Therme Bucharest review. Is Therme Galaxy worth it with kids?
Planning a visit to Therme Bucharest with kids? Our honest Galaxy review covers slides, prices, age restrictions, crowds and whether it’s worth visiting.
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11/26/202619 min read
If you're looking for an honest Therme Bucharest review from a family perspective, we visited the Galaxy area with our 10-year-old son Joshua during October half term.
This guide is for families deciding whether Therme Bucharest is worth it with kids, which ticket to buy, how long to stay and whether the slides and pools justify making the journey outside central Bucharest.
This review focuses on Therme Galaxy, the family zone and the only one of the three areas where children aged 3–14 are normally permitted. Children under three and visitors aged over 14 can access The Palm under its age rules, but families with primary-school children will mainly use Galaxy.
Where helpful, we've included tickets, transport and accommodation we used or would consider ourselves. Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What You'll Find in This Therme Bucharest Review
Quick Answer: Is Therme Bucharest Worth Visiting With Kids?
Yes. Therme Bucharest was one of the best-value family attractions we visited in Romania, and Joshua loved it.
The Galaxy area combines water slides, warm thermal pools, splash areas and a tropical atmosphere. It also works brilliantly during October half term because almost the entire experience is indoors and the water stays warm regardless of the weather.
However, arrive as early as possible. We enjoyed around 30 minutes with relatively few people (don't let my photos fool you - these views did not last long!), but by midday the pools and slides were extremely busy and queues had built considerably.
My strong recommendation is to book direct and get and either drive or get an uber, it'll cost you far less than booking your visit as part of a tour. We paid £31 for our family of three, verses over double to go via a booking agent.
What Is Therme Bucharest?
Therme Bucharest is a large thermal spa and water park complex in Balotești, immediately north of Bucharest on the DN1 road towards Otopeni Airport. Public transport is available on the R442 bus route, which connects Therme with Piața Presei in Bucharest.
From our hotel, Orhideea Residence & Spa, our journey took around 35–40 minutes, although Bucharest traffic was heavy that morning. Therme's location near the airport makes it particularly useful for the beginning or end of a Romania itinerary.
The complex is split into three zones:
Galaxy: The family area, containing pools, water slides and children's attractions
The Palm: An adults-focused tropical pool and relaxation area
Elysium: The premium wellness area, with themed saunas, therapies and treatments
Galaxy is the only zone open to all ages. The Palm permits children under three and visitors over 14 years old, while Elysium focuses on adult only wellness experiences.
For families like ours, this meant Galaxy is the section to judge Therme on. We did not explore the complete complex as that would have meant splitting up which we didn't want to do.
For answers to all the common Therme FAQs I suggest looking at their website where they cover off answers to commonly asked questions.
Why We Chose Therme Bucharest With Kids
We'd spent the previous week driving around Romania, visiting castles and exploring Transylvania. Joshua had enjoyed the trip, but Therme was the attraction we'd added primarily for him.
We'd seen photographs of the tropical pools and heard impressive reviews of the complex, so it seemed like an easy way to finish our holiday.
It also made practical sense. Therme is relatively close to the airport, operates throughout the year and isn't dependent on good October weather.
After days of sightseeing, three hours of slides and warm pools gave the trip a completely different ending.
→ See how we fitted Therme into our One Week Romania Family Road Trip Itinerary.
Which Therme Bucharest Ticket Should Families Choose?
For families with children aged 3–14, Galaxy is the Therme Bucharest ticket you need. Galaxy is the dedicated family zone, with the water slides, wave pool and children's activities. Children in this age group aren't permitted into The Palm, so don't pay extra for Palm access expecting the whole family to use it.
You can choose between:
3 hours
4.5 hours
One Day Holiday
We chose three hours in Galaxy, which was plenty for us. The useful thing is that you don't necessarily need to commit to a longer ticket upfront. If you're still enjoying yourselves, you can stay longer and pay the additional time charge on exit. The price increases 10 lei per person (or around £1.50) for every additional 30 minutes, up to the cost of the full day ticket.
