An Oasis in Bucharest: A Day at Therme Spa

With Eastern European roots, I had always wanted to visit this part of the world. I was living the student life in Rome over a chilly winter and decided to meet my older cousin for a trip to a country neither one of us had been to before.

She was Traveling from London, and I was coming from Italy, so we decided to meet up in Romania. We flew into Bucharest and had three days to explore before flying back to our respective homes.

The highlight of the trip, and a deciding factor in why we chose to visit Bucharest in the first place, was Therme Spa. Located just north of the city’s main airport, just a half-hour drive from the center of Bucharest, Therme is Europe’s biggest spa and wellness center. But it’s not just its size that impresses; it’s the concept of the spa as a whole.

It’s basically a vast indoor warehouse with various areas dedicated to different relaxation techniques and activities. Not only is it home to 9 pools, 6 saunas, and plenty of waterslides, it’s also packed with live plants and is classified as Romania’s largest indoor botanical garden.

The spa is a judgment-free space where you can visit for a seriously chilled relaxation experience or a family-friendly day of fun. It’s as exciting for young kids as it is for spa lovers. While it is an epic place for self-care, don’t expect an intimate experience.

Even though it’s large enough to accommodate large groups without feeling too cramped, the spa can get pretty busy.

How to Get to Therme Bucuresti

Bucharest is a conveniently small city, which makes it super easy to get around. The spa is located just north of the city center, close to the airport. If you catch an Uber or Bolt from downtown Bucharest, it’s a half-hour drive. This trip should cost between $17 to $25. Beware of taxis trying to make a buck from tourists! Don’t pay more than $25 for this journey.

Another option is to catch bus number 783 from the center to Pod Baneasa Station, where you will then need to switch to bus 442 and take it to the end of the line. Another option is to catch the TFC Airport train and transfer to bus 442 at Otopeni Airport. This journey should take between 50 minutes and an hour and cost less than $2 per direction.

The spa is open Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 11 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to midnight, and Sundays from 9 am to 11 pm. I highly recommend staying until closing, enjoying a drink at one of the pool bars, and watching the interior space switch from a daytime greenhouse to an atmospheric setting with galaxy lighting and propane fires. Just remember that some facilities close 30 minutes before the official closing time.

Pro Tip: As soon as you arrive, try to find yourself a lounger. Despite there being tons of loungers, they fill up very fast. I recommend putting your towel down and wandering off to explore the spa, returning to your lounger occasionally to relax. This is especially useful if you visit with friends, as the lounger can serve as your ‘home base’.

Admission Fees and Time Slots

My one fault with the spa was its complicated entrance fees. The spa has three main sections, each with different entrance fees. Typically speaking, entrance starts at around $13 for three hours’ access to Galaxy (the child-friendly zone) and goes up to $36 for a full-day pass with access to Elysium (the most elite zone).

Prices vary depending on the zones you wish to use and how long you plan to spend in the spa. You can also pay for additional extras, including skip-the-line access, 30 minutes of extra time, and upgrades from one zone to another. The prices are all clearly laid out on the Therme Bucuresti website.

Note that it is slightly more expensive to visit during weekends and school holidays. Kids pay less than adults, and there are special discounts for students and seniors, too.

Once inside, paying for things is seamless and uncomplicated. Your admission will be loaded onto an electronic wristband, which allows you to enjoy the day without worrying about carrying or exchanging cash. Each wristband has a number that can unlock a private locker, where you can store your personal belongings without risking losing a key in the pool.

The Galaxy Zone

As mentioned, the spa is split into three main zones. The Galaxy is the family-friendly part of Therme, where waterslides crisscross one another above a huge shallow pool. This section has a wave pool, an outdoor pool with a bar, and a sandy beach that emulates a tropical scene open during summer only.

There are three main slides here: the Galaxy Slide, the Pulsar Slide, and the Andromeda Slide – the latter two require an iNFLatable to ride. One of my favorite sections of The Galaxy is the Oriental Garden and Rain Garden. There is also a Salt Library, which is built from bricks of Himalayan salt designed for aerosol therapy.

The Palm Zone

I spent most of my time in The Palm. Arguably, the most popular adult-only zone, the Palm, is centered around a massive greenhouse with the main indoor pool. Below towering palm trees, you can soak in a Jacuzzi, dip into three different mineral pools, and enjoy a wet sauna.

I spent a lot of time in the smaller mineral pools to feel the different effects of the water on my body. The lithium pool and the Calcium and Magnesium pool were my favorites.

This main pool is connected to an outdoor pool with a corridor that keeps the cold out during winter. Although it wasn’t running when I visited, there is a ‘Crazy River’ here, which twirls you through the pool like an ocean riptide would.

Pro Tip: Every few hours, the main pool turns into an Aqua Gym led by a trained instructor. Find out the time slots for gym sessions the day you visit and give a pool workout a try!

The Elysium Zone

The Elysium Zone is the most luxurious of the three. If you enjoy saunas, this area has themed saunas, a mineral pool, and several quiet spaces.

Among the themed saunas, there is an Amazonian-inspired sauna, a French Provance-themed sauna with aromatherapy offerings, and a moody Turkish Alhambra sauna where Aufguss sessions are performed. Elysium also has a Himalayan sauna with walls made entirely from blocks of pink Himalayan salt, a Bavarian Sauna, and even a Hollywood-themed sauna, which is pretty much a cinema and a sauna all in one.

Dining at the Spa

If your stomach starts rumbling, there are some great dining options to quench your apPetite at Therme.

In the Galaxy Zone, you can treat your kids to sweet treats at the Snacks and Sweets Corner. Greens Restaurant is a great family-friendly restaurant set amongst a Palm Garden that serves burgers, salads, and pasta dishes.

The Palm Zone is home to the iconic Palm Pool Bar, which is the best spot to enjoy your favorite cocktail submerged in the warm waters. We ordered a bunch of drinks at sunset and sipped cocktails as we watched the lights turn on around the spa.

When the weather allows, the Sands of Therme Pool Bar is another submerged bar located in the outdoor section of the pool. Humboldt Restaurant is one of the largest at Therme, offering high-end international cuisine with a sushi bar, Mediterranean seafood section, and American steak options.
I ordered a classic Pad Thai for just $7. The most expensive thing on this menu is the Caribbean Seafood Platter for just $15. It’s a steal!

Lastly, you’ll find a fine dining restaurant called The Mango Tree in Elysium. They serve Asian-fusion dishes that will make you feel like you’re in the tropics. Compared with other dining options, this is the most expensive option.

However, it’s still reasonably priced for such high-quality food. If you’re a seafood fan like me, try the Lobster Risotto for $40.

What to Pack for Your Day at the Spa

While the spa offers many facilities (showers, changing rooms, lockers), there are a few items you could bring along to make your experience a bit more affordable. You are expected to bring your own swimsuit and flip-flops. I didn’t have flip-flops with me (it was the middle of winter in Eastern Europe, after all), so I had to buy them at the spa for $6.

You’ll also need a towel, which can be rented at the reception desk for $6. A robe is not necessary, but it really does add to the experience. These can also be rented for the duration of your visit for $7.

If you visit during summer, sunscreen is a must for the outdoor pools. I also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Pro Tip: While I recommend you leave all your belongings in the locker rooms, there is free Wi-Fi around the main pools. So, if you need to tend to some emails, you can do so on the loungers. That said, Therme is a bit strict with using phones or cameras inside the pool.