Sauna Paraíso, Madrid

About Sauna Paraíso

Madrid's largest and oldest gay bathhouse at 1,400 square meters, having maintained its popularity since opening decades ago. The venue markets itself as "the sauna for young gay people," and the clientele skews decidedly younger—mostly muscled guys in their 20s and 30s, with particularly heavy traffic from post-club crowds arriving between 2am and 2pm on weekend mornings. The facilities sprawl across multiple levels featuring a heated underground pool (where notably little actual swimming occurs), large jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, Turkish baths, steam room, 30 private cabins, three dark rooms, a cinema, and a BDSM area equipped with cell bars, rack, swing, and St. Andrew's cross. The exposed brick vaulted ceilings create atmospheric cruising spaces, particularly in the basement labyrinth that's intentionally dark for exploration. Entry runs €16-17 on weekdays and €20 on weekends, including locker, towel, flip-flops, and condoms. Massage services are available for an additional fee. Hours are Monday through Thursday 1pm to midnight, then 24 hours continuously from Friday 1pm through Sunday midnight. The sauna has earned mixed reviews: praise for the extensive facilities, attractive clientele, and the unique underground vault architecture, but criticism for cleanliness issues (especially during busy periods), overcrowding on peak nights, staff attitudes that can be brusque, occasional equipment outages, and persistent problems with drug use and people smoking inside despite Spain's indoor smoking ban. The bar lighting is described as overly clinical. Recent visitors note the venue has reduced some amenities compared to earlier years. Despite these issues, it remains Madrid's most popular bathhouse, drawing both locals and international visitors.