The Friedrichsbad Baths, located in Baden-Baden Germany, is an elegant bathing complex that originally opened in 1877 as one of the most modern bathing establishments in Europe. Originally catering to European aristocracy, this beautiful neo-Renaissance style bathing house is still open to all looking to soak in the curative mineral waters or just enjoy a quiet few hours of relaxation.
Sitting upon the ruins of baths used by Roman generals, those who visit Friedrichsbad will follow a 17-step Irish-Roman bathing ritual that includes a sequence of hot air baths, steam rooms, showers, pools, and optional massages.
Perhaps the best part is that your 2-3 hours here are spent within a steamy haze of marble, brass, colorful titles, and majestic domes. Friedrichsbad is also the place where Ethan and I got up the courage to go completely nude in a co-ed place for the first time.
Interested in visiting or just hearing about our experience? We’ll tell you how you can visit the Friedrichsbad Baths in Baden-Baden, provide some tips, and then share our own awkward but fabulous experience at the baths.
Table of Contents:
Basic Information on Visiting the Friedrichsbad Spa
Where?
Friedrichsbad is located in the middle of downtown at Römerplatz 1, 76530 Baden-Baden.
Getting there?
By Car: If driving, you can park in the huge underground parking garage shared by both the Caracalla and Friedrichsbad Baths. To get here, head for Rotenbachtalstrasse and the entrance for the garage is located off this street. Follow signs for Bädergarage to get to the garage. You get a parking discount for the first two hours if you are visiting one of the spas, just validate your parking ticket before leaving the bath.
By Train: A number of trains arrive at the Baden-Baden train station, but you’ll want to drive or take a bus or taxi to reach the town center.
By Bus: Buses travel regularly from the Baden-Baden railway station to the town center, and you can check the local bus routes and schedules. The 205 Bus will take you almost directly to the spa if you get off at the “Caracalla Therme” stop and it is then only a 2-minute walk to Friedrichsbad. However, you can also take the 201 Bus and get off at the “Baden-Baden Leopaldsplatz” stop. It is about a 5 to 7 minute walk from Leopaldsplatz (main town square) down Sophienstrasse to the baths.
Opening Times?
Friedrichsbad is normally open daily from 9:00am to 10:00pm (9:00 – 22:00). Last entry is 2 hours before closing although you should probably try to allow yourself the full 3 hours so you don’t feel rushed.
Cost & How to Purchase Tickets?
The main 3-hour package is 23 euros/person. You can add an 8-minute soap-and-brush massage and/or an 8-minute cream massage for 12 euros/each. Discounted prices are available to those traveling groups of 10 or more. If you are spending the night in Baden-Baden, some hotels also offer discounted admission tickets.
You can purchase tickets from the front desk of the spa on the day of your visit or you can purchase a redeemable voucher online prior to your visit.
Do I have to be completely naked?
Yes, this is a nude bathing complex and everyone but the attendants will be completely nude. However, you can choose whether you want to mingle with members of the opposite sex. Friedrichsbad has both separate and mixed sex days. Currently, the separate sex days (men and women go through the identical bathing stages separately except stages 10 and 11) are Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Mixed sex days, or co-ed days, are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, and holidays. I would check the schedule prior to going to ensure they are open and double-check to see if it will be co-ed or single sex bathing during your visit.
Looking for an alternative spa experience?
Baden-Baden is known as a spa resort town, and there are other baths in town. Caracalla Therme is located next door to Friedrichsbad. Caracalla Spa is a much more modern bathing complex complete with outdoor and indoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and steam rooms. Most of the public spaces at Caracalla require swimwear (although there are nude areas) and it is very family friendly. If you are looking for massages, spa treatments, and couples wellness packages, you can also check out the CaraVitalis services.
Need more Information on Friedrichsbad?
The service company CARASANA owns Friedrichsbad, Caracalla, and some other facilities in Baden-Baden. You can call them +49 (0) 7221 27594, visit the Friedrichsbad webpage, or visit the CARASANA website. You can watch short YouTube videos in German that highlight parts of the bathing ritual and give you an idea of the inside of the baths.
I also want to give a shout out to Rick Steves and both his Baden-Baden article and his video (he and his family visit both Friedrichsbad and Caracalla in this “Black Forest and Cologne” TV episode). It was his TV show that made me aware of this great bathing complex a few years before we actually visited. This is also great for a good view of the interior of the baths where photos are not allowed.
Other Tips for Enjoying your Time at Friedrichsbad?
• You don’t need to bring anything to Friedrichsbad other than money for the admission price or your online voucher. A locker, sandals, towels, liquid soap/shampoo, lotion, hair dryers, etc. are all provided with the admission price. Things I would suggest bringing: deodorant, any essential hair care or cosmetics, a brush or comb, contact case and solution (if applicable), and clean socks and underwear.
• If you are going on a mixed sex day, just note that the co-ed nudity begins in the locker room not in the actual spa area.
• There are curtained individual changing spaces, lockers, mirrors, and even hair drying stations located in the locker rooms. After taking off your clothes in the changing area, you can stow all your things in a locker located right across from it. Lockers are opened and closed with your electronic wristband so do remember your locker number. Other than eyeglasses (which you can decide whether to take or not) you’ll need to leave everything else in your locker before you enter the spa. We each had a clothes hanger and a towel in our locker, but we noticed not all lockers had towels in them.
