Best massage therapists in Berlin: find options near you

Vabali Spa offers a truly distinctive experience, perfect for unwinding after a long day, especially during Berlin’s cold winters. Conveniently located near Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), this spa provides a peaceful, digital-detox environment where everyone feels equal, regardless of gender, age, body type, or appearance. I also appreciate the effort they’ve made to translate key explanations for non-German speakers, making it accessible for everyone.

The Experience

The spa spans two floors, with the upper floor featuring a sound bath experience that’s not to be missed. Upon arrival, grab a map to get a sense of the layout—it’s almost like you need a tour guide to navigate all the options (but in a fun way!).

Tips for First-Time Visitors

1. Book in Advance: Reservations are essential to guarantee entry and avoid long queues. Advance payments of less than €5 secure your spot, and you’ll have a 20-minute window for check-in.
2. Plan Ahead: On your first visit, consider using a pencil and paper to organize your time. While relaxing and spontaneity are the goals, the sheer number of free activities and ceremonies can feel overwhelming.
3. Pay-as-You-Go: Your total cost will depend on how long you stay, so keep track of your time. Some ceremonies and experiences may require an additional fee.
4. Timing: Make your reservation at least a day or two in advance if you plan to arrive after 10 AM.

Surprises

For the best experience, skip this section if you want everything to feel new.
• Different Sauna Experiences: Vabali offers a variety of sauna experiences, each with its unique atmosphere and rituals. Exploring them all is part of the fun!
• Water Mattress Nap: After lunch, you can nap on a water mattress with a cozy blanket, which is incredibly relaxing and recharges you for the rest of your stay.

Additional Notes

• Massage Services: While relaxing, the massages are on the pricier side. Consider checking the service menu to see what suits your preferences and budget.
• Food and Beverages: The spa offers a variety of options. Some dishes, like the ginger shot and avocado toast, stood out as highlights, but others might vary based on personal taste.

Vabali is not just a spa—it’s a mini retreat from the hustle and bustle of Berlin. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, it’s worth a visit for its serene atmosphere and thoughtfully designed experiences.

a reservation is almost essential, otherwise you can wait hours before getting inside. the reservation per person is €3.50, which you do not get back at the end is not counted as a credit towards the final price.

very nice place to relax! the atmosphere is great, it’s really nice! but for the price of the ticket you practically do not get much, for example you need to pay extra for a towel and bathrobe, which you need if you want to access the restaurant and the room with a fireplace. I was also confused that there was no folder/brochure in English. the temperature of the pools is quite cold, we could have at least 1 larger pool with a higher temperature. there are also many corners and facilities for resting – which are wonderful, as well as facilities for drinking drinks, but considering the number of pools and saunas, I think there are too many (instead, they should make another bigger warm pool). I missed some corners where you can prepare free tea and take an apple. (at least this is available in all the more expensive spas in Slovenia). loved the separate saunas for women and the sound room with the waterbeds!

Upon arriving more than 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony, we found a group of people standing at the main entrance. Familiar with the facility, I knew there were two other entrances to the room, so we opted to wait by one of these alternate doors outside – also because we were really warm from a previous sauna session. There, we encountered another customer who mentioned she’d been asked to leave while the room was being prepared, so we all waited patiently together.

Despite being visible to the staff inside who were preparing the room for a full 30 minutes, no one approached us to inform us that this door was restricted, or that entry would only be allowed from a single designated entrance. Instead, we stood waiting in good faith, assuming we were following the correct procedure. Just minutes before the session was set to start, an employee finally approached and, without apology, informed us we couldn’t enter from that door.

By this time, of course, the main entrance was already crowded (compared to the handful of people we encountered 20 minutes before) and there was no room left for us. What followed was an uncomfortable, escalating argument with the employee, who then brought the therapist into the discussion. Both refused to allow us access to the ceremony, only to eventually bring in the manager. The manager insisted there was a sign indicating the main entrance as the only permitted entry, which we did not see due to the people blocking the entrance. Meanwhile, no such signage existed at the doors where we’d been waiting, nor were these doors locked, leaving us with no indication that they couldn’t be used. Plus the other two customers waiting at this door left us with no clue that this was not allowed.

After a protracted, super uncomfortable discussion, management eventually made an “exception” and allowed us entry. But the “privilege” came with a condition: we were not permitted to use any of the provided beds and were instructed to lie on the floor. This stipulation felt more like a punishment than a resolution. Rather than being welcomed, we were made to feel unwelcome and demeaned, as though we were being disciplined for an error in judgment that could have easily been prevented with a single clear sign or simple instruction when we initially arrived. Again it needs to be mentioned that we waited for more than 20 minutes, and had we known about the restricted doors, we would have easily become access to two of the beds, only that we were waiting in front of the “wrong” door.

The experience itself was overshadowed by this distressing encounter, and we left feeling humiliated and unappreciated. It was deeply disappointing, particularly as customers who have come here often, and invest quite some money into enjoying this spa’s services.

The lack of clear communication, the failure of staff to notify waiting customers, and the unprofessional and humiliating approach from management were profoundly disheartening. Not only did we leave feeling as though we’d been treated as an inconvenience, but the experience was costly, and frankly, we expected a far higher standard of service from a spa of this reputation.

We sincerely hope management reconsiders its approach to customer service. I can think of many ways of organizing this experience in a better way. Basic respect and proactive communication should not be optional; they are foundational to any quality service experience.

Had a great one-hour “foot reflex zone massage”. Will definitely return.

Update: I have now had about five massages here and all were excellent. I’ve had a serious strain in my leg and the wonderful masseur here has helped relieve and repair a long term injury. Very much recommended.

This massage was by far the best massage I have ever received.
She knew exactly which points to massage to relieve the pain.
i woke up after one night with hardly any pain in my shoulder area. I highly recommend this massage parlor!!!
Get 1 hour massage trust me!

The space was calm and had a wonderful vibe, perfect for unwinding. By the end of the session, I felt taller, completely relaxed, and revitalized. It was like a complete reset for my body. If you’re looking for an amazing massage, I highly recommend Jane!

*edited* Hello, she was strong and good BUT she was lazy. She did not put in effort to use her strength for the massage. It’s a shame….

Cash only so make sure you bring cash!!! If not there is an ATM nearby

I went to this place after checking google reviews and realised probably none of these people ever experienced good message

The lady started from my leg and back and the she came on my body which is usual practice but she was huge and she started putting a lot pressure and even I was consistently telling her to reduce some pressure she was adamant.
She was literally putting fingers and elbows in my body and it was painful.

Also I opted for oiled massage but she hardly applied any oil. The massage was so painful that body is hurting after the massage.

The rooms doesn’t have any kind of privacy as it’s just separated with curtains and thus all the surrounding nois is easily heard.

Rooms doesn’t have washroom and you can’t take bath. Which is worst as after oil massage you would expect to take bath and get freshen up before heading out.

Ambience of this place is ok ok and nothing great about it. They charge 60€ for an hour and lady didn’t complete the full time.

Pathetic experience.