The BARE Truth About Alpine Saunas

Why Austrians and Germans leave their swimsuits at the door — and what Americans can learn from it.

Wait. Everyone's Naked?

You've just spent the morning hiking in the Alps. Back at the hotel, you slip into a plush bathrobe and explore the spa. The saunas look inviting: warm timber, soft lighting, a panoramic window framing the snow-dusted mountains.

Then you notice the sign: Textile-free zone. “Ummm, so, how’s this going to work?” At this point, (for most Americans) panic strikes!

Welcome to one of the great cultural surprises awaiting travelers. Here, leaving your clothes off in the sauna is as ordinary as taking off your shoes at the door.

And yes, men and women often share the same steamy spaces.

Before retreating to the pool, there's something worth knowing about this distinctly Germanic custom.

Wear Your Adam & Eve Costume the Right Way

For many Americans, nudity is associated with intimacy, vulnerability, and the awkward locker-room encounter. In Austrian and German sauna culture, a naked body is a vessel designed to sweat for beauty & health.

Bodies are bodies. People come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. And in the sauna, nobody is interested in yours.

The emphasis is on relaxation — but also invigoration — and the shared enjoyment of this beloved cultural ritual.

There's also a practical reason for leaving swimsuits behind. Sauna etiquette favors bare skin for both comfort and hygiene. So, always place a towel beneath your entire body to keep perspiration off shared surfaces.

Once you understand zee rules, the “Schwitzen” becomes more enjoyable.

(continue reading at Boundless Journeys, November 2026)