I fell in love with being in a German nude spa at Vabali spa berlin.
I know some of my German friends would roll their eyes at me for saying that Germans love themselves a bit of mixed gender nudity. Ahh yes, the German nude spa topic, here we go. But upon visiting vabali, I think they totally do. If you’re not familiar with the Freikörperkultur, of FKK (free body culture), chances are you will after spending some time in Germany. At the very least, you will have heard of a nude spa Germany one way or another. And while some would simplify that the FKK movement was born as a form of resistance against the East German regime, nudism in Germany has its roots way further in history.
After doing a little research, what stuck with me most is the use of nudity historically as a way for people to free themselves from the religious restriction that has taught people to be ashamed of their body, and from the industrial society. Without clothes, no-one is a factory slave, everyone is equal.
Now, there’s an idea that jives with me.
In my quest to experiencing a culture to its fullest, I obviously decided I wanted to get naked in Berlin too and visit a German spa nude for the first time. My very first naked spa Germany experience! Might seem trivial, yet for the prude North American that I am, it’s a bit of a leap. So after baring it all in Turkey in a gender-segregated hammam, I thought that visiting a nude spa Berlin – such place where all bares it all for all naked strangers to see – was the next step in my quest to undressing in as many countries as possible.
I totally just made that up.
But I did want to experience a German nude spa anyway. So out with the bathing suit and in with the birthday suit.
There are many options when it comes to a nude German spa experience in Berlin, and they all sound fantastic. Many luxury spas come with a full menu of beauty treatments and massage services. Yet one kept cropping up in conversations whenever I was trying to figure out which naked spa Berlin was most famous for. Make sure it’s on your to-do list if you come to spend a weekend in Berlin.
Berlin nude sauna, you say?
Friends go to vabali spa nude. Dates go to vabali spa naked. Colleagues go to the German sauna nude. Who doesn’t go to vabali naked? I was naturally pumped when I got invited to write a vabali spa Berlin review and visit one of the top nude spa in Germany. And while I love company, the thought of being completely nude with acquaintances in a hot tub in public made me somewhat nervous. So I elected to go on my own for my first experience. And although vabali spa is not an FKK venue or a nudist resort, people there are nude in some outlets (in the sauna room, steam baths and large pool area) while some chose to cover themselves with bathrobes, kimonos or towels in the lounge area and restaurant, so it seemed perfect for my self-experiment. Ready for a nude German spa experience?
A little too shy for a nude sauna Berlin outing or for the nude German sauna? Find other clothed things to do right here! But save nude Berlin for another day!
VISITING VABALI SPA BERLIN
vabali spa is a great place with wonderful spa facilities — an oasis of peace and quiet smack in the center of the city. You’d never guess the hustle that’s going on just a mere meters away from just how peaceful it is.
Upon checking in at the front desk, I was given a set of instructions with a wristband, a towel, a cute little kimono and was directed to the changing room. It quickly hit me right in the face how confident I actually am with nudity when I’m a complete stranger to everyone. Being naked with my mom is a thought that makes me extremely uncomfortable (perhaps she’d be judgemental of my pube trimming habits?!) – but here, I was just like, hey ho, I’m nakey, no biggie. Perhaps the last few years of cycling and yoga have given me that extra boost of body confidence? Also, the average customer age on the day I visited was much higher than my own and seemed to be indirectly proportional to everyone’s level of comfort with their own nudity. I’m not 100% if there is a women’s locker room there as I ended up in a mixed one. Oh well.
Let’s get naked, Berlin! On the day of my visit, it was a lush 30+ degrees celsius, the sun was shining and there was a light breeze that was caressing my body in places where it never gets the opportunity to do so. Once I managed to stop myself from staring at all the weiners dangling about nonchalantly, it felt amazing. I very likely had the Berlin sauna mixed-gendered fist-timer stamp on my forehead, but hey…
THE GROUNDS
vabali nude spa berlin has a huge outdoor area comprising of a swimming pool with sundeck and lounge chairs, a restaurant terrace, large garden with relaxation area, private massage cabanas (where I got an excellent 50-minute massage by one of the massage therapists), more loungers and several saunas and steam rooms sprinkled across for quiet time. If the weather isn’t on your side, the indoor common area is equally impressive with its open-space swimming pool, cozy relaxation areas with heated waterbeds and fireside, and even more saunas and steam rooms, as well as tea room. I’m honestly looking forward to the weather going bad for my second visit and spend a day indoors curled up in a waterbed with a good book.
