We Tried it: Sweat, Chill, Repeat: Discovering Amsterdam’s Coolest Sauna Ritual at Badhus
Looking for the best sauna in Amsterdam? Tucked away in Amsterdam Noord, Badhus Amsterdam is where calm mornings, hot steam and icy plunges come together. Here’s our review.
Photo Credit: Internationista
Looking for a unique way to unwind in Amsterdam Noord that’s more exciting than your average spa day? Enter Badhus Amsterdam, the city’s coolest hidden sauna and cold plunge experience tucked right by the water. This Scandinavian-inspired wellness spot blends minimalist design, calming rituals and a touch of Amsterdam charm for the ultimate relaxing weekend activity. Whether you’re a wellness traveler, a local sauna lover or simply searching for unique things to do in Amsterdam, this one hits all the right notes—literally and spiritually. Read on to see how one of our writers experienced SaunaGus at Badhus Amsterdam and left feeling totally renewed.
What Is Badhus Amsterdam and Why Is It So Special?
Hidden at the back of café Soleil in Amsterdam Noord, Badhus Amsterdam feels like one of those secret wellness spots you only find by word of mouth. This Nordic-style sauna in Amsterdam isn’t a flashy spa—it’s a modern urban bathhouse where slow living, connection and community meet.
Right by the Amsterdam waterfront, the setting is calm, minimalist and deeply peaceful. You can sit wrapped in a towel, watching boats float by as you sip water between sauna rounds. There’s no sterile “spa chain” vibe here—just a Scandinavian-inspired sauna where you instantly feel grounded and at ease.
For travelers searching “relaxing things to do in Amsterdam Noord” or “best outdoor sauna Amsterdam”, Badhus is the ultimate hidden gem.
What Exactly Is the SaunaGus Experience?
Photo Credit: Internationista
We joined the SaunaGus Amsterdam session on a Sunday morning at 10 a.m., and it was the perfect way to start the day. The guided ritual lasts about an hour, split into three 10-minute sauna sessions that combine mindfulness, music and heat.
Each session is led by a trained SaunaGus master who uses essential oils, aromatherapy and towel-whipping techniques (known as “aufguss”) to move the hot air through the sauna. The intensity builds gradually, creating a rhythm between heat therapy and deep relaxation.
Every round features a unique soundtrack—starting with slow African beats, moving to soulful rhythms and ending with peaceful folk melodies. The blend of heat, scent and sound is unlike any sauna experience in Amsterdam we’ve ever had.
After each session, we cooled off under the showers or—our favorite—jumped straight into the cold plunge canal water right beside the sauna. For those not feeling brave, there’s also a bathtub-style ice bath and a quieter private sauna available between sessions.
According to one of our instructors, there are three main health benefits: “The first one would be that your circulatory system is getting stimulated. The cells get more oxygen. The second one is about triggering the immune system because the extreme heat and cold will increase the flow of white blood cells. The third one is stress reduction because nice endorphins will get triggered.” His advice for first-timers? “Take the lowest bench and listen carefully to your body.”
If you’re searching “Amsterdam cold plunge” or “guided sauna rituals Amsterdam”, this experience should top your list.
What Are the Facilities Like?
Photo Credit: Internationista
The Badhus facilities are minimal, clean and beautifully designed with Nordic sauna aesthetics—think warm wood, soft light and a connection to nature. The atmosphere feels like stepping into a Scandinavian spa in Amsterdam, but with an intimate, boutique vibe.
You’ll find lockers with keys, so no need to bring your own lock. There are private changing rooms, towel rentals and plenty of cold water to stay hydrated.
The SaunaGus ritual takes place upstairs, up a cozy spiral staircase. The top floor is small but inviting, with hooks for towels and a peaceful view overlooking the lower level. After your session, you can warm up by the fireplace, unwind on the deck or enjoy the waterfront sauna view.
And because it’s located right by the water in Amsterdam Noord, you can literally step outside and dip into the canal to cool off. For wellness travelers or locals searching “waterfront saunas Amsterdam” or “best sauna near NDSM Wharf”, Badhus nails the vibe.
Can You Eat or Drink There?
Photo Credit: Internationista
Yes! Since Badhus is attached to café Soleil, you can enjoy the full restaurant menu or grab light sauna bites and healthy drinks between sessions. Think herbal teas, fruit-infused water and small snacks—perfect for refueling after a sauna and cold plunge.
Whether you plan to spend the day relaxing or just stop in for the SaunaGus ritual, it’s a wellness experience in Amsterdam that can easily blend with brunch or a chill afternoon by the water.
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How Do You Book and What Should You Expect?
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You can book Badhus Amsterdam sessions online—it’s best to reserve in advance, as spots for guided SaunaGus fill up quickly. The sauna is open Wednesday through Sunday, making it a great weekend wellness activity in Amsterdam.
The staff are warm and welcoming, making it easy even for first-time sauna-goers. You don’t need much: bring a swimsuit (optional for some sessions), a water bottle and an open mind. Towels can be rented and everything else—from showers to lockers—is provided.
If you’re searching “unique wellness activities Amsterdam” or “things to do on a Sunday in Amsterdam Noord”, this is the kind of restorative experience that balances both energy and calm.
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Why We Loved It (and Why You Probably Will Too)
There’s something magical about starting a Sunday morning in Amsterdam with steam, silence and the occasional plunge into icy water. After the third round, we felt lighter, calmer and oddly more alive—like we’d pressed a reset button on both mind and body.
The heat therapy, cold exposure and aromatherapy sauna ritual worked together to create a sense of renewal that lingered all day. Our skin felt soft, our breathing deeper and our minds clear.
We left Badhus Amsterdam feeling rejuvenated, relaxed and youthful—the kind of refreshed that only a proper sauna and cold plunge combo can deliver.
Final Thoughts
Photo Credit: Internationista
If you’re looking for unique wellness experiences in Amsterdam, or you just want to unwind somewhere that feels authentically local, Badhus Amsterdam is your spot. It blends Nordic sauna traditions, urban minimalism and Amsterdam’s laid-back waterfront charm.
Whether you’re a tourist seeking non-touristy things to do in Amsterdam, or a local who loves sauna culture and cold plunges, this little hidden spa in Amsterdam Noord deserves a place on your wellness bucket list.
We went for the heat, stayed for the peace and left with that unbeatable post-sauna glow.