18 Best Thermal Baths & Hot Springs in Europe

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Looking for the best thermal baths and hot springs in Europe? This comprehensive list of the best European thermal spas as recommended by travel experts has got you covered!

The benefits of thermal water have long been known, from nourishing your skin and treating skin and joint diseases, to improving your immune system, reducing pain and inflammation, and relaxing your body and soul.

But bathing in hot spring water is also an important and centuries-old tradition across Europe. Visiting a European thermal bath is not just a wellness experience, but also a cultural experience you can’t miss.

So without further ado, here are the best thermal baths in Europe to soak in and melt your worries away.

Read More:

• 16 Best Spa Hotels in Europe
• 21 Best Wellness Walks & Hikes in Europe
• Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Europe

 

Best Thermal Baths & Hot Springs in Europe:

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest, Hungary

Hungary is well known worldwide for its thermal baths. With more than 1,300 hot springs, this landlocked country is a thermal spa paradise.

Called the City of Baths for a reason, Budapest alone sits on more than 120 hot springs and offers a dozen of thermal baths scattered around the city.

The most famous of all the thermal spas in Budapest is of course the Szechenyi Baths, which was built in 1913 and continued the country’s long tradition of spa culture that dates back to the Roman and Ottoman empires.

Set in a beautiful Neo-Baroque palace located inside the City Park, this huge complex has 15 indoor pools and three outdoor pools, as well as saunas, steam rooms, massage cabinets, and a cafeteria, and is the largest thermal bath in all of Europe.

I suggest you allow at least a couple of hours to enjoy each pool and the picturesque setting. The temperature of the water varies from pool to pool, reaching an intense and extremely relaxing 38°C or even 40°C in some of them.

A trip to Budapest is certainly not complete without a visit to the Szechenyi Thermal Baths. This is the perfect place to soak in healing waters and give your body and mind some well-deserved relaxation after a full day of sightseeing.

Click here to book your day ticket to the Szechenyi Baths.

Recommended hotel: Mamaison Hotel Andrassy Budapest

 

Zurich Thermal Baths & Spa, Switzerland

The healing properties of Switzerland thermal baths have been known for over 2000 years. The country’s long tradition of hot spring bathing has evolved over the centuries from pure curative baths to some of the most modern and luxurious thermal and wellness spas in Europe.

One of the best thermal baths in Switzerland, and my personal favorite, is the beautiful Hurlimannbad & Spa in Zurich, where you can bathe in the century-old barrel vaults of the former Hurlimann brewery.

In the central spa area, you can soak in healing Aqui water in big wooden barrels with massage jets, bubble loungers, and whirlpools. There’s also an emerald bath for silence and meditation, steam baths, and a Kneipp zone.

But the highlight here is the rooftop infinity pool with bubble seats and panoramic views of Zurich that are especially amazing at sunset!

For an extra fee, the Roman-Irish spa area combines the best of ancient bathing cultures into a unique spa ritual. It takes around two hours to complete and has a total of 10 different stations, from steam baths and exfoliating alcoves to a Roman bath, a hot bath, stone loungers, an exercise pool, and more.

You can buy a day ticket to both the thermal bath and the Roman-Irish spa here. I recommend you make a morning or afternoon out of it and visit both for a truly relaxing experience!

End your spa visit with a healthy meal or a cocktail at the Hurlimann Bistro. Massages, treatments, and day spa offers are also available on appointment.

Recommended hotel: B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa Zurich

 

Tbilisi Sulfur Baths, Georgia

Recommended by Emily from Wander-Lush

Tbilisi, Georgia has always been a crossroads city between Europe and Asia. One place where you can still feel the historic Persian and Ottoman influence is the Tbilisi sulfur baths.

Abanotubani district, one of the oldest parts of the city, is sulfur bath central. Here, dozens of domed brick roofs emerge from the pavement alongside a rambling stream and urban waterfall.

The thermal waters are a natural 38-40 degrees Celsius and rich in sulfur and minerals. (You can often smell the sulfur when riding Tbilisi’s underground subway!)

The baths are vitally important to life and culture: Legend says the location for Tbilisi was chosen because of the tepid underground waters (the name Tbilisi means ‘warm place’).

There are a dozen or so bathhouses operating in Tbilisi today. Depending on the establishment, it could be a very different experience from what you’re used to at other thermal baths in Europe.

