For centuries, thermal baths and spas have been sanctuaries of relaxation, healing, and luxury. Across the world, historical spas combine architectural splendor with rejuvenating waters, offering a timeless escape into wellness. Here are five of the most luxurious historical spas you must visit.
1. Széchenyi Thermal Bath – Budapest, Hungary
Nestled in the heart of Budapest, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful thermal bath complexes. Built in 1913 in a stunning Neo-Baroque style, the spa features 18 pools filled with mineral-rich waters sourced from underground thermal springs. Visitors can soak in the steaming outdoor pools while admiring the intricate yellow façade, grand columns, and domed interiors. The spa also offers saunas, massages, and medicinal treatments, making it a must-visit wellness retreat.
2. Gellért Thermal Bath – Budapest, Hungary
Another jewel of Budapest, the Gellért Thermal Bath, is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. Opened in 1918, the spa boasts breathtaking stained-glass windows, Zsolnay mosaic tiles, and elegant Roman-style columns. The thermal waters, rich in minerals, are renowned for their therapeutic properties, ideal for treating joint pain and stress. The grand indoor pool, surrounded by statues and stunning frescoes, creates an atmosphere of pure luxury and relaxation.
3. Roman Baths – Bath, England
Dating back to the Roman era, the Roman Baths in Bath, England, are among the most famous ancient spa sites in the world. Built around 70 AD, these historic baths were a centerpiece of Roman social life. While visitors cannot bathe in the original Great Bath today, the adjacent Thermae Bath Spa offers a modern spa experience using the same mineral-rich waters. The open-air rooftop pool provides breathtaking views of Bath’s historic skyline, blending ancient wellness traditions with modern luxury.
4. Terme di Saturnia – Tuscany, Italy
Hidden in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Terme di Saturnia is a natural hot spring with a history dating back to the Etruscan and Roman periods. The spa’s signature attraction is the cascading Cascate del Mulino, a series of picturesque thermal waterfalls with warm, sulfur-rich waters known for their healing properties. The luxury spa resort nearby offers indulgent wellness treatments, mud therapies, and exclusive access to private thermal pools, making it a dream destination for relaxation seekers.
5. Friedrichsbad – Baden-Baden, Germany
A fusion of Roman and Irish bathing traditions, Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden is an opulent 19th-century spa renowned for its elegant architecture and therapeutic waters. Opened in 1877, this lavish bathhouse features marble pools, intricate frescoes, and a 17-step bathing ritual designed to cleanse, relax, and rejuvenate. The mineral-rich thermal waters, sourced from deep underground springs, have been praised for their health benefits for centuries. A visit here is a journey through history and luxury.
