This honest review of the Therme Bucharest contains affiliate links.
The thermal spa in Bucharest – officially known as the Therme Bucharest – is one of the Romanian capital’s biggest attractions.
A Goliath of a spa, this enormous complex dwarfs anything you might find elsewhere. Featuring three distinct areas – the Palm, the Elysium, and the Galaxy section – this centre of relaxation entices visitors from across Europe; often welcoming guests for entire weekends.
In fact, and situated just 10 minutes from Bucharest’s Otopeni Airport, many bypass the city altogether – instead taking a taxi directly to the Therme’s mineral rich pools.
Add to this its cheap price – just £29 for a day’s visit – and the spa has become something of a viral sensation. I’ve lost count of the number of TikToks I’ve watched featuring influencers swimming through its pale blue water pools, declaring a trip here (flights included), to be cheaper than any other UK spa break.
A little intoxicated by all these videos, and the fact a visit would cost us less than £30, we decided to include a visit to the Therme Bucharest in our own group tour to Romania.
After a week of exploring Transylvania, we returned, a little weary and pale skinned (Dracula’s castle will have that effect), to Bucharest – ready for a day of relaxation and rejuvenation.
But, did our visit live up to expectations? Is it worth visiting the Therme Bucharest? Is it really as good as they say?
Sadly, for us, our experience was a bit of a disappointment – in fact, we left early. For more details on why, below is my honest review of the Therme Bucharest.
Is the Therme Bucharest Part of a Chain?
Yes. The Therme Group is actually a German-owned company, that has spas across Europe. Although their thermal spa in Bucharest is easily their largest and most popular, you can also visit their other wellbeing offspring in locations such as Manchester, Ontario and (in the near future) South Korea.
A brief look at their website suggests the Therme Group will not rest until they have dominated the global spa market – bringing state-of-the-art spa experiences to countries and resorts across the world.
From this perspective, the Therme Bucharest is perhaps less a heritage piece – e.g. a resort drawing on genuine Romanian wellness traditions – and more just a mega bucks enterprise (something to keep in mind as you read this honest review of the Therme Bucharest).
What Facilities are at the Therme Bucharest?
First up, what facilities does the therme spa in Bucharest have? Given the hype, they must be pretty extensive – right?
Well, yes. The Bucharest’s thermal spa is a veritable temple of facilities – aimed at couples, individuals and – crucially – children (more on this later). This spa has a 4,000-capacity, 10 pools, Romania’s largest sauna complex and Europe’s biggest urban beach.
Therme Bucharest is, quite simply, the Orlando Studios of spas.
Divided into three different areas, you can meander through this spa whilst experiencing every facet of wellness – from lounging with a cocktail by the outdoor pool, to watching David Attenborough documentaries inside a magnificently sized sauna.
The Palm
This area is aimed at relaxation, all whilst channelling exotic, far-off island vibes. Expect glass domed ceilings, towering palm trees aplenty, and access to ever-flowing Pina Coladas. This section includes:
- Large indoor and outdoor thermal pools with mineral-rich water
- A tropical garden with over 1,500 palm trees and exotic plants
- Pool bars serving cocktails
- Hydromassage beds and water jets
The Elysium
This is the area you’ll come to experience plenty of wellness treatments and experiences. These include:
- Multiple themed saunas (Himalayan salt, herbal and infrared)
- ‘Fine dining’ restaurant overlooking the pools (more on this later)
- Holistic shower experiences
Galaxy Area
Unlike other spas, the Therme Bucharest is very much geared towards children. Indeed, attached to it is a giant water park – filled with a labrynth of twisting slides and echoing with the screams of over-excited kids.
Kids are therefore very much welcome at the Therme Bucharest, however, only in certain areas. Children over 3 are not allowed in The Palm area and no children under 14 are allowed in the Elysium section.
The Galaxy area has more than enough to entertain them, though, with a wave pool, slides and some relaxation pools (for those parents unable to access the other sections).