More luxe spas such as Chreli-Abano offer private rooms with saunas and hot pools. Some are beautifully decorated with mosaics and marble floor tiles. Budget bathhouses, on the other hand, have sex-segregated communal bathing. Both can be great fun for different reasons!

Whichever you choose, be sure to request a Kisi: A traditional scrub down that’s similar to a Turkish hammam treatment. It will free you of any dead skin and leave you feeling refreshed for days to come.

 

Rudas Baths in Budapest, Hungary

Recommended by Ivan from Pipeaway

The Hungarian capital might have been labeled as the City of Spas in the 20th century, but locals have been enjoying the benefits of numerous thermal springs under their feet from medieval times.

One of the oldest and best thermal baths in Budapest is Rudas Baths. Built by the Ottomans five centuries ago, this place remained a male privilege until 2006.

Today, this is the only Budapest thermal bath with separate days for men and women. Weekends are shared, and special night tickets allow using the spa until 3 am!

While the Turkish-era baths were extended in the 19th century with a large wellness area and pools, including one at the rooftop, the centerpiece of Rudas Baths is the octagonal pool under a 10-meter diameter dome.

A variety of Budapest hot springs bring water of different temperatures into the thermal bath area. From rather hot 42 degrees Celsius to chilling 28 (especially if you enter it directly from the Finnish or steam sauna), the plunge pools offer a variety of choices.

For even deeper relaxation, consider booking one of the massages on offer. You can choose from classical treatments with aromatic essential oils to water massages with soap foam!

The uniqueness of Rudas Thermal Baths is that on single-sex days, visitors do not typically use traditional swimwear. Instead, they get apron-like loincloths at the entrance, which barely cover the most critical body parts from exposure. This might not be suitable for the shyest visitors, but the idea of visiting the baths is to relax, and not stress oneself, right?

Click here to book your day ticket to the Rudas wellness area, including a dining experience.

 

Myvatn Nature Baths, Iceland

Recommended by Victoria from Iceland Trippers

If you are looking for the best thermal baths in Iceland, look no further than Iceland’s Myvatn Nature Baths.

These baths are also known as the “Blue Lagoon of the North.” They are located in north Iceland, have blue water, and are cheaper to visit.

If you have your eyes set on the “real” Blue Lagoon in the south of Iceland but don’t want to spend that much money, or want to visit two blue lagoons in Iceland, head north to Myvatn Nature Baths.

One of the best tips for Myvatn Nature Baths is to explore all of the different soaking options on offer. For example, the main pools are warm, but not hot. But there are hot basins that you can sit in where the water is really hot.

The baths are still very warm all around and make for a lovely soak no matter what time you visit Iceland. They are naturally heated with geothermal activity and the on-site saunas and steam rooms are geothermal powered too.

The view from Myvatn Nature Baths is also really stunning, so make sure to look around while you relax! The Myvatn Baths are located just off the Ring Road in north Iceland, which makes it a perfect stop to relax along the way when you are exploring.

There are also on-site food and beverage options if you want to get a snack or meal while you’re visiting.

These Iceland hot springs with milky blue waters are really cool and a must-do when visiting the land of fire and ice!

Click here to book your day ticket to the Myvatn Nature Baths.

 

Uniejów Thermal Spa, Poland

Recommended by Karolina from Polish Foodies

Thermal baths in Uniejów are one of the best in Europe. Why? Let’s start with the location. Uniejów is a small town in central Poland. It’s easy to get there from Warsaw (the capital city) or Łódź.

Secondly, the thermal water in Uniejów has a countless number of health benefits. It’s good for the skin, stomach, and nervous system. What’s more, it reduces blood pressure, the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack, and improves your metabolism.

Last but not least- the thermal spa in Uniejów is a huge complex with many attractions. There are 20 outdoor and indoor pools available. Visitors have also access to water slides and spa treatments.

Uniejów thermal baths are family-friendly, some pools are dedicated to the little ones. No matter if you are traveling with infants, toddlers, or older children, all the kids will have fun in Uniejów!

There are also many restaurants and bars available in the complex, where you will have a chance to try some of the best Polish food.

After having fun at the pools, head to the nearby castle and talk a walk in the park surrounding it.

 

Thermes de Spa, Belgium

Recommended by Missy from Travels With Missy

The town of Spa is located in the French-speaking part of Belgium and is home to one of the most famous thermal baths in Europe.

