Saunas, spas and thermal baths, all in one place

Shower first and dry off, so you go in clean and sweat sooner. Always sit or lie on a towel big enough that no part of you touches the wood, and stay 8 to 15 minutes, or less if you feel unwell. How quiet it is depends on the place, but in many saunas people keep their voices down, so follow the local custom.

Then cool down: fresh air, a cold shower or a cold plunge, starting with your feet and working up to your heart. Rest for as long as you were in the heat, drink water, and repeat two or three times. Phones stay in the locker.

In some countries and regions, such as Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and parts of Switzerland, it's the custom to go into the sauna without swimwear. That's called "textile-free". Elsewhere, and in many hotel spas, you keep your swimwear on.

The rules differ from place to place, so check before you go. Every listing says which applies. Even in a textile-free sauna you can wrap yourself in a towel and sit on a second one, if that feels more comfortable. Between rounds you wear a bathrobe or a towel, and pools usually need swimwear, even where the sauna is textile-free.

Most saunas are mixed, and many also have times just for women or just for men, such as a women's or men's evening. If you prefer a sauna only for women or only for men, choose "Women-only" or "Men-only" in the filters, then check the exact times on the place's website.

An Aufguss is a sauna ritual: a sauna master pours water, often scented with essential oils, over the hot stones and spreads the rising heat with a towel. Sessions start at set times and last about 10 to 15 minutes. Arrive a few minutes early, as the door usually stays closed once it has begun, and sit lower down if you want it a little less intense.

We recommend three towels: a large one to sit on in the sauna, one for showering, and one to wrap yourself in between rounds. Add a bathrobe, sandals and a bottle of water. Many places rent towels and bathrobes; the listing says so when they are included.

It depends on the place. At many you can just turn up; others ask you to book a time slot. Each listing gives an indication, but double-check on the place's website, especially for hotel spas and at weekends, when they may want notice in advance. Saunologist doesn't sell tickets: the "Visit website" button takes you to the place's own website for prices, opening hours and booking.

Some can, often with a day pass or a spa package. Places marked "Open to non-hotel guests" let you in without staying. Where we haven't confirmed it yet, the listing says "not known yet".

Each listing shows when it was last checked. Prices and opening hours change, so check the place's website before you go. When we aren't sure about what to wear or about women-only and men-only times, we say "not known yet" and still show the place, after the ones we have confirmed. Spot a mistake? Let us know.