What do you need to take to a spa?

Swimwear, at least two towels, pool shoes and a dressing gown. Add toiletries, coins for the locker and something to drink. Towels are only rarely included in the entry price, and hire towels cost extra almost everywhere.

Do you need your own towel in the sauna?

Yes, and a large one. In German and Austrian saunas the rule is that no part of the body touches the wood, feet included. A second towel to wrap around you for the walk between cabins is normal, and expected in many places.

How many towels do you need for a day at the spa?

Three is a good guide: one to sit on in the sauna, one for drying and one for the walk. Take only one and you will be sitting on a wet towel by the second change of pool.

What should you bear in mind before a spa visit?

Eat lightly, drink enough, and no alcohol before the sauna. Afterwards your circulation needs time: if you are planning a long drive straight after, allow at least half an hour.

Are children allowed in the sauna?

Every place sets its own rule. Many sauna areas have an age limit or dedicated family times. In the pool areas, swim nappies are required almost everywhere for children who are not yet toilet trained.

When is a spa least busy?

Midweek in the morning and late in the evening. Saturday afternoon is the busiest time almost everywhere. Many large spas show their occupancy online in real time — a glance before you set off saves hunting for a free lounger.

Send it to the app — then tick it off and keep planning

Spa Day Packing List

A wellness weekend with the camper: this spa packing list combines light short-break luggage with everything for the sauna, the pools and the quiet room — starting with the dressing gown, the item left at home most often.

Open in the app

62 items · 7 categories

The swim bag

The core kit. Put it together once and leave it together, and next time you are ready to go in five minutes.

Swimming costume or trunksThe one item without which the visit does not happen — and the one most often left at home.
A second set of swimwearPutting on wet swimwear after the sauna is unpleasant, and in many spas it is not welcome.
Large bath towelIn most spas it is not included in the entry price, and hire towels cost extra.
A second towel for dryingA single towel is wet after the first round.
Dressing gownBetween the pools and on the way to the sauna, warmer and more practical than a towel.
Pool shoes or flip-flopsIn wet areas, the most important protection against athlete’s foot.
Swimming capCompulsory in lap pools, and throughout in some spas.
GogglesChlorinated and brine water irritate the eyes far more than fresh water.
Waterproof bag for wet thingsIt stops wet swimwear soaking the whole bag.
A small bag for the poolsideFor a drink, glasses and a key, when the locker is a long way off.
Hair tie or clipLong hair in a whirlpool is unpleasant for everyone involved.

Sauna

The sauna area has rules of its own, and nearly all of them are about the towel.

Large sauna towel to sit onIn German and Austrian saunas this is a firm rule: no part of the body on the wood, feet included.
A second towel to wrap around youFor the walk between the cabins and the quiet room.
Dressing gown for the quiet roomAfter a hot session the body cools down quickly.
Sauna sandalsKept apart from the pool shoes, because they are meant to stay dry.
Water bottle or a drinkA sauna session takes a noticeable amount of fluid out of you.
Times of the scented steam sessions notedThe Aufguss times are posted at the entrance, and the popular ones fill up quickly.
Scrub or saltAllowed in many saunas and usual in the steam room, but not everywhere.
Watch or timer with no metalMetal gets hot in the cabin. The sand timer on the wall is usually enough.
Rest breaks built inBetween sessions, rest at least as long as you spent sweating.

Care after the water

Chlorine, brine and sauna heat dry out skin and hair more than any summer day.

Moisturiser or body lotionApplied afterwards, while the skin is still slightly damp.
Shower gel and shampooExpensive on site, and the dispensers rarely hold the quality you are used to.
Hair mask or conditionerChlorine and brine leave hair dull, especially longer hair.
Brush or combWet hair tangles faster than it dries.
Hairdryer, or a check that there is oneNot every spa provides one, and a wet head in winter is unpleasant.
Lip balmLips are the first thing to crack in sauna heat and chlorinated water.
DeodorantFor the journey home and the rest of the day.
Ear drops or earplugsWorth it with sensitive ear canals after repeated submersion.
Nail fileSoftened nails split easily, and you only notice later.

Clothing

Inside the spa it is warm and outside it is not. The change between the two is the real point.