It was in fact here in the 18th and 19th centuries that the term ‘spa’ grew in popularity across the continent and became a generic term for thermal baths and non-medical treatments.

Spa is one of the most popular thermal towns in Belgium and was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021.

The town originally emerged in popularity during the Middle Ages when natural mineral water was considered a healing source. People flocked from far and wide to avail of the springs and heal their ailments.

Spa’s popularity grew as the healing spas began to pop up all across Europe. The Thermes de Spa emerged during the late 19th century and remain one of the most popular spas to this day.

The thermal baths have indoor and outdoor pools and a variety of treatments available for guests. You can find hammams, saunas, and jacuzzis in addition to extra treatments such as facials and massages.

Beware that children under the age of 15 are not permitted in the spa. The thermal bath has a separate area for ‘naturists’ and swimsuits are not permitted in this area. The naturist area has its own hammams, jacuzzis, and saunas.

You can’t leave the spa without trying the hot springs that made the region so famous in the first place. The copper bath treatments include a peat bath and the infamous carbonated thermal bath that has been in practice since 1868.

Top Tip: Make sure to book the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel when visiting the area as this is the only hotel that has direct access to Thermes de Spa. It’s a real treat to get the funicular from the hotel to the top of the hill in your bathrobe.

 

Saturnia Hot Springs, Italy

Recommended by Martina from PlacesofJuma

Probably one of the most beautiful hot springs in Europe is definitely located in Italy: the Saturnia Hot Springs in Tuscany. Visitors can expect a spa of the extra class here and in the middle of nature!

Unique are the turquoise blue pools of the steaming white sinter baths, which are located in the middle of a hot river and amaze travelers from all over the world.

The Saturnia Springs are a true natural wonder, and the river with the white sinter pools is even open to the public for free. Not only Instagrammers meet here, but also families with children, elderly people, and couples come here to swim together in the pools, take great photos, and later have a picnic by the river.

You can visit Saturnia Thermal Baths in Tuscany at any time of the year, winter or summer. However, you should come during the week, because the weekend is definitely the busiest. The best time to visit is just before sunrise when you have this natural spring almost to yourself and the scenery is at its best!

Around 15 minutes should be spent bathing in the healing waters. The river has an extremely high sulfur content, which is good for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism and arthritis. Also, this bath is said to have a rejuvenating effect, making your skin soft and supple.

Next to it, there is a hotel with a large spa area, the Terme di Saturnia Natural Spa & Golf Resort, which can also be used by non-hotel guests for a fee. Massages and cosmetics are also offered there. You can book a Saturnia Day Spa here.

An overnight stay in the beautiful hotel is also worthwhile and makes this trip a perfect experience in one of the most unique thermal baths in Italy.

Alternatively, you can join a day trip from Rome or Civitavecchia to the Saturnia natural hot springs.

 

Bad Ems, Germany

Recommended by Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations

Bad Ems has a long history as a thermal bath town, but its heyday was in the 19th and early 20th century, when the upper classes, royalty, and nobility from all over Europe came here to “take the waters.”

Today, the core of Bad Ems looks just as it did at the turn of the 20th century: the promenade along the river Lahn will take you past all of the highlights.

Look across the river and you’ll spot the villas that the well-to-do built for their regular visits to Bad Ems. You’ll also see a Russian Orthodox Church that served the Russian royals who frequented the town.

The promenade passes through a park with formal flower beds and a statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I. This was where visitors could stroll in good weather, gossiping and making connections.

The Kursaal, right on the river, was the place for theater, concert, and gambling, and where visitors could see and be seen when the weather was bad. Its Marmorsaal (Marble Hall) dates to 1839 and is lavishly ornate.

Häcker’s Grand Hotel nearby is a testament to the town’s heyday, all elegance and marble, with fountains of thermal water in its lobby.

To get the real feel for “taking the waters”, you can either go to the spa inside Häcker’s Grand Hotel or soak in the more recent version at Emser Therme, just a short walk down the river.

Bad Ems offers other experiences outside its thermal bath history, particularly hiking in the surrounding hills. Start by taking the Kurwaldbahn funicular from the middle of the city’s historical center up to the top of the hill, then choose a walking path from there.

Click here to book your stay at the Häcker’s Grand Hotel.

