For a relaxing and regenerating holiday, thermal spas are surely the best solution, even during the summer months. In Europe there are many locations renowned for their beautiful thermal establishments.
Here are four of the best European destinations for a thermal spa holiday.
#1 Szechenyi Baths, Budapest, Hungary
Located in the biggest green area of Budapest, the Városliget city park, contains the Szechenyi thermal baths, the biggest complex of medical baths in Europe. It consists of 18 different pools, each of them with a specific function: from the more traditional thermal pools to the Turkish bath, from natural pools to bases of waterfall, to pools specially developed for fitness. The construction of the oldest building, in a Neo-Baroque style, started in 1909, and opened its doors 4 years later. However, considering the high turnout of visitors, the complex was extended in 1927, reaching the current pattern, with 15 pools inside the building and 3 outside.
#2 Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, UK
Thermae Bath Spa are the most well-known spas in the United Kingdom, and are the only ones in the country that are entirely natural: it’s told that the warm waters, rich of minerals, flowing in these baths are the same that the ancient Celts benefited from more than 2000 years ago. Today, Thermae Bath Spas have a very wide offer of treatments for its visitors looking for the best relaxation from the traditional massages to the steam baths dedicated to aromatherapy, from Hot Stone treatments to Watsu, to be naturally practiced in the historical hot waters of the city.
#3 Aire de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
Aire de Sevilla is an actual peaceful oasis made of antique Arabian baths in the wonderful Spanish city of Sevilla. Located in the heart of the city, in Barrio Santa Cruz, the baths are found in an Andalusian palace built in the 16th Century by the Indies Governor: a location characterized by a unique atmosphere, where the oriental influence manifests itself in colours, incense and oils scents, and music in background. Born like a traditional Arabian Hammam, or as a Turkish bath, today Aire de Sevilla is one of the most luxurious thermal centres of Andalusia, with several thermal pools, warm and cold, including a salted water tub. Among the activities: massages and various types of treatments, and the suggestive whirlpool tub under the starry dome.
#4 Edipsos Thermal Centre, Euboea, Greece
The thermal city of Edipsos is the most famous in Greece: located in the isle of Euboea, the biggest isle after Crete, it counts more than 80 thermal springs, with temperatures that vary from 28 to 86 degrees depending on the spring. The whole city is shored by hot water springs, including the sea: spending a few hours in Edipsos is like to live in an open sky spa. Upon the origin of the city and its thermal sources, there is a mythological legend, by which the goddess Atena would have asked to Hephaestus, the god of fire, to give birth to hot waters in this area, in order to bless the powerful Heracles.