Best Saunas in Durham, United States
Bull City Soles
Massage and bodywork studio on Guess Road with a private recovery room containing an infrared sauna and a cold plunge. The sauna can be booked as a stand-alone 30-minute session ($35) or paired with a cold plunge for contrast therapy in 30- or 60-minute formats; a friend joins at half price. Sessions run Monday to Saturday by appointment only, at 110-140°F.
Sauna House Durham
Nordic-style bathhouse in a rebuilt 6,900 sq ft historic building on West Geer Street. The two-hour Thermal Cycle rotates between traditional saunas, cold plunges kept at 45-55°F and lounge spaces; drop-in visits, memberships, massage and private hot-cold-relax rooms are offered. The bathhouse is phone-free, swimsuits are required, and it opens 9 AM to 10 PM except Wednesday, when it opens at 5 PM.
Wellville Massage and Healing Arts
Massage, acupuncture and healing-arts practice on University Drive with a Sunlighten far-infrared sauna built from basswood. Single sessions are sold to the public at $35 for 30 minutes or $45 for 40 minutes, a five-session pack costs $175, and a sauna can be added before or after another treatment for $30. Open Monday to Friday 11 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM.
Downtown Durham YMCA
YMCA of the Triangle branch on West Morgan Street in downtown Durham with a wellness floor, indoor pool, track, courts, and a sauna and steam room in the locker area. Access is for members; the Y offers a free 7-day pass to adults living in its service area, and no paid day pass is published. Open Monday to Thursday 5 AM to 9 PM, Friday to 8 PM, Saturday 7 AM to 6 PM and Sunday noon to 6 PM.
Lakewood YMCA
YMCA of the Triangle branch on Chapel Hill Road in southwest Durham with free weights, cardio equipment, racquetball courts, a mind-body studio, and a sauna and steam room. Use is for members; adults in the Y's service area can try it with a free 7-day pass, and no paid day pass is published. Open Monday to Friday 6 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 1 to 5 PM.
Bull City Soles
Massage and bodywork studio on Guess Road with a private recovery room containing an infrared sauna and a cold plunge. The sauna can be booked as a stand-alone 30-minute session ($35) or paired with a cold plunge for contrast therapy in 30- or 60-minute formats; a friend joins at half price. Sessions run Monday to Saturday by appointment only, at 110-140°F.
Sauna House Durham
Nordic-style bathhouse in a rebuilt 6,900 sq ft historic building on West Geer Street. The two-hour Thermal Cycle rotates between traditional saunas, cold plunges kept at 45-55°F and lounge spaces; drop-in visits, memberships, massage and private hot-cold-relax rooms are offered. The bathhouse is phone-free, swimsuits are required, and it opens 9 AM to 10 PM except Wednesday, when it opens at 5 PM.
Wellville Massage and Healing Arts
Massage, acupuncture and healing-arts practice on University Drive with a Sunlighten far-infrared sauna built from basswood. Single sessions are sold to the public at $35 for 30 minutes or $45 for 40 minutes, a five-session pack costs $175, and a sauna can be added before or after another treatment for $30. Open Monday to Friday 11 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM.
Downtown Durham YMCA
YMCA of the Triangle branch on West Morgan Street in downtown Durham with a wellness floor, indoor pool, track, courts, and a sauna and steam room in the locker area. Access is for members; the Y offers a free 7-day pass to adults living in its service area, and no paid day pass is published. Open Monday to Thursday 5 AM to 9 PM, Friday to 8 PM, Saturday 7 AM to 6 PM and Sunday noon to 6 PM.
Lakewood YMCA
YMCA of the Triangle branch on Chapel Hill Road in southwest Durham with free weights, cardio equipment, racquetball courts, a mind-body studio, and a sauna and steam room. Use is for members; adults in the Y's service area can try it with a free 7-day pass, and no paid day pass is published. Open Monday to Friday 6 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 1 to 5 PM.