Explore Europe's Luxe Bathhouses: From Turkish Hammams to Slovakian Spas
I love taking baths, yet I come from the UK where such practices aren't widely embraced. There’s an old Victorian bathhouse nearby that has been left unused, public swimming pools have shut down all over the nation, and our rivers are not for swimmers.
Therefore, during my vacations, I look for locations where I can relax by soaking or steaming: such as Istanbul’s Hammams, Budapest’s historical thermal baths, and Helsinki’s saunas.
Upscale spa culture doesn't appeal to me, nor does the pleasure of being alone—I prefer scenes with people exercising and conversing. I'm interested in diving into social histories, such as 19th-century patients seeking treatments in German spas and 21st-century influencers reviving this trend. wild swimming and cold-water therapy.
One cannot fully grasp the essence of a location without immersing oneself in it; thus, here are several swimming experiences worth trying.
Explore Budapest as you swim around its sights.
It didn’t feel like skipping the sightseeing when I chose to spend every afternoon of my time in Budapest in a different bathhouse.
Hungary boasts 1,300 thermal water springs, including 123 within Budapest. These springs feed various bathhouses representing distinct eras in the city’s past. Among these are the 16th-century Ottoman-influenced Rudas Bath, the Art Nouveau-decorated Gellért Baths featuring intricate tile work and mosaics, as well as the expansive Neo-Baroque Széchenyi Thermal Bath—one of the biggest such facilities in all of Europe.
Certainly, appreciate the architectural beauty, yet observing people truly steals the show – these are enormous, vibrant areas designed for relaxation and conversation.
Go hiking, jump from one spa to another, and discover Europe’s most vibrant thermal springs.
"Bulgaria ranks among the European nations most abundant in mineral water," states Lyubomir Aleksandrov from the Sofia-based tour operator Green Valleys.
The nation boasts numerous springs, with several being the hottest on the continent, attaining temperatures as high as 100°C.
The Romans relished bathing in areas that today constitute contemporary Italy. Sofia Today, it's quite common for Bulgarians to utilize natural springs, according to Lyubo, either for enhancing physical well-being or simply to boost their spirits.
In the rural areas, the combination of mineral riches and fresh mountain breezes creates a rejuvenating experience: those who hike through the Pirin or Rhodope Mountains can unwind at day’s end by soothing their weary muscles with spa hotels.
Glimpse into Finland's sauna tradition
I believe it's challenging for foreign visitors arriving in Finland to grasp just how integral this aspect is. Finnish culture ," says Petri Leinonen, a guide with the Finnish nature tour operator Upitrek.
Beyond the cleanliness, comfort, and wellness advantages, "The sauna serves as a space where you can be truthful and transparent about your innermost emotions, treating each other as equals since there are no indicators of social hierarchy. In the sauna seats, everyone is considered the same."
Petri’s father was born in a smoke sauna - a practice that has all but vanished now. Traditionally, sauna is a spiritual place, too. “The steam - the löyly - that’s the spirit of the sauna, and you can connect in this way in the sauna to the spiritual part of your life.”
Cover yourself with bubbles in a Turkish bath
Everything is progressing wonderfully at the hammam . You've reclined on the massive marble table in the heated chamber (sıcaklık) and released your pores. After being scrubbed clean, you're prepared for a layer of frothy suds to be drizzled across your skin.
However, when this occurs, the idea of relaxing beneath a full foot of foam becomes so preposterous that you end up bursting into laughter instead. This is the classic kese-köpük massage—exfoliating with a coarse cloth, succeeded by rubbing down with frothy soap.
In the 18th century, Istanbul boasted approximately 180 hammams, but with our fast-paced contemporary lifestyle, they have become less popular among locals and are now primarily frequented by visitors. However, you may still come across a bridal shower or bachelor party making use of these traditional bathhouses.
From icy lakes to hot springs in Slovakia
With Swiss-style scenery, albeit wilder and less-visited, Slovakia’s High Tatras is dotted with freezing lakes and rugged peaks, but the countryside has a softer side: cosy thermal waters provide post-hiking respite.
“ Slovakia “Touting age-old wellness traditions,” explains Alena Dulakova, who founded Tatra Escapes, “it is famous for its thermal springs and spa facilities.”
Alena mentions that soaking is highly popular in the country and greatly appreciated by Slovaks. She explains, "The bathing culture provides a distinctive means of connecting with the nation's heritage and natural splendor."
Laze and lather as you watch for Northern Lights
Iceland's land of ice and fire—plus mud and algae: The country harnesses its geothermal activity for over a quarter of its energy needs, resulting in more than 600 hot springs offering stunning mountain vistas both during the day and under starry night skies where one might even catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis. Aurora Borealis at night.
Sites include the popular Blue Lagoon , one of the most visited attractions in the country, where visitors can coat themselves in white mud as they soak in algae-rich water.
Even though numerous swimming areas cater mainly to tourists, there are still many serene spots for swimming.
Geothermal pools served as shared bathing spots for Icelanders who lacked such amenities at home, and numerous towns continue to maintain these warm public pools even today.
Eloise Barker works as a writer for the activist travel company called Responsible Travel.