Dubai is usually associated with desert, air conditioning and the world’s tallest skyscrapers, but for years it has also been developing a second face – spa and wellness in the Emirates at an absolutely top, world-class level. In luxury hotels, oriental hammams and desert resorts you’ll find the best saunas in Dubai – from classic Finnish saunas and steam rooms to elaborate hammam rituals.
This guide, inspired by various “best spa in Dubai” lists and rankings of top hammams, will help you plan:
where to look for spa and saunas in Dubai,
which hotels offer extensive thermal zones,
what oriental saunas in Dubai look like (Arab hammam, Turkish bath),
what sauna prices in Dubai are like and the cultural details to keep in mind.
1. Saunas in Dubai – how does it work?
In Dubai you won’t find typical, municipal “public baths” like in Budapest. Instead, you’ll see:
luxury spa with saunas in Dubai inside 5★ hotels,
large resorts on the Palm and in the desert,
modern saunas and wellness centres in Dubai with infrared, ice baths and recovery zones for athletes.
What types of saunas can you find in Dubai?
Most often you’ll come across:
Finnish sauna Dubai – a classic dry sauna,
steam room,
Arab hammam Dubai – a version of a Turkish bath with heated marble, foam and exfoliation,
sometimes also infrared sauna Dubai in more “biohacking-style” centres.
Are Finnish and steam saunas available in Dubai?
Yes – practically every larger hotel spa offers a sauna + steam room, and some add a jacuzzi, plunge pool or even a “snow room” (for example the huge Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray has saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis, thalassotherapy pools and a snow room).
For many people, however, the key experience is relaxing in a hammam sauna in Dubai – that is, a combination of a hot, humid bath with a cleansing ritual, exfoliation and foam massage.
2. Top wellness centres – the best spas (saunas and hammams in Dubai)
Below you’ll find an overview of the most famous places that appear both in official city listings and in Polish-language guides to spa and wellness in the Emirates.
2.1 Talise Ottoman Spa – Jumeirah Zabeel Saray (Palm Jumeirah)
This is an absolute classic when it comes to oriental saunas in Dubai.
considered one of the largest spas in the Middle East – around 42 treatment rooms,
extensive thermal area: saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis, thalassotherapy pools, snow room, heated marble loungers,
the heart of the spa is a huge Turkish hammam inspired by Ottoman-era architecture.
If you’re looking for a spectacular detox and regeneration in Dubai, this is the place.
2.2 The SPA – Palazzo Versace Dubai
The SPA at Palazzo Versace is perfect for those who want to combine elegant Italian design with an oriental hammam:
two Moroccan-style hammam baths,
separate female/male areas with sauna, steam room, plunge pools and relaxation rooms,
exclusive hammam packages with black soap and exfoliation using a kessa glove.
It’s a great choice if you’re looking for an elegant hotel sauna for couples in Dubai – many of the luxury treatments can be booked for two.
2.3 Anjana Spa – Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites
Anjana Spa at Rixos The Palm on Palm Jumeirah is a nod to the Turkish roots of the brand:
Turkey-inspired spa with a Turkish hammam,
multi-award-winning rituals rooted in Ottoman tradition – exfoliation, foam massage, masks,
a rich menu of special regenerative treatments combined with sauna and steam room access.
For many people this is the ideal place for a full day of relaxation in Dubai, with an all-inclusive package and full access to the wellness area.
2.4 One&Only Spa & Oriental Hammam – One&Only Royal Mirage
Royal Mirage is a classic, elegant beach resort, and its One&Only Spa and Oriental Hammam have for years been among the most recommended in rankings of spas and saunas in Dubai:
traditional Arab hammam with stone slabs and cleansing rituals,
private treatment rooms for couples,
an extensive range of massages, body and facial rituals.
If you want the atmosphere of a classic Arab hammam in Dubai and at the same time access to a beach and pools, this is a very strong contender.
2.5 Timeless Spa – Al Maha Desert Resort (desert vibe)
If you dream of detox and regeneration in Dubai away from the city, Timeless Spa in the desert resort Al Maha is exactly that:
spa located in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with views over the dunes,
an area with sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, plunge pool and an infinity pool,
treatments inspired by Arab wellness traditions.
This is one of the most atmospheric “saunas with a view of Dubai”… actually outside the city – instead of skyscrapers you have sand and stars.
2.6 Talise Spa – Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
The Talise Spa brand appears in several luxury Jumeirah hotels:
Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Beach Hotel,
a wide range of Ayurvedic, relaxation and oriental treatments,
access to saunas, steam rooms and relaxation pools.
It’s an option for those who want to combine a luxury spa with a sauna in Dubai in truly iconic hotels.
3. Hotel saunas in Dubai and more affordable wellness centres
You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a sauna.
Hotel saunas – day spa in Dubai
Many hotels sell a day pass that gives access to:
the pool,
the gym,
the sauna and steam room.
In cheaper options (e.g. city hotels, Swissôtel Al Ghurair etc.) prices for such a day can start at under 100 AED.
Saunas and wellness centres in Dubai
New-style saunas and wellness centres in Dubai offer:
combinations like sauna + ice bath,
infrared, red light,
recovery sessions for athletes.
