First Time at a Nude Spa? Here’s Exactly What to Expect

“Do I have to be completely naked?”
“Will people stare at me?”
“What if I do something stupid?“

If you’ve ever been curious about visiting a nude spa but held back by these exact questions, you’re not alone. This is precisely what raced through our heads when we were standing in front of the door of the spa centre. This was going to be the first time that someone would see us naked who’s not a partner, close friend or family member. Well, at least the first time after kindergarten.

The idea of stripping down in a public space might feel intimidating at first, but here’s the truth: European nude spas are some of the most relaxing, respectful, and surprisingly liberating experiences you can have. But don’t worry if you can’t grasp that idea just yet. We couldn’t either.

A nude spa is essentially a wellness centre where nudity is either required or commonly practised in certain areas. In countries like Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, this is just called “a spa”, since spas over here are by default nude.

This isn’t about anything sexual or exhibitionist, it’s simply a cultural approach to wellness that prioritises hygiene, comfort, and a deeper sense of relaxation. The focus is on creating serene environments where you can disconnect from daily stress and reconnect with yourself. And when you think about it, it makes total sense not to wear clothes while doing this.

The fact that these places are typically mixed-gender might be an additional fear factor, but the key thing to understand is that nudity in these spaces is completely normalised. There might be a few other first-timers, but the very large majority of the other visitors are very used to seeing naked people and couldn’t care less about what you look like. They’re there to relax, just like you.

Getting ready for your first nude spa visit is refreshingly simple. Here’s what you’ll need: Nothing. Really, you can just arrive empty-handed. But if you want to avoid paying extra for stuff that easily fits in a tote bag, it’s best to bring a towel, a bathrobe, and slippers. If you really want to go on the cheap, also bring a water bottle so you don’t need to buy drinks.

Bathing suits are obviously a big no-no. Well, that’s not always true, some spa centres organise bathing suit days to comfort those who really don’t want to go full monty. But that’s not you, right? RIGHT? Going to a spa in a bathing suit is like showering with your clothes on. It will do something, but you’ll totally lose the whole experience. Let alone that it will be relaxing.

Phones and cameras are also better left at home, or in your locker (see further). It’s pretty obvious that this is not the place where you want to take pictures. Nobody wants to appear naked on your Instagram, and you’ll be missing out on the whole disconnecting experience.

The process of arriving at a spa centre is pretty straightforward, and looks a lot like checking in at a hotel. There will be a person at the reception desk who will tell you a bit about the facilities and then hand you a locker key or wristband, and direct you to the changing areas.

The locker rooms are where the transition happens, and honestly, this is the weirdest part of the experience. At least it was for us. While we were still lingering around and trying to grasp the experience, another couple walked in and started to strip down right next to us. Suddenly, we felt an urge to double-check everything, car keys, wallet, pocket money, driver’s license, car keys again, whatever it took to keep our eyes away from the naked bodies.

But before we knew it, they wandered off, probably wondering which valuable thing we had lost. Now that we think about it, it would have been funny if they had proposed to help us search. Well, not at the time, but it would have been a good story right now. But that didn’t happen.

Anyway, here’s where you undress, drop all your stuff in a locker, and put on the bathrobe. That’s right, it’s not common to wander into the central area completely nude. You will be covered by the bathrobe. Only to take it off again seconds later for the mandatory shower.

Spa centres in Europe are often just called “saunas”, and that’s because the sauna is typically the heart of the experience. You’ll find various types: dry saunas, infrared saunas, hot saunas, hotter saunas, saunas that make you feel like the chicken you cooked for dinner yesterday.

Most saunas are quiet spaces, and you’re expected not to tell your life’s story to everyone inside. Some places do have social saunas where talking is accepted or encouraged, but generally speaking, you’re expected to shut up. If you don’t, someone will tell you. In fact, there are only two things you can do wrong in a sauna: talk too much and not sit with your sweaty butt on a towel. Do keep that in mind.

Many spas offer “Aufguss” moments, guided heat rituals where an attendant adds water and essential oils to the sauna stones while fanning the heat around the room. We can not recommend these enough. If you haven’t had an aufguss, you haven’t lived. Or at least you didn’t have a full sauna experience.

Other facilities vary from place to place. You’re likely to find steam rooms that offer a different kind of heat experience. There may be hammams, jacuzzis, hot pools, cold pools, indoor pools, outdoor pools, the list goes on and on. There will also be relaxation zones, where you can read a book, have a drink, or doze away. There will likely be a bar that often also serves some food, and there will be all kinds of treatments and massage services. These often need to be booked at the reception or sometimes in advance.

The general dress code rule is that you’re naked inside the facilities. In between facilities, you can usually choose to put on your bathrobe or not. And in the restaurant/bar areas, you’re expected to cover up.

All good things are better when shared, and this is not an exception. So if you have the chance, bring a friend. Preferably someone who’s seen you naked before, so you can avoid that awkward step.

If you arrive around opening time, you’ll be one of the first inside and get the chance to acclimate before the place gets full of naked strangers. If you start feeling uncomfortable at a certain point, just put on your bathrobe and go chill on a lounge chair or have a drink in the bar. This will pass, quicker than you think.

Always remember that the very large majority of people don’t feel 100% happy with their bodies. It may look like it when you see them stroll around all naked, but they have just gotten accustomed to being nude in a social setting, and they learned to embrace their vulnerabilities rather than try to hide them. You will soon too, trust us.

By the way, were you just looking at that naked person strolling around? No worries, that’s totally normal. Our eyes get attracted to things we’re not used to. Just don’t stare, that makes people feel uncomfortable.

Most importantly, remember that nobody is watching or judging you. We know, this sounds weird if you haven’t experienced social nudity before, but it is a simple fact: Nobody here cares about how you look naked.

By now, we figured that you’re already in the car (or on a plane if you’re not from this part of Europe). Well, at least we hope that you’re feeling a bit more relaxed about going to a nude spa.

For us, this has been a life-changing experience. It was our first time naked with strangers, it was the step towards our first nude beach and our first naturist resort, which then again was a step towards starting this blog. But that’s just us, it doesn’t happen often that a spa turns people into naked bloggers. But it may affect the way you look at yourself, at others, and at life in general. Positively, that much is sure.