Our First-Time Visit to Therme Bucharest: Europe’s Best Spa Day Experience
Therme Bucharest had been on our radar ever since we started planning our Romania road trip. After days of driving through charming towns and exploring castles, Jon and I craved a bit of pampering. So, in the middle of our adventure, we detoured to Bucharest for a full day of wellness at Therme – and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and relaxing experiences of our entire trip. (If you caught our Instagram stories, you might have seen snippets of this in our Romania Highlights on @lets_strikeapose!)
A Midweek Spa Day as Part of Our Romania Road Trip
We arrived at Therme Bucharest on a Thursday in March, just after opening time. The first surprise? No crowds whatsoever. The massive parking lot had plenty of space, and as we stepped inside the futuristic glass entrance, we found ourselves virtually breezing through check-in with our pre-bought tickets. Midweek in March is clearly a sweet spot – we encountered no lines or wait times all day, which made the atmosphere exceptionally calm. (For context, locals later told us that weekends can get packed, so we definitely recommend a weekday visit for a more peaceful vibe
What to Expect at Therme Bucharest
Being first-timers, we opted for the Therme Bucharest full-day, all-access pass (we figured, “go big or go home!”). The tickets were well-priced – about £28 each for a full day as there was a 5% offer on their newsletter – and came with RFID wristbands that would be our locker keys and in-spa payment method. With our black wristbands snapped on and with full access to all areas we felt like kids getting VIP passes to a playground.
Little did we know we were about to spend 10 hours inside this spa complex and still wish we had more time!
First Impressions: A Tropical Paradise in Bucharest
Walking into the main hall of Therme Bucharest, we were immediately struck by the lush tropical ambiance. It’s hard to believe you’re just 20 minutes outside of Bucharest – inside, it’s 30°C (86°F) and humid, with over 800,000 plants and palm trees everywhere. We were literally in Europe’s largest wellness resort (44,000 square meters of thermal pools and saunas under a giant glass dome) yet it felt like a hidden jungle oasis. A sweeping staircase curved through palms and orchids, leading up to more relaxation areas. It was like stepping into a holiday resort, with the skylights letting in natural sun and green foliage at every turn.
Jon and I looked at each other and immediately sighed “wow.” The air smelled faintly of minerals and tropical flowers. Despite it still being early spring outside, here we were in swimsuits and flip-flops, ready to bask in warmth. Friendly Therme Bucharest staff greeted us as we found the locker rooms – which were sparkling clean and high-tech. Cleanliness was clearly a priority; every corner of the facility, from the showers to the pools, was spotless, and cleaners work the entire day to keep the spaces fresh. We quickly changed, stashed our stuff in the lockers (the wristband locks and unlocks them – so convenient!), and plotted our plan of attack to explore every area of the spa.
Therme Bucharest is divided into three main zones: Galaxy, The Palm, and Elysium. Being completionists, we were determined to try everything – from waterslides (Galaxy) to thermal mineral pools and swim-up bars (The Palm) and the serene saunas upstairs (Elysium). Towel in hand and sandals on feet, we stepped into the first zone with giddy excitement.
Tranquility Under the Palms: Soaking in The Palm Zone’s Thermal Pools
The moment we passed through the turnstile, the ambiance is paradise. We entered the famous Therme Bucharest vast hall dominated by a huge turquoise thermal pool, bordered by real palm trees and tropical plants on all sides. The sunlight filtering through the glass roof reflected off the water, and relaxing lounge music played softly in the background. It felt like a five-star tropical resort.
We slipped into the warm water of the main indoor pool, which was like stepping into a giant bath maintained at a perfect 33°C. All the water in Therme Bucharest is thermal spring water drawn from deep underground, rich in minerals like zinc and calcium – you can actually feel how silky it is on your skin.
We swam over to the pool’s edge and discovered one of Therme Bucharest’s coolest features: a swim-up bar. Yes, you can actually order drinks without leaving the water! There’s something undeniably luxurious about this.
The Palm zone at Therme Bucharest also extends outdoors, and of course we had to try that too. We swam through a passage that leads to an outdoor pool area – still thermal heated. Stepping outside was magical: the cool March air hit our faces while our bodies stayed perfectly warm in the water. We lounged at the outdoor pool’s bubble jets and felt all our stress melt away. It’s not often you get to be outdoors in early spring wearing just a swimsuit and be completely comfortable – a very cool experience. There are stong shower jets that come on sporadically and are perfect for a neck massage.