Should You Book Therme Bucharest Direct or Through a Tour?
Personally, we'd book directly with Therme.
When I compared prices, the difference was significant. We paid approximately £31 in total for two adults and one child for three hours in Galaxy.
For comparison, when I researched third-party options, I found:
A highly rated package including transfers and Therme entry at around £140 for our family. It included Palm and Galaxy access, even though Joshua couldn't use The Palm.
Another option offering Galaxy entry with booking support but no transport was around £70 for two adults and one child, more than double what we paid directly.
At the time of writing, even an adult ticket offering broader zone access directly through Therme was around £22, which gives some context to the markup we found on some packages.
Prices can obviously change, so I'd always compare the live prices for your exact date before booking.
For us, there simply wasn't enough added value to justify paying a large premium through an agent. Therme is straightforward to book, and if you don't have a hire car, you can arrange your own Uber or taxi. Therme even has a taxi-ordering facility by the café for the return journey.
→ Our recommendation: check prices and book directly with Therme Bucharest first. Note with this option you'll pay in Romanian Lei, so ensure you pick a payment option that doesn't include foreign transaction fees.
That said, a transfer package may still make sense if you particularly value free cancellation, hotel transfers or having somebody else organise the logistics. I'd just compare carefully what you're actually getting, particularly the duration and zones included.
Our view: for most families comfortable arranging their own transport, book Galaxy directly and save the money for drinks, food or another attraction in Bucharest.
9am just before opening - tickets can be purchased on the day
Skipping into Therme Spa for the morning
Where to Stay When Visiting Therme Bucharest
If Therme Bucharest is the main reason for your stay, I'd look at Otopeni rather than central Bucharest. You'll be much closer to both Therme and the airport, making it particularly convenient for a final night before flying home.
For families, I'd shortlist:
Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Airport – our pick for convenience and where we stayed on our first night in Bucharest. It's around 2.2 miles from Therme and only a short walk from Bucharest Airport, making it ideal if you're combining Therme with your flight home.
Vienna House Easy by Wyndham Bucharest Airport – another convenient airport option, around 2.7 miles from Therme, with spacious accommodation and easy airport access.
ibis Styles Bucharest Airport – a family-friendly option with breakfast, an on-site restaurant and airport transport, around 3.1 miles from Therme.
We personally stayed at Orhideea Residence & Spa because Therme was only one part of our Bucharest stay. The apartment-style accommodation gave us much more space as a family, plus its own pool and spa facilities, although the drive to Therme took around 35–40 minutes in morning traffic.
Our recommendation: stay near Otopeni Airport if Therme and your flight are the priority; stay in Bucharest if you also want to explore the city.
→ For more options, see Where to Stay in Bucharest With Kids: Best Areas & Family Hotels.
→ Or read our Orhideea Residence & Spa Bucharest Family Review
What Is Therme Galaxy Like With Kids?
The first thing that struck us was that Galaxy feels more like a water park than a traditional thermal spa.
When we walked in, the slides dominated the space. I'm more accustomed to water parks where the main swimming pool is the centrepiece, but here it felt as though slides were everywhere, with pools and relaxation facilities arranged around them.
Therme currently advertises 1.7km of water slides, a wave pool and interactive family activities in Galaxy.
It reminded us slightly of Center Parcs in the UK, but with more slides and a much stronger tropical-spa atmosphere, sadly no outdoor rapids though.
In short, Galaxy includes:
Large and small water slides
Wave and activity pools
Indoor and outdoor thermal pools
Splash areas for younger children
Tropical planting and relaxation areas
Pool bars
Hydrotherapy and infrared beds
Wet saunas
Food and drink facilities
There was enough variety to keep Joshua occupied throughout our visit, although the experience changed significantly as the crowds increased.
Theme Galaxy wave swimming pool
Walking into Therme Bucharest Galaxy
Are the Therme Galaxy Slides Good for Kids?
Yes, particularly for confident primary school children and teenagers.