Comfortable clothes to change intoTight clothing on slightly damp skin is the most common mistake afterwards.
Fresh underwearThe item that is reliably missing on a spontaneous visit.
Warm jacket for the way homeAfter the sauna and the pools the body cools down noticeably faster outside.
Hat or scarf in winterGoing out into the cold with damp hair is the classic route to a cold.
Loose trousers rather than jeansTight fabric barely goes on over slightly damp skin.
Spare socksAfter the wet areas the old ones are almost always damp.
A bag for the clothes you arrived inKeeps worn apart from fresh inside the same bag.
Shoes with a decent treadIn winter the walk from the exit to the car is often the slipperiest part of the day.

With children at the spa

With children a spa visit is a day out rather than a day of rest. Preparation cuts the work down considerably.

Approved buoyancy aidsOnly an approved buoyancy aid actually supports a child. Inflatable toys do not.
Swim nappiesRequired in almost every spa for children who are not yet toilet trained.
Two sets of swimwearThere is a change between the slide and the outdoor pool, and wet does not work.
Hooded towel or bathing ponchoIt keeps a child warm at the poolside and makes drying off happen by itself.
Water toys, where they are allowedHouse rules vary, and often it is the children’s pool only.
A snack and a drink for in betweenIn water, children get cold and hungry faster than adults.
Pool shoes in children’s sizesWet tiles are where small feet slip most often.
Wet wipes and spare nappiesThe changing facilities are rarely where you happen to be.
Age limits for the sauna checkedMany sauna areas are only open above a certain age.

Documents, money and lockers

Inside the spa you carry nothing. That makes what you sorted out beforehand all the more important.

Ticket or voucherSave tickets bought online as a screenshot first: the signal often stops in the basement.
Photo IDFor discounts, and as a deposit against a locker.
Proof of any discountA spa card, student card or membership card is only accepted when you buy, not afterwards.
Cash and coinsFor the locker, the hairdryer and the machines, which rarely take cards.
Card for the wristband accountIn many spas everything goes on the wristband and is paid for on the way out.
Keys and valuables kept to a minimumWhat does not come with you cannot go missing from the locker.
Padlock for the lockersSome places provide the lockers but not the locks.
Parking ticket in your hand luggageThe machine is inside, and you only get back to the car with the ticket.

Before and after the visit

A day at the spa carries on working for longer than it lasts. These points decide how it ends.

Opening times and closing days checkedMany places have shorter hours or maintenance days midweek.
Occupancy checked in advanceLarge spas show how busy they are online, and Saturday afternoon is the busiest time everywhere.
Eat lightly before you goOn a full stomach the sauna and the warm pools are uncomfortable.
Drink enough before and afterThe fluid you lose is regularly underestimated.
Time to spare afterwardsAfter the sauna and the heat, driving is more tiring than usual.
No alcohol before the saunaHeat and a strained circulation do not go together.
Wet things unpacked as soon as you are homeLeft in a closed bag, everything smells the same the next day.
The swim bag restocked straight awayThen nothing stands in the way of the next spontaneous visit.

Common questions

What do you need to take to a spa?: Swimwear, at least two towels, pool shoes and a dressing gown. Add toiletries, coins for the locker and something to drink. Towels are only rarely included in the entry price, and hire towels cost extra almost everywhere.
Do you need your own towel in the sauna?: Yes, and a large one. In German and Austrian saunas the rule is that no part of the body touches the wood, feet included. A second towel to wrap around you for the walk between cabins is normal, and expected in many places.
How many towels do you need for a day at the spa?: Three is a good guide: one to sit on in the sauna, one for drying and one for the walk. Take only one and you will be sitting on a wet towel by the second change of pool.
What should you bear in mind before a spa visit?: Eat lightly, drink enough, and no alcohol before the sauna. Afterwards your circulation needs time: if you are planning a long drive straight after, allow at least half an hour.
Are children allowed in the sauna?: Every place sets its own rule. Many sauna areas have an age limit or dedicated family times. In the pool areas, swim nappies are required almost everywhere for children who are not yet toilet trained.
When is a spa least busy?: Midweek in the morning and late in the evening. Saturday afternoon is the busiest time almost everywhere. Many large spas show their occupancy online in real time — a glance before you set off saves hunting for a free lounger.

Diese Liste auf Deutsch