Most Popular Saunas in Antwerp
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Antwerp doesn't get talked about as much as Brussels when it comes to Belgium's gay scene, but anyone who's spent time here knows the city punches above its weight. This is the place that hosted Belgium's first lgbtq+ Pride back in 1979 - way ahead of its time - and the community here has built something special over the decades. If you're planning a visit and want to experience the sauna scene alongside everything else happening, you're in for a solid time.
The Main Spots
Sauna 't Herenhuis sits at De Lescluzestraat 63 in the Berchem neighborhood, south of the city center. The venue's been around since 1999 operating in a converted townhouse, which gives it character most modern places can't match. What you get is pretty comprehensive: a Finnish sauna, steam room, a 15-person jacuzzi that's actually big enough to move around in, video room, sling room if that's your scene, plus a proper bar serving drinks and snacks. They've got massage and beauty treatments available too.
The crowd here skews mixed - different ages, different types, which keeps things interesting. Entry runs about 20 euros, but they've got deals for younger visitors. Under 30 gets you in for 17 euros, under 25 pays just 13. Wednesday is their Happy Day when everyone gets the reduced rate. They're open every day from noon until midnight during the week, staying open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Out in Schoten, about 15 minutes from the city center, Kouros Sauna offers another option. Similar facilities with sauna, steam, jacuzzi, relaxation areas and private cabins. They're known for having friendly staff and hosting their own events and promotions. The outdoor space is a nice touch during warmer months. Sunday seems to be particularly popular there.
Antwerp Pride - The Big Week
Here's where timing your visit gets interesting. Antwerp Pride runs from August 6-10 in 2025, and it's become one of Belgium's biggest lgbtq+Q+ celebrations. The 2024 edition pulled in over 100,000 people across the week, with 150,000 showing up for the parade alone. Those numbers keep growing year over year.
The whole thing kicks off Wednesday night with the Opening Party at OLT Rivierenhof. Thursday through Saturday, the Pride Village sets up at Sint-Andries Plaats and later moves to the Pride Festival Grounds at Cockerillkaai. This isn't some corporate rainbow-washing situation - the village has information stalls from actual community organizations, live performances, food vendors, and that summer festival energy where everyone's just happy to be there.
Saturday afternoon at 3pm, the Pride Parade winds through the city from Brouwersvliet to Cockerillkaai. The parade here feels different than massive events in bigger cities - it's still got that protest edge to it, that sense of why Pride started in the first place. The theme for recent years has been pushing back against rising conservatism in Europe, with a "we're not going back in the closet" attitude that resonates.
After the parade, Saturday night explodes with parties across the city. The Love United Festival takes over the festival grounds with DJs and live acts. You need tickets for this one, unlike some of the free street events. Sunday continues with the Closing Festival, wrapping up five days of celebration.
The Nightlife Circuit
During Pride week, the saunas naturally get busier, especially late night after everyone's been partying. But Antwerp's gay scene runs strong all year, which is part of what makes it worth visiting outside peak season too.
The real anchor of nightlife here is the Red & Blue party at Cargo Club. This happens every Saturday from 11pm to 7am, and it's become legendary across Europe. International DJs, dancers, drag queens, proper sound and lighting setup - the works. They do special editions for Pride, New Year's, Easter. Circuit party crowds from neighboring countries make the trip just for Red & Blue.
Club Random has positioned itself as Antwerp's number one dance and cruise club. They completely renovated a few years back and brought in new energy. Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm until early morning, they're running with international DJs on the decks. The space has everything: bar, dance floor, video lounge, cruising area, locker room. They also host Kinky's Antwerp on the second Monday of each month - a men-only cruise event with live entertainment.
For something more specialized, The Boots is Antwerp's main fetish and cruise club. Their slogan is "where your fantasies become reality," and they mean it. Multiple playrooms, darkroom, cruising areas. They host regular fetish nights, particularly strong on leather and rubber. You need club membership to get in, which you can buy at the door for 8 euros.
Hessenhuis operates in a historic 16th century warehouse with modern interiors. During the day it draws a mixed, trendy crowd. At night when the DJs show up, it turns almost entirely gay. Different vibe from the harder-edged cruise clubs - more about the music and atmosphere.
Het Roze Huis in the Zurenborg district is the actual heart of Antwerp's lgbtq+Q+ community. It's the community center that houses a big café-bar, hosts events, provides resources and support. Tuesday through Saturday it's open from afternoon until late, Sundays from noon. Worth stopping by just to see where so much of the organizing and community building happens.
Beyond Pride Week
Antwerp hosts other lgbtq+Q+ events throughout the year that don't get as much attention but are worth knowing about. Darklands takes over the end of February/early March - that's the major international fetish event that draws the leather and rubber crowd from across Europe. Different audience than Pride, obviously, but shows the diversity of what's happening here.
The city's also got regular club nights and parties that happen monthly or seasonally. Studio 54 nights, Café de Love parties - these pull people from neighboring countries because Antwerp's developed this reputation for quality events. The scene isn't trying to be Amsterdam or Berlin; it's doing its own thing.
Getting Around
Antwerp's compact enough that most things are walkable or a short tram ride. The saunas in Berchem and Schoten are the only spots requiring a bit more transit planning. Central Station is gorgeous, by the way - worth arriving there just to see it. The old town where most bars and clubs are concentrated is walkable from the station in about 15 minutes.
During Pride, everything's packed. Hotels fill up months in advance, especially the gay-friendly spots near the action. Book early if you're coming for that week. The upside is the entire city gets into it - you'll see Pride flags in shop windows, bars doing special nights, restaurants with Pride menus. It's not contained to one neighborhood.
What Makes It Work
Antwerp's different from typical gay tourism destinations. It's a proper city with a port, a fashion scene, a diamond district, serious art museums - the lgbtq+Q+ community is woven into all of that rather than existing separately. The saunas fit into a broader ecosystem where you can hit up Sauna 't Herenhuis in the afternoon, grab dinner somewhere in the old town, catch Red & Blue at Cargo Club, maybe end up at Club Random at 5am.
The size works in its favor too. Six hundred thousand people in the metro area means it's big enough to support a real scene but small enough that you start recognizing faces, making connections. During Pride week particularly, that sense of community becomes really obvious.
If you're visiting, especially during Pride, don't just stick to the sauna scene. Get out to the Pride Village, watch the parade, hit some of the parties and events. That's where you'll understand why Antwerp's community has this reputation for being welcoming but not touristy, serious about equality while still knowing how to party.
Sauna 't Herenhuis
Sauna 't Herenhuis; Situated at De Lescluzestraat 63 2600 Antwerp, Sauna 't Herenhuis stands out as a well loved spot among the citys gay community. The venue boasts amenities such as a Finnish sauna, steam room, whirlpool, cozy relaxation spaces and private cabins. They often organize themed gatherings. Offer discounts for young guests on select days. For the updates feel free to visit their website at www.herenhuis.be or reach out to them via phone at +32 3 239 14 84.
Kouros Sauna; Nestled at Botermelkbaan 50 2900 Schoten ( a short distance from the city center) Kouros Sauna is another choice for those seeking a relaxing sauna experience. With features, like sauna facilities, steam rooms, whirlpools, tranquil relaxation areas and private cabins available. Known for its welcoming ambiance and helpful staff members this venue also hosts events and offers various promotions alongside an inviting outdoor space. Stay informed by visiting their website at www.kouros.be or contacting them via phone at +32 3 658 81 02.
While you explore the gay scene in Antwerp don't forget to check out the array of lgbtq+Q+ friendly bars, clubs and events waiting to be discovered. Enjoy your time soaking up the atmosphere of this city!