There are flumes, racing slides, ring slides and larger raft-style attractions. Therme has a wide range of individual Galaxy slides, including The Racer, The Galaxy, Andromeda, Supernova, Neptune, Mars, Saturn and others.
Joshua's favourite, the Quasar slide, a flume where you enter a vortex tunnel, spinning round a huge bowl in a big circle. He rode this many times! Some of the small slides were also for kids only.
However, don't assume every child can use every slide.
Therme Galaxy Slide Restrictions
Some slides have minimum age, height or weight requirements. During our visit, The Galaxy slide required riders to be at least 12 years old or 140cm, which surprised us.
Joshua could use plenty of slides, but not everything. For a lighter or younger child, the restrictions could be disappointing if the family arrives expecting complete access.
Check the signage at each slide and follow the lifeguards' instructions, as restrictions may differ according to the type of ride and inflatable used.
Navigating around Therme Spa
The Galaxy slide - age 12+ at Therme Bucharest
What Is Therme Galaxy Like for Younger Children?
Younger children have access to splash areas and smaller water attractions, but won't get full value from the main slide offering.
There are dedicated some dedicated water-play areas. Some slides were also smaller and for kids only.
I'd bring your own properly fitted flotation aids if your child normally uses them, as we did not see any options freely available at Therme.
Is Therme Bucharest Suitable for Toddlers?
Yes, but toddlers will have a very different experience from older children.
Therme Galaxy has shallow play areas and water attractions aimed at smaller children. We also noticed a more contained baby area away from the busiest slides, which gave younger children space without being constantly splashed by older kids.
The warm water and indoor temperature also make Therme easier with toddlers than a conventional outdoor water park.
However, parents should know that:
Toddlers won't meet most slide restrictions
Galaxy can become extremely crowded
The noise and scale may feel overwhelming
Close supervision is essential
Families should bring any necessary flotation aids
Our view is that Therme works for toddlers as a warm splash-and-swim experience, but the best age for enjoying Galaxy fully is probably school age upwards.
Will Older Kids Enjoy Therme Galaxy?
Absolutely.
Older children and teenagers will get the most from the wider choice of flumes and faster slides. Teenagers aged over 14 can also access The Palm under Therme's age rules, giving families more flexibility than those visiting with younger children.
Kids splash zone at Therme Bucharest
Baby pool at Therme Bucharest
What Is There at Therme Besides the Water Slides?
Galaxy offers more than continuous slide queues.
We found:
Warm indoor pools
A large heated outdoor pool
A pool bar
Jacuzzi jets and hydrotherapy areas
Massage beds
Infrared relaxation beds
Steam rooms
Tropical plants and relaxation spaces
Food and drink outlets
I paid 15 lei for 10 minutes on a massage bed (around £2), while the infrared beds we used were free.
We also tried the pool bar. It was fun for the novelty, although it became crowded quickly. My frappuccino and Joshua's non-alcoholic piña colada cost roughly 32 lei each, around £4.50 at the exchange rate during our visit. They weren't cheap by Romanian standards, but we enjoyed them.
For parents, these features make Galaxy feel more balanced than a straightforward children's water park. You may not get the peaceful spa day shown in the promotional photos, but you can still find short moments of relaxation while the children enjoy the water.
Galaxy pool bar
Pick up a Cocktail or a Frappuccino at the pool bar
Does Therme Bucharest Have an Outdoor Pool?
Yes, and although Joshua loved the slides, our favourite part was the large heated outdoor pool.
The water felt like a warm bath, even in October, and the pool had jets and Jacuzzi-style areas. Being outside in cool autumn weather while remaining in warm thermal water was one of the most relaxing parts of the visit.
The main Galaxy Relax pool is 1.26m deep and includes warm thermal water, relaxation spaces and a pool bar beneath a retractable glass roof.
That depth meant Joshua could comfortably touch the bottom, but it may be too deep for younger children to stand safely without support.
Therme outdoor pool was warm like a bath
Galaxy outdoor thermal pool
How Long Do You Need at Therme Bucharest?
