Most Popular Saunas in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's gay sauna scene tells an interesting story. Where cities like Barcelona have multiple sprawling bathhouses, Amsterdam has taken a different path. After several closures in recent years, including the well-known Thermos Sauna, the city now focuses its energy on one exceptional venue that's become the beating heart of gay sauna culture in the Dutch capital.

The Main Attraction

Sauna Nieuwezijds sits just minutes from Centraal Station, making it possibly the most conveniently located gay sauna in any European capital. The facility runs seven days a week and stays open 24 hours on weekends, which means you can stumble in after Pride celebrations or drop by before hitting the bars on Reguliersdwarsstraat. The place includes everything you'd expect—Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, steam room, an eight-person jacuzzi that's always busy, dark room, private cabins, and a proper bar where people actually gather and chat instead of just cruising.

What makes it work is the themed nights. Monday brings "Mellow Mondays" with healthy snacks and special ceremonies in the Finnish sauna, plus chocolate sessions in the Turkish bath. Guys under 27 pay just 10 euros to get in. Tuesday turns into "No Towel Tuesday," which is exactly what it sounds like. Wednesday hosts "Gender Fluids Night," opening the space to people of any gender identity. The variety means the crowd changes throughout the week, so returning visitors get different experiences depending on when they show up.

Entry runs around 24.50 euros normally, with that drink token included, and younger visitors get discounted rates. The place is modern, impeccably clean according to most visitors, and the maze-like steam room design creates interesting encounters. You'll find ten large private cabins, four smaller ones, a glass smoking room for those who need it, a sling room, and a TV lounge. Free condoms and lube are available throughout.

When Sauna Culture Meets Festival Season

Here's where things get interesting. Amsterdam's event calendar basically turns the entire city into one continuous lgbtq+Q+ celebration from spring through early autumn, and the sauna becomes a quieter extension of those festivities. During Pride Amsterdam in late July and early August, when over 80 decorated boats cruise the canals and hundreds of thousands pack the streets, Sauna Nieuwezijds transforms into a post-parade refuge where sweaty festival-goers can actually relax and connect.

The Canal Parade happens the first Saturday of August, with boats departing around noon from Oosterdok and winding through Nieuwe Herengracht, Amstel, and Prinsengracht. It's spectacular and exhausting. By evening, some folks head to the massive street parties on Reguliersdwarsstraat while others seek the steam and warmth of the sauna. The vibe shifts from performative celebration to intimate community.

Pride kicks off with Pride Park at Vondelpark, featuring the Rainbow Market, Sport Pride Festival, youth activities, drag contests, and two entertainment stages. The Pride Walk marches through the city center, drawing activists and allies. Film screenings happen outdoors at Mercatorplein, Krugerplein, and Gershwinplein. Then there's the official closing party at Dam Square where the whole city seems to gather. All of this creates a particular energy that carries into the sauna later.

Milkshake Festival arrives the weekend before Pride, taking over Westerpark for two days of genre-bending electronic music across nine stages. House, disco, pop, techno, R&B, and dancehall all get represented. Over 1,000 performers show up, the crowd dresses outrageously, and the whole thing operates under the philosophy that nothing is required but everything is allowed. After 12 hours of dancing in the sun, the sauna offers recovery before the afterparty at Westerunie.

Bear Pride in June brings its own crowd to Amsterdam—cruises, themed club nights, boat parties, and the Bear-Necessity events at Panama. The sauna sees an uptick in furry men during those days, creating a specific subcultural moment within the broader gay scene.

The Bar and Club Connection

Sauna Nieuwezijds exists in the middle of Amsterdam's lgbtq+Q+ nightlife ecosystem. Reguliersdwarsstraat, the main gay street, sits just a short walk away. This strip holds Club NYX, which spreads across three floors and hosts the popular 3x NYX party every Saturday. Exit Café draws younger crowds. Soho brings British pub aesthetics and weekend DJs. Taboo Bar keeps things intimate and busy.

PRIK won awards as the most popular gay bar in the Netherlands. During the day it's loungy and conversational. Weekends transform it into a packed mini dance club without cover charges. The Strawberry Cheesecake and Dutch Pepper Bomb cocktails have become somewhat legendary, and their outdoor terrace gets crowded fast in good weather.

Club Church on Kerkstraat runs themed nights that attract the fetish crowd. Blue Drag Thursdays, Zonderbroek underwear Fridays, cumUnion on the first Sunday of each month from 4-8 PM. The venue hosts major parties like xxxleather (strict dress codes: leather, rubber, uniforms, skin, sportswear), Ladz (sneakers and sportswear every two months), Furball (hairy men, no dress code required), and twice yearly, Wasteland—described as Europe's biggest fetish party, drawing thousands.