Outdoor Area
Alongside the spa’s indoor areas, the Therme Bucharest also boasts plenty of outdoor areas – including beautifully and carefully curated gardens. As it was late autumn when we visited, we didn’t explore these spots- but it would be lovely to wander through them during the summer months.
These include the Feng Shui Park, the Pangea Park and The Island – a small circle of land surrounded by the outdoor pools, perfect for sunbathing and swinging in one of its many hammocks.
There are also plenty of outdoor bars and terraces to eat at, alongside outdoor kids’ areas – including a pool and garden.
Are there Restaurants at the Therme Bucharest?
Yes, there are plenty of places to eat at Bucharest’s thermal spa.
In total, there are 8 restaurants to grab food or drink, whether that be in a seated restaurant, at a buffet style eatery, or just a bar to grab a drink.
Our favourite was definitely the Mango Tree Restaurant, which serves up genuinely delicious Thai food and beers.
However one thing to note, we did find a lot of the poolside bars were shut during our visit, which was a little annoying – and it meant we had to join long queues to get even a bottle of water.
Is there Accommodation at the Therma Spa Bucharest?
As the thermal spa in Bucharest is considered a day spa, there is no onsite accommodation.
However, as the spa is only 10 minutes from the airport, and 30 minutes from Bucharest city centre, there are plenty of hotels nearby to stay at.
What are the Nearest Hotels to Therme Bucharest?
Near Otopeni Airport
- Vienna House Easy Airport Bucharest – 4-star, modern & comfy
- Hilton Garden Inn Otopeni – great amenities & shuttle service
- Hotel Aviator Boutique – a stylish boutique hotel that is super cosy
In Bucharest
- Radisson Blu Hotel – luxury stay with a spa & casino
- InterContinental Athénée Palace – 5-star experience in the heart of the city
- Moxy Bucharest Old Town – a fun, trendy, and budget-friendly option
How Much are Tickets for Therme Bucharest?
There is no denying it – the Therme Bucharest is incredible value.
You can buy tickets for each individual area, which also provides you with a little more flexibility in how you spend your time and money. In terms of length of time, you can pay for a few different sessions: a 3 hour pass, a full day pass, or just the evening spa hours (Monday – Thursday and after 6.30pm), with each coming in at a different price.
If you want to have access to all three areas (like we did), then you’ll need to purchase the Elysium option – the most expensive. That said, this is roughly £28 (excluding treatments), which I think is genuinely brilliant value.
For the other individual areas, you’ll pay less:
Galaxy Area
- 3-Hour Pass – £10
- Full-Day Pass – £18
The Palm Area
- 3-Hour Pass – £12.50
- Full-Day Pass – £24
Deals and Discounts for Therme Bucharest
There are some great discounts and deals to be had a Therme Bucharest. These include: ‘morning specials’, for those arriving before 11.30am on a weekday and staying just 3.5 hours, a ‘partner hotel package’ – collaborating with the nearby Epoque Hotel, and a great GetYourGuide deal that includes entry tickets with transportation.
Honest Review of the Therme Bucharest: What I Liked
So far, the Therme Bucharest seems a great deal. Cheap, enormous and offering plenty to do – including innovative wellness features – there is not much to complain about.
In many respects, I agree – and there were plenty of things we did think were pretty great about the place. Below is what we were unimpressed by during our day trip to Therme Bucharest.
1. Incredible Value
As mentioned above, the Therme Bucharest is ridiculously good value – a veritable bargain, in fact.
Considering that a spa day in the UK (visiting a pretty middle-of-the-lane spa) costs around £85, often without treatments, the fact you can enter this oasis of a building for less than £30 is incredible. Add to this the cheap flight to Bucharest (Ryanair offers direct flights, starting as low as £14.99) and things are looking pretty rosy.