These places are popular with people living in Dubai long term – perfect after a weights session, a run or crossfit.
4. How much does it cost to use a sauna in Dubai?
How much does it cost to go to a sauna in Dubai?
Sauna prices in Dubai vary widely – from budget day passes to ultra-luxury packages for couples:
cheaper hotels / fitness centres – around 60–150 AED for access to the pool + sauna + steam room,
mid-range (better hotels) – around 150–250 AED for a day spa in Dubai with several hours’ access to the spa,
hammam in luxury spas – promos and vouchers for a Moroccan hammam at The SPA Palazzo Versace start at around 250 AED for 60 minutes, but in many five-star spas a full ritual with massage is usually 400–600+ AED,
top-tier packages in the most exclusive spas (Talise Ottoman, One&Only, desert resorts) – can reach 1500–3000 AED for extensive couple programmes with multiple treatments and private areas.
For a purely budget-friendly experience, it’s best to pick hotel saunas in Dubai with a day pass. If you want a real “wow”, plan your budget around a hammam in a top-tier property.
5. Rules and etiquette – how to use saunas in Dubai?
What are the rules for using a sauna in Dubai?
The most important differences compared to Poland (and much of Europe):
Clothing
In hotel saunas and steam rooms you use swimwear (one-piece swimsuit, bikini, swim shorts).
Full nudity in shared areas is not acceptable.Gender separation and mixed areas
In many hotel spas the sauna and steam room are separate for women and men.
In some modern wellness centres you have private rooms (infrared, ice bath), so mixed-gender use is less of an issue.
If you’re specifically looking for a couples’ sauna in Dubai, look for private hammam packages or “couple’s treatment” options.Bookings
Treatments (especially hammam) require advance booking.
Simple day passes for pool + sauna areas are often available on a walk-in basis, but it’s still worth checking availability.Spa culture
Spa is a quiet zone – phones on silent, photos usually discouraged.
Remember you’re in a Muslim country – despite the relaxed atmosphere in hotels, it’s best to stick to more modest clothing and behaviour.
Are saunas in Dubai mixed-gender?
It depends – many luxury spas have separate male/female thermal areas but offer shared treatment rooms for couples. In descriptions of the “thermal suite” on hotel websites you’ll often find clarification on how exactly the area is organised.
6. Can you use a hammam in Dubai?
Can you use a hammam in Dubai?
Absolutely – Dubai is actually one of the best places outside Turkey and Morocco to experience:
a Turkish hammam inspired by Ottoman traditions (Talise Ottoman Spa, Anjana Spa),
a Moroccan hammam with black soap, kessa glove exfoliation and clay masks (The SPA Palazzo Versace),
an Arab-style hammam at One&Only, with oriental details and aromatic oils.
7. When and how to fit a sauna into your Dubai itinerary?
Are saunas in Dubai available in the summer months too?
Yes – everything takes place in air-conditioned interiors.
How to play it in practice:
combine a sauna visit with other attractions in Dubai – for example a desert safari, Burj Khalifa visit or a Marina yacht cruise,
when looking for accommodation, check our “accommodation in Dubai” section – you’ll find apartments in the heart of the Marina with easy access to the best hotels with wellness centres in Dubai,
if you prefer ready-made packages with activities included, have a look at the organised trips to Dubai section.
If you’re planning a romantic stay, you can add:
a hammam session for couples,
a dinner with a skyline view (e.g. Downtown, Marina),
an evening walk along the beach.
If you’re planning a stay in Dubai and “relaxation in Dubai” is on your list, it’s definitely worth adding at least one visit to a sauna or hammam. Combine it with a massage, check out The best massages in Dubai, and get inspired for a date with your other half with The best date ideas in Dubai.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Where are the best saunas in Dubai?
The most extensive thermal areas (sauna + steam room + hammam + relaxation pools) can be found in luxury hotels and resorts, including:
Talise Ottoman Spa (Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah),
The SPA at Palazzo Versace,
Anjana Spa at Rixos The Palm,
One&Only Spa & Oriental Hammam (Royal Mirage),
Timeless Spa at Al Maha Desert Resort.
2. How much does it cost to go to a sauna in Dubai?
cheaper hotel / fitness day passes: around 60–150 AED,
day spa in better hotels: usually 150–250 AED,
hammam + treatments in luxury spas: from about 250–400 AED for a basic ritual up to 1500–3000 AED for extensive couple packages.
3. Can you use a hammam in Dubai?
Yes – Dubai has a great selection of hammams: Turkish, Moroccan and Arab. The most famous spots include Talise Ottoman Spa, Anjana Spa, The SPA at Palazzo Versace and the Oriental Hammam at One&Only Royal Mirage.
4. What are the rules for using saunas in Dubai?
swimwear is required in shared areas – not full nudity,
in many places thermal zones are separated for women and men,
for treatments (especially hammam) advance booking is required,
silence and respect for other guests’ privacy are expected,
it’s a good idea to arrive 15–20 minutes before your treatment so you can calmly use the sauna or steam room first.
