Madrid has three kinds of spa, and they suit very different days. Hammam Al Ándalus is an Arab bath near Plaza Mayor where a 90-minute session moves you between hot, warm and cold pools and a steam room. You will find it at Calle de Atocha 14. Thermas de Griñón, a 33 km drive south, sells 3 hours of pools and saunas for 39 euros. In between sit four hotel spas that sell entry to non-guests, from 25 euros for 50 minutes to 60 euros for an hour.
Which spa in Madrid should you book? For the Arab bath ritual near the sights, Hammam Al Ándalus, 216 metres from Tirso de Molina metro. For one hour with a cold plunge, the Wellington, open 7:00 to 22:00 on weekdays. For a cheap first try, Meliá Madrid Princesa at 25 euros. For a whole afternoon, Thermas de Griñón, 3 hours for 39 euros.
Three rules catch visitors out. Swimwear is compulsory everywhere. Hospes Puerta de Alcalá only sells day access from Monday to Friday. And Griñón turns away children under 8.
Which Madrid spa fits your day?
| You want | Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A Spanish-Arab bath ritual | Hammam Al Ándalus | 90 minutes of hot, warm and cold water, optional massage inside that time |
| One hour before dinner | Urso or Wellington | 45 or 60 minutes, robe and towels at Urso |
| The cheapest hour | Meliá Madrid Princesa | 50 minutes for 25 euros, with juice or cava |
| A long afternoon | Thermas de Griñón | 3 hours for 39 euros, 33 km from Sol |
| A spa with a toddler | Castilla Termal Olmedo | Thermal pool open to all ages, children from 32 euros |
How much does a spa cost in Madrid?
Measured by the hour, Griñón wins: 39 euros for 3 hours works out at 13 euros an hour. At the hotels, the Urso charges 44 euros for 45 minutes and the Wellington charges 60 euros for 60, so both come close to 60 euros an hour.
The Arab bath prices each service by day and time slot. You see the figure when you pick a time, and off-peak slots carry discounts for members of its free loyalty club. Everything is paid when you book.
When are Madrid spas open?
Hours shape the choice more than price. The Wellington, at Velázquez 8 near the Retiro, is the only one open before 10:00: weekdays from 7:00, weekends from 9:00. Hospes, on Plaza de la Independencia, sells day access 12:00 to 21:00 on weekdays and not at all at weekends. The Hammam’s off-peak slots at Plaza Mayor run until 22:00 from Monday to Thursday, which suits a late evening after a museum day.
What to pack and how spas work here
Spanish spas follow a few rules that surprise first-time visitors.
- Swimwear, always. At the Hammam, no underwear; a bikini must be worn as both pieces. You can buy a swimsuit at reception.
- Swim cap. Compulsory at Griñón, which sells one for 3 euros. The Wellington and Meliá list it as not included.
- Towels. Provided at the Hammam and the hotels. At Griñón you rent one for 3 euros.
- Phones. No photos or video inside the Hammam, and silence in the pools.
- Lockers. Keep your phone and wallet locked away: the Hammam’s lockers close with a 4-digit code, and Griñón’s take 1-euro coins.
- Getting there. Tirso de Molina, on metro line 1, is the closest stop to the Hammam; a single ticket covers it, as explained in Madrid metro ticket prices.
- Tipping. Local habits for cafés, taxis and services are in how much to tip in Madrid.
- Changing rooms. Mixed at Griñón, with private cubicles.
Is a trip outside the city worth it?
If you have a car and half a day, yes. Griñón has a flotarium, an ice fountain, a Finnish sauna and four themed pools. It is about 35 minutes from Sol without traffic, and Saturday hours run 9:30 to 22:00. The full comparison with Castilla Termal Olmedo, 146 km away with mineral-medicinal water and a thermal pool from 38 euros, is in thermal spas near Madrid.
What you may not like
There is no swimming pool at the Hammam, only bathing pools. The hotels rarely give more than an hour. Griñón charges 5 euros per person for every 15 minutes you overstay. And none of the Madrid options is a natural hot spring you can simply turn up at.
For the rest of your day: the Arab baths in detail, hotel spa day passes, a couples spa, what to do on a rainy day and romantic restaurants.
Madrid spa questions
Do I need to book a spa in Madrid in advance?
Yes. Hammam Al Ándalus recommends booking 2 to 3 days ahead, longer over bank holidays, and lets you change or cancel up to 48 hours before. Thermas de Griñón takes compulsory phone bookings on 918 103 526. Hotel day passes are bought for a date or booked by calling the spa.
Can I go to a Madrid spa without staying at the hotel?
Yes, at four hotels with published prices: Meliá Madrid Princesa for 25 euros for 50 minutes, Hospes Puerta de Alcalá for 37 euros on weekdays only, Urso for 44 euros for 45 minutes and Wellington for 60 euros for an hour.
Are Madrid spas nude or mixed?
Swimwear is compulsory. Hammam Al Ándalus does not allow underwear and runs no nude sessions; bikinis must be worn as both pieces. Thermas de Griñón has mixed changing rooms with individual cubicles for getting changed.
Which Madrid spa is open on Sunday evening?
Urso runs its spa daily until 21:00, and Wellington and Meliá Madrid Princesa until 20:00 on Sundays. Hammam Al Ándalus Plaza Mayor has Sunday sessions at 21:00 and 22:00. Thermas de Griñón closes at 15:00 on Sundays.
Pick your Madrid spa by the hours you have free, not by the photo of the pool.