A STEAM ROOM FOR EVERY TASTE
It took me a little while to understand the daily infusion sauna schedule as it was only in German, and there are so many steam rooms with different minerals to pick from. Trust me, it’s well worth asking around for help in understanding the chalkboards. Turns out, German nude sauna is serious business!
There’s a full schedule of different aromatherapy ceremonies and treatments going on at every hour in many of the steam rooms, ranging from being ‘whipped’ by the Saunameister with tea-infused tree branches in a Finnish sauna, to coffee body scrub, revitalizing meditation, birch stick and chamomile blossom treatments. So day passes are probably best if you want to get the full experience. These are all free and make the experience feel like you’re getting so much more bang for your buck! They are all very popular and, at some point, there must have been at least 30 of us squeezed tight next to one another, completely naked, huffing and puffing from the unbearable heat in a tiny wood cabin whilst being ‘whipped’ with tree branches in between cold baths. Kind of a unique experience. Make sure you drink plenty of cold water during the day and drench yourself with more buckets throughout the day of as you’ll sweat a lot!
Berlin naked spa in a nutshell (LOL)
Whereas I came here to experience what a nude spa Germany was all about, at the end of the day, these were all very trivial points in the grander scheme of things. I had the most relaxing day ever with good food and sunshine and, if anything, being naked simply contributed to making me feel really awesome about myself and super relaxed. Not what I expected!
IN A NUTSHELL
* Mark a full day off your calendar to experience the whole daily herbal full spa treatment schedule. I got there at 11am and reluctantly left at 6pm because I had another engagement elsewhere. vabali is open from 9am to midnight daily. Make the best of it!
* The current day rate is 39,50€ on weekdays and 42,50€ on the weekend for a day pass.
* The restaurant specializes in Mediterranean and Asian delicacies and will gladly accommodate special diets upon request to their best ability. They have the best fruit smoothies and great food!
* There is a large massage menu to pick from, ranging from Ayurveda treatments, Reiki, Shiatsu, Thai massages and algae body packs. I opted for the classic full body massage and I honestly think vabali is one of the best massage places in Berlin.
* The vabali Germany nude spa is located a ten-minute walk from Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station) – directions here
vabali Spa Berlin
Seydlitzstr. 6
10557 Berlin
More great Berlin activies!
All photos courtesy of vabali Spa Berlin. Many thanks for hosting me!
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Hi Amelie,
Sounds like you had a great time and nice intro to FKK. I would be curious to learn more about its roots on your blog 🙂
Oh, there’s a good idea actually! 🙂
Hello Amelie,
Thank you for a great review of Vabali! It inspired me to visit the spa when I was passing through Berlin.
Such a liberating experience – even for a guy! The atmosphere is very chill and classy and the staff is very helpful. Thanks to reading up on this blog, I didn’t feel as uncomfortable and hopefully I didn’t make others uncomfortable either!
Great blog in general, keep up with the product reviews as well. And have a great stay in Berlin. Next time I’ll visit one of the Yoga places you have reviewed. A fella’s gotta stay fit even when traveling, right?!
MN
Thanks Nami, glad you had a great time and enjoy the read! 😀
Hi everyone reading, read, or will read, you may experience my style in berlin. if you ever come to berlin just give me a call.
WOW! This looks like a place we all need to visit to get spoilt rotten. Reminded me a bit of the Japanese onsen where you’re required to be in the nude as you bathe in different baths.
Oh yes! Other people have said that! 🙂
This places looks fabulous. I visited a spa recently in Germany which looked similiar but did not require nudism. I am not sure how comfortable I would be with that as Brit but it might be a fun thing to try with my husband. Liberating at least. Saving to flipboard until I pluck up the courage
Flipboard?
