Your complete guide to Therme Bucharest – Bucharest’s wonderful thermal baths!
Last updated on July 30th, 2026 at 02:44 pm
Looking for a relaxing escape in Bucharest? Then Therme Bucharest is what you are looking for. It is one of Europe’s biggest wellness and thermal spa centres, with a myriad of tropical-warmth pools, saunas, and steam rooms.
It is a great place to spend a few hours to a day if you really just want to chill! It is also a great option to relax prior to an afternoon or evening flight out of Bucharest!
So whether you’re visiting Bucharest for a few days or planning a spa day during your Romania trip, this guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Therme Bucharest, from tickets and facilities to tips for making the most of your visit.
Contents
How do I get to Therme Bucharest?
What are my options at Therme Bucharest?
What does it cost to enter the thermal baths in Bucharest?
Can I store my luggage while I swim?
When is the best time to go to Therme Bucharest?
What do I need to bring to Therme Bucharest?
Is there food and drink available?
What else is there to do in Bucharest?
Summary – the thermal baths in Bucharest!
Trip Planning Checklist
These are the booking platforms I personally use for all my travels. If you book through these affiliate links, it helps support this site and keeps me producing free travel guides – at absolutely no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for the support! Cheers!
All in one – if you want to book flights and accommodation as a package, use expedia
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Tours and Activities – book with Viator or GetYourGuide. My top picks for Therme Bucharest are:
- A full day at the Elysium (top zone) experience – with transfer
- 4.5 hours in the Galaxy and Palm areas – with transfer
- An evening trip to enjoy the Galaxy and Palm areas with transfer – the perfect way to end a day!
Car rental – I usually use DiscoverCars
Insurance – I usually use EKTA , but another good option, especially if you are from the US is SafetyWing. EKTA works well as they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is often my first option for buses, ferries and trains – they are expanding worldwide but are very strong in Asia. They cover parts of Europe like Germany and France, and Australia and Latin America – especially Argentina.
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
What is Therme Bucharest?
A huge thermal pool complex complete with hundreds of (real) palm trees and greenery, and a waterslide park. For thermal baths, its a big complex but very clean and enjoyable!
It has hot pools, steam rooms, thermal lamp beds, and very comfy lying chairs / beds set among the tropical palm themed indoor dome. There are also add on extras like surprisingly good food and, of course, massages!
How do I get to Therme Bucharest?
From the city
The downside of the thermal baths in Bucharest? Its not so easy to get there. Either take a taxi or uber but note its half an hour trip, or take the 442 bus, or take a train to the airport and then the 442 bus – which is what I did as the 442 bus isn’t easy to access in the city!
The easiest way to get there is actually by booking a ticket and transfer deal. For example,
- A full day at the Elysium (top zone) experience – with transfer
- 4.5 hours in the Galaxy and Palm areas – with transfer
- An evening trip to enjoy the Galaxy and Palm areas with transfer – the perfect way to end a day!
But you can take buses. Get the metro or an uber to the Piața Presei and the 442 goes to the baths from there (or from the airport – see below). Or take an uber / taxi to get there and just get a ticket ahead to avoid the queues!
To and from the airport
From the airport to the thermal baths (which are actually near the airport not the city) catch the 442 bus it picks you up at departures not arrivals! There is a ticket counter outside the arrivals terminal near the bus stop. Its around 6 lei for two trips on the bus.
To the airport catch the 442 again. It will drop you off at arrivals and you need to walk around to departures!
What are my options at Therme Bucharest?
There are three areas at Therme Bucharest:
Elysium (adults only), The Palm (14+) and Galaxy (anyone).
- Elysium – an adult only zone that offers a more peaceful space as well as a range of saunas not available in the other areas. It has a sunset roof deck and other lounges and restaurants as well as the pools.
- The Palm – this area allows only 14 years and up and has a sauna area and indoor and outdoor mineral pools. More peaceful than the Galaxy area.
- Galaxy – an area with masses of water slides for the kids, an outdoor pool, steam rooms, and indoor thermal pools. If you don’t want to be near the noise and chaos of the waterslides there is an area near the steam rooms away from it all and amongst the palms – but get there early!
You can get tickets that give you access for 3 hours, 4.5 hours or whole day. I highly recommend 4.5 hours or a full day – take a book!
Note: If you get a 3 or 4.5 hour ticket and decide to stay longer you can. They charge you when you leave 8 lei per half hour extra.
What does it cost to enter the thermal baths in Bucharest?
If you go alone, ticket prices depend on which zone option you take and how long you stay. Check the price list here. You can choose between either:
- 3 hours – in either the Galaxy or the Palm or the Elysium
- 4.5 hours – in either the Galaxy or the Palm or the Elysium
- All day – in either the Galaxy or the Palm or the Elysium
- Evening – in either the Galaxy or the Palm or the Elysium
There are senior, child and student prices which are lower than these standard adult prices.