It might just be true what they say – it theoretically could be cheaper to go and spend a day at the Therme Bucharest, than it is to check in at your local Champneys.
In terms of how much the treatments cost at Therme Spa Bucharest, I’d say they are reasonably priced. Although we didn’t actually get any treatments during our visit (more on this later), I saw a massage being advertised at around £40 – a pretty sweet deal.
2. Easy to Reach
The location of the Therme Bucharest is ideal.
Although it might perhaps be easier if it was located in the city centre itself (therefore walkable from your accomodation), the sheer size of the thing immediately suggests that this was never going to be an option.
Instead, it’s set a little out of the city, very close to the airport. We actually headed there straight from our flight back from Bucharest from Cluj Napoca (after enjoying our Transylvanian road trip).
It took about 5 minutes to get there from the airport – it really was so speedy.
In terms of how to get to Therme Bucharest from the city, the spa is located around 25km north of Bucharest’s centre. To get there you can:
Free Shuttle Bus: handily, Therme Bucharest provides a free shuttle service departing from Piața Romană in the city center. The shuttle operates every two hours and is easily identifiable by its big ‘Therme’ sign on the windshield. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
Public Bus: If you miss the shuttle bus, there is also the STB bus line 442, which has a stop at the airport. Buses run daily, running approximately every 20 minutes. A single ride costs a tiny 3 RON (less than £1).
Taxi: taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are really easy to get in Bucharest, with fares averaging around 80-120 RON for a one-way trip. The drive takes around half an hour.
3. Wristband Technology
When it comes to this honest review of the Therme Bucharest, one thing I really wanted to celebrate was the spa’s use of technology to enhance your visit.
As soon as you arrive at the spa, you’ll be given a wristband, loaded up with your relevant personal details. This wristband will cover three aspects of your trip – entry (it’s preloaded to know which areas you can access and those you can’t), your locker access (one is automatically assigned to your wristband) and it allows you to make cashless payments throughout your visit.
Importantly, it also tracks how long you’re in the spa for. If you exceed your time, a fine will automatically be added.
At the end of your stay, you just need to head to the kiosks close to the entrance, scan your wristband and your final total will appear. You can then make your payment via your bank card (there are also ATMs inside the Therme Bucharest).
This whole process was such a revelation and made getting into the spa, the areas and paying for things such a smooth process.
4. Innovative Wellness Attractions
When it comes to reasons to visit the Therme Bucharest, one is definitely just how original and innovative its wellness attractions are.
When I visit a spa, I usually expect to come across the same old crowd – a sauna here, a steam room there. Possibly an ice-cold plunge pool and a jacuzzi.
By contrast, the Therme Bucharest is like Disney World Orlando – a place where every conceivable wellness attraction resides under one roof. Furthermore, these attractions are all genuinely novel and offer a really exciting spa experience.
This was the first time, in a long time, I felt like I visited a spa that did things a little differently. We really enjoyed all of the 10 ‘themed’ saunas, including the Hollywood Sauna (featuring a vast, cinematic screen, playing films), the Bavarian sauna (which mimicked the traditional beer sauna experience, with hops and malt scents) and the Alhambra Sauna, which was a little like being back in Seville.
The infrared beds and hydromassage beds were also a treat – although they were very busy and it was hard to get a spot. We also loved the Calla Shower, which sprayed a lovely refreshing mist and warm water droplets for relaxation.
Probably my favourite feature at Therme Bucharest were the mineral pools, which were bathed in sunlight. These included a selenium and zinc pool, and a lithium pool (which I sort of hoped might solve my long-standing anxiety).
5. Aufguss Rituals
Leading on from these innovative wellness attractions is the fact that each sauna also offers a mysterious, yet oddly relaxing, ceremony – the ‘Aufgass ritual’.
