7132 Therme in Vals, Switzerland, combines naturally warm mineral water with one of Peter Zumthor’s best-known architectural works. Often called Therme Vals or Vals Therme, the baths are built into the Alpine landscape with locally quarried quartzite, quiet bathing spaces, and carefully controlled visitor numbers. A little planning is important because outside visitors need an advance reservation and several house rules are designed to protect the calm atmosphere.
Quick Answer
7132 Therme Vals is a Peter Zumthor-designed thermal-bath complex in the Swiss village of Vals. Its St. Peter spring emerges naturally at about 30°C. Outside visitors must reserve online, children must generally be at least six, and phones or other camera-equipped devices are not allowed inside the baths.
Key Takeaways
- The documented spa history begins when the hot mineral spring was tapped in 1891; the original bathhouse opened in 1893 and Peter Zumthor’s new Therme opened in 1996.
- The current 7132 Therme is made from about 60,000 slabs of Vals quartzite and uses highly mineralized water from the St. Peter spring, which naturally emerges at about 30°C.
- Outside visitors need an online reservation, and ticket availability is intentionally limited.
- Camera-equipped devices, including phones and tablets, are prohibited inside and outside the bathing areas.
- The baths are best viewed as a relaxation and architectural experience, not as a substitute for medical treatment.
History and Background of Therme Vals
The history of bathing in Vals is much more recent than the Roman-era story sometimes associated with European thermal spas. According to the official history of Vals, the hot mineral spring was tapped in 1891. The Kurhaus Therme, with a bathhouse and 60 beds, opened in 1893.
A larger spa center followed in the 20th century. The municipality of Vals later acquired the spa hotel and commissioned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor to design a new thermal bath. The present building opened on December 14, 1996.
Zumthor later received the 2009 Pritzker Architecture Prize. The Pritzker Architecture Prize lists Thermal Bath Vals among his major works and dates the project to 1996.
The modern Therme is not an ancient Roman bath. Its documented local bathing history begins in the late 19th century, while Peter Zumthor’s landmark building opened in 1996.
What Makes 7132 Therme Vals Unique?
Architecture is a major part of the experience. According to the official 7132 Therme page, Zumthor’s building uses about 60,000 slabs of local Vals quartzite. Stone, water, shadow, narrow openings, and carefully controlled natural light create a series of bathing spaces that feel very different from a conventional leisure pool.
The water comes from the St. Peter spring. The official property describes it as highly mineralized and says it naturally emerges at about 30°C. Specific claims that the bathing water contains particular amounts of sulfur, magnesium, or other minerals should be based on a current official water analysis rather than assumed from thermal-water descriptions.
The thermal baths and the separate spa services should also be distinguished. The 7132 Spa offers ESPA treatments along with hair and beauty services. These treatments are separate from simply entering the thermal baths. Hotel guests of 7132 Hotel 5S and House of Architects also have access to a gym.
Note: Do not assume that every service described as a “spa” is included with a thermal-bath ticket. Check the current 7132 booking pages if you want a massage, beauty treatment, or other separate service.
Health and Wellness Benefits: What You Can Realistically Expect
| Wellness Aspect | Reasonable Expectation |
|---|---|
| Stress Reduction | Warm-water bathing and a quiet environment may help you feel calmer, but a specific cortisol reduction should not be promised for an individual visit. |
| Relaxation | The warm water, low-noise setting, and device-free rules are designed to support rest and relaxation. |
| Muscle Comfort | Warm-water immersion may feel soothing after travel, hiking, or skiing. It should not be presented as treatment for an injury or medical condition. |
| Sleep | Some people feel more relaxed after bathing, but the Therme does not guarantee longer or deeper sleep. |
| “Detoxification” | The baths should not be promoted as a medical detox treatment or as a proven way to enhance lymphatic detoxification. |
Research on balneotherapy, which involves bathing in mineral or thermal water, has reported possible symptom benefits in some specific medical populations. For example, a 2023 systematic review of balneotherapy for osteoarthritis evaluated possible effects on pain and function. That type of research does not mean that one general spa visit will produce a defined medical result for every person.
