Saunas in Amsterdam
3 Dutch Saunas Offer Nude Bathing: Deco, Fenomeen, and De Kaiser
In Amsterdam, there are hundreds of ways to don your birthday suit and get hot. But to do it like the Dutch, the key is just hit the sauna.
As far as public nudity goes, the Dutch attitude is surprisingly inflexible: take it off. When it comes to Dutch saunas, modesty has no place—it’s birthday suit or no entry—but find the courage, and you’ll find nude bathing a relaxing experience. Or at least something to write home about.
Now, for the uninitiated (admittedly, mainly non-northern Europeans,) the first public sauna experience is probably the most awkward. Unlike the confidently naked Dutch who’ve grown up preferring skin to skivvies, first-timers might feel slightly uncomfortable. It’s a coed experience and while nudity isn't mandatory, it's the practice. Luckily, the experience is much more natural (and much less erotic) than you’d expect. Just remember to bring a big towel—to sit on, as well as lessen your exposure.
Most Dutch saunas tend to fall into two categories: those found in sports or fitness clubs or the public sauna/spa. Luckily for tourists, there are a number of great public saunas to choose from, which should make going nude publicly—especially when it’s the first time—totally natural.
Sauna Deco (Herengracht 115)
Decorated by what was once a French, stained-glass department store display circa 1920, Sauna Deco houses a gorgeous central lounge, a small, cold-water swimming pool, a lengthy steam bath and, of course, a sauna (actually two.) About as close you can get to playing movie starlet from your own pocket, going to Deco is all about luxury. Low ceilings and subdued amber lighting add ambience, making this a good choice for a first sauna experience.
Sauna Fenomeen (Eerste Schinkelstraat 14)
Popular with locals, Sauna Fenomeen is a relatively undiscovered spa off-the-beaten-tourist-track just south of Vondel Park. Decorated in vivid colors, mosaics, local art and leafy plants, this mix of sauna, Turkish steam bath, solarium, and vegetarian cafeteria offers a relaxed, inexpensive escape from city pressures—which in Amsterdam means bicycle traffic. Housed in a former squat, the sauna is non-commercial, laid-back and draws a diverse clientele compared to its more elegant (and thus pricey) counterparts.
De Keizer (Keizersgracht 124)
Housed in the former servant’s quarters of a beautiful canal-side home, De Keizer is an earthy sauna that perfectly reflects the Dutch word gezelligheid or coziness. Small, relaxed and sporting a rare view of backyards—stuff you’ll never see from the watery front—it offers a sauna, warm baths, steam room, and a lounge for relaxing and eating snacks. The sauna isn’t as crowded as others, making it a nice break from the doing the tourist rounds.