 

Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey

Recommended by Haley of Haley Blackall Travel

Nestled into the hillside in the southwestern region of Denizli in Turkey is the small town of Pamukkale. Looming over the village is the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale. Many people flock here every year to experience the magic of the Pamukkale thermal baths (or Cotton Castle due to its appearance).

The thermal pools are formed from a spring with a high content of dissolved calcium bicarbonate that cascades over the cliff’s edge. After cooling and hardening, it leaves shelves and ridges of calcium deposits filled with warm thermal water.

Located just behind the enchanting pools is the ancient city of Hieropolis. Due to the proximity, Hieropolis was a famous place of healing where doctors would treat patients in the thermal waters. You can wade through the pools after you take off your shoes at the top of the hill.

Between the two attractions, there is the manmade Cleopatra’s Pool, where it is said that the woman herself lazed about. You can swim in these pools for up to 2 hours for 33 Turkish Lira (about $10 USD). They even encourage you to drink the water from the pool for many healing benefits. It tastes like warm soda.

Due to the popularity of Pamukkale, Cleopatra’s Pool, and Hieropolis, visiting these one-of-a-kind Turkey thermal baths early in the morning is advisable. And if you awake in time for sunrise, you will see the colorful hot air balloons floating over the pools, making for a spectacular sight and tour.

You can book a Pamukkale highlights day tour here.

 

Terme Snovik, Slovenia

Recommended by Nichola from Family Hotel Expert

Terme Snovik is less than an hour away from bustling Ljubljana but it feels a world apart from the built-up capital city. Here, in the heart of the Tuhinj Valley, you can feel truly relaxed and rejuvenated in the beautiful thermal waters.

The spa is actually the highest altitude spa in Slovenia and as you wind your way through the mountain roads to get here you can feel your cares being left way behind.

Come here on a day pass to enjoy all the facilities or stay in one of the rooms or apartments, all built in an environmentally friendly way and surrounding the pools, making it perfect for family holidays in Slovenia.

There are both indoor and outdoor pools (water temperatures are around 26°C outdoors up to 36°C for the indoor pools) and some really fun water slides if you’re traveling with kids.

There are also a number of treatments on offer and an onsite restaurant to really make a day of it.

This is a thermal pool to feel really relaxed in. Set in the beautiful valley, it feels like a truly special location, almost a magical world that you have stumbled across.

One of its special qualities is the ability to have a relaxing break or an active one depending on what you’re looking to get out of a visit here. Whatever you choose, it’s definitely a great way to see a different side to life in Slovenia.

Click here to book your stay at Terme Snovik.

 

Rupertus Therme in Bad Reichenhall, Germany

Recommended by Lisi from Escaping Worlds

Bad Reichenhall lays in-between the Berchtesgaden Alps, close to the famous Kings Lake and at the foot of the Predigtstuhl. This charming Bavarian town has become a wealthy place in the 7th and 8th centuries due to its salt springs.

Later, this alpine saline was used for therapeutic purposes and the thermal bath – the Rupertus Therme. The brine springs contain essential trace elements and high mineral content and are considered healing springs.

The Rupertus Therme is relatively small when compared to other German thermal baths. But its uniqueness lies in the use of saline. You can find a Finnish sauna, a wood-fired earth sauna, a salt tunnel sauna, a laist brine steam bath, and relaxation rooms with panoramic views in the sauna world.

The pools of the thermal bath have a temperature of 33 °C to 36 °C. The highlights are the outdoor pools with an incredible view of the surrounding mountains. This view is most impressive during the winter when the snow-covered peak is shining in the distance.

Another highlight that shouldn’t be missed is the large whirlpool upstairs that makes you relax and forget the world around you.

The salt-water grotto is another feature that puts Rupertus thermal bath among the best spas in Germany. This area in the basement includes a sole alpine whirlpool, a saline steam bath, and a sole floating basin.

The thermal bath has also a gymnasium, a family world with water slides, and a sport swimming pool. Of course, it also offers wellness treatments and meals at the restaurant. So, nothing stands in the way of your day of relaxation and experience in the alpine sole.

 

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Recommended by Stephanie from The Unknown Enthusiast

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the most relaxing European thermal baths you can visit. It is located very conveniently just 20 minutes away from the airport outside of Reykjavik and it’s an easy stop on your way into the city.

The lagoon is set in the lava fields of western Iceland – you’ll see old, hardened lava on the sides of the road as you drive in. In fact, lava rocks line the perimeter of the Blue Lagoon hot springs, making for an incredible, otherworldly surrounding.

