Therme Erding — Attraction in Erding

Incredible day at Therme Erding! We had been wanting to come for a visit for the last few years and we finally got the chance.

This place is really big, split into 3 areas, Therme (pools and slides), Vital Oasis (textile spa and sauna area, 16+) and Vital & Sauna (textile free spa and sauna area, 16+). We ended up spending 12 hours here, longer that we had first thought.

They have two sets of locker rooms, one provides direct access to the Therme and the other to Vital Oasis. However, you can still go to all three areas regardless of which locker room you use. Every customer gets their own, large locker, that you access with an RFID wristband. This same wristband is used to make purchases as well as to pass through the 3 areas (each are separated by turn styles).

The slides are a lot of fun and they have a pretty big variety. Most are inside, so this would still be a great place to visit in the winter. We weren’t able to try the wave pool as it was closed for maintenance work. We knew this ahead of time so there were no surprises there. They list any planned closures on their website.

There are plenty of chairs and loungers, both inside and outside, to relax as well.

The Vital and Sauna is a nice spot too. We rented a towel and a bathrobe. If you bring your own towel, it needs to be large enough such that there is no direct contact with the wood, including your feet. There are so many different saunas, with different themes and temperatures. Try to hit a few of the aufguss rituals, some of which have more of a relaxing atmosphere to others that are more of a party. Just keep in mind that it will get hotter! People will quietly leave if it becomes too much for them. The ones in the Russian Banja and Celtic Throne saunas were my favourite!

The Vital and Sauna area also has a large pool, part indoor, part outdoor, with a bar in each. When the weather is nice, they retract the roof in the indoor part as well.

And there is an abundance of loungers here too, both indoor and outdoor, to cool down and rest in between sauna sessions.

They do have several dining options at different price points, lower than what you would pay at a waterpark in North America but still a bit more than say at a restaurant outside of the park here. At least the food was good, and the portions were generous.

I’d say the one thing that I do find as a negative is on their tiered pricing structure. They have one price for the Therme, a second one for Vital Oasis that includes the Therme and a third for Vital and Sauna that includes both the Therme and Vital Oasis. If you just want to come for the saunas, you are still paying for the other two areas. We came back a second time during our trip only to access the saunas and it would have been a nice option in my opinion. We did know this ahead of time so there were no surprises. In any case, we enjoyed our second visit too:)

I would return...

What a great experience! I only wish I had more time to explore more of the facility. This place is HUGE (the world’s largest thermal bath and spa complex) and, admittedly, I came here to experience the saunas and the textile-free portion only. I managed to get to about 5 separate saunas (including 3 amazing Aufguss sessions) as well as the indoor pool (where the Champagner pool bar is) and the outdoor swimming basin (think “lazy river” without the floaties). My wife chose to stay in our room at the Victory Gastehaus while I went exploring, as she is not comfortable with the textile free environment. While born and raised in Washington State, a significant portion of my genealogy is Finn, so I grew up around saunas and understand their purpose. I’d read enough to know that the Germans embrace the whole experience on an almost religious level. Do they ever! Here’s some basic things to keep in mind: 1) Just get over the whole idea that being naked is wrong. Everybody in this portion of the facility (other than the staff) is naked, AND NO ONE CARES! Men, women, old, young-ish (16+), straight or LGBTQ+, and every body shape you can imagine. Whether you come as a couple, part of a group, or single as I did, you’re here to enjoy the experience. If your thing is to “see and be seen” there are plenty of clubs in Munich for that. Leave your clothes, and your Puritanical inhibitions, in the changing room and RELAX. No one is here to judge you. Trust me, I’m 63 with a very average white, non-tan “dad-bod”. 2) The Aufguss sessions are awesome, but they can get hot. REALLY HOT. At one point in the Kelo Sauna I thought my skin was melting. I stuck it out and felt like a better man for doing so, but wow! 3) With that in mind; hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (and that doesn’t mean a steady diet of beer and Caipirinhas at the swim-up pool bar). 4) Leave your shower shoes outside the sauna and keep all of yourself (including your feet if you are sitting up off the floor) on the towel once you are in the sauna. I got politely reprimanded for both of these offenses. 5) While the nearby town of Erding is quite lovely, and has several restaurants and hotels, Therme Erding is not set in downtown Erding, and it’s not exactly easy walking distance. If you’re going to be eating here, most of the restaurants require you to already be in the park. Once you leave, your eating options are pretty limited unless you drive into town. We were able to get to Ruff’s Burger, which was great, but it seemed to be the only place we could get to without paying to get back into the park. With all of that in mind, I had an awesome time. Everything is clean, the staff is very friendly (and speak much better English than I do German) and being able to charge everything to your wrist band is super convenient. I’ll be back (no Schwarzenegger...

As a Singaporean who has always enjoyed Japanese onsens, I was eager to experience what German spas had to offer. I visited Therme Erding on a weekday afternoon to avoid crowds and purchased a four-hour entry ticket. Upon arrival, the receptionist, who had basic English skills, provided me with a key fob similar to those used at places like Yunomori Onsen. The key fob indicated my locker number, which I quickly located upon entering the spa.

The changing and locker rooms were well-equipped, and I changed into my swimwear before heading to the Oasis area for my first soak. Unlike the hot temperatures typically found in Japanese onsens, the waters at Therme Erding were lukewarm. This was somewhat underwhelming for me, as I had anticipated a more invigorating experience. The Oasis area felt akin to a more elaborate public swimming complex rather than an authentic onsen.

I then proceeded to the Spa zone, where textiles were not allowed in the pools and saunas. This was a unique experience for me, as unisex spas are not common worldwide. The diverse mix of naked bodies walking, soaking, and showering was eye-opening. People of all ages and body types seemed to be enjoying themselves, whether it was a young lady with a body of a greek goddess or a grandmother with saggy skin and unshaven armpits. Couples were particularly affectionate, engaging in intimate acts and reveling in each other's company. It was certainly a sight to behold. Embracing the environment, I shed my swimwear and immersed myself in the liberating sensation of being naked and free.

After spending ample time in the Spa zone, I decided to explore the slides. It is worth noting that visitors should inquire in advance about the availability of the outdoor sections, as they may be undergoing renovation. Unfortunately, during my visit, the outdoor slides were closed, which could potentially disappoint those specifically interested in this attraction.

In terms of overall ambiance, I found that Therme Erding may not be the ideal destination for a solitary retreat due to the crowd levels. Even though it wasn't overly crowded during my visit, the constant hustle and bustle, with couples engaging in physical intimacy and children running around, made it difficult to fully relax. Nevertheless, Therme Erding could be a great choice for a family outing, where parents can enjoy the spa experience while their children have the freedom to run and play.

In conclusion, Therme Erding offers a different spa experience compared to Japanese onsens. While the lukewarm waters and the crowd dynamics may not be for everyone, the facility provides a unique opportunity to enjoy unisex spa areas and indulge in a liberating...