Therme Erding is a gigantic thermal world located in Bavaria close to München, offering not only the longest European water slide but also the largest sauna paradise in the world. It is also the biggest thermal water world in Europe spanning thousands of square meters.
In This Article
The Water World and Slides at Therme Erding
When you come to Therme Erding for the first time, you will be astonished. The amount of attractions is incredible: slides, saunas, salt caves, bars, massages, restaurants, waterfalls, and geysers with palm trees. Everything is perfectly clean, organized, and imaginative. The thermal water world is divided into several distinct zones designed to cater to all ages and thrill levels. The Galaxy Erding section features the Magic Eye water slide, the longest in Europe at over 300 meters. Riders reach speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour through twists, drops, and a transparent section with views of the surrounding park, making it a must-try for adrenaline seekers visiting the complex.
The wave pool generates waves up to 1.5 meters high, creating the sensation of swimming in the open sea without leaving Bavaria. The adventure pool includes waterfalls, geysers, bubble loungers, and a wild water channel that carries swimmers along a gentle current past tropical plants and rock formations. Outdoor pools allow year-round swimming regardless of Bavarian weather, with steam rising from the warm water on colder days. The VitalOase section is reserved for adults aged 16 and over, offering thermal baths, saltwater pools, and hydrotherapy jets designed for relaxation and muscle recovery. The water temperature throughout the complex ranges from 28 to 37 degrees Celsius, sourced from 2,350 meters below ground at a natural temperature of 63 degrees Celsius, then cooled to the ideal bathing temperature. This geothermal source is completely natural and provides the mineral-rich water that gives Therme Erding its therapeutic reputation.
The Sauna Paradise World Tour
The Sauna Paradise at Therme Erding is the largest sauna complex in the world, spanning 13,000 square meters with 25 different saunas designed as a world tour. Each sauna is themed after a different country, allowing visitors to experience global bathing traditions in a single afternoon. The British section includes Celtic waterfalls and a sauna with a space sky ceiling modeled after Stonehenge. The Italian area features Roman-style baths with marble surfaces and herbal steam rooms inspired by the ancient Roman tradition of balnea. Visitors can also explore Bavarian, Spanish, Indian, and North African themed saunas, each with its own temperature, humidity level, and aromatic profile.
The highlight of the sauna experience is the Aufguss ceremony, where trained sauna masters pour water infused with essential oils over hot stones and use towels to circulate fragrant steam throughout the room. These performances are choreographed to music and have become a signature experience at Therme Erding, drawing visitors from across Europe who plan their trips around the daily schedule of ceremonies. Each Aufguss session lasts about 15 minutes and uses different essential oil blends depending on the sauna theme, ranging from eucalyptus and mint for refreshment to lavender and chamomile for deep relaxation. Between sauna sessions, guests cool down in plunge pools kept at 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, ice fountains where visitors rub ice cubes over their skin, or outdoor rest areas with loungers overlooking the surrounding Bavarian countryside. The full sauna circuit takes about three to four hours to complete properly, allowing time for repeated cycles of heating, cooling, and resting.
Practical Information and Medicinal Benefits
Therme Erding opened on October 3, 1999 and has since hosted over 10 million visitors, with 600 employees working to maintain the sprawling facility. At peak times up to ten thousand people visit per day, yet the complex rarely feels overcrowded thanks to its enormous size. The medicinal effect of the thermal water is officially recognized by the German state and is particularly beneficial for those with joint problems, spine issues, rheumatism, skin diseases, or post-trauma recovery. The mineral composition of the water, rich in sodium, calcium, and magnesium, is absorbed through the skin during bathing and has demonstrated therapeutic effects over repeated visits. The complex covers 145,000 square meters across five connected sections, making navigation an adventure in itself. Admission to all parts is 34 euros per adult per day, with a 4 euro surcharge on holidays and weekends. Children under 3 are admitted free. The facility is easily reached by car from Munich, approximately 30 minutes from the city centre, with ample parking available on site. Combined tickets for the water world and sauna paradise offer the best value for a full-day visit.
In Sauna pavilion you will find lots of naked people enjoying swimming at the world best dipping.
View Therme Erding Europe biggest thermal water world and sauna paradise Germany in a larger map
Would you brave the longest water slide in Europe or relax in the thermal pools at Therme Erding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💧
Explore all our Germany travel guides, from Berlin buzz to Bavaria castles.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