The water, though, is as defining as the rocks and is an absolutely stunning milky blue. It’s a color you won’t often see, much less get to bathe in!

The milky blue color comes from the high silica content in the water. In fact, white silica mud is found on the “floor” in parts of the thermal pool – don’t worry, it feels really nice, not gross at all!

The lagoon is very big, with lots of places to spread out and explore. Water temperature varies throughout the lagoon – the hottest part is in the far back. Expect temperatures between 98-106 degrees Fahrenheit, which feels wonderful against the chilly air of Iceland.

Included in the price of admission is the use of a towel, a drink from the swim-up bar, use of the sauna, and a silica mud mask (there’s a hut in the water where they pass out mud – you can apply it right there and wash it off in the water when you’re done).

Wanting more? You can upgrade your package to include massages and other luxury experiences.

Between the milky blue color, the silica mud, and the black volcanic rock, soaking in this famous Iceland thermal bath is an experience you will not soon forget!

Click here to book your entrance ticket to the Blue Lagoon or your admission ticket with transfers from Reykjavik.

 

Cave Bath in Miskolc, Hungary

Recommended by Linn from Brainy Backpackers

One of the most unique thermal baths in Hungary is the Cave Baths in Miskolc, in the North of the country. With cave passages created over thousands of years filled with medicinal thermal water, you are going to have a wonderful experience at this lesser-known European thermal bath.

The cave baths have played an important role in Miskolc since the 13th century when it was a burial place for the city’s founding clan and later it was used as a monastery. Today, it’s one of the most popular things to do in Miskolc and the main draw for tourism in this otherwise underrated city.

The baths are perfect for children too as the water in the caves and tunnels is not very high, it typically reaches a grown-up to the waist. You can walk through the cave system and into other caves with pools.

The water is said to be good for joint pain. Compared to other thermal baths, the salt content is low enough here to not have a limit to how long you can stay in the water.

The biggest surprise, however, is that the cave baths are not very hot at only 30 degrees Celsius. That said, they make up for it in total awesomeness! And there are a couple of pools with warmer water before entering the actual caves on the left where you can enjoy hotter temperatures.

In the summer season, you can also enjoy outdoor pools and the baths hold two Finnish saunas.

 

Thermae Bath Spa in Bath, UK

Recommended by Theresa by Fueled by Wanderlust

The Roman Baths are the most iconic site in the picturesque town of Bath, UK.  Travelers have sought out the natural hot spring water since before the Romans arrived in 43 AD.  Because of this significance, the entire city of Bath has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

By the year 76 AD, the Romans were using the Baths at a complex of temples they called Aquae Sulis. They believed the natural spa water had healing powers and dedicated the temple to the goddess Sulis Minerva.

After the fall of the Roman empire, the original buildings went into disrepair and were lost. However, the baths were rediscovered in the 19^th century and made open to the public as a museum in 1897.

Though visitors today no longer swim in the Bath Roman Baths museum, you can still soak in the natural spa water at the chic Thermae Bath Spa.  The venue’s main spa is the “New Royal Bath”, which has two beautiful modern baths where visitors can soak in the naturally heated water.

Access this experience by booking the Thermae Welcome package for £38 Monday through Friday, or £43 on Saturday and Sunday. The package includes a two-hour spa session with access to the open-air rooftop pool and larger Minerva Bath.  Use of a towel, robe, and flip-flops is also included in the price.

Visitors also have the option to add on to their two-hour spa experience. There are many packages available, which range from various massages to facials, or even the chance to enjoy the roof-top bath during twilight. Spa Packages are popular and should be booked a couple of months in advance.

Take your Bath thermal bath experience further by heading to The Pump Room afterward to dine and drink a glass of the famous spa water. Although not known to be tasty, the water is filled with minerals and has been consumed for healing purposes since the 17^th century.

Alternatively, you can book a Bath walking tour with an optional Roman Baths entry here.

 

Leukerbad Thermal Baths, Switzerland

Recommended by Corina from Packed Again

The beautiful thermal bath in Leukerbad is one of the oldest areas where natural springs deliver warm water out of the mountain with a temperature of up to 51 degrees Celsius.