Around the pools were dozens of comfortable loungers and even some hammocks among the greenery. These were mostly taken with peoples towels – but we were too busy enjoying the spa to want to use them anyway. There was also a really unique Rainforest steam bath where it actually simulates a tropical storm – talk about immersive relaxation!
You often hear staff members offering gentle reminders to guest to put on their sandals, tie their hair up, not be on phones in certain areas etc. (Therme Bucharest is strict about hygiene – everyone must wear flip-flops when not in the pools). The staff’s diligence impressed us, but they were always friendly, not intrusive.
Slides and Wave Pools: Channeling Our Inner Kids in the Galaxy Zone
The Galaxy zone, is the most playful, family-friendly section of Therme Bucharest and out of the way from the rest of the spa. Even though it’s geared toward families and kids (in fact, children between 3-14 are only allowed in this area, that didn’t stop two adults like us from having an absolute blast. With the midweek lull, we had very small queues and wait times. Imagine a huge indoor water park, but with spa-level comfort and cleanliness.
The Galaxy zone features 16 water slides of all shapes and sizes – some were undergoing maintenence (not mentioned when booking). We immediately raced up the stairs to tackle the biggest ones. One slide had a steep drop that gave us butterflies; another was a winding tube that sent us twisting in darkness before spitting us out into a pool with a splash. There’s even a slide that swooshes you around a giant bowl. All the slides were unique and interesting, with options for donut inflatables and double donut inflatables on some.
After conquering all the slides (some twice, because why not?), it was time for a breather.
Sauna Adventures: Themed Saunas and Aufguss Rituals in Elysium
No spa day would be complete without some sauna time, so we made our way upstairs to the Elysium zone. This section is adults-only and feels like a spa-within-a-spa – quieter, more secluded, and focused on thermal baths and saunas. Elysium boasts a collection of themed saunas, each with a different temperature, humidity, and decor. We stepped into as many as we could handle (thank goodness for the handy large towel we brought to sit on – it’s required to have your towel under you and your feet in these saunas to keep them clean).
It was like a mini world tour of sauna experiences: one sauna was a Hollywood-themed sauna with David Attenborough playing, another was the Himalaya sauna lined with pink Himalayan salt blocks glowing softly. Our favourite might have been the Provence sauna, which was infused with a lavender aroma, making us feel like we’d been whisked to the south of France for a moment. Each sauna was an experience on its own, and we took short cooling breaks in between to avoid overheating (there are cold plunge showers from giant lily’s for that refreshing jolt).
Elysium Zone: Themed Saunas & Aufguss Sessions
The highlight of Elysium, however, was participating in an Aufguss sauna session. We had heard about these special Therme Bucharest sessions (essentially a multi-sensory sauna ritual where a sauna master performs a ceremony of pouring ice circles mixed with essential oils on the hot stones and then waving towels to circulate the hot, fragrant air.
We joined an afternoon Aufguss in the large Hollywood Sauna, not knowing what to expect. It turned out to be incredible. A Therme Bucharest “sauna master” came in, announced the theme (a floral aromatherapy Aufguss, in our case), and then started the ritual. As soon as they smashed the ice over the stones, a burst of invigorating scent steam filled the room. Then the show began – the sauna master swung a towel in choreographed motions, fanning the hot air towards us in waves. Music played in the background, with video of smoke over flowers playing, matching the rhythm of the towel movements.
I’ll admit, the heat became intense. We both pushed through and made it to the end of the 10-minute session. It was simultaneously relaxing and invigorating – like a sauna high. Pure bliss! We cooled down with a quick cold shower (a squeal-inducing but necessary step after an Aufguss). In total we enjoyed 4 Aufguss, a spice themes, one tebetan sage and a final one of the day in the Amazon sauna.
Elysium also has a gorgeous panoramic mineral pool overlooking the Palm zone, and we weren’t going to skip that. With minerals like selenium and calcium in the water, our skin felt soft and rejuvenated. From up here we could gaze out over the entire tropical hall below – palm trees, pools, and people unwinding. A pretty great view for reflection.