Warning: The official 7132 house rules advise guests with cardiovascular issues and pregnant guests to ask a doctor about an appropriate bathing duration. People with fever, contagious illness, or open wounds should not enter. Thermal bathing is not a substitute for medical care.
The Relaxation Experience at 7132 Therme
The strongest reason to visit 7132 Therme may be the combination of architecture, water, and silence. Instead of filling the space with entertainment, the building encourages slow movement between stone chambers, warm water, darker interior spaces, and views toward the surrounding Alpine landscape.
The quiet atmosphere is reinforced by strict rules around digital devices. The official house rules prohibit cameras, mobile phones, tablets, and other camera-equipped devices in both indoor and outdoor Therme areas. This protects other guests’ privacy and keeps the experience free from constant photography.
For many visitors, that rule becomes part of the appeal. You can spend your time paying attention to the water, light, acoustics, stone surfaces, and mountain setting instead of checking a screen.
Pro Tip: Finish any messages, tickets, maps, or photographs before entering the Therme. You will need to put away camera-equipped devices once you enter the bathing environment.
Accommodation and Dining Options at 7132
If you want to make the Therme the center of an overnight trip, the 7132 property operates several accommodation choices. 7132 Hotel 5S offers upscale rooms and suites, while the 7132 House of Architects focuses on compact design rooms created by Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, and Thom Mayne.
Hotel access rules are different from those for outside visitors. Guests of 7132 Hotel 5S and House of Architects currently have daytime access from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., along with scheduled nighttime bathing from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Children staying with these hotel guests are currently admitted from age three during daytime bathing and from age 13 at night.
Dining is broader than a single spa restaurant. The current 7132 dining collection includes venues such as Silver, Red, Cristal, Blue Bar, daPapà, and a Coffee Shop. Opening days, menus, and reservation requirements differ, so check the individual venue before planning a meal around your bathing time.
Activities and Attractions Near Therme Vals
Vals is useful for travelers who want to combine a quiet spa visit with time outdoors. In warmer months, the official Visit Vals hiking guide lists routes ranging from easier walks to demanding mountain hikes.
One popular landscape is the area around Zerfreila, with routes passing Alpine meadows, mountain viewpoints, and the Zerfreila reservoir. Conditions can change quickly at elevation, so use the current route information and weather forecast rather than relying on a general travel description.
Winter brings skiing and snowboarding. The Vals Dachberg ski area reaches to nearly 3,000 meters above sea level. The local snow-sports school offers instruction for adults and children at different experience levels.
A common itinerary is to spend part of the day hiking or skiing and then return to the thermal baths for a slower evening. If you are doing strenuous mountain activity, allow enough time to hydrate, change, and rest before entering hot water.
Tips for Planning Your Visit to 7132 Therme Vals
The most important step is to reserve before traveling to Vals. The official visitor page says that outside guests need a valid online reservation and that ticket numbers are limited so the baths do not become overcrowded.
Current Day-Visitor Hours and Prices
The following information was checked on August 17, 2026. Prices and operating hours can change, so confirm them on the official 7132 day-visitor page before traveling.
| Visitor Information | Current Details |
|---|---|
| Monday–Tuesday hours | 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday–Sunday hours | 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. |
| Monday–Tuesday adult | CHF 70 |
| Monday–Tuesday child | CHF 55 |
| Wednesday–Sunday adult | CHF 85, including bathrobe |
| Wednesday–Sunday child | CHF 60, including bathrobe |
| Vals Guest Card, adult | CHF 60 Wednesday–Sunday |
| Vals Guest Card, child | CHF 45 Wednesday–Sunday |
Know the Entry Rules
- Reserve online: Outside visitors need an advance reservation.
- Children: Outside visitors may currently bring accompanied children from age six.
- No individual time limit: You may stay within the day’s permitted opening period.
- No re-entry: Once you leave, you cannot return using the same admission.
- No food: Meals are not permitted inside the thermal baths.
- No cameras or phones: Camera-equipped devices are prohibited in the Therme.