For Therme Galaxy with kids, we found three hours was enough. We arrived at opening and left just before our three-hour ticket expired, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the slides, indoor pools, heated outdoor pool, pool bar and some of the relaxation facilities.
Tickets are available for three hours, 4.5 hours or a full day, so the best option really depends on how you want to spend your visit.
For us:
3 hours: ideal if your priority is the slides and pools
4.5 hours: better if you want to stop for lunch and take things at a more relaxed pace
Full day: probably unnecessary for Galaxy alone unless your family absolutely loves water parks
We didn't stay for lunch and instead ate at Luca after leaving. That's one of the reasons three hours worked so well for us.
Personally, I wouldn't book a full day purely for Galaxy with a 10-year-old. Adults and older teenagers who can access more of the Therme complex may get significantly more value from staying longer.
Where to Eat at Therme Bucharest
You don't need to leave Therme Bucharest for lunch. There are restaurants and food options within the complex, making a longer 4.5-hour or full-day visit much easier.
Restaurant Greens is a family-friendly option with a broad menu including Romanian food, pasta, grilled dishes, Asian options, salads, desserts and ice cream. The menu is available online, I have included the link.
We only bought drinks at the pool bar during our visit. I had a frappuccino and Joshua chose a virgin piña colada, which were both good, although prices were noticeably higher than we'd been paying elsewhere in Romania.
If we were planning to eat a proper meal inside, I'd definitely choose the 4.5-hour ticket rather than three hours. By the time you've dried off, eaten and got everyone back into the pool, lunch could easily take an hour out of your visit.
For us, though, skipping lunch and sticking to three hours was ideal. We had enough time to enjoy Galaxy properly without the day starting to feel too long, particularly as the crowds were becoming significantly heavier by the time we left.
One of several drinks menus at Therme Galaxy
Eat well juice bar at Therme Bucharest
Is Therme Bucharest Crowded?
Yes, and this was our biggest criticism.
For the first 30 minutes, Therme was fantastic. The slides had minimal queues, the pools felt spacious and we could appreciate the scale of the complex. This is when my photos were taken and as you can see it is lovely and quiet!
Then the crowds arrived.
By midday, the atmosphere had changed completely. Slide queues were long, the pool bar was busy and some areas felt difficult to move around.
We visited on a Friday during October half term, so our timing was never likely to be quiet. Even so, the speed at which it filled surprised us.
Our strongest advice is simple: Arrive for opening and use the slides first. Save the pools and relaxation areas until later.
Therme Bucharest Opening Hours
Current Therme Bucharest opening hours are:
Monday to Thursday: 10am–11pm
Friday and Saturday: 9am–midnight
Sunday: 9am–11pm
Facilities close 30 minutes before the main closing time. We visited on a Friday and arrived for the 9am opening. That early arrival made a huge difference to both crowds in Therme and also parking.
Always check the official hours for your visit, as opening times and individual attractions can change. I have included the link to the details.
Flip flops left by the slides as people waited in line
Crowds post opening - around 12pm
Is Therme Bucharest Price Expensive for Families visiting Galaxy?
We thought Therme Bucharest offered excellent value.
We paid approximately £31 for three people for a three-hour visit on a Friday of half term. Therme prices vary between weekdays and weekends or school-holiday periods.
Your basic ticket includes:
Entry to the selected zone
Use of pools and eligible slides
A locker per adult
Free on-site parking if driving
Hair dryers
Extras can increase the spending quickly. We spent around £14 on two drinks and 20 minutes across massage beds.
Current rental charges include 31 lei for a towel, 35 lei for adult slippers and 39 lei for a bathrobe, so bringing your own towel and flip-flops is the easiest way to avoid unnecessary costs. These items are described as mandatory for entry, although no one checked or asked us if they had these with us.
Food and drinks ranged from affordable snacks to more expensive pool-bar purchases, but you don't need to buy much once inside. Outside food and drink is not permitted, although we did take a bottle of water in with us.
