The Carolus Thermen in Aachen is a large thermal day spa with warm-water pools, extensive sauna facilities, massages, and beauty treatments. Children under six are not admitted.
The Carolus Thermen is a large, modern-day spa in the German city of Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle / Aken). The main attractions are the variety of warm-water thermal baths and the sauna selection. Typical day spa additions such as massages and beauty treatments are available. The spa has three restaurants on-premises. Adults will appreciate the baby-free spa – children under six are not admitted at all to this day spa. The Carolus Thermen day spa is within easy reach of other cities such as Cologne, Maastricht, and Brussels, whether driving or using public transportation.
Carolus Thermen Aachen Day Spa at a Glance:
- Best for: Thermal pools, saunas, relaxing day spa
- Minimum age: 6 years, no babies or toddlers admitted
- Swimwear: Required in thermal pools; no swimwear in sauna area
- Opening hours: Daily 9 am–11 pm
- Thermal bath: From €19
- Thermal bath + sauna: From €40
- From Aachen Hbf: Bus 51
- Parking: €6
Carolus Thermen Day Spa in Aachen
The Romans already enjoyed the warm mineral waters of Aachen. Charlemagne famously had his palace (and now even more famous church) built here in part due to the presence of the hot water. The modern Carolus Thermen continues Aachen’s long tradition as a thermal spa destination.
The Aachen Carolus Thermen day spa is divided into four sections: the Thermal Baths (Thermalbad), Sauna World (Saunawelt), Spa, and restaurants.
- The sauna world is completely nude (FKK / Textilfrei), while swimming clothes are obligatory in the thermal baths.
Thermalwelt Hot Water Pools in Aachen Day Spa
The Thermalwelt with its various thermal baths is the main draw for many visitors to the Carolus Thermen day spa in Aachen. Various medical cures are claimed for the mineral-rich waters, but most visitors simply enjoy relaxing in the hot water, Jacuzzis, water jets, and other water features.
The thermal area has several indoor and outdoor pools, mostly around 33 to 36°C, as well as warm-and-cold contrast pools, whirlpools, massage jets, and other water features.
The two exterior swimming pools are 32°C and up to 1.3 m deep. A beach area and outdoor sunning areas are open when the weather allows.
Free aqua gymnastics are offered regularly.
Due to the high mineral content of the water, children under six are not allowed into the day spa at all.
Saunawelt Saunas at Carolus Thermen Day Spa
The sauna world of the Carolus Thermen day spa has nine saunas and saunaria, plus the Oriental Bath with a hamam and three steam baths.
The sauna world is divided into further sections and spread over several floors:
- Baltic Sauna Landscape with several indoor saunas and saunaria
- Sauna Garden with outdoor saunas, sauna lake, and relaxation areas
- Oriental Bath World with hamam, steam baths, warm and cold pools
As is the common practice in Germany, the sauna area is completely nude, and genders are mixed. Visitors must have a towel to sit on in the sauna, but sitting in swimwear in the saunas is not allowed. Pools in the sauna area must be entered naked. Robes or towels may be used when moving between saunas.
Spa Treatments at the Carolus Thermen
The Carolus Thermen offers the full range of typical day spa treatments to visitors. In addition to massages and beauty treatments, private Jacuzzis are also available.
Spa treatment prices do not include admission to the thermal baths or sauna. Advance reservations are recommended, although appointments may also be available onsite.
Restaurants at the Carolus Thermen
The Carolus Thermen has three separate restaurants:
- Bistro Esseria serves typical German and European dishes.
- The food in Auszeit, only accessible from the Saunawelt area, ranges from extravagant breakfasts to smaller snacks or complete meals.
- Kochkultur Bar & Restaurant is a full-service restaurant with a large variety of food. It is also accessible to diners not visiting the spa. A beer garden opens when the weather allows.
It is allowed to bring your own small snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, but no glass, porcelain, or similar breakable containers.
Opening Hours of the Carolus Therme
The Carolus Thermen day spa in Aachen is open every day of the year from 9 am to 11 pm – shorter hours may apply over major holidays. Last admission is always 90 minutes before closing, and exit the pools half an hour before closing time.
The spa is even open for a few hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day — check the official website before visiting over the holidays.
Prices for the Carolus Therme in Aachen
Admission to the Carolus Thermen is priced according to the time spent in the day spa. Prices for the thermal baths range from around €19 for 3.5 hours to €23 for the whole day. Prices on weekends are €2 more per person.
Admission including the sauna world ranges from €40 for 3.5 hours to €48 for a full weekday, with higher prices on weekends and public holidays (+€4). A saunas-only tariff is not available.
Children 6 to 15 are only admitted with adults, no discounts. Children under six are not allowed inside the complex at all.
Students, apprentices, and pupils aged 16 and older currently pay €16 for the thermal baths or €32 including sauna on Tuesdays with valid ID.
- Free on Birthdays: You may use the thermal baths and saunas for free on your exact birthday.
Transportation to the Carolus Thermen in Aachen
The Carolus Thermen is to the northeast of the town center of Aachen on the edge of the Stadtgarten (city garden park) at Passstraße 79. If arriving from outside Aachen by car, exit the Autobahn at “Aachen Zentrum / Würselen”. Ample parking (€6) is available in the Carolus Therme parking garage.
The spa can be reached on foot from the town center or on bus 34 or 51. Bus 51 stops at Carolus Thermen, while bus 34 serves the nearby Ungarnplatz (Carolus Thermen) stop. Getting to the spa from the station (Hauptbahnhof) is easiest on bus 51.
Aachen is the westernmost city in Germany and most famous for the Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom), which was the palatine chapel of Charlemagne and still has his original marble throne (Karlsthron), his remains in a gilt shrine (Karlsschrein), and further relics in the treasury.
More on Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) in Germany
- Visit Aachen Cathedral – overview, opening hours & guided tours
- Building of Aachen Cathedral – history and exterior appearance
- Interior of Aachen Cathedral
- The Throne of Charlemagne (Karlsthron)
- See the Choir of Aachen Cathedral – remains of Charlemagne in the Karlsschrein reliquary
- Aachen Cathedral Treasury
- Top Sights and Christmas Market in Aachen
- Relax in the Carolus Thermen hot water day spa
- Transportation to Aachen in Germany
- Transportation to Maastricht-Aachen Airport (MST)
- Transportation timetables to Aachen on Trainline or Deutsche Bahn
- Book hotels in Aachen on Booking.
- More photos on Flickr.