Therme Erding purports to be the largest thermal bath complex in Europe at 36 acres. It is located 30 minutes northeast of Munich by car and is visited by around 4000 people every day.
According to information on Wikipedia, this megabathmetropolis had unlikely beginnings.  In 1983, Texaco drilled 7,710 ft below ground just outside the town of Erding, Bavaria, Germany.
Instead of oil, they discovered sulphorous water.
Initially a ‘mini thermal bath complex’ was constructed on the site, and then the foundation stone of Therme Erding was laid in November 1998 and was officially opened in 1999. The complex has a clothed bathing area, and a clothing-optional sauna section.
In 2007, the waterslide section “Galaxy” opened, making it one of the biggest indoor waterslide parks in Europe. The newly expanded “Saunaparadies”, with an area of 139,000 sq ft, became the largest sauna complex in the world. In total, Therme Erding is 1,560,000 sq ft and more than €100 million has been invested in it.
1 thought on “World’s Largest Sauna”
If you ever get four or so free hours in Munich, I highly recommend Therme Erding. I used to travel to Germany regularly, and I timed my flights so that I could spend my layover here after the flight and before my meetings. At €30 for a 3-hour weekend day admission, you definitely want to give yourself the time to enjoy it.
A major correction: The sauna section is not clothing optional. It is “textilfrei,” meaning no swimsuits are allowed. You can keep yourself wrapped in a towel, but you will be the exception. If you are really shy, the original sauna area is now part of the pool area and is swimsuits required.
The sauna in the photo is their “Celtic Throne Sauna” which must seat 100 people. On a busy weekend day, being in there for an “aufguss” ceremony is quite a sight.