Baden Baden, Germany – A Good Good Day of Spa, Sauna, & Christmas Markets

Baden Baden (meaning Bath Bath)- a famous spa town in Germany – is the perfect spot to heal your mind and your body. If you want luxury and a feel good experience, think of Baden Baden.

Family friendly and catering to those wanting to relax or wanting an outdoor adventure, there is something for everyone. Located in the Black Forest, it is easy to reach from Frankfurt and many other locations! I felt that it had a Parisian feel to it, too, and will complete any itinerary since there is so much to do. There are also hikes to a castle nearby and many other outdoor activities in the Black Forest.

My husband and I went for the day to experience our first German sauna at Caracalla Therme and for Baden Baden’s famous Christmas Market.

Getting there: If you arrive via train to Baden Baden’s station, you will need to then catch a 20-25 minute bus (you can choose from 201, 205, 216) to the Leopoldsplaz Square. From this square, it is a few minute walk to Caracalla Therme and the Christmas Market. If you want to go directly to Caracalla Therme, you can take bus 205 directly there.

This blog will have 2 sections:

Part 1: Caracalla Therme Bath & Sauna

To start our day, we took the train and the bus to Caracalla Therme.

There are multiple spas and thermal baths in Baden Baden, but I picked Caracalla because it had the best reviews on google. On the same street is also Friedrichsbad, a thermal bath, but it does not allow textiles in the pool, so we decided it was best to keep our bathing suit on for our first thermal bath.

What is a thermal bath?

Great question, because I just found this out while planning our visit to Baden Baden. Here is a description on Baden Baden’s website:

“Every day, more than 800,000 litres of thermal water bubble up from the ground in Baden-Baden, and it is still up to 68 °C hot. On its way from a depth of 2000 metres to the earth’s surface, it takes minerals with it: Sodium, chloride, fluorine, lithium, silicic acid and boron. It is these substances to which we owe the healing effect.

Whether heart and circulation problems, metabolic disorders or respiratory diseases: The healing power of our springs promotes well-being and recovery.

In addition, the thermal water, due to its warmth and ingredients, provides blood circulation to your muscles, joints and skin.

A beneficial effect for body, mind and soul!“

That description was so convincing, it convinced me to try it out. I have to admit, the heated pool and jets were very relaxing. There are indoor baths, but my favorites were the outdoor ones. Since it was -1°C outside, the steam from the baths was so intense that I felt like I was getting a facial. Despite the cold weather, the water still felt warm and relaxing. Other people were pretty respectful in the baths, too, which I was worried about.

Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures of the steam from the baths. This is because phones and photos were not allowed in the bathing and sauna areas out of respect for everyone else in bathing suits (or naked in the saunas).

You can also book massages and other spa services, but my husband and I opted to only do the baths and saunas.

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What do I need to bring to the thermal baths and sauna?

Bathing suit (unless the bath does not allow textiles!)
Bathing shoes (flip-flops)
At least 2 towels – 1 for the drying off after the baths & 1 to sit on in the saunas. If you plan to shower after, I would recommend bringing even another towel.
A robe. This is for the sauna, when you are walking to and from the changing area, between saunas, or if you want to grab a drink at the cafe. This saunas did not allow textiles, so it was nice having a robe to wear instead of wrapping my towel around me the whole time.
Water. The sauna I went to had a cafe that you could buy drinks, but it is necessary to make sure you are staying hydrated before and after the saunas.

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How does a textile free sauna work?

I am not an expert since I have only been to this one sauna, but I think I understand the overall flow of the textile free saunas. I was quite nervous to do this, but figured if there is a time in my life to do it, the time is in Baden Baden with my husband!

At Caracalla Therme, the saunas were on a different floor from the thermal baths. When you walk upstairs, there is a separate section to remove your bathing suit/clothes before entering the rest of the sauna area. Then when you enter the individual sauna, you will remove your shoes and robe and sit on your towel. You should not be touching any part of the sauna. Your towel should cover everywhere you are sitting, including your feet.

The saunas are quite dark, so it isn’t like a spotlight is on you when you walk in. Everyone is there to reap the benefits of the saunas, not to look at you. It is a quiet place for mediative reflection. Also, it is so hot in the saunas that you’ll be glad you’re textile free. Germans believe that wearing clothes/bathing suits in saunas causes infections, so you can’t wear any.

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What types of saunas are available at Caracalla Therme?

There are multiple different options both inside and outside.

Caracalla’s website lists the saunas available:

Sauna Spectaculum, 60 m2
Vitality sauna
Aroma sauna
Meditation sauna
Forest sauna made of kelo wood
Fire sauna made of kelo wood
Sanarium

The saunas temperatures range between 65 – 95°C (149-203° F).

My husband and I started inside in an 85°C sauna for our first time ever because the cooler ones were full. I honestly felt like I was roasting in an oven and I didn’t understand how anyone would choose to do this to themselves. We stayed in that one for about 5 minutes, then went to a 90°C sauna after a dunk under the ice bucket. I was starting to get in a more meditative mental state during the second sauna, as I was not as embarrassed that I was textile free with everyone else.

The outdoor saunas were my favorite. I completely recommend going to outdoor saunas during the winter since it is such an amazing feeling to be surrounded by the cold snow after feeling so hot. The fire sauna made of kelo wood was 95°C, which honestly me me feel like my skin was burning. After probably 10 or so minutes, we walked back outside to the cool cool air. Our last sauna was the forest sauna, which I believe was 80°C. I was really hot in the other saunas, but was not really sweating. After a few minutes in this one, I started sweating bullets. I was sweating like I just ran a marathon. I am not sure if this is how sweating from saunas normally works, but I did make sure to stay hydrated after!

Feeling rejuvenated after our spa and sauna day!

Part 2: Baden Baden’s Christmas Market

After we had a relaxing few hours healing from the medicinal waters and meditating in saunas, we found our Christmas Spirit at Baden Baden’s Christmas Market. There was something so magical about this market and after spending the evening there, it became one of my favorites.

I think it was the clean Black Forest air and beautiful views that made me like this one so much. It was nice to step out of the city and into romantic Christmas vibes under the forest trees.

Baden Baden’s Christmas Market is in its Old Town (Altstadt), which was decorated so beautifully, even the parts that weren’t considered in the market.

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One of my favorite non-market displays was at Gasthaus Löwenbräu!

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The Christmas Market was on the Kurhaus grounds, so it had quite the magnificent background and event spaces.

There are many shows at this market that you must see! When we were there, there was a choir singing Christmas Carols (of course!) and a trumpet player.

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What made this market even more unique were their displays in the Trinkhalle.

It was lined with nativity scenes of all kinds, including a life size one! Not to mention the Trinkhalle is just gorgeous!