Hi Anne as a brit & a nudist, i would suggest you go there, drop the brit nude hang up… and just enjoy yourself. Believe me, its much better to go & do it together, pluck your courage up… as really no one cares about others beig naked in these venues and your missing on a most liberating experience.
Wow that looks heavenly- more like something you’d expect to find in Asia than busy Berlin!
Yes definitely, the design is very Asian-inspired. 🙂
Looks like you had a relaxing day! It was interesting to read about your experience and that you really enjoyed it. But then again, anything involving a spa is usually a win/win. Maybe the weather will not cooperate when you return and you can snuggle in and read that book you have been wanting to read.
I kinda hope so 😉
This place looks amazing. I would love to get pampered there!! Not sure how comfortable I would be though 🙂
You have to try at least once! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience! I agree that it can be confronting and intimidating to strip off and bare all when it’s not part of our culture, but from our travels I’ve come to realize that when you’re in these situations, the only person with a problem with being nude is ourselves! We work it up in our mind when in reality everyone else there thinks it’s quite normal so wouldn’t even blink at us twice.
I would love to organize a day here! So glad you had a relaxing time 🙂
So true! Also, I found that being there alone and not knowing anyone helped a whole lot.
Interesting article, I’d never heard of the term “saunameister” until now. Germans really are serious about there sauna. Looks like a seriously relaxing time away from the hubbub of the city.
hahaha I know they are SO serious about their spa 😉
Wow wow wow this place looks incredible! I think you have just convinced me to book a ticket to Germany next year! Love you photography too.
Thanks, the photos are actually theirs though, due to the risk of nudity, I wasn’t allowed to take my camera in.
Would love to try this whole day spa soon…It will be hard for me to leave this place by midnight hahaha i can stay here the whole day!
I know what you mean hhahaha! 🙂
Wait… wieners?! So it’s a mixed nude spa? Gahhh! You are SO brave! I don’t know if I would be able to handle it lol. But it does sound like an amazing spa!
Love the honesty in your writing. Feels like I was hearing an interesting story from a friend.
hahah! yep. wieners everywhere, all shape and size :O
Vabali is a tiny place with only a few aufguss ceremonies compared to huge complexes like Therme Erding near Munich. On the other hand it is among the coziest I have been in Germany. I only missed a warm pool. The big one is a bit chilly to stay for 30-40 minutes between the saunas. There are tens of therme in every bigger German city. In Berlin I only tried Kristall Saunatherme in Ludwigsfelde. It is bigger, with more aufguss ceremonies, but not as nice as Vabali.
[…] have noticed an emerging pattern. If you haven’t — newsflash: I seem to have taken a liking to getting buck naked in public. I mean, who doesn’t? Right? Righhhhhhttttt? Anyone? Well, ok, fine. Today, for a change, let me […]
[…] enjoy within Tokyo’s city limits. Be warned though that many of them expect you to go naked much like they do in Germany. But they are split into male and female […]
As an expat Berliner who visits Vabali from time to time, my opinion is those tourists who understand the spa culture and/or who can conduct themselves as adults will be warmly welcomed. For persons who`s thoughts are along the lines of “what, naked people?” or “it takes bravery to experience a sauna”, please go to the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, etc. instead. The natives and expats who have integrated here are sick of experiencing (especially Brit and American) tourists who come with the intention of watching animals in a zoo. Wearing bathing shorts or covering yourself up with a towel in the sauna is considered an unclean practice.
PS If you are not yet aware, there are also some simple rules for using the sauna. Please try to take time to understand these before you go to ensure a great time.
[…] about visiting a Vabali Spa Berlin by Mostly […]
[…] about visiting a Vabali Spa Berlin by Mostly […]
I 100% agree with being comfortable naked around strangers vs. being naked around people you actually know. I had no problem getting naked in Iceland, but here in Atlanta we have a spa where you’re naked around other people of the same gender and a friend’s invited me and I just can’t do it! Heading to Berlin solo in October and will have to check this place out!
