Aqua Dome is arguably the most iconic thermal spa (“Therme” in German) in Austria, if not the entire European Alps.
With its floating basins and cone-shaped covered stairway, the whimsically-designed Therme is both futuristic and fantastical. Day and night, it looks like a beacon, beckoning you to bathe in its thermal waters amidst the mighty peaks of the Austrian Alps.
Located in Längenfeld in Ötztal Valley, Aqua Dome welcomes day visitors as well as hotel guests throughout the entire year.
While Aqua Dome is a new and modern complex, people have been bathing in the Längenfeld hot springs since the 16th century. From 6000 feet underground, a sulfur spring bubbles up to the surface at a rate of 3-4 liters per second.
This mineral-rich water streams into the thermal baths, thus making Aqua Dome a legally-recognized mineral spa. Each Day, 80,000 liters of thermally heated spring water flow into Aqua Dome.
In this post, you’ll learn about what exactly the Aqua Dome Therme complex is, which entry ticket to purchase, and helpful tips for visiting.
If you want to experience everything Aqua Dome has to offer, we highly recommend staying at least one night in the Aqua Dome Hotel. As a hotel guest, you have exclusive access to the Spa 3000 wellness area and the Panorama Relaxation Room as well as early access to the Thermal Baths and Sauna World. For the best rates, check out Booking.com.
If you’ve never visited an Austrian Therme, also check out our guide to visiting Austrian thermal spas.
- Location: Längenfeld, Ötztal Valley, Tirol, Austria
- Closest Airport: Innsbruck Airport and Munich International Airport
- Open: All-year-round, Monday – Sunday
- Therme Opening Times: 9 am – 10:30 pm
- Entry Tickets: It’s now mandatory to pre-book your entry ticket.
- Day Visitors: Upon arrival, you will receive a chip wristband, which opens your personal locker and records all purchases (food, drinks, extras) made throughout your visit. This chip wristband also facilitates access to different wellness areas (e.g. Sauna World), depending on the entry ticket purchased. You can rent bathrobes and towels for an extra fee.
- Overnight Guests: As a guest of Aqua Dome Hotel, you’ll also receive a chip wristband upon check-in. This wristband opens your hotel room and grants you unlimited access to all areas of the Therme (Thermal Baths, Sauna World, Spa 3000, Fitness Center). You can charge all extras (e.g. lunch, drinks etc…) to your chip wristband. Bathrobes and towels are included.
- Where to Book: Booking.com
Aqua Dome Thermal Baths Complex
Aqua Dome comprises a number of different wellness areas. The main thermal bathhouse is the “Therme.” Visitors can also access the Sauna World (textile-free zone) with an extra fee. The Spa 3000 wellness area is for hotel guests only. Additional areas include Fitness Center, Treatment & Spa, and Children’s World – Alpine Noah’s Ark.
Therme
The Therme (Thermal Baths) is the main attraction of Aqua Dome. It encompasses:
- Two indoor pools of 34°C (93.2°F) and 36°C (96.8°F)
- Three elevated, bowl-shaped outdoor pools (massage basin, sulphur pool, salt pool)
- Outdoor 25m sports swimming pool
- Outdoor river whirlpool
The main Therme also comprises a restaurant and multiple indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.
Additionally, day visitors have access to a changing area with personal lockers. Every visitor gets their own personal locker, which they can open/close with their individual chip wristband.
During your visit, you can charge all food and drinks to your chip wristband.
Therme Pricing | Prices vary depending on your time of check-in, duration of stay, and age. See up-to-date pricing on the Aqua Dome booking system.
What to Bring | Swimsuit, waterproof slippers, bathrobe, 2-3 towels, cosmetics, and something to read. You can rent bathrobes and towels for an extra fee.
Sauna World
The Sauna World (“Saunawelt”) is an expansive wellness space which consists of multiple saunas, relaxation rooms, pools, showers, and a bistro.
The Sauna World is a textile-free zone (no bathing suits) and only accessible to adults (ages 15+).
In order to gain access to this part of Aqua Dome, you must purchase a Day Ticket with Sauna (9 am – 6 pm), or an Evening Ticket with Sauna (6 pm until closing).