Our verdict on value: Therme was one of the best-value paid family activities of our Romania trip, prices can add up if you opted to add on lunch and additional pool bar drinks.
Guidelines at Therme Bucharest
Kids only slides at Therme Bucharest
What Are the Changing Facilities Like at Therme Bucharest?
Are the Changing Rooms at Therme Bucharest Mixed?
Yes, the main Galaxy family changing and locker areas are mixed, but there are private changing cubicles available, so you don't need to change in an open communal area. We found this particularly convenient as a family because we could stay together rather than splitting up before entering Galaxy. The family sized changing rooms made it easy to change both before and after.
Once changed, you can store your clothes and valuables securely in the locker that is assigned to you before heading through to the pools.
What Are the Showers Like at Therme Bucharest?
After swimming, there are separate shower areas for men and women, with soap provided and hairdryers available nearby.
The showers offer some privacy, but they aren't fully enclosed cubicles, so don't expect the sort of private shower you'd have in a hotel. We treated them more as somewhere to rinse off the pool water and quickly wash before getting dressed, rather than having a full shower.
For us, they were perfectly adequate for getting cleaned up before leaving Therme, but I'd save the proper shower for back at your hotel.
What Should Families Bring to Therme Bucharest?
You don't need to arrive wearing swimwear because there are spacious changing facilities.
We'd take:
Swimwear
Flip-flops or pool shoes
Towels
Hairbrush
Toiletries
Waterproof bag for wet clothing
Properly fitted flotation aids if your child needs them
A change of clothes
Payment card or spending money for food and extras (you pay using your electronic bracelet and settle the bill at the end)
Goggles for kids - these can be worn in the pools, but be aware they are not permitted on the slides and will need to be left on the side
Towels and slippers can be rented or purchased, but bringing your own will save money.
Flip-flops were described as mandatory, although enforcement appeared inconsistent during our visit. Plenty of people removed them poolside, and discarded shoes became another thing to navigate around.
There were free lockers, lots of changing space and plenty of hairdryers.
Therme Bucharest Tips for Families
A few things we learned from our visit:
Arrive at opening. We experienced only 30–60 minutes before crowds built considerably.
Book direct for the best value
Go straight to the slides. Queues became much longer later.
Check restrictions before promising a particular slide.
Bring towels and flip-flops to avoid rental costs.
Bring flotation aids if your child normally needs them.
Remove jewellery before using the slides. My husband lost his wedding ring on one slide.
You cannot take action cameras onto the slides.
Phones were widely used poolside, but they weren't permitted in the water, this was being policed by the lifeguards during our visit.
Start with the three-hour ticket unless you already know you want longer.
Keep some budget aside for drinks, food and paid relaxation beds.
The wedding-ring incident deserves particular emphasis. We asked a lifeguard to stop people entering the slide while we checked the bottom. Against all odds, Joshua found the ring.
We were incredibly lucky. Remove rings before going anywhere near the flumes.
Hairdryers at Theme Bucharest
Therme free lockers are operated by your wrist band
Is Therme Galaxy Good for Adults?
Yes, Therme Galaxy is still enjoyable for adults. We enjoyed the warm indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzi jets, pool bar, steam rooms, infrared beds and massage beds, I would go as far as to say we also even enjoyed the slides.
It isn't the same peaceful spa experience adults can get in The Palm or Elysium, and Galaxy can become very busy with families. But we still found enough opportunities to relax that it didn't feel like we'd simply spent three hours at a children's water park.
If you're visiting with kids, Galaxy gives adults a good balance of water park fun and some genuine relaxation, even if the children are likely to get the most from it.
Is Therme Bucharest Worth Visiting in Winter?
Yes. Therme is an excellent for winter, we visited during October half-term when the weather had started to get wet and cold.
The pools are heated, most attractions are indoors and the tropical environment makes it easy to forget it's autumn outside.
The downside is that school-holiday visits can be extremely busy. Arrive for opening rather than assuming you can have a relaxed morning and visit later.
