For Caracalla Spa: what goes in the bag
Caracalla Spa is visited in swimwear, and the sauna level upstairs is textile-free. So pack two things: swimwear for the pools and a large sauna towel if you plan to use the sauna. A second suit is worth it if you are bathing on more than one day, because nothing dries overnight in a hotel bathroom.
Add water shoes for the wet areas, an absorbent towel and a robe for the rest periods between pools. Whether you prefer warm cotton or light quick-drying microfiber is personal, but microfiber packs smaller. A small bag for valuables, shower gel and shampoo, and a water bottle round it out. Drinking enough is part of a thermal bath visit, not an afterthought. Hours for both houses are on our spa and wellness page.
- Swimwear (a second set if you are bathing twice)
- Large sauna towel, plus a regular towel
- Water shoes and a robe
- Small valuables bag, shower gel, shampoo, water bottle
For Friedrichsbad: less is more
The historic Friedrichsbad, the Roman-Irish bath of 1877, runs as a fixed sequence of seventeen stations over roughly three hours and is done textile-free from start to finish. That is good news for your suitcase, because the house supplies most of what you need. Towels are provided on site, so you do not have to bring your own robe or a large bath towel.
What you should bring is time and patience, since the sequence cannot be sped up. Leave jewelry and valuables in the hotel safe, given that you are bathing without clothing. If you have sensitive skin, pack your own moisturizer for afterward. Worth repeating for anyone traveling as a family: Friedrichsbad admits guests aged 14 and up.
For the town: clothes and extras
Baden-Baden is more than its baths. There is a dress code for the casino in the Kurhaus: men generally need a jacket and usually a tie. So if you intend to play, or to attend a performance at the Festspielhaus, one smart outfit has to come along. For walks down the 1.4-mile Lichtentaler Allee or a trip up the Merkur funicular to 2,190 feet, comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate layers matter more than style.
If the Geroldsau waterfall or the Black Forest trails are on your list, bring sturdy shoes and a light jacket. Sun protection, a small daypack and a charger finish the kit. Guided outings are collected under experiences and tours, and more places to fit in are on the attractions overview.
The short list
As a rule of thumb: for Caracalla you need swimwear, a sauna towel, water shoes, a towel and a robe. For Friedrichsbad you can very nearly show up empty-handed. Add a toiletry kit, a water bottle, one smart evening outfit and comfortable shoes for the town, and the weekend is covered.
If you are staying overnight, our hotel overview helps you pick a base, so the unwinding starts at check-in rather than at the first pool.
Frequently asked
Do I need to bring towels to Friedrichsbad? No. Towels are provided on site, which is why you can leave your robe and big bath towel at the hotel.
Is a bathrobe worth packing? For Caracalla Spa, yes, for the rest periods between pools. For Friedrichsbad it is unnecessary.
What should I wear for the casino? The gaming rooms have a dress code: men generally need a jacket and usually a tie.