Erlebnis-Therme Amadé — Attraction in Altenmarkt im Pongau

FOR SAUNA ENTHUSIASTS

Therme Amadé’s water and sauna world is the main reason we keep returning to the Flachau region every winter. In this review, I want to focus on the sauna area of the complex.

Have you ever heard of Aufguss or sauna ceremonies? Can you imagine a sauna cathedral (Bergkristall Sauna) filled with around 50 people shouting “Amadé Reißer!” in a moment of pure heat-induced euphoria, happiness, and nirvana? Whether your answer is yes or no, you absolutely need to experience it.

An Aufguss is an organized sauna ritual led by a sauna master. It starts at a set time (usually every hour) and lasts up to 15 minutes. The master pours water infused with essential oils onto the hot stones, intensifying the heat with steam. Then, using a towel or a vejar (fan), they skillfully wave the hot air towards the sauna guests, creating an incredible sensation. This process is repeated over three or four rounds, each one feeling hotter than the last—though, in reality, the temperature slightly decreases while the steam makes it feel more intense.

The sauna masters at Therme Amadé are true Aufguss maestros! We usually arrive before 18:00, as the sauna area requires an additional ticket valid for four hours. During our visit, we typically attend three to four sauna ceremonies. The highlight is the signature ritual, Amadé Reißer, at 20:00 (check the attached schedule for details). It’s intense—hot as hell—but absolutely unforgettable. If you’re new to sauna culture, I recommend sitting on the lower level, where the heat is milder.

Besides these group rituals, you can also enjoy the various saunas individually, but trust me, group sessions are much more fun!

A few tips: • Bring your own sauna towel or kilt. • The sauna area is separate from the swimming pools and water slides. However, it has its own indoor and outdoor thermal pools, an indoor jacuzzi, a bar, and plenty of loungers for relaxation. • One important thing: swimwear is not allowed in this section. Don’t worry—even though it gets quite busy in the evenings during winter, the atmosphere remains friendly, natural, and discreet. -The entrance ticket to sauna for 4 hrs is 36€. You may also enter the water and swimming part.

If you love sauna experiences, this place is a must-visit. Enjoy...

My Asics running shoes got stolen last year. They were a bit dirty and I didn't want to put them inside. I saw other people leaving shoes outside and I thought it's safe (more expensive shoes than what I had). What completely surprised me was that all the employees I talked with raised their shoulders: "sorry, yes, it happens" and that was it. This makes me personally believe that if the shoes were stolen the Therme goes with it too easy and doesn't do enough to reduce these situations or the employees are involved in this (this is a strong statement but who is paying 30 EUR ticket to steal something that can be sold with 20 EUR?) or who is paying 30 EUR to therme and doesn't have money to buy a 30-50 EUR shoes?

Why aren't the employees more proactive in letting new and foreign clients know that it is important to put all personal belongings inside under key lock? Why aren't any reports made to understand how often this happen and to identify who steals from clients and to decide if more action is needed (set additional video cameras). I had the initiative to leave my personal phone number to the reception on case someone returns it but the employee said that "she doesn't think it will happen".

I still hope this is a missunderstanding and someone took the shoes by mistake and it will return it to the Therme so I will be able to recover them.

My shoes were indeed Asics but very old collection, used, they don't worth much financially. For me was just the fuss to buy new ones as I was on vacation and had to travel back home in some normal shoes not in my flip-flops. Again the biggest disappointment was employees attitude of raising...

So I spent nearly 4 hours here so it was pretty nice time overall - the sauna area was pretty big and (yes nude only, I don't think I saw anyone cheating this rule or misbehaving) had a nice choice of steam rooms, saunas and I guess "relaxing" pools. I spent the bulk of my time here. I did like the little touch of having racks for your glasses so you can leave them outside of the saunas.

The main leisure centre part had several different pools, hot tubs, 3 flumes and a smallish lane pool but they were all perfectly nice. A lot of seating too.

I did like the building, lots of glass and natural light and secluded views onto some pretty scenery.

However what stops this getting a 5* is that price wise I think it's too expensive. It was €30 for me to have a single adult entry with sauna access for 4 hours, which yes was okay, but the 2 hours or non sauna prices seemed pretty high to me. Also the pools water wasn't the hottest. Maybe I'm a wuss, but they weren't super comfortable to be in a long time. Possibly another reason why I spent so long in the sauna area (where they have several different temperatured rooms).

I'd go back if I was in the area but again it would be...