Germany
Berlin's sauna culture is as varied as the city itself. Vabali Spa in Tiergarten is the flagship — a 20,000 m² Balinese-inspired Saunalandschaft with 11 saunas, outdoor pools, and Aufguss on fixed schedules. Liquidrom in Mitte adds a float-pool and sound-immersion dimension to its sauna offerings. The city has a well-established gay sauna scene centred on venues like Stahlrohr and Böcklerpark, while district Stadtbäder (Tempelhof, Kreuzberg, Neukölln) offer affordable neighbourhood Saunen. Berlin's sauna etiquette follows the German standard: textile-free inside the saunas, swimwear in connecting pool areas, voices low, phones away. Aufguss ceremonies are the social anchor of most larger venues.
A Saunalandschaft is a large German sauna complex combining multiple saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, outdoor areas, and often Aufguss ceremonies. Vabali Spa and Liquidrom are the Berlin reference points.
Aufguss is a guided sauna ritual where a 'Saunameister' pours water infused with essential oils on the hot rocks, then fans the steam around the sauna with a towel. Sessions run 10–15 minutes on a fixed schedule throughout the day.
No, swimsuits are not permitted in the actual saunas at most Berlin venues. You bring a large towel to sit on. Bathrobes are worn between sauna rounds.