• If you are going on a separate sex day, the locker rooms and spa areas will be segregated except for Steps 10 (thermal whirlpool) and Step 11 (kinotherapeutic bath). You can of course skip these steps (or really any of the steps minus the first shower), but you’ll miss being able to swim below the beautiful dome. If you are feeling particularly uncomfortable but want to see the dome, you might want to wait until another person of the same sex is heading into the mixed sex pools or try to head out when the pool is empty.
• The wristband you are wearing keeps track of your time at the spa. The normal allotted time is 3 hours but if you added on the option cream massage or soap-and-brush massage you’ll have extra time (30 minutes added for each). To check your time, there are a few little meter stations where you can check it. You could complete all 17 steps in much less than 3 hours (probably an hour if you rushed) so I would not be too concerned with time, but you will be charged extra if you go over the time.
• Note that children under age 14 will not be permitted at Friedrichsbad (Caracalla next door is a great family-friendly alternative), although child care services can be arranged.
• It is very quiet and peaceful here and guests are asked to only talk when needed and to do so in low tones. Ethan and I whispered occasionally to each other and talked to the attendants as needed, but otherwise kept our mouths shut. It was very nice to be around people, but to be quiet and not have to make conversation.
• This experience is probably best enjoyed when it is not very crowded. We went later in the afternoon during a weekday and there were maybe 20 other bathers spread out across the 17 steps. We never had to wait for a chaise lounge or share a pool with more than 2 to 3 other people. It is probably least crowded at opening, end of the day, and on weekdays. If you have a couple of days you could potentially visit, you might call and ask about best times and days to visit to avoid crowds.
• Is it creepy, romantic, sexual, etc.? No to all three of these. It is neither creepy nor romantic. I can’t say that no one will check you out, but in our observations everyone kept to themselves and there was no overt ogling, no sexual behavior, no kissing, and no touching. You are likely to not even talk to the other bathers. If going with your partner, it is also not a romantic couple spa as you also won’t be touching, kissing, or doing much talking. This is a place to go for peace and relaxation. During our visit, the other guests were mainly older single men and middle age and older heterosexual couples, but there was one other young couple and two single women.
• Now if after reading all of this, you are thinking there is no way I am going to be able to enjoy this and I am going to be worried the whole time about the nudity or the routine, then this might not be the best place for you. There are lots of people (including us) who came in being anxious and left totally relaxed, but you know yourself best and it is not worth the money if you know you will just spend 3 hours being anxious and uncomfortable.
• It may sound tricky to follow a 17-step ritual, but the numbers and signs are posted all over the place. However, since it is not a direct straight path and it requires backtracking and such, just note you are likely to be a little confused at one point or another. Similarly, it is not always obvious when you need a towel or plastic slippers and when you don’t, but just go with the flow. Attendants are around and were quite helpful to use. They will give you towels, slippers, and generally keep you going in the right direction. Also don’t be worried about not doing everything in order. We mainly followed the order initially, but then went back to repeat some of our favorite steps out of sequence. For more on the 17-steps, you can read about our experience below.
• Before or after you visit, you should take a quick peek at the Renaissance Hall upstairs (free admission) where you can see a few Roman artifacts and even taste some of the hot thermal water from the fountain.
Our Experience Getting Completely Naked at Friedrichsbad Baths
Now, I would like to say we are enlightened and hang-up free Americans who had no issue with getting completed naked in front of others. However, we are not and had never done something like this before. In fact, Ethan after learning that not only were we going to be naked but it was going to be in a co-ed place, stated we should not go. My issue was feeling uncomfortable for myself and his was more he didn’t want men to leer at me. But we went anyways and here is our experience.
We were coming from a pleasant morning spent in Heidelberg, and arrived by car in Baden-Baden later in the afternoon. I had the address to Friedrichsbad in our GPS; however, I had not written down the name of the underground garage or where the street entrance to the underground garage was located. After driving on a couple pedestrian-only streets (we did this in a few German cities), we did eventually figure it out and parked. Don’t be like us, have this info with you (all above in the Getting There section). We followed signs from the garage and walked to Friedrichsbad.
We had purchased vouchers online (they send a PDF file to your e-mail that you print off), so we just had to give them to the lady at the front desk and received the electronic wristbands. We put them on, climbed the grand stairway, and headed to the locker room.
We went to Friedrichsbad on a mixed-sex day so men and women were using the same locker room. For some reason this surprised us as we were anticipating separate locker rooms. To enter or leave the locker room, you just use the electronic wristband. Once in, we located lockers in the back closer to the entrance to the actual spa. We each changed in these little curtained changing rooms. We seemed to take quite a long time undressing as we were both nervous about coming out naked. But we were lucky because there were clean towels in both of our lockers so we went from our clothes to wrapping ourselves in our towels, which just served to prolong the inevitable nudity for a few more minutes.
