One towel is the rule — what to know before your first German sauna

November: sauna season begins

When the sun sets before 5 pm and the drizzle won't stop, many people in Germany head for the sauna (die Sauna). You find one next to the local swimming pool, in big spa resorts (Therme) and in many gyms. First-timers from abroad often hesitate at the door, though — a German sauna has a few rules everyone is expected to know.

Swimsuit off, towel down

Most German sauna areas are "textile-free" (textilfrei). Going in without a swimsuit is the norm, and staff may even ask you to take one off. Mixed saunas (gemischte Sauna) are common, but many places have a women-only sauna (Damensauna) or women-only days. The most important rule is the towel: whether you sit or lie, your whole body rests on a large towel so that no sweat touches the wooden benches — your feet too.

The routine: wash, sweat, cool down, rest

1. Shower and dry off — dry skin sweats more easily.
2. Sweat — usually about 8 to 15 minutes at a time. The higher the bench, the hotter it is, so start low.
3. Cool down — get some fresh air, take a cold shower or step into the plunge pool (das Tauchbecken). Rinse off your sweat first.
4. Rest — lie down in the quiet room (der Ruheraum). Speak softly, if at all, and keep your phone away.

Many people do two or three rounds. If you don't feel well, you can always leave.

The Aufguss: the highlight

If the timetable says Aufguss (der Aufguss), don't miss it. The sauna master pours scented water onto the hot stones and swings a big towel to send the hot air towards the guests. The heat rises in seconds. In many places people clap at the end. Once an Aufguss has started, it's polite not to open the door — the heat escapes.

Do ✅	Avoid ❌
Shower and dry off before you go in	Wearing a swimsuit (in most saunas)
Sit or lie on a large towel	Bare skin on the wood
Go in before the Aufguss starts	Opening the door during an Aufguss
Keep quiet in the rest room	Loud chats, phone photos
Rinse off sweat before the plunge pool	Jumping in straight from the sauna

What to bring

A large sauna towel (das Saunatuch) plus a towel to dry off, a bathrobe (der Bademantel) and flip-flops. Many places rent out robes and towels. Rules differ a little from place to place, so have a look at the sauna rules (Saunaordnung) at the entrance. It may feel strange the first time — by the second visit, German winter feels a lot warmer.

Today's German words

Word	Meaning
die Sauna	sauna
der Aufguss	Aufguss (water poured on the hot stones)
das Saunatuch	large sauna towel
der Bademantel	bathrobe
das Tauchbecken	plunge pool
der Ruheraum	quiet room, rest room

How about a warm sauna round on a cold evening? Viel Spaß beim Schwitzen! 🧖