Therme Bucharest with Kids: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- minna
- 20 hours ago
- 6 min read
We booked Therme for our last day in Romania because our flight back was in the evening and we needed somewhere that would fill a full day and be close to the airport. Therme Bucharest is the largest spa in Europe and it sits about 30 minutes north of Bucharest city centre in Balotești which is between the centre and the airport.
The combination of water park, thermal pools, botanical gardens, saunas, and relaxation areas means it works equally well for adults who want a spa day and children who want to splash around or go on slides.
The Three Zones
Understanding the zones before you go saves a lot of time and helps you choose the right ticket. The complex is divided into three areas and they are quite different from each other.
Galaxy
Galaxy is the water park zone and is where children go. It has 16 water slides ranging from gentle to properly fast, a wave pool, an outdoor section open in summer, several pools at different temperatures, a water playground for younger children with small slides and splash features, and a relaxation beach area. It is large, well-maintained, and good fun for adults as well as children.
On slides and age restrictions: this is the single most important practical detail for families with young children. The slides have a minimum age of 3 and children cannot ride them with an adult in their lap. Our daughter was just under 2 when we visited and she could not go on the slides, which she was perfectly happy about given the dedicated under-3s play area with age-appropriate water features. But if you're arriving with a child aged 2 and expecting slides, you need to know in advance that this isn't how it works. The play area for small children is good with plenty of splash features, small water jets, shallow pools. For children aged 3 and above: they will be absolutely fine and will probably not want to leave.
The Palm
The Palm is the tropical zone, it's a vast indoor space with thermal pools, palm trees, botanical gardens, hammocks, and a general atmosphere of being somewhere considerably warmer and more exotic than Romania in August. The thermal water comes from about 3,000 metres underground and has a noticeably silky quality. You easily can swim between indoor and outdoor sections if you want to soak up the sunshine outside and there's a swim up bar, loungers, and a calmer, more relaxed energy than Galaxy.
Elysium
Elysium is adults only and you need a separate ticket or upgrade to access it. Themed saunas include Hollywood which has a cinema screen and the Himalayan Salt room. Each has a different temperature, humidity and scent meaning they are all unique in their own right. As well as the different sauna and steam rooms there are hydromassage beds, spa treatments, and a few extra swim up bars. If your child is old enough to be in Galaxy independently (or you are happy taking turns), this is worth adding.
Tickets and Pricing
Therme uses dynamic pricing, meaning costs vary depending on the day, time of visit, and duration. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends. Booking online in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to door prices, and on busy days guarantees entry. Children under 3 enter free. You receive a cashless wristband on entry that handles locker access and records any spending (food, drinks, rentals) which you settle at the exit. I would recommend booking ahead, particularly for weekend visits or public holidays when it gets very busy.
When we visited (late August 2024), we paid approximately 250 RON for two adults on a 4.5-hour pass, which at the time was about £40 for two people. Romania's prices are very good by western European standards and Therme is good value for what it offers.
Getting There from Bucharest
Therme is located in Balotești, about 30km north of the city centre which is roughly a 30-minute drive in normal traffic. There is no direct metro connection, but there is a shuttle bus service from several central Bucharest stops including Piața Presei Libere and Piața Victoriei. The shuttle is straightforward and is how most visitors without a car get there. If you're driving, there is a large car park on site.
Alternatively, GetYourGuide offers combined ticket and transfer packages that include return transport from central Bucharest. If you're travelling with a pram and a young child and don't want to navigate the shuttle, these are worth looking at.
(Use code TODDLERTRAVELDIARIES5 for 5% off via the GetYourGuide app.)
Practical Tips for Visiting with a Toddler
Book in advance. Weekends in particular sell out. The online booking process is simple and the price is lower than on the door.
Arrive early. Therme gets progressively busier through the day. Arriving when it opens means shorter queues for lockers, a better choice of sun loungers, and the slides at their quietest.
Allow at least 4.5 hours. Three hours is not enough time. We did 4.5 hours and felt like it was enough time for everyone to do what they wanted but not so long that our daughter completely ran out of steam (though it was close).
The food and drinks are reasonably priced. Unlike most leisure parks, Therme's pool bars and restaurants are decent value. You don't need to pack a picnic, though bringing snacks for young children is always sensible.
Where to Stay in Bucharest
We have a full guide to Where to Stay in Bucharest with Kids covering eight properties across four neighbourhoods, so I would point you there for the complete picture. A few quick picks depending on your priorities:
1. Old Town Home Library (from around £65/night)
A self-catering apartment in a quiet Old Town courtyard, a six-minute walk from Caru' cu Bere and all the main sights. One bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a balcony with city views, a lift in the building, and public parking nearby. The kitchen is the main practical advantage here: early breakfasts, snack management, and somewhere to eat if the toddler hits the wall before the restaurant opens. Check cot availability directly with the host when booking.
2. InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest (from around £150/night)
If you want a hotel where everything is taken care of, this is where I would point you. It sits on Revolution Square, putting you a short walk from the Old Town but well away from the loud weekend nightlife. An indoor pool, a full spa, three restaurants and free cots are available for children under two (confirm on booking). Paid parking is available on site. As a nice bonus for the adults, there is a gorgeous rooftop bar which I highly recommend for a quiet drink once the toddler is finally asleep.
3. Hotel Herăstrău (from around £55/night)
This is such a clever option because it is the only hotel actually located right inside Herăstrău Park. Instead of stepping out onto a busy city street with a pram, you walk straight into green spaces and lake views. While the rooms are a bit simpler than the big luxury chains, the location is unbeatable for families. There is a playground right on site, children under seven stay free, and you have massive amounts of space right outside your door for your toddler to run around safely. The Village Museum is a short walk through the park and the Aviatorilor metro connects you to the Old Town in minutes.
Final Thoughts
It isn't often you find a place that truly works for both toddlers and adults, but Therme completely exceeded our expectations. We initially wondered if it would justify a full day on our itinerary, but we had so much fun we ended up dragging ourselves out at the last possible second to catch our flight. If you have a late departure out of Bucharest, I cannot recommend this enough as the perfect way to end your Romania trip.
For more on what to do in Bucharest beyond Therme, read our guide to Top Things to Do in Bucharest with a Toddler. And for the full Romania trip context, our Transylvania with a Toddler road trip guide covers everything from Sebeș to Bucharest.