After stowing all our things in the lockers, we said our locker numbers a few times to ourselves to try to remember them and headed into the spa. We were greeted by a nice female attendant who motioned for us to lose our towels. We reluctantly parted with our towels and our modestly, and were directed to Step 1: Shower. There are several large shower heads along the wall and you just walk up and get started. The water is warm and there is soap/shampoo dispensers on the wall. This step is meant to get you clean and hygienic. However, it also serves as a good place to get used to being naked and start to get a lay of the land. After the shower, you’ll want to grab a towel (likely will be handed to you by the attendant) and plastic slippers. You need these as the floor tiles and chairs are quite hot in the next couple of rooms.
In Step 2: Warm-air bath, you’ll lay down your towel on the wooden lounge chair and then lay down on your towel. This was one of my favorite rooms as there are beautiful flowers and birds on the walls. However, I think we were both still getting used to our nudity so there was some uncomfortableness, especially with laying out flat in front of others fully exposed. Then for Step 3: Hot-air bath, you walk into the connected smaller room where there are more wooden lounge chairs but the room is much hotter. Even with my towel down, I had a hard time staying in this room for more than a few minutes as I found it too hot. However, Ethan loved it in here as did another guy we noticed who spent quite a bit of time in here beyond the recommended 5 minutes. Now, for Step 4: Shower you’ll head back to the same showers as before. Give your towel and slippers to the attendant and take another shower in the warm thermal waters. After the shower, you’ll get a new towel to dry off but you won’t need the slippers and you don’t need to take the towel with you. If you paid extra for the Step 5: Soap and Brush Massage (optional), you’ll stop at the massage station for an 8-minute massage followed by Step 6: Shower (only if you do Step 5). We didn’t buy this, so we just headed to Step 7: Thermal steam baths. Here you’ll pick up a clean little sitting pad and then find a place on the marble to sit and enjoy the steam. Then move on to the slightly hotter room for Step 8: Thermal steam baths. These again were quite relaxing and were not too hot. Now, get rid of your sitting pad and take another shower here before moving onto the pools.
Then onto a progression of pools that begin warm and become increasingly cooler. Step 9: Thermal full bath and then Step 10: Thermal whirlpool bath. Now get ready for the beautiful, majestic dome at Step 11: Thermal kinotherapeutic bath. So this pool at Step 11 is not that special as far as the actual water goes (reminds me of just a regular indoor swimming pool), but it has the best view in the place. I just kept looking up at the dome while Ethan swam some laps. This is the area of the spa when you can best imagine the former majesty of one of the grandest bathing houses in Europe in the late 1800’s. This is also a great place to check on how much time you have left. To check your time, just go to the wall and put your bracelet against the digital scanner. The rest of the steps go rather quickly and if you still have a lot of time you might want to decide if you want to revisit any of the other steps you’ve already done.
We went ahead and continued to Step 12: Shower and headed back to those original showers in the front. We noticed that people sometimes skip Step 13: Cold water bath. This little step is located right across from the main showers and is easy to miss. There is only room for one or two people at a time. Ethan actually wanted to chicken out of this, but I said we had to do all the steps to get the full experience. Who can argue with such logic? So in we plunged into what felt like icy cold water. It is actually not that cold but it feels freezing after all the steam baths and warm showers. After our cold but invigorating plunges into the cold water, we ran back over to the showers for some warm water. Now since we knew we still had a lot of time left, we went back to do some of the prior steps we enjoyed. We decided to split up at this point and Ethan headed back to the Step 7 & 8 thermal steam baths and I asked the attendant for slippers and a towel to go lay on the wooden chaises at Step 2. It was much more relaxing the second time around as I was no longer concerned about my nudity at this point and was able to better take in the pretty bird titles and peacefulness. The attendant didn’t seem to mind we were repeating steps, in fact we noticed a couple of older German men who appeared to have their own routine that didn’t appear to correspond to the stated steps.
After joining back up again, our sadomasochistic sides had us dare each other to jump back into the Step 13 cold water bath. This craziness done and out of our systems, we finally relented to Step 14: Drying Off. Just note once you do Step 14, you are now done with the water portion of the spa so if you do want to repeat anything, do it prior to Step 14. An attendant will give you a warm towel, which feels particularly good after a cold bath, and you are given time to sit and dry yourself off. Next you’ll head to Step 15: Application of moisturizing cream where you’ll be able to apply some nice smelling moisturizing lotion all over your body. If you purchased the optional cream massage, you’ll do that now. I have to say I enjoyed the lotion but there were a bit too many mirrors and lights in this room for me. A bit of the earlier awkwardness came out here for some reason.
Now the final two rooms are for pure relaxation. The weirdest part of the ritual for me is Step 16: Relaxation Room where you will be quietly guided by an attendant into a dark room that is filled with raised beds (sort of like padded doctor office beds you lie on) covered in clean sheets and blankets. You are then each individually wrapped into a warm, soft cocoon to relax and sleep. It reminded me a bit of the sleeping pods on the Alien movie which is probably not the most relaxing image. Ethan actually fell asleep and while I tried I was too concerned about neither of us waking up and our time running out. In hindsight, I should have just asked the attendant to wake us up in 30 minutes and she probably would have done so. After we broke out of our warm little cocoons, we were then directed to the final room Step 17: Reading room. This is a sunny room with chaise lounges, big warm towels, magazines, and warm tea. There is also a small sunny terrace that you can walk out onto as well. We enjoyed about 20 minutes or so here sipping the tea and flipping through magazines. Most were in German, of course, but I think there were a couple in English. Two small complaints here: it would be nice if the tea was hotter (it was lukewarm) and it would be nice if they provided some sort of light snack. After 3 hours of bathing, we were quite hungry and a light snack of any kind (fruit, a warm cookie, pretzels) would have been very welcome.
