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Baden-Baden - Caracalla is swimsuit picky

We just got back from German, Austria & Switzerland Tour. I just wanted to pass along a heads up about the Baths of Caracalla's view on appropriate swimsuits.

Women are expected to wear a one peace or bikini.
My wife had a two piece swimsuit similar to a burkini. It covered over her knees and draped across her middle. She was not allowed to swim. It covered too much. While there is no posting on the companies website about appropriate attire, that style swimsuit is not allowed. Sadly the shops had all closed by the time they told us this and we where leaving in the morning.

Men are expected to have short swim trunks or speedos.
My son and I had board shorts which are swim trunks that look like regular shorts. They where also a problem because the covered too much leg and had a zipper.

My wife and son ended up getting a refund and did other things. Looking back I should have done the same. While the water is nice, the whole question of wearing too much swimsuit at the spa designated for swimsuits was really annoying.

I hope this helps other travelers.

Posted by
1951 posts

I've run into the same thing at many public pools in Europe. Last time was in Belgium just across the French border. No board shorts. Explained as for hygiene reasons. An old man told me that if they didn't ban board shorts, people would swim in regular shorts. If they don't ban burkinis there are people who will swim in religious street clothes.

I'm not sure how accurate all of this is, just what I was told. The guy offered to loan me his spare speedos but I wasn't enough in the mood to clear that hurdle.

Posted by
1046 posts

When we were in Baden Baden, wife wants the spa experience. Even going so far as to want the nude baths. So, we went. Now that is the local and euro spa experience, no clothes. So no swimsuit problems. It was a learning experience. The people there are well versed in orienting the newly unclad visitors
The wife is not usually of this sate of mind. It turned out to be OK. Not a big deal. And, we did not really have any swimsuits that would have been much better than OPs. We would have been bummed out to have encountered that after making our way to the baths.
So if anyone reads this and is contemplating the Baden Baden baths, go for the nude one. Isn’t that part of the ingrained philosophy of RS exhibited here so often, get down with the locals.

Posted by
7887 posts

I don't exactly see the hygiene aspect, except for the idea that people would wear soiled street clothes into the bath? Long ago, my YMCA in Manhattan NYC (1962 or so) only allowed nude swimming (men only) because they said their elderly pool filter couldn't handle the fabric fibers. Since I was 12, my mother didn't much care for this, and warned me never to speak to any of the older men in the locker room.

Posted by
5435 posts

When we were in Baden Baden we went to the Friedrichsbad. We hadn't packed bathing suits anyway. We were certainly outside our comfort zone at first, not being accustomed to being naked in public, but that disappeared after a few minutes. It was one of the best days of that trip.

Posted by
7804 posts

It’s probably becoming more of the norm for indoor pool facilities. This is an excerpt from our local Kroc Center indoor pool facility for water exercise classes:

“ a workout for your entire body. NO COTTON PLEASE (jeans, t-shirts, socks)! Due to cotton material breaking down in chlorinated water clogging our many pool filters, the Kroc is requesting members wear spandex, rayon, nylon, polyester, board shorts, rash guards and water shoes. Thank you for helping keep our pool filters clean!”

My out of my comfort zone moment was purchasing a bikini last year in Hawaii to pack for my RS Adriatic tour last month. I am not slim, and I’m in my 60’s. But, I had a wonderful time swimming in the Adriatic and also at a couple of hotel pools! I looked very similar to several others, and I saw women of all sizes and ages wearing bikinis.

Posted by
11879 posts

NO COTTON PLEASE (jeans, t-shirts, socks)! Due to cotton material breaking down in chlorinated water clogging our many pool filters,

You really want to go into a pool that is so strong a chemical stew that it dissolves cotton?

The 'no clothes' pools/spas , were they coed or segregated?

Posted by
8972 posts

The filter issue is why cut-offs (jeans cut off above the knees- often used for swimming) haven't been allowed in many pools since I was a kid.

Posted by
2497 posts

From a pure hygiene point of view we should not wear swim suits at all. (And when I was younger I actually expected we would have progressed to the point of no longer having any body taboos by now. Alas, we are actually regressing in that point.)

I personally will not go to a Spa or Sauna that allows swimsuits...

Posted by
283 posts

You really want to go into a pool that is so strong a chemical stew that it dissolves cotton?

I don’t think it’s that chemicals dissolve cotton. I think cotton naturally sheds fibers. Have you ever checked the filter in your washer or dryer after laundering a new cotton t shirt or sweatshirt?

Posted by
740 posts

Man made fabrics are a major cause of micro plastics in the oceans, they get there from your washing machines

Posted by
325 posts

The 'no clothes' pools/spas , were they coed or segregated?

At the Baden-Baden Friedrichsbad 'textile free' spa, it depends on the day. Some days are segregated, some days co-ed, exception is the pool area under the dome which is co-ed all days.

Posted by
2 posts

Its interesting the perspectives. All good ones. I just wanted to give people a heads up.