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The sauna next door
Not every good sauna is a big wellness landscape. Many people in Switzerland go to the sauna close to home: at their local indoor pool. Of the 200 saunas in our directory, 71 are in an indoor or outdoor pool — around a third. These neighbourhood saunas are often small, straightforward and affordable. For many, they are the best place to go to the sauna regularly.
What to expect
Simple but complete
A typical indoor-pool sauna has a Finnish sauna, often a steam room or bio sauna, a cold shower or plunge pool and a relaxation room. Some have a small outdoor area for fresh air. For a classic three-round ritual, that is all you need. Read how it works in the article on the three-round hot-and-cold ritual.
The price
Indoor-pool saunas are among the most affordable saunas in Switzerland. In our directory, the median entry price for saunas in indoor and outdoor pools is around 22 francs (as of November 2026). The pool is often included in the ticket — so you can swim a few lengths before or after the sauna. The cheapest offers start at under 10 francs.
Women’s days and men’s days
Many indoor-pool saunas have fixed days or times just for women, some also for men. In our directory, 57 of the 71 pool saunas offer women-only times. On the detail pages, the opening hours show when the sauna is mixed and when it is separated.
What to look out for
Textile-free or not?
Most saunas in indoor pools are textile-free: in the sauna you sit naked on a large towel. In the pool, on the other hand, swimwear is required. Whether a sauna area is textile-free and which rules apply to relaxation and outdoor areas is shown on the detail pages under “Good to know”.
Combined ticket
In some baths you can only use the sauna together with a pool ticket. That is usually no drawback, but worth knowing when you plan.
Cash and towels
Small municipal baths don’t always take cards, and you often have to bring your own towels or bathrobe. A quick look at the detail page before your visit saves surprises.
Seasonal opening
Some saunas in combined indoor and outdoor pools are only open in the winter half of the year, when the indoor pool is running. In summer they make way for the outdoor season. The season is shown in the opening hours box.
Examples from the directory
A few indoor-pool saunas that show how varied the offer is (details as per the directory, as of November 2026):
- Sauna Hallenbad Gäbelbach Bern — a small Finnish neighbourhood sauna in western Bern with women’s and men’s days and a cold-water pool.
- Hallenbad Hofmatt Meggen — a Finnish sauna in the municipal indoor pool with women’s and men’s evenings; cash only.
- Hallenbad Meiringen — a Finnish sauna with women’s, men’s and mixed days and a bookable family and private sauna.
- Hallenbad Rialto Basel — a nude sauna in the historic indoor pool from 1934, a few minutes from Basel SBB station.
- Bödelibad Interlaken — two Swiss stone pine saunas and a steam room with views of the Bernese Alps in the listed bath from 1930/31.
- AquArenA Herzogenbuchsee — a mixed sauna landscape plus separate women’s and men’s saunas with daily Aufguss sessions.
You will find all indoor pools under Indoor pools, all saunas in the Sauna overview.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book?
Mostly not. Exceptions are small saunas with limited places or private saunas. If advance booking is needed, it says so on the detail page.
Can I take children to the sauna?
Each bath decides for itself. Many admit children accompanied by adults, others only from 16 or 18. The minimum age is on the detail page.
Are there Aufguss sessions?
In larger baths often, in small neighbourhood saunas rarely or only on certain days. You will find saunas with regular Aufguss sessions under Aufguss saunas.
Conclusion
The indoor-pool sauna is Switzerland’s everyday sauna: close by, affordable and no frills. If you want to go to the sauna regularly, this is often the best place — and you can swim a few lengths first.