Led by the cult-like ‘Aufgussmeister’ – a trained sauna master – the spa runs these steamy rituals throughout the day, across many of the 10 themed saunas. Meant to enhance your sauna experience, you can opt to try a number of different rituals, including the Ice & Fire Aufguss (which alternates between extreme heat and cooling ice elements) and the ‘classic Aufgass’, which is gentler and features the Aufgussmeister gently fanning the heat.
By far our favourite were the aromatherapy rituals, which, dependent on the sauna you were in, supplied beautiful smelling essential oils, including eucalyptus, lavender and citrus.
Even better, the aufguss rituals at the Therme Bucharest are all free to attend- which I think is a total bargain.
6. Amazing for Kids
While spas and children don’t usually get along, Therme Bucharest is an exception.
Its Galaxy section is, in effect, a giant water park – with a mineral pool or two thrown in. This is definitely designed for families and includes the largest indoor slide system in Europe, with 16 different slides (differing in speed, height and intensity).
For the big kids amongst you, there are also plenty of adrenaline-inducing slides, including the ‘Rocket’ – which features a moment of free fall, alongside more PG rated experiences, such as the ‘Magic Tunnel’.
Alongside the slides, there is also a lazy river, a wave pool, and indoor and outdoor thermal pools (for parents to hopefully have a peaceful soak in). Family restaurants can also be found in this area, including the Humboldt Terrace.
Honest Review of the Therme Bucharest: What I Didn’t Like
There is clearly a lot to like about the spa in Bucharest. It’s incredible value and has a dizzying number of steamy, health-inspired attractions.
However, and if I am being brutally honest, we really didn’t have an amazing time when we visited. In fact, we left nearly two hours early. Below is why I think the Therme Spa Bucharest is overhyped and overcrowded (sorry).
1. Unbelievably Busy and Crowded
When researching our own visit to the Therme Bucharest, Instagram and TikTok served us endless videos of girls gliding through ice-blue waters, as serene music played. Other guests, if there were any, appeared few and far between.
It looked heavenly, peaceful and far from busy.
Our experience, unfortunately, could not have been more different.
Now, I should caveat what I am about to say with the fact that our visit coincided with Romania’s half term holiday. As such, and perhaps to be expected, there were more visitors than there would be during term time.
However, the number of people was, quite simply, ridiculous – and it really impacted our experience of the spa.
When we went to our lockers, we noticed that they went up to number 5,000 (although the spa itself has, they claim, a capacity of 4,000 people). Unfortunately for us, it felt as though all 4,000 people, if not more, had descended on the spa at the same time.
It was utter chaos.
Although we breezed through reception and collected our wristbands with ease, once we hit the main thermal pool, we were confronted with a wall of people. We arrived early, around 9.30am, but already, by 10am, all the loungers and seats downstairs were taken. Upstairs, all the infrared beds were gone, along with the hydrotherapy beds.
There were queues, everywhere. It was 11 couples deep at the swim up bar and just as bad everywhere else.
We also had to queue to get into saunas and when we did get in, we were often shoe-horned inside amongst the crowds. Furthermore, attendants would sporadically appear to scowl and remind us to keep our feet off the benches.
All free space, apart from that outside ( it was late October, so pretty cold), was taken and it was hard to know where to go to relax.
For a bit of fun – and with everywhere else full – we decided to try the water slides, so headed to the Galaxy area. It was an enormous mistake as the place was absolutely heaving and it took nearly 45 minutes to queue for one slide. I have my own child, so I’m not opposed to kids, but I have never seen so many in one place – running, jumping, pushing in and shouting.
It was carnage and I actually left before I had a chance to try a slide.
As a result, our restful, peaceful spa break was actually like a trip to Centre Parcs during peak time – an onslaught of people, families and queues everywhere. Add to this just how hot it was in there and we all came out feeling exhausted, a bit sick and far from rested.
It really was a complete let down – something I’m sad to have to say in this honest review of the Therme Bucharest.
2. No Access to Treatments
Another major gripe I had with the Bucharest thermal spa was the complete lack of access to treatments.