- Towels: Towels are included with admission.
- Private towels and robes: The property says visitors should not bring their own towels or bathrobes into the Therme for hygiene and aesthetic reasons.
What to Bring
Bring suitable swimwear and whatever you need before and after bathing. You do not need to pack a personal bath towel for use inside the Therme because towels are supplied. Keep your phone and camera stored away during the bathing portion of your visit.
Getting to Vals
Vals sits at the end of a mountain valley in Graubünden. According to the official 7132 arrival guide, public-transport travelers can take the train via Chur to Ilanz and then continue by PostBus to the stop Vals, Therme.
If you drive, the main approach is via Chur and Flims to Ilanz, followed by roughly 20 kilometers to Vals. Winter drivers should check road conditions and carry equipment appropriate for mountain roads. Parking for thermal-bath visitors is available along the main road near the property.
Note: Opening hours, prices, closures, and special-event schedules can change. Recheck the official 7132 website shortly before departure, even if you have visited before.
Vals Therme is most rewarding when you treat it as both a bathing experience and a work of architecture. The documented history, Zumthor’s stone construction, naturally warm St. Peter spring, Alpine setting, and intentionally quiet rules give it a character that is very different from a conventional resort pool. Plan the practical details in advance, then allow enough time to experience the building without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vals Therme?
Vals Therme, now commonly branded as 7132 Therme or 7132 Thermal Baths, is a thermal-bath complex in Vals, Graubünden, Switzerland. The current landmark building was designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and opened in 1996.
What are the main attractions at 7132 Therme?
The main attractions are the Peter Zumthor architecture, bathing spaces built with local Vals quartzite, highly mineralized water from the St. Peter spring, and the quiet Alpine atmosphere. Separate ESPA treatments and beauty services are also available through the 7132 Spa.
What are the benefits of visiting Therme Vals?
Most visitors go for relaxation, warm-water bathing, architecture, and a break from normal routines. Thermal bathing may feel soothing, but the Therme should not be treated as a guaranteed medical therapy or detox treatment.
What accommodation options are near Vals Therme?
The 7132 property includes 7132 Hotel 5S and House of Architects, while additional hotels, guesthouses, holiday apartments, and other accommodation are available elsewhere in Vals. Bath access rules vary by accommodation type.
What activities are available around Vals Therme?
The Vals region offers hiking and mountain routes during warmer months and skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other winter activities when conditions allow. The Dachberg ski area rises to nearly 3,000 meters.
Is 7132 Therme suitable for families?
Families can visit, but the Therme is designed as a quiet bathing environment rather than a water park. Outside visitors can currently bring accompanied children from age six. Guests of 7132 Hotel 5S and House of Architects can currently bring accompanied children from age three during the day, while nighttime bathing is restricted to age 13 and older.
Do I need to book 7132 Therme in advance?
Yes. Outside visitors need a valid online reservation. The property limits ticket numbers to maintain a comfortable number of bathers, so booking before traveling to Vals is strongly recommended.
Can I take photos inside 7132 Therme?
No. The official house rules prohibit cameras, mobile phones, tablets, and other devices with cameras inside and outside the Therme bathing areas in order to protect privacy and maintain a quiet environment.
Are towels included at 7132 Therme?
Yes. Towels are included in admission. The property asks visitors not to bring private towels or bathrobes into the Therme. Bathrobe arrangements depend on the ticket and day of visit.
Sources
- 7132 Thermal Baths: Peter Zumthor — architecture, quartzite construction, St. Peter spring, and natural water temperature.
- 7132 Thermal Baths: Visitor Information — current reservations, hours, prices, child rules, towels, and visitor policies.
- Visit Vals: History of Vals — 1891 spring tapping, 1893 bathhouse, and the 1996 opening of the new Therme.
- Pritzker Architecture Prize: Peter Zumthor — architect biography and Thermal Bath Vals project history.
- 7132 Contact & Arrival — public transport, driving, parking, and arrival information.
- PubMed: Balneotherapy for Osteoarthritis, Systematic Review — context for cautious discussion of thermal-water health research.