Finally, we headed back to the locker room, opened our lockers with our bracelets, and changed back into our clothes. Thankfully, we had brought clean underwear and socks so we didn’t have to get back into the prior dirty ones. You feel so clean after all that bathing! I was impressed that there were mirrors and several hair dryers, so I was able to sit and blow dry out my hair before we left. We left with about 15 minutes left of our 3 hours. We did make a stop visit on our way out to the Renaissance Hall to see some Roman artifacts for a few minutes. We were not able to do the traditional tasting of the thermal waters as there was a sign saying not to drink from the fountain at this time. Before leaving, make sure you have returned your wristband.
Looking back this was such a wonderful experience and it was definitely the highlight of our time in Baden-Baden. We got rid of a lot of inhibitions about being naked by Step 5 and were really able to relax and enjoy the baths. A lot of our trip had us doing things and being active, but here we had to be quiet, reflective, and stay in our own heads. We were able to look around and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and have an experience we had never had before—together but also very separate. There is no question we would definitely do something like this again. We are not really the typical spa/resort kind of people and this may not be what many people are looking for if you are used to contemporary first-class resort spas with all the trimmings. The optional massages are quite short (8 minutes) for instance, and the sequence of steps may not feel relaxing to some. You are bound to be a bit confused at some point about which step is where, whether you need the towel or slippers, and all that, but if you decide to go, I would suggest that you just go in and relax. Reading over our experience and tips should tell you all you need to be prepared and anything else you’ll be able figure it out while there. For us, Friedrichsbad was a place that was both anxiety-provoking with us stepping out of our comfort zones to be completely naked in front of others and incredibly relaxing.
Have questions for us about our experience? Do you have your own experience to share about your visit to Friedrichsbad baths or a similar spa experience? As always, we’d love to hear from you.
Mary Post author
Jessica,
I loved your detailed, beautifully written experience
of your visit to Friedrichsbad. My husband and I visited the spa on a co-Ed day after a long Rick Steve’s tour day by bus back in 2012. Only 5 us (out of 30) chose to take advantage of this marvelous experience. We have never been to an all nude (male and female) anything! and we loved the entire experience from the locker room to cocooning completely wrapped and warmly tucked in – in the dome room. Heavenly!! We will be visiting again for 2 days in early September 2022 to begin our month long bike riding in Switzerland and Croatia. What a way to start our trip!! Thx,Jessica, for taking us down memory lane! Everyone should strip down, lose your inhibitions and just go for it. We’re in our mid 60’s and 70’s so our bodies are fortunately athletic but not perfect!!! Who cares?!!
Best to everyone reading this…life is short…going to Friedrichsbad is something you’ll never forget and will want to do again and again!!! I’ve told friends for years about this incredible experience!
Mary and Cliff (Oregon)
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Mary,
Thanks so much for sharing your spa experience from 2012, sounds like a great tour and visit to the baths! Would love to hear how your experience 10 years later goes and how things have changed/not changed at Friedrichsbad Baths. I have not heard much from folks visiting since the pandemic so would love to hear from someone who has been both before and after.
Wishing you a wonderful trip to Baden-Baden, Switzerland, & Croatia!
Best,
Jessica
Elaine Post author
Question: When you go on the separate sex days, are you ever in the presence of the opposite sex, including attendents?
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Elaine, During our visit there were attendants and staff of both sexes in the bathing and massage areas. I am guessing that they do try to divide staff on separate sex days but I am guessing there is still a decent chance of being in the presence of an opposite sex attendant. But we found the staff to be very professional so I would not be too concerned.
Also note that on same sex days, the large domed pool in the middle is still shared on same sex days. So if you do not want to see opposite sex bathers, I would avoid this stop on the route.
Hope that helps!
Jessica
Paul B Post author
I went two times over a 5 day period. The first time was very nice and exactly as you stated. Both times I went I bought the optional massages with the hot lunch and beer. The second visit was not as nice as the first due to one thing in particular. I heard a male attendant tell the female masseuse that I was an American to which she replied “Oh God!” I was a bit perturbed at this comment though I did not confront her with it when she came in. ruined my visit. I was a total gentleman while I was there, I did not stare at the ladies nor did I become erect at any time so I did not deserve a comment like that at all.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Paul, Glad to hear you had a positive first experience at Friedrichsbad Baths but sorry to hear about the comment made on your second visit. I would recommend sending an email to the spa about the issue or leaving them a review as that is definitely not something that should have been said around customers. It is a bit surprising as a lot of Americans (and other foreigners) visit the baths all the time and it has been featured numerous times by folks like Rick Steves. Anyway, thanks for leaving your thoughts about your experiences here so others can read. Best, Jessica
Todd Post author
Hi Jessica. Thanks for sharing your story. After reading yours and a few others, I decided to go when I would be back to Germany for work. That opportunity occurred past July. Just like you and other prudish Americans, I had reservations. However, going naked in public has been “bucket list” since turning 50. Thus, what did I have to lose other than all my clothes.
