04.07.2024
Rest at Thermal Resorts: Best Destinations in Europe
Thermal water is a hot spring enriched with minerals and vitamins. Passing through multiple layers from the depths of the earth, it gets enriched with beneficial substances. Thermal springs have a healing effect on the entire body, but they are especially valuable for the skin. Due to the presence of iron and zinc, they moisturize the dermis and heal wounds.
People have been using this method of healing for many centuries. They would travel hundreds of kilometers, bringing the sick and infirm to the springs to recover and heal. Today, maximum comfort conditions for relaxation have been created. Many complexes and hotels are opening, attracting thousands of people for rest. Where to go, which country and thermal resorts in Europe to choose to enjoy and benefit from the procedures? Read a review of the most popular places with thermal waters.
The Best Thermal Spa Resorts in Europe
Many European countries offer to visit their resorts, providing the best conditions for visitors. After all, rest on thermal waters should be complete in every way. We offer a brief overview of the most famous baths located in different countries.
Baden-Baden, Germany
A small town in southern Germany, not far from the French border. It is situated between the Black Forest mountains and the Rhine Valley, and its thermal springs are over 2000 years old.
Even the ancient Romans restored their strength here, but only in our days, scientists officially proved the healing properties of the water. The composition is impressive: besides sodium chloride, potassium, and lithium, it includes more than 15 other elements.
In total, Baden-Baden has 12 springs. Most of them are quite hot, around +56–68.8°C. Some healing waters are more popular and worth considering in detail:
Caracalla Therme – a complex covering over 900 m2 with modern technical equipment, is considered the most equipped in Europe. Visitors can enjoy a large pool, hydromassage, waterfalls, and grottoes. The water from this source promotes skin regeneration and recovery, providing a general relaxing and therapeutic effect.
Friedrichsbad – 40% of the German population comes here to steam in saunas and recover in thermal waters. The baths were built in 1877 for noble visitors, and Friedrichsbad was opened by the Romans.
Adults and children come to Baden-Baden. Thermal waters offer relaxation, healing, recovery, and wellness. It is worth visiting at least once to experience it for yourself.
Budapest, Hungary
The capital of Hungary has the most thermal springs, numbering in the hundreds. Therefore, it is not surprising that the tourism sector is developed in this direction. Here, the traditions of Roman, Greek, Turkish, and northern bathing cultures are mixed. Among the baths, there are the largest and lesser-known ones. To choose, it is worth getting acquainted with them closer:
Széchenyi – the largest complex, with 18 pools and 14 saunas. They are complemented by modern technologies: aromatization, artificial whirlpools, lighting, and jacuzzis. The water is sourced from wells 1246 m deep, with a temperature of 76°C.
Gellért – a palace at the foot of the mountain of the same name impresses with its wealth and luxury. The interior is made in a Turkish style with Art Nouveau elements. There are both common and separate zones for men and women to please every guest.
Rudas – the most striking view awaits on the roof in a jacuzzi, offering a fantastic panorama of the mountains. The healing properties of the thermal waters can be complemented by drinking water from the Hungária, Attila, and Juventus sources.
The karst waters of Budapest heal joints and the spine, neuralgia, are indicated for osteoporosis, and for recovery after injuries.
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Along the Teplá River lies one of the most famous health resorts. There are 12 active springs here. Their peculiarity is the same chemical composition at different temperatures – from 30 to 75°C. Therefore, different baths are suitable for certain doctor's prescriptions.
The composition of the thermal waters is a real source of beneficial substances. Calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, lithium, bromine – only part of what brings healing to people. They come here with stomach and intestine problems, treat the liver, and get rid of constipation. Each source has its own temperature and purpose. Here is a list of the most famous ones:
Vřídlo – for gallstones and stomach ulcers;
Karl IV – for joints and bones;
Market Spring – for musculoskeletal tissue;
Upper Castle Spring – useful for fighting caries;
Mill Spring – strengthens nails and hair roots;
Prince Václav I – for detoxifying the body;
Rock Spring – improves metabolism, effective in fighting excess weight.
Equally popular are the Snake Spring, Garden Spring, Liberty Spring, and many others. Medical certificates are not required for visiting.
Vichy, France
Just three hours' drive from Paris, on the banks of the Allier River, is the famous balneological resort of Vichy. Its thermal springs, open since the 3rd century AD, are suitable for drinking and balneological treatment. Of the 15 available springs, five are used. Their temperature varies significantly, ranging from 16-75°C, as does the depth. Let's consider them in order:
Chomel – with a temperature of 43°C, is the oldest of all available in France. Named after the doctor who arranged it, it contains the most silica. Mineral salts extracted allow the creation of Vichy lozenges.
Source thermale de la Grande-Grille – cooler than the previous one by 4°C. Translated as "big grate" because it was once installed to keep animals from drinking. The water has a high fluoride concentration, making it suitable for people with musculoskeletal diseases.