The spa is located in a side valley in the west part of Switzerland in the canton of Valais. Locals and tourists alike head to Leukerbad for many different reasons. Whether it is for hiking, rock climbing, or mountain biking, at the end of the day they all have one thing in common, to relax in the Leukerbad Therme.

The Leukerbad Therme is the largest thermal bath in the entire Alpine region and offers ten relaxing baths, fun and fast slides for families, and a modern sauna area with a wide range of wellness and natural healing options. A restaurant offers delicious meals and snacks during your visit.

Just lying in the outside bath marveling at the beautiful mountain peaks gives you a relaxed and comfortable feeling.

The story itself makes this place special and well worth a visit. Like many things in the world, the Romans were among the first to recognize the healing properties of the Leukerbad hot springs.

Even today a staggering 3.9 million liters of hot water gush from 65 thermal springs in the mountain spa resort of Leukerbad. An incredible number of thermal springs for only one resort village!

 

Berehove, Ukraine

Recommended by Anya from Road is Calling

Berehove is a small town in the Transcarpathia region within a short driving distance from Mukachevo and Uzhhorod. Since it’s situated by the border with Hungary, it has this Hungarian feel with the interesting atmosphere and culture of ancient Hungary and Ukraine.

Besides the fact that Berehove is a lovely town with streets steeped in history, it is also one of the most unique thermal resorts in Ukraine with water that has similar properties to therms in New Zealand and Iceland.

There are two large thermal complexes in Berehove. One of them is located in the sports center Transcarpathia and is the largest open-air thermal pool being over 50 meters long.

This pool is filled with silicon-nitrogen-carbon dioxide-sodium-water, which, due to its unique properties, contributes to the overall health of the body. Due to the rich composition, the water acquires a dark hue color and looks slightly cloudy. Its temperature reaches +30°C and it stays that way all year round.

The second thermal complex is the Zhayvoronok. It is more popular among tourists due to its modern design and a wide range of amenities. It also has two thermal springs with both of them being in the open air and directly within the walls of the center.

One main (partially) indoor pool has a water temperature of 31-33°C and features a whirlpool, geyser, two waterfalls, and jacuzzi (42-45°C). In addition to swimming pools, you will find a beach, multiple saunas and baths, as well as a salt room with deposits from the Ukrainian town of Solotvino.

Visiting Berehove is wonderful during any time of the year. But for the best experience, plan your trip to this part of Ukraine in winter. This is the best season to soak in hot water, enjoy various spa services, and treat yourself to wine from the town’s own cellars.

 

Baden-Baden Thermal Baths, Germany

Recommended by Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations 

Baden-Baden is better known than Bad Ems, yet their history is very similar. Both were destinations where the wealthy and noble classes spent time and “took the waters” in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Like Bad Ems, Baden-Baden still boasts many of the buildings designed to cater to these early tourists. It has both a Kurpark and a long strip of park called Lichtentaler Allee for promenading.

The main spa town buildings from its heyday are within or near the Kurpark: the Trinkhalle (1842), where visitors could drink the water and stroll along a grand colonnaded hall when the weather was bad; the Kurhaus (1820s), where they could gamble and dine; and the ornate Baden-Baden Theater (1861) as well.

Today, you can still gamble in the Kurhaus’s casino, all chandeliers and belle-epoque extravagance. Lichtentaler Allee is also worthy of a stroll, taking you past four different museums.

You can still enjoy the thermal water in Baden-Baden too, by drinking it from the city’s fountains or soaking in it at one of the thermal baths. The historic one, called Friedrichsbad, offers Roman-style (naked) bathing combined with Irish-style hot-air baths.

The new one is Caracalla Spa, with modern pools and whirlpools of various sorts where visitors wear swimsuits, plus a separate section with saunas and steam baths where visitors go naked.

A third option is to stay at the historic Heliopark Bad Hotel Zum Hirsch, where some of the rooms have the thermal waters piped right to their bathtubs!

Baden-Baden is in a beautiful area: the Black Forest, so there’s plenty to do outside of town too. The ruins of medieval Hohenbaden Castle are worth a visit and offer a great view of Baden-Baden.

You can also take a ride up Germany’s longest funicular railway, the Merkurbergbahn, to see the vast view from the mountaintop and watch paragliders take off.

Click here to book your stay at the Heliopark Bad Hotel Zum Hirsch.

 

So there you have it. The best thermal baths in Europe for a cultural and wellness experience. Which one of these European hot springs would you like to visit first?

 

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