This past July, I was back in Germany alone (without my wife unfortunately). But. I went. I went on Sunday afternoon, a mixed day. So, all my anxiety had to vanish immediately as first attendants were women. So, there I am. Buck naked in front of 3 female attendants. Ok. Move on as I had 4 hours paid. However those 3 ladies were very helpful and professional. They gave me instructions and off I go. Shower #1. Fortunate or unfortunate (depends one perspective), I encountered more women.
Ok, all anxiety gone as it’s a must now. Saunas were wonderful. Then the next shower followed by the soap scrub. Anxiety again as I start face up, no bars hold now. But, the female attendant was very professional. She gave me a great scrubbing followed by the ending naked butt slap. Ouch! Shower again and off to the pools and steam baths. Relaxing.
Not too many other patrons so I was able to swim for next 2.5 hours. Relaxing! After all this swimming and steam baths (I went back and forth), I went to the cream massage. No more anxiety as I was ready for the female attendant and face up to start. Relaxing as she knew how to massage. I could have stayed another hour. Then off to the siesta room and tea at end. While drinking tea, I enjoyed the small balcony and just basically said (to myself), look at me world as I am buck naked and enjoying myself with no more anxiety, no more concerns.
Bottom line, I had a great time that I went back on following Tuesday (another mixed day as I now have no desire to go to same sex day). I can’t wait to return to Germany again and go as often as possible while I still get my work complete. Hopefully, I can take my wife next time and help her experience this relaxing opportunity.
Again, thanks for sharing your story and hope that you enjoyed mine.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Todd, Thanks so much for sharing your experience of going to the Friedrichsbad Baths in Baden-Baden! It sounds like you got over your initial anxiety and concerns and felt comfortable fairly quickly. So happy that you took the plunge and that you had such a relaxing time. I do think the professionalism of the staff is the key here as they help people feel comfortable, set the tone, and also keep other guests in line.
I hope you get a chance to bring your wife on your next visit to Germany.
Best,
Jessica
Todd Post author
Hi Jessica.
I agree with you that the professional approach by attendants help reduce then eliminate anxiety. I felt relaxed by end of my first visit. My second visit was no stress, no anxiety.
After reading your original article again, I think that you entered the “female” side because you mentioned a small cold bath. I did the same on my first visit. Then, on my second visit, I went to the “male” side. There is a larger cold bath area which is more relaxing, my opinion.
In the end, both visits were extremely relaxing. Hopefully, I can take my wife and we both experience this spa together.
Yvonne Yan Post author
Thank you for the sharing. It’s indeed very insightful and informative. Btw, all spa (or hot springs) in Japan and Taiwan are all nude. Its most relaxing that way. Its how human bath in the first beginning. Only difference is there’s almost no co-sex nude spas in Asia whatsoever. The mixed sex thing can be mind boggling for some for sure. My first co-ed spa experience was in Austria, a place tucked in the mountain one hour’s drive from Graz. I still remembered how embarrassed I was fining myself to be only young female in the entire area with men on my own!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Yvonne, Thanks for taking the time to comment on our nude bathing post! Yes, I think for most people it is definitely the mixed sex atmosphere that is the awkward part. Although many people feel anxious being nude in front of anyone. Sounds like even coming from Asia where you are used to nude bathing, the mixed sex setting was embarrassing for you as well. It is definitely not for everyone, which is why at most of these places like the Friedrichsbad Baths in Baden-Baden have both single and mixed sex days. Best, Jessica
Monika Post author
By the way, I learned from watching two older ladies before us that you can take the white sheet with you when you leave the quiet room (the step before last) and keep it on in the reading room (where you lounge and drink tea). That’s perfectly O.K., so that’s something to know for those who would like to do the baths.
As I said, knowing what I know now, I would never do this on a mixed day, and I also don’t think it’s worth to try it again on a gender-segregated day, but on the bright side, this experience has completely cured me of any concerns about fashion. If I ever worried before about whether I was dressed appropriately for any occasion, now I just remember I have my clothes on and all my worries vanish into thin air. After this “textile-free” experience, I have discovered my deep and abiding love for a simple piece of cloth.