Hôpital – the source is located in a pool created during the Gallo-Roman period. The temperature is 34°C, and it contains many carbonic anhydrides and silica. The water is very beneficial for those with kidney stones, gallstones, and people suffering from diabetes.
Lucas – named after Baron Lucas, it has a healing effect on the skin, reduces inflammation, and heals wounds. The water temperature is 27°C.
Célestins – flows from rock fractures, used for drinking, bottled, and carbonated. It is 90% sodium carbonate, followed by calcium and magnesium. It helps with stomach, liver, and kidney problems.
To achieve maximum effect, it is worth undergoing additional procedures offered at the Vichy resort: acupuncture, massages, contrast showers, aroma baths.
Ischgl, Austria
The resort, located 70 km from Salzburg, offers 17 thermal springs with warm and cold water. They are indicated for treating respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, boosting immunity, and alleviating allergies.
The most famous complex is "Kaiser-Therme." It welcomes guests with open and closed pools filled with mineral water. Visitors have access to massages, jacuzzis, solariums, and cosmetic procedures.
The resort offers specially designed hiking trails, ski slopes. As a result of activities combined with treatment, the body recovers, and is filled with life force and energy.
Bath, United Kingdom
One of the most beautiful cities in England is literally translated as "bath," indicating its association with the thermal complex. The ancient baths from the Roman Empire period have become architectural monuments and operated until 1978. However, they were closed due to the dangerous organism Naegleria fowleri.
Today, visitors have access to new spa complexes with their own wells, which are not only safe but also healing. The largest and most famous are:
Thermae Bath Spa;
Cross Bath.
There is no decline in the influx of people wishing to heal, relax, and gain strength. Thanks to geothermal energy, the water heats up to 69-96°C.
Saturnia, Italy
A famous Tuscan resort formed over 3000 years ago. Its unique pool in a volcanic crater is filled with living water, renewed every 4 hours by an active geyser. At any time of the year, the water maintains a temperature of +37.5°C, treating many diseases, including sinusitis, pharyngitis, gastritis, emphysema, improving the cardiovascular system, allergic dermatitis, and much more.
The resort is surrounded by a pine forest, so thermal waters combined with fresh air bring maximum benefit. Just 2 hours by car from Rome – and you find yourself in one of the best balneological complexes.
Piešťany, Slovakia
A district center in Slovakia welcomes many people seeking health and relaxation. Just 86 km from the capital Bratislava to the northern part of the Dolné Považie region. The resort features 5 hotels offering a wide range of spa treatments and two balneological complexes "Irma" and "Napoleon." Visitors have access to the following services:
treatment with thermal sulfur water and sulfur mud;
group rehabilitation;
hydrotherapy;
light, electric, and heat therapy;
massages.
Effective treatment with drinking water is also provided. The thermal springs heat up to 67-69°C, with a high content of mineral substances, reaching 1500 mg per liter. In combination with mud, they help relieve arthrosis and arthritis, positively affect overall well-being, and fill the body with strength and energy.
Every year, the resort welcomes over 40 thousand people, most of whom are foreigners. The spa center has become the most famous not only in Slovakia but also far beyond its borders.
Lagoa, Portugal
The thermal waters of Lagoa are located in various parts of the resort town. Tourists and everyone wishing to relax can visit Lagoa do Fogo lake on São Miguel Island. It is called fiery because there is always a slight haze on its surface from hot springs. Here, you can swim at a small beach and enjoy the surrounding scenery.
While walking through the reserve area and enjoying the untouched wild nature, it is easy to find a couple of pools with thermal water. They are open to visitors, and after swimming, everyone notes an influx of strength, vigor, and improvement in skin condition.
Bad Ragaz, Switzerland
The largest complex in Switzerland has been renovated and updated, making it a modern resort with many services and procedures. The Quellenhof hotel has pools with thermal water, which is also supplied directly to the rooms.
The resort features a medical center offering assistance in medicine, rheumatology, vascular medicine, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics. Each course is developed separately, designed for a certain number of procedures and days.
Public baths Tamina Terme, built anew in 2009 from glass, stone, and wood, have been opened. They are free for those staying at the hotel. The springs with a temperature of 34°C are located in the Tamina gorge. They promote the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.
The Bad Ragaz resort is located at an altitude of over 1000 meters above sea level. In addition to thermal waters, it offers ski slopes, lift systems, cozy rooms. Visitors can enjoy magnificent views, fresh mountain air, and a wide range of services.
Conclusion
Thermal baths have healing properties, and this is proven from a medical standpoint. They are located in different parts of the world, and resorts inevitably appear in those places. If you need relaxation, recovery, treatment, and support for your body – be sure to visit thermal waters and appreciate their effect at any convenient opportunity.
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