During our spa trip in autumn 2022, we visited three different thermal spas in southern Germany. Our second stop was Therme Erding, which is conveniently located near Munich in Bavaria. As advertised on their website, it is widely known as the world’s largest spa. They certainly didn’t make empty promises — it really is enormous. With over 35 different themed saunas and steam baths to explore, we still felt like we hadn’t discovered everything after two days.

Therme Erding is divided into three main areas: Therme, Vital Oasis and Vital & Sauna. You can buy tickets for one or more of these areas, with options including different hourly rates and a day ticket. As we explored all three areas over two days, we opted for the day tickets.

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The main thermal area is located in the central and left sections of the complex. Starting from the left, where the entrance to the attached hotel is also located, you will find a sports/wave pool. We skipped this area as we wanted to focus on the others, and wave pools tend to be similar everywhere.

Right next to it, there is an entrance leading to a Crazy River that flows outside. If you follow the current, you will soon arrive at a larger open-air area that actually turns into an outdoor wave pool, completed by the Diamond Bay pool bar. The drinks were OK. At the far end of the pool is a large stage for events and shows.

Next to the wave pool area, there is the Galaxy water park, which is home to a variety of fun water slides. Additional outdoor slides are open during the summer season, but since we visited in November, we didn’t get to try those.

Next, you will find the main indoor pool at the heart of the Therme complex. This connects directly to the outdoor pool. Both pools have swim-up bars, which are perfect for taking a relaxing break.

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The Vital Oasis is a textile spa area for guests aged 16 and over. It offers a variety of pools and textile saunas, as well as a range of spa services.

One of our favorite things about this area was the Vitality Springs. There are several mineral basins, including pools containing Dead Sea salt, calcium, and selenium-iodine, each offering different health benefits. We also loved the complimentary facial masks available at the nearby health bar — a small but very welcome bonus!

This area directly connects to the textile-free Vital & Sauna area.

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This was the part that we were most looking forward to. The Vital & Sauna area of Therme Erding is huge. In fact, we got lost from time to time. Fortunately, there are location plans and signposts all around the place.

After entering the area from the Vital Oasis, you can put your swimwear on the shelves, which are hidden from view by privacy screens. Behind this entrance, you will find the mild Citrus Sauna (75°C), which has a refreshing aroma and showers. Hidden behind the showers is a narrow corridor leading to the Cloud Forest steam sauna (40°C, Nebelwald). The Honey and Heilmoor treatments for your skin in there are absolute highlights. It was great fun to surprise people walking towards the corridor when the group covered in mud from the Heilmoor treatment had to go back through there to shower.

One of the absolute highlights was the Banja Sauna (75°C), which features a birch brew infusion (Aufguss). During this, the sauna master used real birch branches to spread the steam instead of a towel or fan. The outdoor sauna can accommodate many people. When the session ended and everyone stepped outside, a thick mist of steam rose from the crowd. It was a very funny and atmospheric experience.

Another favorite was the Rose Pavilion (80°C), which offered a treatment called the Rose Dream, combining a rose infusion with a rose sugar scrub. After the session, everyone was offered a cup of rose tea.

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The Therme Erding is definitely a must for fans of thermal spas, saunas, and water fun. You should plan at least one day just for the large Vital & Sauna area. If you have a long journey, you should definitely plan a stay of several days (two to three days).

To experience everything the thermal spa has to offer, you should allow plenty of time. We were there for just under two days and would have liked to have stayed another day to experience and try everything at our leisure.

We visited Therme Erding in late fall. On the one hand, this had the disadvantage that most of the outdoor area could not be used due to temperatures around zero degrees. On the other hand, the moments immediately after sauna infusions were all the more enjoyable, as the direct transition from hot to icy is simply super pleasant.

I recommend to

• take a look at the plan of Therme Erding and
• discover the daily program & infusion schedule for all areas

on their website in advance to prepare well for your visit to the thermal bath.

All in all, I can hardly wait to visit Therme Erding again. Next time in summer, so I can compare the experience and try out the huge outdoor slide.