For us, the Sauna space is always the highlight of any Therme. It’s the most relaxing and quiet area in a Therme complex, and it’s incredibly fun to explore. If you love saunas, make sure to buy the Day, or Evening Ticket with Sauna, which gives you unlimited access to both the Therme (Thermal Baths) and the Sauna World.
While relaxing in the sauna, don’t overlook the scheduled infusions (“Aufguss”). These occur in specific saunas at specific times. Look for the posted schedule (“Aufgussplan”) when you enter the sauna World.
Note: Aqua Dome Hotel guests (15+ years old) have unlimited access to the Sauna World.
Saunas | There are seven saunas including the Loft Sauna (60-90°C, 5-10% humidity), Gorge Infusion Sauna (90-100°C, 20% humidity), Heustadl Sauna – Hay Sauna (70°C, 30% humidity), Brine Steam Bath (45°C, 100% humidity), Kräuterbadl – Herbal Bath (50°C, 20-30% humidity), White & Black Marble Steam Dome (50°C, 20-30% humidity), and Stone Pine Sauna (30°C, 50% humidity)
Pools | There are four pools in the sauna world including Ice-Cold Plunge Pool (13-14°C), Warm Brine Grotto (32- 36°C), 20-meter-long Outdoor Thermal Pool (34°C), and Outdoor Whirlpool.
Relaxation Rooms | There are four relaxation rooms including the Zirbenwärme – Stone Pine room filled with 10 ergonomically shaped infrared loungers, the Mountain Peace Room filled with 40 lounge chairs, Mountain Impressions Room filled with 20 waterbeds and 15 lounge chairs, and the Natural Garden filled with 12 lounge chairs.
More wellness spaces | In addition to the saunas and pools, there is a Kneipp Walk, Sauna Garden, Waterfall Shower, and Ice Grotto.
Sauna Etiquette
Shower before/after a sauna session.
Always shower before entering any pool.
Do not wear your bathing suit, or any other clothing in the saunas.
Avoid getting sweat on wooden surfaces. Always place a towel between your body and the timber sauna surfaces.
Avoid talking in the saunas.
Speak very quietly throughout the sauna complex.
Spa 3000
The Spa 3000 is an exclusive space just for Aqua Dome hotel guests and Relax! One-Day Vacation Deluxe visitors.
It’s a two-story area which offers some of the best views of the Aqua Dome complex and surroundings. It also contains some of the most beautifully-designed relaxation areas and saunas in the whole Aqua Dome spa.
Here’s what you can look forward to as a hotel guest.
Spa 3000 Level 1 (Garment-Free)
Moss Room & Pool. Natural moss-covered walls surround a 34°C pool. The pool is ringed with plush loungers.
Herbal Tea Room and lounge area with hanging globe swings. Complimentary tea bar.
Ötztal Mineral Bath. Beautiful, circular steam sauna with tile seats.
Herbal Sauna with bird song.
Herbal Sauna with special herbal infusions. Make sure to sign-up in advance
Salt Block Relaxation Room with swing chairs.
Kneipp Hot-Cold-Hot Shower
Spa 3000 Level 2
Bar & Lounge. The bar sells drinks and snacks. You can enjoy your beverage directly at the bar, or in the lounge area, by a fireplace, or outside.
Outdoor Terrace lined with Fire Torches. Gorgeous outdoor area overlooking the Thermal Basins with lounge chairs.
Panoramic Sauna with central fireplace and glass facade.
Längenfeld Badl’n. Shallow bath with massage jets, facing Längenfeld and the valley.
Extra towels are provided throughout Spa 3000 at no extra charge.
Fitness Center
The fitness center is open daily from 7 am until 10 pm. Hotel guests have free access to the Fitness Center. Therme Day visitors can access this area for an additional 15 EUR. And, if you only want to visit the gym, it’s 20 EUR.
Spa and Treatments
If you want to receive a special treatment during your visit, or stay, at Aqua Dome, it’s best to arrange an appointment in advance. If you have a preference regarding gender of your therapist, also specify that in your pre-booking request.
You can email: treatment@aqua-dome.at
Here are some of Aqua Dome’s signature treatments:
- Thermal Deep Relax Massage
- Ötztal Sheep Wool Cocooning
- Stone-Pine Vital Massage
- Edelweiss Balance Massage
- Tyrolean Honey Massage
- Ötztal Stone Massage
Children’s World: Noah’s Ark of the Alps
If you’re visiting Aqua Dome with children, there’s a designated children’s area which encompasses a swimming pool, water fun park, water slides, indoor jungle gym, craft tables, and games.