Tips for Visiting Therme Bucharest (What We Learned)
After spending an entire day (10 hours!) at Therme Bucharest, Jon and I picked up several handy tips that we’d love to pass on. These little nuggets will help make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as ours:
- Bring two large towels: One towel will be your all-purpose spa towel, and you’ll need it in saunas – Therme Bucharest requires you to sit completely on a towel in the sauna (your feet too!). Staff were constantly coming into the sauna to tell users to put their towel under their feet as well, you’ll hear it a lot on your visit as they monitor the saunas closely. By the end of the day, that towel will be pretty damp. It helps to have a second dry towel to use later when showering off. While you can rent towels there, bringing your own saves money and ensures you have an extra when you need it.
- Flip-flops or spa sandals are a must: For hygiene reasons, you are required to wear flip-flops or waterproof sandals when moving around (the only exception was directly between waterslides, where people left them at the stairs). Don’t worry if you forget – you can rent a pair on-site. But if you bring your own, make sure they’re clean and rubber-soled. We brought cheap flip-flops from home which worked perfectly.
- Tie up long hair (bring a hair bobble): This one surprised us as we hadn’t seen it mentioned elsewhere, but Therme enforces a “hair up” rule for anyone with long hair. It might be for hygiene or safety (nobody wants stray hair in the pools or caught in filters). If you have long hair, bring a hair tie and keep your hair bun or ponytail style. In fact, we saw staff telling many guests whose hair was down that they must tie it up.
- Stay hydrated on a budget (the Dorna water trick): All that sweating in saunas and heat means you’ll need to drink a lot of water. However, note that outside food and drinks aren’t allowed inside Therme Bucharest and if they see a brand of water they don’t sell they will tell you to put it in your locker. The only water brand sold on-site is Dorna 500ml (a local spring water), and they charge about £1.70 for a 500ml bottle. In regular shops, that same bottle is maybe £0.30. If you’re on a budget, buy some Dorna bottles beforehand as this is the only sauna I have every visited with no free water fountain – the only downside I found during our visit.
- Consider bringing a robe (or rent one): Walking around in just a wet swimsuit might not be your thing when you’re moving between areas or having a meal. Many people bring or rent bathrobes. We didnt bother but you may prefer being able to cover up in a cozy robe between pool dips.
- Small extras: Pack a few other personal essentials: bring your own toiletries for showering afterwards. We left at closing at 10.30pm, when everyone is asked to leave, so there were big queues for the showers so we just waiting until we were back at the hotel to shower. If you want to take photos for memories, use your phone early and then locker it – Therme Bucharest actually discourages phones in wet areas and we saw staff remind people not to use phones in pools (plus you’ll relax more without electronics). Sunglasses are worthwhile as it is very bright in the inside and outside pools. And don’t forget a plastic bag for wet swimwear at the end of the day.
Final Thoughts: 10 Hours of Pure Bliss
By the time we reluctantly had to leave, we realised we had spent a whopping 10 hours at Therme Bucharest. The time had flown by in a haze of warm water, steam, and pure contentment. As we changed back into our clothes, we felt wonderfully rejuvenated – muscles loose, skin soft, minds completely at ease. Not many travel experiences have left us this refreshed and thoroughly entertained at the same time.
What really struck us was how Therme Bucharest managed to combine fun and relaxation so effortlessly. We laughed ourselves silly on waterslides before noon, and by evening we were practically purring like happy cats after multiple sauna sessions and massages from jets in the pool. The facility itself is top-notch: exceptionally clean, well-organised, with staff that were both professional and warm. Even the pricing was very reasonable considering the world-class amenities (our full-day ticket was money well spent).
Both Jon and I agreed that visiting Therme Bucharest was one of the best decisions of our Romania trip. It gave us the perfect break to recharge before we continued on our road journey. We left with our spirits high and stress levels low – and a promise to each other that we’d be back one day. If you ever find yourself in Bucharest (even just on a layover or as a detour on a Romanian adventure), do yourself a favour and strike a pose of relaxation at Therme Bucharest. Trust us, you’ll leave with amazing memories – and possibly a new appreciation for the art of doing absolutely nothing but unwinding!
You can catch more of our Therme Bucharest day on our Instagram highlights (find “Romania” on @lets_strikeapose) – we captured some fun moments there. But honestly, nothing beats experiencing this tropical spa paradise in person. Until our next spa day… stay relaxed and travel happy!