Monika Post author
This is a very good blog and explains very well what to expect. However, I would advise any woman who has any trepidation about exposing herself in front of other men to avoid it at all costs. I made myself do it, thinking and hoping that it would be a relaxing experience, but I ended up really, really, really hating it. My husband and I went in during a mixed day because I figured I didn’t want to be navigating a foreign place alone and naked, but I sorely wish we had gone in on a gender segregated day. Even though we went early, there were still more single men than women. I had expected to feel relaxed as a new-born baby when we got to the quiet room, but all I felt was a tremendous relief to be able to cover myself again. Then I started thinking we must have skipped a step because we never go to the big gorgeous round bath with the beautiful dome above. I asked my husband about it when we got out of the quiet room–holding on to my sheet for dear life–and he said we had already been through it. I couldn’t believe it. That’s one thing that I would add to this blog–the baths are very, very small. They look very big in pictures, but they are very small in real life. Then I thought, well the dome is supposed to be the best part and I don’t want to miss out on it after putting myself through all this. I asked the attendants if we could go back to look at the dome, and they let us but not before insisting on taking our sheets first even though we just wanted to look at the dome. This was around 11, and the place was packed full with naked single men. One of them in the sauna room was making stretching exercises on the steps and didn’t budge an inch when we tried to pass through. Instead he stretched himself fully jutting his torso forward. Needless to say, that dome was hardly worth going through that. The ceiling in my London hotel was much more noteworthy.. Oh, and if you are expecting a relaxing massage in the soap brush and cream steps, don’t. They will “not” massage you. It’s just an opportunity to lie naked in front of fully clothed men and let them get their hands all over you. I think I mentioned how much I hated it, but just in case I didn’t, let me repeat myself–I hated it so much it put me in a foul mood for the rest of the day and it still brings dark clouds in my mind when I think of it. So be forewarned. It’s just not the same for women to expose themselves as for men, so it’s really stressful as well as very gross. The worst travel experience by far, even more so than the creepy bed and breakfast in England and the time I got a heavy fine on my way out of Paris for throwing away my metro tickets
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Monika, Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your experience. I am very sorry to hear that you did not have a positive experience at the Friedrichsbad Baths in Baden-Baden. I think that for those who are very self-conscious, you are indeed correct that this could be more anxiety producing than relaxing and it sounds like you would have had a better experience visiting on a gender segregated day. I also think that for the best experience, it is best to follow the proscribed route which it sounds like you went off of during your visit (missing the dome bath etc.) as it is meant to slowly warm you up and cool you down. As noted some of the saunas/pools are small, but some are quite large. I have also heard that the massages/soap scrubs are generally not worth the money as you noted as they are quite short – we skipped those. We had a really enjoyable and relaxing time there on our visit – the baths were not very busy – but it is good to hear other perspectives. Hopefully your perspective can help other readers decide if this is the best experience for them or not and if so, whether a mixed gender or segregated day is best. Thanks again for your comment. Best, Jessica
Monika Post author
I did follow the proscribed route (with the single exception of the bubble bath that was too full). What I was trying to say is that the bath is so small, I didn’t even realize that that was the one with the dome above. That’s why I didn’t look up and missed the dome the first time, Whether I am self-conscious or not is a question for debate, I suppose, but the point is that not everyone likes to see other people naked or become naked in front of other people, and in my opinion it’s a question of knowing yourself and not pushing yourself to do something you would not enjoy just because it is trendy or other people think it’s a really cool experience.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Monika, Yes, I definitely agree that it is not for everyone and not something everyone would enjoy, and it is too bad you had such a bad time there. BTW, there isn’t a bubble bath at the spa, do you mean the soap and brush massage (the optional massage you pay extra for?). Best, Jessica
Monika Post author
I am referring to the sprudelbad. May be the translation is too literal, but I don’t remember what they called it in English. It’s basically a bath with bubbling water (not with soap bubbles), sort of like a jacuzzi, and it’s the one before the freibewegungbad, the one with the dome above.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Ah, yes, the thermal whirlpools, that makes more sense — I just didn’t want readers to think there were bubble baths as that would be a bit strange 😉 Thanks!
Tom Keller Post author
Sorry you could not enjoy the experience. Just about everyone else was positive.
Arthur de Koning Post author
I’m a regular visitor of public sauna’s in The Netherlands. I remember being a bit nervous when visiting a public nude sauna for the first time. As I entered the sauna, my nervousness disappeared almost immediately and changed in a state of pure relaxation. Everybody is naked in a public sauna and it would be very strange if I was the only one in swimming trunks.
Taking an sauna bath in the nude, gives me a very relaxed feeling. Don’t worry of not having a “perfect” body. People don’t go to a public sauna (or bath) to compare themselves with other visitors. In fact I close my eyes frequently inside the sauna just to enhance my state of relaxation. So I would like to recommend everyone to try, for instance, Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden. It’s very normal to be a bit anxious on entering, but you will feel relaxed, far away from your daily routine, in a short time.
Thank you for writing a beautiful and detailed story about your visit to the Friedrichsbad. I didn’t visit Friedrichsbad yet, but I will try to do so in the near future. And to everyone who hasn’t visit a public bath or sauna yet: “Step over your fear and allow yourself a very marvellous time”.
travelcats Post author
Thanks Arthur for sharing your experiences of visiting public baths and sharing your tips and encouragement to others! I hope you get a chance to visit Friedrichbad in Baden Baden in the future! ~ Jessica
Meghan Post author
My husband and I did this for the first time last fall and loved it! We are prudish Americans and it definitely made us step out of our comfort zone. But, we have been back since and I’m actually feeling another trip soon is in order. So glad that you guys enjoyed it!
