The most underrated spa breaks in Europe

Best for: Active travellers; it’s easy to combine hiking or cycling with a weekend of wellness here

Very few people know that Lithuania offers one of Europe’s best spa escapes, and the town of Druskininkai is the country’s ‘spa capital’, having been known as a health resort area since 1794. Enveloped in peaceful forests and lakes, it’s the perfect place to relax off-grid. The pretty K. Dineika Wellness Park features baths, saunas and an aerotherapy pavilion, or for families, Druskininkai AquaPark is 30,000 sq/m of wave pools, lazy rivers, hot tubs and adult-only bathhouses. 

📍 Stay here: Spa Vilnius Druskininkai has a comprehensive spa with saunas, pools and treatments in the middle of town. Economy double rooms from £120 per night. 

Best for: Getting back to nature, with few amenities but surrounded by natural beauty.

You may have seen photos of Turkey’s famous Pamukkale hot springs, but in Italy’s Tuscan hills, there’s an equally impressive dupe. To make the most of the thermal waters, head to Cascate del Mulino and Cascate del Gorello, two waterfalls where it’s completely free to soak in the springs. If you come here in spring or autumn, you’re more likely to be sharing a hot pool with some locals – just make sure to come dressed to swim and armed with snacks, as there’s no bars or restaurants nearby. 

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📍 Stay here: The most notable place to stay is Terme di Saturnia Resort – it’s close to the springs but the hotel has its own Roman baths and wellness centre. Deluxe Double rooms from £310 per night. 

Best for: A historic countryside spa break

The UK has a surprisingly large number of beautiful and historic spa towns, but one that doesn’t see the crowds of Bath or Buxton is Harrogate in North Yorkshire. Surrounded by fresh country air, it’s been popular for spa breaks since Victorian times thanks to its mineral rich springs - bathing here even used to be prescribed by doctors. Although the town’s Royal Baths no longer operate, there are still plenty of places to find your zen. A must-visit is the Turkish Baths, complete with an intricately decorated frigidarium, plus multiple steam rooms and plunge pools. 

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📍 Stay here: The Grade-I listed Rudding Park Hotel combines historic architecture with three restaurants, two golf courses, 300 acres of manicured gardens and naturally, an impressive rooftop spa. 

Best for: The history-obsessed – Spa’s pretty architecture, coffee shops and springs make for a fairytale weekend away

Where better to go on a spa break, than the place where the word ‘spa’ was invented? Located in the pretty Ardennes region, Spa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but most tourists flock here for the F1 racing rather than a relaxing break. You can take your pick of wellness activities, from Pouhon Pierre le Grand, a beautiful building housing Spa’s main geothermal water source; to the fascinating Spa Museum, and the luxurious Les Thermes de Spa, home to baths, saunas, hammams and more. 

Stay here: Look no further than Van der Valk Hotel Spa, offering wellness areas and a new restaurant and terrace; plus, it’s directly linked to Thermes de Spa via a private funicular. Standard rooms from £95 per night.

Best for: A budget spa break for friends or couples

Another ancient Balkan spa town is Velingrad, in southern Bulgaria, which is home to the ‘Velingrad geothermal field’ encompassing more than 80 mineral-rich springs. On a long weekend here, you can pair a rejuvenating soak with various therapies, mud treatments and hikes along the area’s mountain and forest trails. Far from being rugged, the town has plenty of fancy yet affordable spa resorts to choose from, whether you’re planning a girl’s trip or a couples holiday. 

Stay here: Kashmir Wellness & Spa Hotel is adults only, featuring an onsite spa and a restaurant with panoramic views. Double rooms from £195 per night.

Best for: Anyone looking for a relaxing day trip from Athens

Greece seemingly has it all: ancient history, white sand beaches, dreamy islands and yes, incredible spa towns. In Edipsos on the island of Evia, more than 80 thermal springs surround the town, used by everyone from Aristotle to locals today - we knew there was a reason Greeks live such long lives. For an authentic experience, make like the locals and dip in the pools that line the seafront; you can enjoy a hot soak before cooling off in the clear blue waters of the Aegean. 

Stay here:  Stay at Thermae Sylla Spa Wellness Hotel, which boasts two restaurants, and an outdoor thermal pool and a spa with a whole menu of treatments. From £205 per night for a Standard Double Room. 

Best for: A couples’ retreat – the Sky Lagoon is limited to guests age 12 and up

Okay, Iceland is no secret spa break, but there is an alternative to the world-famous Blue Lagoon: the Sky Lagoon, which is the country’s hottest new spa destination. Not only are these steamy geothermal pools located closer to Reykjavik (great if you’re short on time) but the Sky Lagoon is slightly less crowded and has epic views over the ocean, Kársnes Harbour and the volcanic Mount Keilir. You can choose from simply bathing in the lagoon or add on their seven step ritual, which involves extras such as a cold plunge, sauna and body scrub. 

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📍 Stay here: The Reykjavik Edition is the Capital’s first ever luxury hotel – and it still sets the standard, with thoughtful design touches and sweeping views out over Reykjavik’s old harbour.