Frustratingly, you cannot book your treatments ahead of time and instead need to head straight to the treatments desk upon arrival.
As I mentioned above, we arrived early, around 9.30am, and already all the treatments for the day were gone. I have no idea who managed to get them, or what you need to do to secure your spot, but the fact they were sold out so early was incredibly disappointing.
Again, this might be due to the fact the spa was just so busy thanks to the school holidays, and perhaps you’d have better luck if you visited during term time. That said, for a spa willing to welcome 4,000 people a day, it really should do better when making these treatments available, or improve their booking system.
Being able to book a treatment for a spa day is pretty fundamental, so this really lets the side down, in my opinion.
3. Limited Toilet Access
Imagine 4,000 people in a spa and the scantest of toilet provisions – that’s what the reality is at Therme Bucharest.
Except, dear reader, it gets worse. Alongside what seemed to be just a smattering of toilets on each floor, as the day progressed, more and more of these said toilets were shut due to maintenance issues.
At one point, there were 6 toilets working on the ground floor – and the queues for the women’s toilets were absolutely ridiculous.
Again, hopping from foot to foot, whilst waiting to use a crowded loo, is far from a relaxing or tranquil experience.
4. Terrible Dining Experience
So, let me (again) caveat this by saying that this was probably just an issue due to the crowds. Furthermore, when we did receive our food, it was absolutely brilliant – a quality, delicious meal that easily beat any other spa meal experience (usually a limp salad and a perfunctory glass of warm fizz).
However, it took nearly 90 minutes for us to get our food, once we had ordered it.
Having had a quick glance around the buffet style restaurant (queues, queues and more queues), we thought we might get a bit of a more relaxed, less frenetic, experience at one of the seated restaurants. We went for the Thai restaurant, as we had heard good things about it and queued for around 20 minutes to get a table.
Eventually, once we had our table, we ordered almost immediately, before sitting back to wait.
And wait.
Nearly 90 minutes later our food arrived. It was honestly the longest I have ever waited for food and while it was genuinely lovely, we were all tired, starving and a bit miffed by the time it arrived.
I understand it was busy, but the restaurant and kitchen clearly could not cope with the numbers and we saw many people simply walk out, before their food arrived (something I have to mention in this honest review of the Therme Bucharest).
Honest Review of the Therme Bucharest: Verdict
I really wanted to love our visit to Bucharest’s Thermal Spa. TikTok had promised excellent value, vast empty pools and access to cutting-edge treatments. It’s this that we had in mind as we hurried through its vast entrance.
However, and as this honest review of the Therme Bucharest suggests, this was far from the reality we experienced.
Instead, we visited what in reality felt like a glorified water park. It was packed to the rafters, the Galaxy zone was utter mayhem, and we could not get access to a toilet, let alone a treatment.
I completely appreciate that all of this may simply be due to just how busy that particular day was, however, I’m not completely sure this justifies our experience.
If the bosses at the Therme Group want to offer such a grand, enormous spa experience, then they have to ensure that it can actually cater and deliver a good, consistent experience to their (4,000 or so) daily customers. From my experience, this is far from the case, and instead crowds are accepted into the spa with little thought to how this actually impacts their day.
It feels a little money-grabbing, to be honest.
Ultimately, I think that while Therme Bucharest has the potential to be an incredible wellness retreat, our experience left much to be desired. The sheer volume of visitors made it feel chaotic rather than relaxing, and the lack of accessible facilities, treatments, and decent service only added to this growing sense of disappointment.
Perhaps on a quieter day, it could live up to the hype—but as it stands, the spa’s ambition seems to have outgrown its ability to deliver a consistently enjoyable experience. For those seeking true relaxation and high-quality service, I’d perhaps think twice before assuming Therme Bucharest is the tranquil escape that social media promises.
(Or, at the very least, book mid-week, during term time, when you will at least get a lounger).