→ For what the wider trip was like and other places to see while in Romania, read Places to see in Romania with Kids : Is It Worth Visiting?
Hydromassage beds at Therme - paid activity
Three steam rooms (14 years +) in the Galaxy area
Final Verdict: Is Therme Bucharest Worth It With Kids?
Yes. We'd absolutely include Therme Bucharest Galaxy in another family trip to Romania.
What we loved most was the variety. Joshua had the water slides, while we still enjoyed the warm outdoor pool, hydrotherapy features and short periods of relaxation.
The value was also excellent. Even after adding drinks and massage beds, it remained one of the more affordable major attractions of our trip.
The biggest downside was the crowd level. Those first 30 minutes were fantastic, but by midday Therme felt like a completely different place.
What we loved
The huge choice of slides
The warm outdoor pool
The tropical setting
Excellent value
Having something entirely child-focused at the end of our trip
What we didn't love
Rapidly increasing crowds
Long slide queues later in the morning
Restrictions preventing some children from using certain slides
No opportunity to explore the adults-only areas together
If you're visiting Romania with kids, particularly during October half term, Therme Galaxy is worth adding to your itinerary. Arrive for opening, book around three hours, book direct to get the best price and accept that it will become busier as the day continues.
It was one of the easiest and most enjoyable family activities of our Romania trip, and the perfect way to finish our road trip.
FAQs About Therme Bucharest With Kids
Are There Places to Leave Towels and Flip-Flops Around Therme Bucharest?
Yes. We left our towels and flip-flops around the pool areas on a sun bed while swimming and using the slides, as did plenty of other visitors. For phones, wallets and anything valuable, we'd use the lockers rather than leaving them poolside. There were loads of beds and places to leave belongings, there were also towel hooks by the pools. Flip flops seemed to be discarded anywhere.
Are the Lockers Easy to Get Back to at Therme Bucharest?
Yes. We found it easy enough to return to the changing and locker area if we needed something. I'd still keep trips back to a minimum, so take what you need for the pool area with you and leave valuables securely locked away.
Can You Take Your Phone Into the Pools at Therme Bucharest?
Phones were widely used around the poolside during our visit, but we were told they shouldn't be used in the water. We saw people ignoring this, but lifeguards were challenging visitors.
I'd use your phone for photos around Galaxy, then leave it safely with your belongings before getting into the pools or going on the slides.
Can Adults Upgrade Their Therme Ticket to Visit The Palm or Elysium?
Yes. Adults can pay to upgrade from Galaxy to The Palm, and from The Palm to Elysium. Current Galaxy-to-Palm upgrades start from 31 lei on Monday–Thursday and 36 lei on busier days.
Just remember that children aged 3–14 can't follow you into The Palm, so this only really works if another adult can stay with them in Galaxy.
Are You Asked to Leave When Your Therme Ticket Time Runs Out?
You don't suddenly get asked to leave when your three-hour ticket expires. If you stay longer, additional time is automatically charged in 30-minute increments, currently at 10 lei per person, until you reach the applicable full-day tariff.
That's why we think the three-hour ticket is a good starting point for families. You can stay longer if everyone is still enjoying themselves.
How Do You Pay for Food and Extras at Therme Bucharest?
Therme uses an electronic wristband system, so you don't need to carry cash around the pools. Your additional purchases are recorded against your wristband and settled when you leave.
We found this particularly convenient for buying drinks and using the paid massage beds without carrying a wallet around Galaxy.
Do You Need Money for the Lockers at Therme Bucharest?
No. You don't need coins or separate cash for a standard locker. Access to a locker is part of your Therme visit and operated using your electronic wrist band, so there's no need to arrive with change.
We'd keep valuables such as cash, cards, jewellery and passports securely in the locker rather than leaving them with towels beside the pool.
plan your TRIP TO Romania
If you’re planning your family trip to the Transylvania region of Romania, these guides will help you pull everything together:
About Plan Family Escapes
We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.
Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.
