
Wood-fired sauna raft on the Rummelsburger Bucht for private sessions. The panoramic hot room fuels a cycle of deep sweating and immediate plunges into the Spree.
I like slow mornings with strong coffee and a window seat at my favorite Kiez café.
From the dock at Rummelsburger Bucht, the MS Aufguss looks like a simple pontoon boat with a chimney, but it functions as a completely private, floating bathhouse. The vessel is designed for small groups who want the intensity of a Finnish sauna without the crowding of a public spa. Inside the main chamber, a wood-burning stove drives temperatures between 60 and 100 degrees Celsius, while a wide panoramic window looks out onto the water. The session centers on the sharp contrast between the dry heat of the cabin and the cold reality of the river. You control the humidity yourself using the provided essential oils for the Aufguss – the German ritual of pouring scented water over hot stones. When the heat peaks, a metal swimming ladder on the deck offers immediate access to the Spree for a cold plunge. Between cycles, the raft offers two distinct zones for recovery. There is a heated indoor antechamber with space to lie down, and a rooftop terrace equipped with loungers and a sofa for days when the weather holds. Because the rental is private, the atmosphere is dictated entirely by your group. You bring your own drinks and snacks, managing your own pace as the boat bobs gently at its mooring. While the raft is technically capable of driving out, it typically remains secured at a panoramic spot in the harbor, ensuring the session continues uninterrupted even during frost or high winds.