Thermal baths in Europe

People have been drawn to hot mineral springs since ancient times. Even 2,000 years ago, the Romans knew that a bath in thermal water is not only relaxing, but also incredibly healthy. We too know about the beneficial effects of thermal water, without which the best European resort towns would never have developed in the first place. European resort towns and thermal baths have a long tradition. In 2021, eleven resort towns in seven countries were even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the title "The Great Spa Towns of Europe".

The term thermal baths refers to a publicly accessible bathing facility in which water containing minerals is used for health and relaxation-promoting purposes. The thermal water must thereby spring from its source with an outlet temperature of at least 20 degrees. Only if a bathing facility uses thermal water that meets this important requirement, it may also call itself a thermal bath.

Large public bathing facilities were already called Thermae in the Roman Empire. They already existed around 400 BC and were very simply constructed. The Romans built the first larger thermal facility about 10-20 years after Christ. This laid the foundation for all other bathing establishments and our present-day spas. Even then, thermal baths were not only about medical care, thermal baths were also a popular social gathering place. The Greeks considered water to be sacred. Moreover, they were the first to try to get to the bottom of water from a scientific point of view.

Today there is a variety of thermal baths that really fulfill every wish. In Europe alone, there are more than 400 thermal baths. These have slightlydifferent focuses, depending on the type, equipment and local healing water. For example, there are thermal baths in which specific certain conditions can be treated, for example, brine thermal baths, or also children's thermal baths in which the fun of the whole family is in the foreground. Likewise, there are romantic thermal baths or wellness thermal baths, in which a weekend resembles a relaxing short break.

In 2021, eleven resort towns in seven countries were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the title Important Spa Towns of Europe (Great Spa Towns of Europe). Among them are 3 German thermal resorts such as Bad Ems, Bad Kissingen and Baden-Baden. The Great Spa Towns of Europe in Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom are aunique cultural achievement and should be on your itinerary! To learn more about them and a variety of other charming and special thermal towns throughout Europe, visit the "European Route of Historic Thermal Towns" website.

Thermal baths offerfun for the whole family, recreation, relaxation and pure wellness. Above all, however, many thermal facilities focus on the health benefits. But what makes a stay in thermal baths so healthy? Thermal water from medicinal springs has a high content of valuable, health-promoting minerals and trace elements. The different substances with which the water is enriched - which can be, for example, iodine, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, fluorine, zinc, silicon, radon, carbonic acid or sulfur - have very different effects on the body.

So brine baths help, for example, rheumatism, allergies or respiratory diseases, carbonic acid in the water improves blood circulation and helps with circulatory problems, sulfates are effective for metabolic disorders. Some medicinal water can alleviate gastrointestinal diseases in the form of a mineral water therapy and even with neurological diseases can be achieved with thermal water an improvement.

Thermal water is therefore, depending on its composition in heart and circulatory problems, rheumatic complaints, metabolic disorders, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and skin diseases of important importance and is already used for thousands of years for the therapy of various conditions . In addition, a thermal vacation or even a short visit to the thermal baths are not only healthy, but also incredibly relaxing for the soul. By lowering cortisol levels, stress is relieved and you get back into balance.

In Europe there are about 400 thermal baths and thermal baths. Most of them are located in Germany, followed by Austria, Hungary and Italy. Certain regions are thereby particularly well suited for thermal vacations with their natural nature. We would like to briefly introduce you to the best thermal regions in Europe. Whichever country you may choose, our hotels and partners will make your thermal dreams come true.

When booking your thermal time out in Europe, you save by booking one of our favorable packages. Our thermal offers include, for example, 2-5 nights in a thermal hotel of your choice, free admission to the thermal baths and usually already wellness and health treatments.This can be baths, massages, mineral water therapy or other treatments. Likewise, you get through our packages discounts for excursions in the region and also for youre culinary catering is provided.

The price advantage of such a package from the thermal baths with accommodation and other services is enormous. Especially if you book an arrangement with family card or similar combination tickets. Also over New Year's Eve, Christmas or other special days, it can be worthwhile to book a thermal baths ahead of time. You will benefit from many inclusive lines at the thermal spa, such as romantic dinners or couple massages.