania has some nude beaches as well. We definitely need to put the country on our itinerary!
But 99.9% of the people there are in swimwear. Only I and one other man were naked in some saunas.
do you know any nude public spas in Montenegro?
Unfortunately not. We don’t think that the nude spa culture has already reached Montenegro.
wij hebben in de loop der jaren diverse Sauna/Spa`s bezocht van groot tot klein.
we gaan het liefst naar de middel grote tot kleinere Spa`s . In de grote luxe is het vaak erg druk en zit je met 30 tot 50 personen in een blokhut en gaan er voortdurend mensen in of uit. Je komt meer tot rust in een klein sauna complex zoals bv. Spabron in Oosterhesselen. Daar is het gezellig en kom je tot rust.
zie; http://www.spabron.nl
Bedankt voor de tip Ruud!
Our favorite in Belgium is Souks & Sauna (www.souksensauna.be). Medium size with sufficient facilities, nice relaxing atmosphere, not crowded, good gender and age balance.
We didn’t hear about that one yet. We’ll have to put it on our list for the next time we’re in Belgium!
Slovenia – the best place is Terme Olimija https://www.terme-olimia.com/
There is nudistic part (Orhidelia) and also naked swim each Friday 22-24
Information about Eastern Europe, Estonia- the only mixed nude sauna is at the “GO Spa”. https://www.gospa.ee/
Other spa facilities are not interested in European sauna culture! We have written many emails and asked, but they claim there is no interest from customers. Even our leading adult spa-s require swimming suit! 18+ Spa and 21+ Spa. Weird!
So, people, who wish to visit Estonian spa-s, write and ask (demand)!!!
Thanks for the tip!
It’s the chicken or egg question here. It’s not a coincidence that they get few requests for a nude sauna experience if the concept doesn’t exist. The question is: would creating such places also grow that kind of request?
There was a time when nobody was asking for a smartphone. But once it was created anyway… 🙂
Exactly! 🙂
Terme Merano. in norhtern Italy has a nude mixed spa area.
Thanks for the tip!
It’s so strange that in France, who has a very long naturist tradition, you don’t find nude wellness facilities. (Even so in the French part of Belgium). Same thing in Spain where nudity is tolerated on many beaches…
It’s not that strange. Nude wellness is a Germanic and Slavic tradition. History-wise, the Latin countries have always been reluctant to adopt Germanic things. But we’re not the middle ages anymore, so we agree that France and Spain might want to look into the value of starting nude spa.
For December we have booked a trip to Maastricht for spas and Christmas markets – seems a perfect base for spa lovers as there are Spa Sereen and Thermen 2000 locally in the Netherlands and a 45 drive away we will also go to Carolus Thermen in Aachen, Germany, and Les Thermes de Spa in Belgium.