If you want to read about our experience there, please feel free to visit our expat and travel blog!
travelcats Post author
Hi Meghan, glad you also enjoyed your time at Friedrichsbad – we really loved the relaxing atmosphere there!
Chris Post author
My wife and I visited Baden Baden in November of 2014 and had a wonderful time. She did not want to do the baths, so I opted for the Caracalla Therme bath where you start out in your bathing suite. The bottom level is all clothed (swim suits), there are warm pools, hot pools and steam saunas. I did elect to go up the spiral staircase. Once through the frosted doors you strip off your suit and put it in a cubby hole and everyone is nude. You must bring your own towel and flip flops are a good idea. I saw many couples who also came in with robes. You need the towel in the dry saunas to put down on the wood benches, although I noticed some women kept the towel wrapped around their torso while they sat. Nobody reprimanded them, but you get hot and sweaty (the whole point is to let the sweat out) so many of them get over their timidity fairly quickly.
As has been said by many, there is nothing sexual or erotic about it; I did see many attractive women, but it was interesting not erotic–there is a mix of old and young in all sizes and shapes.
Caracalla upstairs is not regimented, you can go anywhere — dry sauna, steam, Jacuzzi or whatever and stay in any of them as long as you want. It was a very relaxing and therapeutic experience., thoroughly enjoyable.
travelcats Post author
Thanks so much Chris for sharing your experience at Caracalla with me and my readers! It sounds like both bath experiences are definitely worth a visit and each is better suited for certain travelers. Thanks for all your tips about Caracalla Therme.
Brian Post author
Thank you for your sharing of the wonderful experience. My wife and I are customed spa users, and in our country, naked spa with same gender is common. We definitely will try the Romanian style of bath. And co-ed would be a new experience. If you feel good on naked hot bath, please visit Taiwan because there is a plenty of relaxing and healing hot springs for you to experience.
travelcats Post author
Thanks Brian for taking the time to comment! Yes, the co-ed aspect I think is the more uncomfortable part. I was just in Finland and just had my first traditional sauna expereince there.
Laura Post author
Thanks for the great article, I stumbled across this in my research for an upcoming trip to Germany. I’m from Los Angeles and have a friend who introduced me many years ago to Korean spas. The first time I went I was so apprehensive, but once I settled in to the first hot tub, all my stress and cares melted away and I was hooked! Granted, the nude areas are strictly single-sex, so I’m not quite sure how I’ll feel about the mixed sex nudity in Friedrichsbad. (Or how my husband will feel… relaxing and spas aren’t really his scene. 🙂 ) However, as a woman, I felt the experience to be more freeing than anything; to realize that there are so many other different ways for a body to be other than what we see in magazines. Whole families come and I have seen many mothers bring their young daughters. It really is beautiful to see mothers teaching their daughters to be comfortable in their own skin, to respect and love their body. I wish I had acquired their attitude much earlier in my life! If you’re ever in the LA area, my favorite is the Wi Spa. I’m sure SF has something similar. Happy travels! -Laura
travelcats Post author
Hello Laura, we were just in South Korea in April and had thought about trying one of the spas or saunas there, but we ended up not being able to fit it into the schedule. I am glad that you felt that it was such a great experience for you! The mixed sex aspect at the Friedrichsbad in Germany can be a bit more anxiety provoking for people vs. same sex, but I think most people quickly get over the initial awkwardness/nervousness after 10-15 minutes like we did. I hope you have a wonderful trip to Germany and feel free to email us if you have any trip questions!
Leah Sannar Post author
Oh my goodness, just listening to you describe this, I can already feel my anxiety rising! As awesome as this sounds, I know I would chicken out! What a great experience though… maybe I need to work my way up to it. I could start by leaving the country. :o) I admire all the travel you’ve done!
travelcats Post author
Thanks Leah, it just takes a bit of traveling to get worked up to do more international traveling.
Tiffany Post author
This sounds absolutely amazing! Definitely something I want to add to my ToDo List of Adventures!
travelcats Post author
Hope you get to experience this yourself someday!
AwesomelyOZ Post author
That’s so fascinating – a place to be naked and bathe. I guess they’re not as intimidated as folks here might be. 🙂 Sounds like fun! Have a great one Jessica!! -Iva
travelcats Post author
Thanks Iva, yes, many German people seem to have little reservations about nudity. We noticed this not only at the bathes but in the public parks in Munich where people were nude (or almost so) and topless bathing on public beaches.
Nicole Nenninger Post author
I give you and your husband a ton of credit for daring to go nude. While the experience sounds wonderful, I wouldn’t have the courage to do the nudity part–not because I am ashamed of my body, but I think of it as so sacred I wouldn’t want anyone else to see it save my husband (and please don’t take that as a judgment–it’s how I feel and I want to honor others’ views as well). I love your attitude and it was probably so freeing to embrace being nude once you did it.
travelcats Post author
I totally agree, this is definitely not an experience that would be comfortable or appropriate for a lot of people. We had a good time after some initial awkwardness, but definitely not for everyone:) Thanks so much for stopping by Nicole!