Restaurants
Aqua Dome strives to source their ingredients from local farmers in Öztal. The food is fresh, excellent, and nutritious through the Therme complex.
During your visit, you can charge all your food and drinks to your chip wristband. When you depart the Therme complex, you’ll pay for everything you consumed during your visit.
This payment system is standard across Thermen. It’s safe and convenient, because you don’t have to carry around your wallet/cash through the Therme.
Therme Restaurant | The canteen-style Therme restaurant is accessible to all guests.
Sauna World Bistro | The bistro inside the Sauna World offers a number of meals and drinks in a more secluded setting.
Spa 3000 Bar | This stylish bar is located on Level 2 in the Spa 3000 area. They serve drinks and light snacks.
Aqua Dome Hotel Restaurant | Hotel guests eat a multi-course gourmet dinner and breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Tip: don’t overlook the extensive local cheese buffet at the end of dinner.
Aqua Dome Hotel
We recommend staying in the Aqua Dome Hotel, in order to get access to the Spa 3000 and early access to the Therme.
Dinner and breakfast is also a treat to look forward to. The hotel is staffed by an amazing team, who are friendly, helpful, and professional. Our experience staying here far exceeded our expectations.
The only thing that could be improved is the bedroom decor and upholstery, which are now dated.
To learn more about our experience, read our Aqua Dome Hotel Review.
Hotel Guest Perks
Early Access to the Therme (7 am – 9 am)
In addition to Spa 3000, hotel guests have unlimited access to the Therme (Thermal Baths) and Sauna World. It’s worth noting that hotel guests get early access to the Thermal Baths, starting at 7 am. That means you can enjoy the basins for 2 hours in peace, before the Theme’s public opening (9 am).
Panorama Relaxation Room
Furthermore, Hotel guests get exclusive access to a Panorama Relaxation Room inside the main Therme building, which overlooks the Aqua Dome outdoor pools.
Bathrobe, Flip Flops, Towels, Spa Bag
Everything you need to enjoy Aqua Dome is provided for you in your room.
Arrival Day Early Access
On the day you arrive, you can access the Therme starting at 9 am and the Sauna World and Spa 3000 starting at 10 am. Head directly to the hotel reception when you arrive. You can access your bedroom, starting at 3 pm.
Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Mini Bar
All the drinks in your mini bar are completely free of charge.
For the best hotel rates, we recommend Booking.com.
How to Get to Aqua Dome
Car
Drive to Ötztal Valley. Ötztal is the longest side valley in Tirol. It branches off the Inntal valley, and lies between Pitztal valley and Stubaital valley.
From the entrance of the valley, it’s a 27 minute drive (24 km distance) to Aqua Dome in Längenfeld.
Parking at Aqua Dome is free. There’s an underground parking lot for hotel guests and another one for day visitors.
Transit
You can take a bus from Innsbruck to Längenfeld.
Or, you can take a train to Ötztal Bahnhof, followed by a bus to Längenfeld.
More Austria Travel Guides
Tyrol, Austria:
Seasonal Travel:
Travel Itineraries:
- 2 Week Austria Road Trip – starting in Vienna
- 1 Week Austria Road Trip – starting in Salzburg or Munich
- 10-Day Bavarian Alps & Tyrolean Alps Road Trip – starting in Munich
More Thermal Spa Hotels:
- EurothermenResort Bad Ischl – Hotel Royal, Upper Austria
- Rogner Bad Blumau Thermal Spa Hotel, Styria
Hi! Just wondering if there are day trips or tours from the aquadome?
Hi Andrew,
Are you looking for organized tours? I believe the Aqua Dome Hotel offers daily trips.
During our visit to Ötztal, we hiked the Hochoetz Miner’s Trail (cableway ascent/descent from Oetz), visited Piburger See, and climbed the Stuibenfall waterfall via ferrata.
All the best,
Sabrina
Ahoj je možný navštívit koupání v termalu na 3hodiny bez reservace Děkuji (Hello, it is possible to visit the thermal baths for 3 hours without a reservation) Thank you
Hi,
I believe a reservation is always necessary.
-Sabrina