[…] Zeitung or accounts from other travel bloggers – Mostly Amelie’s, Getting Naked at Germany at Vabali Spa and Open Mind Traveler’s, Vabali Spa Berlin – The Perfect […]
And don’t forget .. Strictly no phone allowed in the spa ! And u will notice that none has one 😉
And don’t forget .. Strictly no phone allowed in the spa ! And u will notice that nobody has one 😉
I am already planning my trip there with my wire, she loves a spa… and is ok with being nude to a degree; i will of course inform her and see if i then travel alone…. such is the life of a nudist..!!!!.
A very typical prudish irish upbringing.
I love getting nude with members of the opposite gender. It is so empowering and great for self esteem. Everyone should do it.
Hi, can you please say is it allowed to sunbathe nude, as it is not allowed to walk around nude i cannot be sure about this.
If you want to practice more social nudism in Berlin, have a look here:
https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/FKK-Sport-Berlin/
Hello Amelie. Read your post a few months back. Very informative about Vabali Spa (and spas in general). Comments by others very helpful and entertaining. This past July, I finally had opportunity to experience (unfortunately without my wife but hope next time) a German sauna and Roman bath in Baden-Baden. I was still nervous and anxious to be naked with strangers but what did I have to lose other than all my clothes? I first started at Caracalla Therme. It’s a wonderful place with many different saunas and jacuzzi. So, I have my towel for some coverage. After a few minutes, I was all in with just using my towel to protect wood benches. Back and forth to all the saunas, full exposure. It was invigorating for this prudish American, a changed prudish American. I enjoyed my 2 hours. Then, I went next door to Friedrichsbad, the complete nude Roman bath. Even though I was just enjoying the saunas, I still had some anxiety. But, this experience was on my bucket list (public nudity) since obtaining milestone age. Let’s go so I paid for 4 hours. After removing clothes in locker room, I go to the first of 17 stations as they label them. So, here I am buck naked and greeted by 3 women attendants. Anxiety yes but I proceed forward as I have paid. After the hot dry air saunas, I proceed to the soap scrub. Guess gender attendant? Female! She motions me to table and states “face up”. There I am, naked and manhood in full exposure with female attendant. But, she was very professional and I just relaxed. I was hoping to stay longer but only 10 minutes. After that, I then enjoyed the various pools and moist saunas. Back and forth, very relaxing. After 3 hours, it was time to relax in warm blankets wrapped as a burrito. But, it was great. Then, I had some tea in final room. As i enjoyed my tea, I wondered to balcony. While enjoying the outside on balcony, I said to myself – “hello world. I am naked and enjoying myself with no more anxiety”. 4 hours and worth it. I hope you enjoyed my story and others will enjoy also. For many, public nudity is a challenge. Experience it and you will be grateful. It is nerve wracking at first but you will overcome.
Hi Todd, what a wonderful comment, thanks so much for stopping by and writing this. It’s so liberating to embrace public nudity, isn’t it? I was back at Vabali a few weeks ago but this time with a girlfriend and we had a lovely time. I’m so glad I’ve gotten over my fear of public nudity. Us North Americans can be a bit silly sometimes huh? 😉
Hello again Amelie. Glad that you & girlfriend enjoyed Vabali. It seems like a wonderful place to visit. Not sure if I will have opportunity as most business trips take me south of Frankfurt. Public nudity = freeing experience that can be enjoyed in respectful manner with professionals giving great massages. I hope to soon return to Baden-Baden area later this year. I will be free to enjoy complete nudity with strangers hopefully with my wife and my awesome female work colleagues. Most of them are quite reserved and prudish but I think that they will be able to enjoy their beautiful, naked bodies in public. I will explain to them that they have nothing to lose but all their clothes in a respectful manner. Wish me luck.
Ahh! I love this spa so much! I went for the first time while visiting Berlin in 2016 — and it’s on my list of first things to do when I go back this spring (2019). It’s fantastic — so beautiful, so serene!
