Nakenbad i Tyskland - Friedrichsbad i Baden Baden

Nude swimming in Germany? Yes, why not? Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden is a traditional bath with a long history. Here you bathe naked in thermal water, in stunningly beautiful surroundings. We have of course tried it!

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Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden

The Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden is one of two large baths in the German 'bathing town' of Baden-Baden. Unlike its neighbour, the Caracalla spa, the Friedrichsbad is a textile-free bath.

The Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden is located in the centre of Baden-Baden.

Friedrichsbad - a Roman-Irish bath from the 19th century

The Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden has a 140-year tradition. Opened in 1877 and considered at the time to be one of the most modern baths in Europe, this Roman-Irish bath has since continued its tradition of textile-free baths in stunning surroundings.

Friedrichsbad i Baden-Baden - nakenbad i Tyskland — Press photo: FB Kuppelbad by Jan Bürgermeister © CARASANA Bäderbetriebe GmbH

We got curious and decided to go swimming - and to do a report. For obvious reasons, you're often not allowed to take photos in bathing centres, especially in textile-free ones. However, the staff helpfully showed us around the premises surrounding the baths, and then provided us with so-called "press photos", i.e. photos that journalists are allowed to use in their articles.

Bathing ruins under Friedrichsbad

The history of the baths at Friedrichsbad is also very older than the bathhouse itself. This part of Germany was once part of the Roman Empire, and it was then that a spring was discovered and a bathhouse opened.

Today, the ruins of the Roman bathhouse can be found next to the car park, under the present-day Friedrichsbad. There is also a museum (no photography allowed) where you can clearly see the ruins of pools, rooms and very advanced heating systems. Really cool to see!

Some remains of the Roman baths on display in the car park, outside the museum.

Nude bathing in Germany - how it works at Friedrichsbad

So how does it work, this traditional Roman-Irish bath? Usually the bath is open from two ends, one end for women and one for men. You then go through all the different baths and saunas that are part of the traditional ritual, until you reach the central middle room, where both men and women meet.

When we were here, due to the pandemic and thus significantly fewer guests, the bath had closed down one half of the bath. This meant that both women and men had to share one half, which we thought was nice in a way, as we could walk through the bath together.

You start by undressing and locking your clothes in a locker. At the same time, you are given a large cloth to wrap yourself in and a bracelet to lock and unlock the locker.

You then go through 17 different stations, but of course it is optional to stop or move on to the next station:

Shower with thermal water
Hot air bath 54 degrees
Hot air bath 68 degrees
Shower with thermal water
"Soap & brush massage" (booked and paid separately)
Shower with thermal water
Steam bath 45 degrees
Steam bath 48 degrees
Thermal bath 36 degrees
Whirlpool bath 34 degrees
Swimming pool 28 degrees
Shower with thermal water
Cold bath 18 degrees
Drying room
Possibility to apply cream
Relaxation room
Reading room

We spent the most time in the whirlpool and the 36-degree pool. Really nice! Since we chose to visit the bath already at 9 o'clock in the morning, we were completely alone in the beautiful premises for about an hour. It felt really luxurious!

Then some other swimmers dropped in (both women and men, of various ages), but there was still plenty of room in the pools. We ended up resting for a while, wrapped in the heated towels, with a cup of tea. Then we felt more than ready to discover Baden-Baden!

FB Dome bath 01 © CARASANA Bäderbetriebe GmbH

Private nude baths in Germany - at Friedrichsbad

For those who want to be a little more luxurious, and dig a little deeper into their wallets, there are also a bunch of different private nude baths at Friedrichsbad. You can book a bath of your choice (see fact box) and get what's included, such as body peeling and full body massage.

Caracalla spa - for those who prefer swimwear

If you prefer to swim in your bathing suit, there is a modern bathing centre right next to Friedrichsbad called Caracalla Spa. Here you will find pools, saunas and wellness centres.

More to see and do in Baden-Baden and Germany

When you're tired of swimming, there's more to see and do in Baden-Baden! This is a historic spa town that hasn't been allowed to change too much, making the environment special. Here you can see beautiful buildings, go shopping or stroll through rose gardens. There are also several castles and castle ruins in the neighbourhood.

READ MORE: Things to do in Baden-Baden - 16 tips for an ancient German spa town

Have you visited Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden?

Have you been to Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden? Or have you tried any other nude baths in Germany? Tell us about your experiences!

Facts about Friedrichsbad - nude baths in Germany

Address: Römerpl. 1, Baden-Baden
City: Baden-Baden
Federal Republic of Germany: Baden-Württemberg
Country: Germany
Read more: You can find more information at Baths website.

Services and practical information

Opening hours: Daily from 09:00 to 22:00. You must arrive at least three hours before closing time. Reservations are not required.
Prices: 32 euros/person (2022)
Included in the price: Slippers, towels, shampoo, body lotion and tea in the rest room.
Possible to book extra: Subject to availability, the "soap & brush massage" can be booked for an additional €12/person.
Food service: There is a restaurant in the adjacent Caracalla Spa.

Private baths that can be booked

Emperor's Bath: 90 min "Stylish bathing experience", 75 euros/person (2022)
Prince's Bath: 135 min, incl. body peeling and full body massage, 195 euros/person (2022)
Harmony: 160 min, incl. body peeling and full body massage, 225 euros/person (2022)
Honeymoon: 165 min, incl. body peeling and massage with essential oils, 270 euros/person (2022)
DaySpa: 240 min, including body peeling, full body massage, reflexology, fresh fruit and more, 365 euros/person (2022).

3 Comments

Add yours →

BP says:

I'm not really into nude bathing, but I've never heard of indoor nude bathing. Nudist beaches are a bit everywhere in Europe, but bathhouses with that possibility were new to me. The whole "package" was absolutely superb if you like nude baths. Stupid though with separate entrances for men and women ...

11 June 2022 - 19:45

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Indoor nude swimming for us was also new to us. It may exist in several places, but it's not something we know about.
  
  12 June 2022 - 15:50
  
Anonymous says:

In Germany there are many baths with a textile-free "Saunawelt" where the focus is on different kinds of saunas, cooling effects and baths, both hot and cold. Most of them have one day per week, holiday-free, for women only, a Frauentag. The country has a long sauna culture of its own with wonderful so-called "Aufgüsse".

15 June 2022 - 9:27

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Things to do in Baden-Baden - 16 tips for an ancient German spa town | FREEDOMtravel

Nude baths in Germany - Friedrichsbad in Baden Baden

Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden

Friedrichsbad - a Roman-Irish bath from the 19th century

Bathing ruins under Friedrichsbad

Nude bathing in Germany - how it works at Friedrichsbad

Private nude baths in Germany - at Friedrichsbad

Caracalla spa - for those who prefer swimwear

More to see and do in Baden-Baden and Germany

Have you visited Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden?

Facts about Friedrichsbad - nude baths in Germany

Services and practical information

Private baths that can be booked

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3 Comments

BP says:

Helena says:

Anonymous says:

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