Its good to note that it is also cheaper mid week than weekends and public holidays!
Can I store my luggage while I swim?
If you go to the thermal baths straight from the plane, or just before your flight out, there is a storage room for your luggage with no extra charge. Just ask where it is and store your gear. I did and had no problems. Big bonus!
When is the best time to go to Therme Bucharest?
I’ll start with when not to go to the thermal baths in Bucharest!
Do not go in weekends or on public holidays unless you are ok with crowds. Read the TripAdvisor reviews and you will see a lot of people disappointed mainly because they went at these times!
If you do go at these times, then arrive early – at opening time. Find yourself a lounger / bed as quickly as possible and away from the noisy areas so you can relax even when it fills up with masses of people!
I had not realized it was a holiday when I decided to go. As soon as I found out, I booked to go very early and it was great. People didn’t arrive much until after 10 but by then I had my bed lounger all set up, hidden away from the noisy area and behind a palm, and was already very chill! These photos are taken at its busiest in the Galaxy area – so its not going to get worse than that!
Do go mid-week and not on a holiday. this way you will get to really relax at these beautiful thermal baths in Bucharest!
If you visit mid-week and not on a holiday then don’t stress too much about when you arrive, although early is good for the best choice of lounger! Alternatively come at night. I didn’t do this and wish I had been able to as it looks pretty lovely!
What do I need to bring to Therme Bucharest?
You must have a towel and footwear – like flip flops or crocs. Its a good idea to bring a bathrobe or extra towel too. I would also bring at least a large bottle of water, and if you are staying the day – a good book!
You can rent a towel or a bath robe, and buy flip-flops. But this is quite pricey so remember to bring your own.
What happens when you arrive at Therme Bucharest?
There may or may not be a long queue – buy your ticket in advance.
Once you have paid for your allotted time or shown y our ticket, you receive a wristband which has a number for your locker for your clothes and valuables. Unfortunately, if there are two or more of you, you are unlikely to get lockers next to each other or in the same area.
Go through to the changing rooms and find your locker. There are masses of private changing rooms and you should not have to wait for one – they will be right by your locker. Leave your money and cards in your locker – you use your bracelet to purchase any food or drinks etc.
Take your towel and flipflops / crocs and shower and go!
Is there food and drink available?
Yes there are swim up bars serving everything from sodas, to shakes, to alcohol. There are also cafes and restaurant areas with a very wide range of food options. You can bring your own but there is no real need. Although the quality of the food wont be the highest you ever have, its ok.
Note: You use your wristband to put the food and drinks on your bill and pay when you leave so you do not need to carry cash or cards with you.
What else is there to do in Bucharest?
Bucharest is a little gem with a lot of surprises. Its Old Town is full of fascinating buildings and museums, the relics of the communism era are fascinating, and the cafes and nightlife are both lively and welcoming. Bucharest also offers great day trips into the countryside of Romania and the land of Dracula!
For details of what to do for the rest of your time in Bucharest, read 48 hours in Bucharest – here’s what you can do!
Where to stay in Bucharest
Book a hotel with booking.com or a hostel – Hostelworld.
Near Therme Bucharest (and the airport if you have an early flight out), there are plenty of options with high review ratings. These are some of the top choices:
Mid Range – Ramada by Wyndham Bucharest Otopeni Airport or Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Airport
Good value – try the Otopeni Airport Cozy Rooms or Ami Residence Bucharest Airport
In the city itself, there are many options, but these top picks will get you started – they all also have high review ratings:
High end – Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard Bucharest or the InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest by IHG
Mid Range – Epoque Hotel – Relais & Chateaux or the Rosetti Hotel
Good value – the The Mansion Boutique Hotel or La Boheme Boutique Casa Soare
Budget – try the Tempus, or, the Novos Luxury Suites, or, Host Tina
Backpackers – Bedsy, or, T5 Social, or, Host Tina
There are also plenty of apartments across the city and across all budgets, for example One88 Apartments penthouse!
Summary – the thermal baths in Bucharest!
I recommend not going to the Therme Bucharest on a weekend or public holiday, unless you arrive early and / or you go to an adult only area. Even then, its going to be much more relaxing and enjoyable midweek not on a holiday!
Don’t forget your own towel and flip flops / crocs / footwear. Bring an extra towel or bathrobe for when you are lounging on one of the very comfy loungers.
there is plenty of food and drinks available, but you can bring your own.
To make it easy to get there, book a ‘skip the line’ ticket and transport option from the city – either for a full day at the Elysium (top zone) experience (leaves from the Grand Hotel Bucharest) or 4.5 hours in the Galaxy and Palm areas with a shuttle pick up! Alternatively take a night trip to the Galaxy and Palm areas with transfer – the perfect way to end a day!
Overall is it worth it?
Yes – midweek and not on a holiday!
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