Relax in the Carolus Therme Hot Water Day Spa in Aachen

The Carolus Therme in Aachen is a large baby-free day spa with several warm water thermal pools, saunas, massages and beauty treatments.

Carolus Therme Aachen Thermal Bath — Carolus Therme Aachen Day Spa © Bernd Stuhlmann

The Carolus Therme is a large, modern day spa in the German city Aachen. The main draws 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 Therme day spa is within easy reach of other cities such as Cologne, Maastricht, and Brussels, whether driving or using public transportation.

The Carolus Therme Day Spa in Aachen

Carolus Thermen Day Spa in Aachen Entrance — Carolus Therma © Olaf Rohl

The Romans already enjoyed the warm mineral waters of Aachen and Charlemagne famously had his palace (and now even more famous church) built here in part due to the presence of the hot water. However, the current Carolus Therme is a modern facility with all the latest day spa facilities.

The Carolus Therme day spa is divided into four sections: the Thermal World (Thermalwelt), Sauna World (Saunawelt), Indulgence World (Verwöhnwelt), and Gourmet World (Schlemmerwelt). The sauna world is completely nude (FKK / Textilfrei) while swimming clothes are obligatory in the thermal baths.

The Thermalwelt Hot Water Pools in Aachen

The Thermalwelt with its various thermal baths are the main draw for visitors to the Carolus Therme 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 Carolus spa has five interior baths with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 46°C. The main pool is 34°C. 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 weather allows.

Free aqua gymnastics are offered up to six times per day but only once on weekends.

Due to the high mineral contents of the water, children under six are not allowed into the day spa at all.

The Saunawelt Saunas at Carolus Therme Day Spa

Carolus Therme Saunawelt — Saunawelt © Olaf Rohl

The sauna world of the Carolus Therme day spa has 15 different saunas and steam rooms, a sauna lake, and Japanese garden.

The sauna world is divided in further sections and spread over several floors:

The Baltic Sauna landscape has two dry saunas (70 – 100°C).
The Sauna Garden has four further saunas (60-100°C) and a warm outdoor pool.
The Oriental World of Baths has eight steam rooms or hamam stations
The Feminarium has a further sauna and steam room open to woman only

As is the common practice in Germany, the sauna area is completely in the nude and genders are mixed. Robes or towels may be used when moving between saunas.

Spa Treatments at the Carolus Therme

The Carolus Therme offers the full range of typical day spa treatments to visitors – not all require admission fees to the rest of the spa. In addition to massages and beauty treatments, private Jacuzzis are also available.

Spa treatments are best reserved in advance but may also be booked on arrival if appointments are still available.

Gourmet World at the Carolus Therme

The Gourmet World of the Carolus Therme has three separate restaurants:

The Bella Vista offers light meals and snacks with views of the main pool.
The Lemon Grass offers Asian and European dishes and is only open to visitors of the sauna world.
Mediterraneo serves Mediterranean food and is also accessible to diners not visiting the spa. A beer garden opens when weather allows.

Opening Hours and Prices for the Carolus Therme

The Carolus Therme day spa in Aachen is open every day of the year from 9 am to 11 pm – shorter hours may apply over major holidays.

Admission to the Carolus Therme is priced according to the time spent in the day spa. Prices range from €11 for 2.5 hours to €15 for the whole day. Prices on weekend are €1 more per person.

Admission to the sauna world is double the standard thermal baths fee. 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.

Transportation to the Carolus Therme in Aachen

The Carolus Therme is to the northeast of the town center of Aachen on the edge of the Stadtgarden (city garden park) at Passstr 79. If arriving from outside Aachen by car, exit the Autobahn at “Aachen Zentrum / Würselen”. Ample parking (€2.50) is available in the Carolus Therme parking garage.

The spa can be reached on foot from the town center or on bus 31 or 51 – the Carolus Therme bus stop is directly in front of the spa. A special “Ticket to Wellness” can be bought on the bus – these give slight discounts and include return bus transportation plus 2.5 hours admission to the day spa. (Additional time or admission to the sauna world can be added at the spa.)

Aachen is the westernmost city in Germany and most famous for the Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom) that 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.