Sauna in Germany: nudity, towel and rules for first-time visitors

In short: In Germany, saunas are usually taken without clothes: the towel goes under the body and swimwear stays outside. The German Sauna Association justifies this on hygiene grounds. For guests from countries where swimwear is required, this is often unfamiliar. This guide explains what is customary, which exceptions exist (textile saunas, hotel saunas), how couples can approach a first visit calmly and what health advice Apotheken Umschau gives. It is written factually and without an erotic angle.

The basic rule: towel yes, swimming trunks no

The trade portal Tageskarte describes the usual rule in German saunas with the phrase "Handtuch ja, Badehose nein" (towel yes, swimming trunks no; article of 23 December 2020). Mixed saunas are often nude, and men and women in public saunas frequently go in without clothing. Apotheken Umschau confirms that in Germany being nude is the normal case; some guests cover themselves with light cloths. The relaxation room is usually also clothing-free, and a bathrobe is optional. When in doubt, check the house rules or ask the staff.

Why textiles are unwelcome in the sauna

Rolf-Andreas Pieper, managing director of the German Sauna Association (Deutscher Sauna-Bund), is quoted in the Tageskarte article saying that sauna bathing in textiles is unhygienic because swimwear carries germs. Swimwear can also tempt people to sit on the bench without a towel. A large towel separating the whole body from the wood is therefore a must. Pieper cites about 10,000 colony-forming units on the floor and about 120 on the top bench, and stresses the towel for that reason. These are the association's figures in a media report, not our measurements.

Exceptions: textile saunas and hotels

There are designated textile saunas where swimwear is allowed, and wellness hotels that handle their saunas differently. Apotheken Umschau notes that in such saunas you can keep your swimwear on. Customs also differ abroad: according to a compilation by Tageskarte (25 January 2019), sauna-goers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK and the Benelux countries wear only a towel, in Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain swimwear, and in France, Poland and Hungary an additional towel is customary. Whether a hotel deviates from this you will only learn on the spot.

Etiquette at a glance

According to Apotheken Umschau:

• Shoes stay outside the sauna cabin.
• Stay quiet in classic saunas; event saunas sometimes allow applause during the infusion.
• Do not stare. If you meet acquaintances, a brief greeting is enough.
• Do not touch other guests. If it is crowded, wait or choose another cabin and do not take more space than needed.
• Shower before and dry off well afterwards: water on the skin evaporates and cools, and then you sweat less.
• Remove hanging chains and earrings, especially metal ones, as they can heat up enough to cause burns.

Tageskarte also advises informing staff when other guests break the rules rather than confronting them yourself.

Health notes

With an acute illness or fever, do not go to the sauna. Anyone with high blood pressure or circulatory problems should seek medical advice first. People with asthma should be careful, because the essential oils in an infusion can make breathing harder or trigger allergies. Alcohol is out before, during and after a sauna visit. The Apotheken Umschau page gives no concrete figures on duration or amount of fluid; ask the staff or your doctor.

For couples: the first visit together

Whether you go to the sauna together is up to both of you. To begin with, choose a quiet time, read the house rules and the textile rule beforehand and agree how to behave: calmly, without photos, without physical contact with strangers. If someone feels uncomfortable, switch to a textile sauna or leave without explaining. Couples who want to relax should treat nudity as ordinary and not comment on what others do.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to be nude in a sauna in Germany? In many saunas going without clothes is customary and often written into the house rules; in textile saunas and some hotels swimwear may be worn. Ask when in doubt.

May I wrap a towel around me? On the way to the shower or the cold plunge, yes; on the sauna bench the towel goes under the body.

Why no swimming trunks? The Sauna Association cites hygiene reasons.

What if someone bothers me? Speak to the staff.

Are photos allowed? We advise against them; privacy comes first.

Sources (accessed 10 November 2026)

• Apotheken Umschau: "Schwitz mit" (sauna tips), https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/print/sr/sr26-01/schwitz-mit-1013883.html
• Tageskarte, 23 Dec 2020: "Nackt oder nicht nackt? Etikette und Hygiene in der Sauna", https://www.tageskarte.io/zahlen/detail/nackt-oder-nicht-nackt-etikette-und-hygiene-in-der-sauna.html
• Tageskarte, 25 Jan 2019: "Nackt oder bekleidet: Der Sauna-Dresscode für Europa", https://www.tageskarte.io/tourismus/detail/nackt-oder-bekleidet-der-sauna-dresscode-fuer-europa.html
• Deutscher Sauna-Bund: https://www.sauna-bund.de