The region that is now Germany has been famous since ancient times for its hot and warm mineral springs. Since the 18th and 19th centuries, European royalty would enjoy the spa resorts of many of Germany’s towns. In most cases, you can tell a spa town by the name; most of the towns start with the prefix “Bad,” and others have “-bad” used as a suffix. Now, Germany is home to approximately 900 spa resorts of varying types, from mineral and mud springs, to seaside resorts, to health spas. Here are some things that you should know about visiting spa resorts in Germany:
-
Be aware that there are several types of German spas. Some spas are curative, and are even covered by German health insurance. Depending on the malady that someone has, from headaches to chronic diseases, someone might be sent to a spa resort to recover. The locations of the resorts can give a clue as to which type of spa it is: Those located on the sea might use salt water in healing, while those located on a warm mineral spring probably use the mineral water. There are also day spas which are available for leisure and feature saunas, steam baths, cool and hot pools, and services like massages, pedicures and body wraps.
-
Nudity is not a big deal in German spas. Many spas are co-ed, and most of the time, people stroll through naked. Many areas of the spas will be towel-only (at most), and others will require a bathing suit. For example, you may lounge in the sauna naked (but sitting on your towel), but you should wear a swimsuit if you go in the pool. Signs and spa employees will help you if you are unsure of what’s expected. If you get a massage, don’t expect to be draped for modesty.
-
If you are visiting one of the spas popular with American (and other English-speaking) tourists, such as the ones in Baden-Baden or Stuttgart, you don’t need to worry too much about the language barrier; most Germans in busy tourist areas speak English well enough to communicate. In the smaller spa towns, however, you may find that it’s difficult to locate a fluent, or even advanced, English speaker. If that’s the case, you should learn some common German phrases and carry a phrasebook to help you ask pertinent questions.
Visiting a German spa can be an eye-opening experience, particularly for Americans and others who tend to be more modest about nudity. It can seem uncomfortable at first, but once you realize that your undressed state is not anything that the natives are even noticing, you will find it easier to relax and simply enjoy the experience.
