Trifter

Literally speaking, there is hot springs in all the seven continents. These hot springs are believed to contribute to health according to some medical experts. That’s why hot springs and other natural springs were converted to a so-called spa. A spa town, or simply spa, is a town frequented mainly for health reasons, to “take the waters”. The term spa is used for towns or resorts offering hydrotherapy which can include cold water or mineral water treatments and hot thermal baths.

If you are a resident of Europe, here are the famous spa towns in this continent.

Spa: Belgium

Spa is a municipality of Belgium. This town is the origin of the word “spa” and features springs with water temperatures of 32 °C (90 °F). Casanova visited Spa in 1783 looking for business opportunities but was disappointed. As the famed site of healing hot springs, Spa has been frequented as a watering-place since as early as the 14th century.

Bagnoles-de-l’Orne: France

Looking for a spa with healing powers for rheumatic, gynecologic and circulatory problems? Bagnoles-de-l’Orne is the right place for you; this commune is famous for its hydrotherapic baths. The origins of thermal activity are said to date back to the Middle Ages.

Enghien-les-Bains: France

Another notable town spa in France is Enghien-les-Bains. It is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. Enghien-les-Bains is famous as a spa resort and wealthy suburb of Paris developed in the 19th century around the scenic lake of Enghien. The name Enghien-les-Bains literally means “Enghien the baths”, after the thermal baths for which Enghien-les-Bains is famous.

Leukerbad: Switzerland

Leukerbad is a municipality in Switzerland. The history of the springs of Leukerbad dates back to the Roman times. People, even then, were already aware of the therapeutic effect of the thermal water. Today, 3.9 million liters of thermal water - up to 51°C - flow from the springs and feed 22 thermal pools. Several baths are at the disposal of the guests in private hotels, in the Rehabilitation centre and in the Volksheibad, but the biggest public baths are the Burgerbad and the Lindner Alpentherme.

Royal Tunbridge Wells: England, UK

Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent, England being known as a spa in Georgian times and had its heyday as a tourist resort when the Pantiles and its challybeate spring attracted visitors who wished to take the waters. Though its popularity waned with the advent of sea bathing, the town remains popular and derives some 30% of its income from the tourist industry.

Bad Gastein: Austria

Bad Gastein is a popular spa town in Austria. The name “Bad” means “spa”.

Birstonas: Lithunia

Birstonas is also a spa town in Lithuania and is known for its mineral water. This water is used by sanatoriums for mineral water pools and baths. There are two large sanatoriums in Birstonas - Tulpe (English: Tulip) and Versme (English: Spring). Both sanatoriums offers halotherapy, therapeutic mud bathes mineral water pools, baths, massages, and wide range of curative procedures. Birstonas also has hotels and country farmsteads, adapted for rural tourism. Local attractions include Vytautas hill, where a Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas had his hunting mansion, two museums, promenade a path near Neman River. Birstonas is one of few Lithuanian resorts.