Hi I am in Berlin on the 2nd December, would like to visit this , but unlike you going on my own I would not like , not sure if it’s a man thing , but having someone to talk to might take ones mind off any impending crisis that might pop up , . Dose this happen , that’s my main worry …
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Great story Amelie. I plan to go with my husband when we visit in the spring. You mentioned the wieners everywhere, will he be out of place being circumcised?
That made me giggle 😀 No, of course not, some people are circumcised here too 😉 And mostly, people don’t care and don’t stare!
Your experience sounds like FUN!Happy you enjoyed it ! I love experiencing different massages in different countries! Even though I’m a massage therapist in the USA and I believe I’m ONE of the best ! 😁 Now I’m not quite sure a out the naked thing around strangers 😅😅😅 especially carrying extra weight doesn’t help! 😁 Thankyou for sharing your experience ❤
Hi Amelie, I’ve found your recent posts really interesting. I’m also a vegan, who likes to get naked at spas, and would also like to go clubbing naked (although admittedly I haven’t done the last one).
Have you ever been to Kristall saunatherme in Ludwigsfelde? It’s an FKK sauna and swim just outside Berlin (take the RE3 or RE4 south). If you enjoy getting naked at saunas and swims, you’ll love this place!
I’m visiting Berlin today, and leave in one weeks time. Do you have any recommendations on where I can go clubbing naked (particularly during the week)? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Matt
Hey Matt, I hadn’t heard of Kristall saunatherme, thanks for the recommendation! Seems like a nice day out on the bike, I’ll def check it out! Outside of Kitkat, I’d say perhaps try Berghain? There’s also Pornceptual and House of Red Doors, but they are bi-monthly parties I think, so I’m not sure if they are happening this week. Have fun!
Hi Amelie,
Thanks for your great blog! My wife follows your blog, and you peeked her interest into trying the baths on our recent trip to Germany. Being raised in a chatholic household in Quebec nudity was very verboten for both of us. But after reading, how liberating and relaxing the baths can be, we decided to step out of our comfort zone and visit the Friedrichsbad in Baden Baden.
As luck would have it, we visited on a mixed sex day. And they don’t ease you into the nudity thing, it’s just wham, as soon as you walk into the changing room you are faced with copious amounts of breasts and penises.
It is definitely easy to spot us as tourists at first as we have no clue what we are doing and the lack of foreskin is a give away too! You try not to stare, and by the end we were much more comfortable with the nudity. But with all the wobbly parts swinging around it’s hard not to stare. I must say everyone else seemed content just casually going on enjoying the baths. I must say both of us were amazed by the variations of sizes and shapes. My wife had never seen so many uncircumcised penises and we still get a chuckle out of how funny that extra flap of skin looks. I’m sure some of them got a chuckle about my mushroom cap too. Atleast they were strangers we don’t have to see again and we definitely lived a European experience!
Keep up the great writing, safe travels!
Thierry & Sylvie
Thierry OMG hahahaha thanks for leaving this amusing comment, that made me giggle! I’m glad you guys stepped out of your comfort zone and tried out the spa! I think everyone should do this!
we love to visit vabali spa in düsseldorf. at least 1 time in a month.
i never ever think about the nudity. only the benefit we got from sauna.
sauna makes us more healthy and relieve our stress.
in vabali once every 30 minutes in difference room, there are sauna event (using asparagus, honey, or mint) with the saunameister-in. we like to joining it.
my wife is a german. i am coming from asia.
Hello Amelie,
During a recent trip to Berlin, I experimented 3 spas: Olivin, Lützow and Vabali. They all have their purpose. I agree with you, being naked is nothing. It is also liberating.
Nothing to say about Vabali other this is an exceptional site, especially on a Friday evening! There is no better way to start your week-end.
Olivin is quite small and offer few options but it was calm and relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. Lützow is in between and the indoor pool is nice.
Whichever site you choose, you must go to a spa in Berlin!
Helo>! Great read. Nice spa in Berlin
Hello! My husband and I are from Canada and are going to a spa in Austria. he is worried if it is customary for men to keep their foreskin pulled back while in the spa?? What do most men do with their foreskin? Thanks!