The most visited hot springs offer supreme relaxation with naturally warm waters and stunning natural views. Many are located in pristine alpine settings, and some are surrounded by lava fields. The top hot springs were ranked by the Visited travel app. You can mark off where you’ve been and find new bucket list destinations using the Visited app. Planning your next trip just got a lot easier with Visited. Optimize your travel experience and download Visited today.
The top 20 hot springs to see include:
1. Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is the most popular hot spring for travelers. The geothermal spa is nestled amidst lava fields in southwestern Iceland. The milky blue water of the scenic hot spring is surrounded by black volcanic rock, creating a dramatic setting for relaxation. The hot spring has silica, sulfur, and other minerals in the water, offering therapeutic benefits. The Blue Lagoon offers a variety of spa treatments, including massages, facials, and in-water massages. Conveniently located just a short drive from Keflavík International Airport, the hot spring is the perfect place to unwind after a long flight.
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2. Szechenyi Baths
The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Two natural thermal springs power the baths in Budapest, Hungary. The baths are located in a neo-Renaissance palace that was built in 1913. The baths are renowned for their medicinal natural hot spring waters, which are said to offer many health benefits. The complex also offers a variety of saunas, steam rooms, and massage treatments.
3. Pamukkale
Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, has incredible carbonate mineral terraces created by flowing thermal spring water. The stunning rock formations and hot springs are located in Turkey’s Inner Aegean region. The calcium carbonate deposits have formed over thousands of years, creating a series of cascading pools that look like a giant petrified waterfall. Although swimming in the pools is not allowed due to preservation efforts, visitors can soak their feet in the warm thermal waters at the Cleopatra Pool. The nearby Greek ruins from the ancient city of Hierapolis offer even more to explore.
4. Thermae Bath Spa
The Thermae Bath Spa in Bath, England, blends ancient history with the healing powers of natural hot springs. The historic Roman Baths have been a relaxing bathing ground for over 2,000 years. The spa has a variety of soaking options, with the indoor Minerva Bath as well as a rooftop pool that offers stunning city views. Visitors can indulge in spa packages with massages, facials, and body wraps.
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5. The Grand Prismatic Spring
The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park has a remarkable array of colors. The natural hot spring is a vibrant, deep turquoise blue surrounded by a ring of orange, yellow, and red. The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the U.S. and the third largest in the world, at 113 meters (370 feet) in diameter and over 49 meters (160 feet) deep. The park includes other geothermal features nearby as well, with the Excelsior Geyser, Ear Spring, and Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail.
6. Mývatn Nature Baths
Iceland’s Mývatn Nature Baths offer soothing, warm waters surrounded by volcanic landscapes and picturesque Lake Mývatn. The geothermal spring water is rich in minerals like silica, sulfur, and minerals believed to have therapeutic properties for skin conditions and respiratory problems. The natural wonder includes a main bath as well as hot tubs, steam baths, and a pool for children.
7. Arenal Hot Springs
Costa Rica has breathtaking natural beauty, and Arenal Hot Springs offer steaming hot waters surrounded by lush rainforests and towering volcanoes. The Arenal Volcano region offers a variety of natural hot springs destinations, ranging from luxurious resorts with cascading waterfalls and swim-up bars to more low-frills, budget-friendly options. The volcanic activity in the region heats the mineral-rich waters of the hot springs, providing a relaxing experience that offers many health benefits.
8. Banos Termales Machu Picchu
The ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru features incredible views and natural wonders. For travelers seeking rejuvenation, there are natural hot springs located just a short walk or ride from Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. The mineral-rich waters are perfect for soothing sore muscles while taking in beautiful views of the lush forest and Andes Mountains.
9. Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon, also called Gamla Laugin, meaning “old pool” in Icelandic, is an off-the-beaten-path place to relax. The thermal spring is in a natural setting with no frills. The Secret Lagoon offers a break from the more tourist-packed thermal springs in other parts of Iceland. The Secret Lagoon holds the title of Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, dating back to 1891.
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10. Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes is a scenic mountain town in southeast Peru that’s known for its rejuvenating hot springs. The natural thermal springs are located close to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. After a day of hiking to Machu Picchu, Aquas Calientes is the perfect place to unwind with the warm waters of natural hot springs. Bathing in hot springs has been a tradition in the Andes for centuries, and visitors can join in the tradition at Aguas Calientes.
11. Hakone
Hakone is nestled in the mountains of Japan in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, west of Tokyo. Hakone has a variety of hot springs, also called Hakone Onsen. Travelers can enjoy open-air baths with picturesque mountain views, indoor baths in soothing surroundings, or themed baths with unique water compositions. Some onsen in Hakone offer panoramic views of majestic Mount Fuji or sparkling Lake Ashi.
12. Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
Reykjadalur Hot Spring is a pristine natural destination in Iceland that offers a serene setting that’s perfect for nature lovers. The hot spring is a section of a river heated by geothermal activity, creating a warm stream surrounded by beautiful Icelandic scenery. The journey to the hot springs is part of the appeal for visitors. Getting to the thermal river requires a scenic 45 to 60-minute hike through a lush valley with unique geothermal features like steaming vents and colorful mud pots leading to the river. The thermal spring is free and serves up views of rolling green hills.
13. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
Hot Springs National Park is located in the heart of Arkansas in the U.S. The park has 47 thermal springs that produce over 900,000 gallons of hot water daily. Many of the hot springs are accessible via Bathhouse Row, a collection of grand bathhouses built in the early 1900s. Some bathhouses are now museums, while others are still operational, allowing visitors to experience bathing in the historic thermal waters. Travelers can also bask in the natural beauty of the park, which includes over 41.8 kilometers (26 miles) of hiking trails that wind through the Ouachita Mountains.
14. Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary, also called Carlsbad, in the Czech Republic, is a spa town famous for its natural hot springs. For centuries, people have flocked to Karlovy Vary to bathe in the mineral-rich waters believed to have healing properties. Karlovy Vary has over 13 thermal springs and 300 smaller springs scattered throughout the town. The hottest spring, Vřídelní pramen (Grand Spring), shoots water up to 12 meters (39 feet) high and maintains a constant temperature of 72°C (162°F).
15. Tabacon Arenal Hot Springs
Tabacon Arenal Hot Springs is located near the base of the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Visitors can fully relax in the geothermal springs that are heated by the Arenal Volcano. The resort is surrounded by emerald rainforests and cascading waterfalls for a serene experience. The numerous hot spring pools offer varying temperatures, and some hot springs even have swim-up bars. For the ultimate relaxation experience, guests can also enjoy massages. Tabacon Resort and Spa also offers accommodations with comfortable bedroom suites.
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16. Grjótagjá
Grjótagjá hot spring is a natural wonder located inside a lava cave in North Iceland near Lake Mývatn. The hot spring is heated by the earth’s geothermal activity, and the lava cave makes for unique surroundings. Early in the 18th century, the outlaw Jón Markússon used the cave as a hideout and is said to have bathed in the hot spring. Later, it became a popular bathing spot for locals until the 1970s, when volcanic eruptions increased the water temperature to unsafe levels. Although the hot spring is not open for bathing, the surrounding area offers dazzling natural scenery with volcanic rock formations and colorful backdrops, depending on the season.
17. Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes includes hot springs scattered throughout the Mammoth Lakes region in eastern California, U.S. Mammoth Lakes sits on top of an ancient volcanic caldera, and the hot springs are a result of the geothermal activity. Many of the hot springs are immersed in stunning natural scenery, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and meadows with wildflowers. Some of the hot springs have entry fees, while others are more no-frills, with no fees. The Rock Hot Tub is one of the hot springs that offers incredible panoramic views. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs is the most famous and allows visitors to soak in a babbling spring of hot water.
18. Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a world-renowned geothermal spa in southwest Iceland. The natural hot spring is nestled in a lava field 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from Grindavík, in front of Mount Þorbjörn, conveniently near Keflavík International Airport. The Blue Lagoon has sparkling turquoise water, a result of a silica-rich blend of freshwater and geothermal seawater. The warm geothermal waters are rich in minerals like silica, sulfur, and algae. The Blue Lagoon offers many relaxation options, with in-water massages, silica mud masks, and more.
19. Landmannalaugar Hot Pot
Landmannalaugar Hot Pot is a natural pool with geothermal waters located in the remote Icelandic highlands. The natural beauty of the area makes the perfect backdrop for soaking and hiking in the colorful rhyolite mountains and black lava fields. Landmannalaugar is a popular hiking destination, and the iconic Laugavegur trek is a favorite tourist destination. The Landmannalaugar Hot Pot provides the perfect opportunity to relax and soothe sore muscles after a day of exploring the surrounding trails. The natural hot spring has free admission, making it a prime destination for budget-friendly travelers.
20. Terme Di Saturnia
Terme Di Saturnia is a natural hot spring destination located in Tuscany, Italy. The geothermal baths are fed by warm water that has been bubbling up from the earth for centuries. The mineral-rich waters of the hot springs flow at a constant temperature of around 37.5°C (98.6°F). Terme di Saturnia offers two different bathing experiences. The free option is the Cascate del Mulino (Mill Falls), a series of cascading pools flowing down a hillside at an old mill. For a more luxurious experience, the Terme di Saturnia Spa and Golf Resort features opulent pools, spa treatments, and extra amenities.
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