Seana Turner Post author
A good friend of mine has told me about her experience here, including the dip into the ice cold bath. She says that afterwards she was so thoroughly heated that she could have walked into snow without a coat. Since I’m always cold, I’ve clung to this image. I think I’d love to try this someday!
travelcats Post author
Oh, that water was so cold (or at least it felt that way after all the steam and warm water)! Hope you do try this out someday!
Suzanne Post author
Awesome post! I’d love to go there one day. I’ve been to a Turkish bath and although we were allowed to keep some clothes on I was weirded out that it was mixed sex in places. Now that I’ve had a baby and my modesty is out the window, I don’t think I’d have much of an issue with the nudity. Haha.
Love your blog! Enjoy your SITS day!
travelcats Post author
Thanks Suzanne! Yeah, I think it just takes an experience to get over the nudity piece. We are much more likely to do this again in the future!
Lance Post author
Harbin Hot Springs in Northern California and Breitenbush Hot Spings in the Oregon Cascades are probably the best clothing optional bathing opportunities in the western US. Not as fancy as Baden Baden, but charming and beautiful in their own ways.
travelcats Post author
Thanks! We’ll have to check these out, particularly the one in northern California since we live in the SF Bay area.
Lance Post author
A great report on a wonderful place that has been on my “bucket list” for quite some time. This is the first travelcats article that I have read and it won’t be the last. There are some amazing clothing optional places here in the states that you should check out as well.
travelcats Post author
Thanks for commenting Lance. we’re happy to have you as a reader! Yes, Friedrichsbad is a fun place to visit if you are in Germany. We’d love to hear some of your U.S. recommendations for similar types of places.
Judy Post author
Enjoyed reading your experience at Friedrichsbad. I was there today and the tea water was extremely hot; I went looking for water to cool it down.
I love the “cocoon” and fell asleep. You can purchase a fruit salad which cost extra like the scrub and massage. When I was there last month (which was my first time) I did both scrub and massage. Today only the scrub. I felt very strange in the beginning, but soon (because everyone is “dressed” the same) I was okay with it.
travelcats Post author
Judy, thanks for sharing your experience at Friedrichsbad with me and my blog readers! Glad to hear that the tea water is sometimes hot (even if it is too hot!). Sounds like you enjoyed both the brush scrub and cream massage?
Meghan Post author
This would be an awesome way to relax in the middle of a long trip! I’m guessing that after some initial awkwardness, I’d get used to the nudity and adopt a more “European” attitude.
travelcats Post author
Definitely!
Bonnie Rose Post author
How awesome. I have done this in Italy and my husband has done this in Japan, but will have to add Germany to our list next time we are on the mainland. x
travelcats Post author
Yes, it is a really relaxing experience. Japan sounds like a fun place to try this! We look forward to trying it in another country in the future!
Wesley M. Post author
I actually visited here a few months ago and couldn’t have written a better post. This really gives all the practical information as well as some great personal tips. I went alone on a separate sex day and really enjoyed the relaxation. There were two women in the domed pool as you noted. I got the extra creme massage and would say it was OK. Cheers, thanks for posting this 🙂
travelcats Post author
Thanks Wesley for stopping by and sharing your experience and thoughts! I am glad you also had an enjoyable time at the spa!
Rachel Post author
This spa place sound so lovely and full of history. A bit intimidating but sounds like a great experience. If we head to Germany this summer, I think this will need to be on the list if we can get up the courage. This post definitely helped inspire me to think about this!
travelcats Post author
Yes, it is really is a lovely building and even if you don’t decide to do the bath ritual, Baden-Baden is a pretty place to spend an afternoon. You can still walk into the Friedrichsbad building for free and visit the Renaissance room and you can also pay to see the Roman bath ruins if interested.
Dannielle Post author
I admire your bravery! I really don’t think I could do it, and for that long! Maybe if there really were only a couple people throughout. I know people probably won’t openly stare, but I’d feel so vulnerable!
travelcats Post author
Yes, I think especially when laying on the chaise lounges, you do feel awkward and vulnerable. But I think because you are there for so long you just naturally begin forgetting about it and feel less anxious. It was a good “exposure treatment” to get rid of our fears:) I have to admit that I would probably not have done this without Ethan though as we really were not sure what to expect.
Kaelene @Unlocking Kiki Post author
Great tips! Here in Iceland going to the hot pools is really popular but you have to walk through the locker room and shower naked before getting into your swimsuit. You can always spot the tourist in the locker rooms confused and covering themselves up, I was there one day too! These baths sound so nice and relaxing though.
travelcats Post author
Interesting, if we go to Iceland we’ll have to try the hot pools:) In many countries there are few, if any, public places that you go with co-ed nudity and so I think it is just such an odd experience for so many people. I honestly am not sure I’d want to do a similar thing in the U.S. as the culture around nudity is just different here.
Louisa Post author
Will lived in Germany for a year and he said there are no hang ups about nudity there, that the body is not viewed in a sexual way. I don’t know if I could visit or not. I’d like to think I would, but I think I’d get there and chicken out!
travelcats Post author
Yes, we have noticed that even in other European countries that the Germans seem to be the ones on the beach topless and going nude in the parks. Must be a nice feeling to not feel uncomfortable about one’s body!