Steam rises from an outdoor pool at the Felsland Badeparadies in Dahn, Germany, on Jan. 14, 2025. The facility offers pools, water slides and saunas. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

The steam rising from the outdoor pool at the Felsland Badeparadies in Dahn, Germany, sure looked enticing on a recent January day with the air temperature hovering around freezing.

My daughter and I were excited to swim in a bucolic setting in the village, known for its red sandstone formations and forested hills. It’s about 33 miles south of Kaiserslautern, near the French border.

“Bath paradise” has numerous heated pools, a giant slide and several other water attractions, including the steamy outdoor pool surrounded by nature. It also has a separate area with a variety of saunas for all ages.

Upon arrival, we found that the locker rooms are co-ed, although there are changing cubicles with doors for privacy and a separate area for men and women to shower.

With several slides, a variety of indoor pools and big windows that let in plenty of natural light, the Felsland Badeparadies in Dahn, Germany, is a good way to beat the winter blues. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

You can buy a ticket for the pool for the whole day or for up to two hours, or a ticket for both the pool and sauna.

We tried out the indoor pool first, which was heated but far from toasty. At least the air inside the facility was warm. After a few minutes of getting used to the water temperature, we walked through a plastic drape leading to the outdoor pool.

Surely, it would be warmer, we thought. But the steam rising from the pool was deceptive and the water too tepid to spend much time outside in the heart of winter.

To our disappointment, the bubbling jacuzzi indoors was a bit warmer but not hot, while the slide pools and the lap pool were lukewarm.

Water temperature issues aside, Felsland Badeparadies has a lot to offer, including plenty of recreational space and lounging chairs.

In the summer, a second outdoor pool is open and there is an expanse of green space where bathers can spread out and run around.

The sauna side of the Felsland Badeparadies in Dahn, Germany, includes a garden with several wooden sauna huts. In the Finnish sauna, dry heat reaches a temperature of 203 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the sign on the door. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

For those seeking heat, there is another option sans bathing suit. In Germany, nakedness isn’t voluntary in saunas.

For Americans who have a hard time with this, my advice is to bring two large bath towels, one to sit on and one to stay wrapped up in. 

I ventured into “sauna world” without my daughter, who wanted no part of the bathing suit-free venue. I happily found a few empty huts, including the Finnish sauna, a wooden house with hot stones and a temperature reaching upward of 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Children from 4 to 9 years old must be accompanied by an adult in the saunas.

I saw people sleeping in robes in a heated room designated for rest and a few perched outdoors on chairs in the sun, thankfully also in robes, in a garden surrounded by birch trees. I avoided the steam sauna, where I glimpsed lots of sweaty skin before quickly darting away.

Massaman curry with tofu is one of the dishes served at the Felsland Badeparadies' bistro in Dahn, Germany. It features Thai food and staples such as currywurst and french fries. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

The Felsland Badeparadies in Dahn, Germany, has a bistro with a Thai theme. Located inside the facility overlooking the indoor pools, the restaurant offers German staples along with some Thai options for lunch or dinner. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

One could easily spend the day at Felsland Badeparadies. We spent about four hours at the facility, including time set aside to try out the pool’s bistro. Our recommendation: Stick with German fast-food staples such as currywurst. The Thai massaman curry with tofu was watery.

I would go back on a Monday, when it’s women-only in the saunas. After a few rounds of sweating in a hot room, the lukewarm swimming area would feel refreshing. 

The entrance to the Felsland Badeparadies in Dahn, Germany. The facility offers several pools, including a combined indoor-and-outdoor pool, water slides and a jacuzzi. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

The Felsland Badeparadies in Dahn, Germany, features a variety of indoor pools and is a great way to beat the winter blues. The facility, which also has a sauna, is less than an hour’s drive from Kaiserslautern and is open daily. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

On the QT

Address: Eybergstrasse 1, Dahn, Germany

Times: Leisure pool: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays and German holidays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sauna: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sundays and German holidays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Cost: Leisure pool ticket for up to 2 hours: people 16 and older, 3.90 euros; children 4 to 15, 1.90 euros. Day ticket: adults 5.90 euros; children, 2.90 euros; family day ticket for up to two adults and two children, 5 euros per adult and 2 euros per child. Sauna day ticket with leisure pool admission: adults, 21 euros; children 10 to 15, 18 euros; children 4 to 9 accompanied by adult, 12 euros. After 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 18 euros for adults.

Food: Bistro with German cafe fare, Thai dishes, ice cream and drinks. From about 6.90 euros for chicken nuggets and french fries to about 14.90 euros for Thai entrees such as red curry with duck.

Information: Phone: +49-6391-9234211; online: felsland-badeparadies.de; email; info@felsand-badeparadies.de