Amstel 54 sits on the corner of Rembrandtplein with a terrace perfect for people-watching. Their drag performances have earned cult status. Café Montmartre has been operating since 1982 and recently moved to a new spot on Reguliersdwarsstraat. They run Break The Week on Wednesdays, Thank God It's Friday parties, and live music on Sundays.

The Eagle maintains classic leather bar energy with cruising labyrinths and strict atmospheres. Dirty Dicks offers fetish vibes without rigid dress codes, busiest after midnight. For something completely different, De Trut opens Sunday evenings only, run by volunteers with profits going to lgbtq+Q+ projects worldwide. You'll find locals lining up early because it's become a beloved institution.

The Practical Side

Amsterdam's size works in everyone's favor. You can walk from Centraal Station to most gay venues in 15 minutes or less. Trams run constantly. The city's famous bike culture means renting a bicycle gets you everywhere even faster, though navigating cobblestones after a few drinks requires care.

Most bars stay open until 3 or 4 AM during the week and later on weekends. The sauna runs continuously on Friday and Saturday nights. This means you can move between venues easily—hit PRIK for cocktails, dance at Club NYX, stop by the sauna to decompress, then head to Church for a fetish night all in one evening without needing much planning.

Weather matters. Summer brings terraces to life and Pride happens in beautiful warm conditions usually. But Amsterdam's winters are gray and damp, and the sauna becomes especially appealing when it's cold outside. The contrast between chilly canal walks and the heat of the Finnish sauna creates its own pleasure.

The Dutch approach to lgbtq+Q+ culture emphasizes normalization rather than exceptionalism. Amsterdam Pride isn't just for tourists—locals participate enthusiastically. Gay venues welcome straight allies without making a big deal about it. The sauna operates the same way: it's a space for men to meet other men, simple as that, without excessive drama or gatekeeping.

Amsterdam may have just one major gay sauna, but that venue sits at the center of a vibrant year-round queer culture that stretches from massive Pride celebrations to intimate bar nights, from international festivals to neighborhood street parties. The sauna isn't separate from that culture—it's woven into it, offering a particular kind of connection that complements rather than competes with the city's legendary nightlife. And honestly, sometimes after dancing at Milkshake or marching in Pride, what you want most is steam, warmth, and quiet conversations with interesting men. Sauna Nieuwezijds delivers exactly that.

 

Here are a couple of the popular ones;

Nieuwezijds Sauna (NZ) located at Nieuwezijds Armsteeg 95 1012 NB Amsterdam is a modern and upscale sauna catering to the gay community in central Amsterdam. The facility boasts amenities like a sauna, steam room, whirlpool, private cabins and a bar where patrons can socialize over drinks. They frequently host themed nights and special events.

Damrak Sauna situated at Damrak 54 1012 LL Amsterdam is an more intimate sauna close to Amsterdam Central Station. It provides a setting with features such, as a Finnish sauna, steam room, showers and private cabins. Guests can relax with drinks and snacks at the bar while mingling with both locals and tourists.

	Sauna Nieuwezijds	Sauna Damrak	Thermos Sauna	Club Church
Location	Centrum	Centrum	Centrum	Kerkstraat
Facilities	Sauna, Steam room, Jacuzzi, Bar	Sauna, Steam room, Jacuzzi, Bar	Sauna, Steam room, Jacuzzi, Bar	Sauna, Steam room, Jacuzzi, Bar
Google Rating	4.6/5	4.4/5	4.3/5	4.2/5
Facebook Rating	4.5/5	4.3/5	4.2/5	4.1/5
Gayout Rating	8.5/10	8.2/10	8.0/10	7.8/10
Price Range (per visit)	€20 - €35	€15 - €30	€25 - €40	€18 - €30
Special Features	Dark rooms, private cabins, themed events	Themed nights, dark rooms, glory holes	Dark rooms, private cabins, themed events	Dark rooms, sling, themed events
Hours of Operation	Mon-Sun: 12pm-10pm	Mon-Sun: 12pm-11pm	Mon-Sun: 10am-10pm	Mon-Sun: 12pm-2am
Address	Nieuwezijds Armsteeg 95, Centrum, Amsterdam	Damrak 54, Centrum, Amsterdam	Raamstraat 33, Centrum, Amsterdam	Kerkstraat 52, Amsterdam
Contact Number	+31 20 623 1380	+31 20 330 2363	+31 20 624 0803	+31 20 623 3686
Reviews Summary	"Great atmosphere, friendly staff."	"Awesome atmosphere, clean facilities."	"Fun and friendly environment, good music."	"Nice sauna with a welcoming vibe."

Last Updated: 17 November 2025

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