The healing power of heat has been felt ever since the Romans built settlements around hot springs 2,000 years ago.
It would come as no surprise to our ancestors, then, that a growing number of travellers are opting for wellness holidays over action-packed itineraries. Google searches for saunas, spas, and hot springs are on the rise, and according to luxury travel provider Scott Dunn, 81% of Brits are planning to slow down on their next trip.
Gísli S. Brynólfsson, travel expert and Global Marketing Director for Icelandair, tells Metro that the rise of the new wellness trend known as ‘therma tourism’ is a response to an increasingly chaotic world.
‘Hot springs and spas offer the perfect antidote to daily stress. It’s a combination of the restorative power of natural landscapes with a sense of tranquillity,’ he says.
‘This rise in popularity is driven by a growing awareness of self-care, and a renewed appreciation for the health benefits of traditional bathing cultures.’
Metro‘s travel insiders have rounded up our top picks of the world’s finest geothermal wonders to inspire your next getaway (and best of all, some are free).
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At a glance: The world's best hot springs and spas
Metro’s top pick: Hammam Rosa Bonheur, Marrakech
Hammam is a traditional Moroccan cleansing ritual that uses hot steam to detox the body. Where better to try it than in the country’s most vibrant city, Marrakech?
Hamman Rosa Bonheur is run by Samira, who runs a ‘Woman in Solidarity’ network to help women get into work.
The spa offers a luxury experience at an affordable price. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a cup of mint tea and welcomed in for a peaceful massage. After, you’ll be able to enjoy the steam rooms and pools.
Metro‘s Alice Murphy is a seasoned hammam and hot spring-goer. She says her two-hour experience at Rosa Bonheur in 2017 remains the best she’s ever had.
How much: £30 for a 45-minute massage with 45 minutes bathing time.
Best free hot springs
Bagno Vignoni, Tuscany
With good food, great wine, and gorgeous countryside, the Tuscan hills are already perfect for a picturesque break. Hidden away from all the tourist spots, though, is a tiny town with natural hot springs.
The main plaza of Bagno Vignoni, in Val d’Orcia, is centred on a beautiful natural pool, surrounded by traditional golden-hued houses. Sadly, you can’t swim in the main square, but don’t worry – the village is next to the Parco de Mulini, where you can bathe in the thermal springs for free.
Stay at the Hostel Posta Marcucci to make the most of the thermal delights, as well as treating yourself to some spa time.
How much: Free.
Ourense and Burga de Canedo, Spain
A spa holiday doesn’t have to break the bank. In Ourense, a pretty town in north-west Spain, you can explore six thermal pools without paying a penny.
The Galician town sits on the banks of the Minho river, which is naturally heated by underground granite. The water is rich in anti-inflammatory minerals, and reaches temperatures of 60 degrees.
Because the bathing ponds are owned by the council, they’re free for public use. That doesn’t mean that they’re overrun with tourists, though – the town is off the beaten track and you’ll probably be sharing the baths with a handful of friendly locals.
If you fancy some exercise, you can hike the Minho Thermal Route, a picturesque 4km trail that weaves through several thermal springs.
And, if you want to get your spa fix, you can enjoy private thermal pools at a nearby resort, Termas de Outariz, for just £5.50. The resort takes its inspiration from Japanese architecture and has a selection of spa treatments.
How much: Free.
Best affordable hot springs
Kurokawa, Japan
Japan’s onsen culture makes it one of the best places in the world to experience a hot spring. Onsens are natural pools heated by volcanic spring water; there are countless health benefits, from improving circulation to easing muscle pain.
Kurokawa is one of Japan’s most idyllic hot spring towns. There are nearly 30 onsen baths to choose from. When you arrive, you can purchase a wooden ‘tegata’ pass, which gives you access to three different baths for just under £8.
While you’re there, you can stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn that dates back to the 8th century. The Kurokawa Onsen Yamabiko Ryokan has indoor thermal baths and offers traditional home-cooked meals — the perfect cosy stay.
How much: £8 per person.
Secret Lagoon, Gamla Laugin, Iceland
No list of thermal destinations would be complete without Iceland, which is the home of some of the world’s very best hot springs. Skip the Blue Lagoon and head to the Secret Lagoon instead, which has all the benefits with less of the crowds.
Located near the village of Fludir, the Secret Lagoon is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. Don’t expect anything fancy – there are hot showers and changing rooms, but other than that, this is about embracing hot springs in their natural form.
There’s even a mini geyser, a hot spring that sprays out steam and hot water into the air, and if you go at night you could see the Northern Lights.
How much: 4200 ISK (£24) per person.
Octant Furnas Hotel, Azores, Portugal
Nestled on Säo Miguel in the Azores, the luxurious Octant Furnas Hotel is renowned for boasting Europe’s highest concentration of hot springs.
There are indoor and outdoor pools powered by nearby thermal springs, which are rich in iron and other minerals.
Natural ocean pools are also nearby, as well as idyllic walks through the valley around the hotel.
The property offers a unique dining experience featuring a classic Portuguese stew cooked with the heat from the volcanic springs. Even the wine is made from grapes grown in local volcanic soil.
How much: €30 (£25) per person for thermal pool access, for non-guests.
Best luxury hot springs
Arctic Bath Hotel, Sweden
The Scandinavians are famed for doing cosy well. But the Arctic Bath Hotel in Swedish Lapland isn’t your typical ‘hygge‘ experience. The main building floats on the river, which freezes over in winter.
If you’re feeling brave, you can take a dip in the icy plunge pool or the open-air cold baths. You won’t be cold for long, though, as there’s a range of saunas to explore, as well as cleansing and detox therapies.
You can spend your stay in one of the hotel’s floating cabins, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
How much: One night stays in a duplex suite from €871 (£737).
Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, Istanbul
If you like your history as much as your spas, then Zeyrek Çinili Hamam in Istanbul, is the place for you. Constructed in 1640, the architecture of this traditional Turkish bath house is spectacular, with stone walls and delicate blue and white mosaics.
But just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s basic. The baths underwent a $15 million restoration in 2024, and the results are stunning – from marble benches to elaborate fountains.
Choose from a menu of luxuriant spa treatments, including soap massage, oil massage and body scrubs with traditional kese (exfoliating) mitts.
How much: £80 for an hour-long session.
Hammam Al Ándalus, Malaga
Hidden in the heart of Malaga’s historic city centre, Hamman Al Andalus spa offers an authentic Andalusian Arab bath experience. The interior is decorated in a classic Moorish style: think ornate tiles, beautiful colours and baroque archways.
The design isn’t the only appeal, though. There’s cold, warm, and hot thermal baths to explore as well as steam and massage rooms. Spa services on offer include hot stone massages.
How much: Bathing experiences start at £50 per person for two hours.
Best hot spring in the UK
Beach Box Spa, Brighton, England
You don’t have to travel far to get your thermal fix. If you’re in search of a sauna staycation or an indulgent day out, Beach Box in Brighton is the perfect pick.
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The tiny spa is essentially two converted horsebox trailers warmed by woodburning stoves.
The best part? It’s right on Brighton Beach, so you can soak up sea views as you unwind, or take an icy ocean dip before your sauna session.
There’s a range of spa treatments on offer too, including a Lithuanian leaf whisk. Expect to be ‘swept’ with a bundle of leafy branches soaked in a herbal infusion. You can’t get ‘back to nature’ much more than that.
How much: £12.50 (express 45-minute pass); £25 (for 90 minutes).
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