See the world’s 10 best outdoor bathing spots
Whiling away the hours soaking in a hot spring is a must for many travellers, and though we might not be able to travel now, these ten spots should be added to your travel bucket list.
QS Supplies has ranked the best hot springs around the world, with each location receiving a score out of ten based on reviews on TripAdvisor, social media mentions, the number of rainy days and other factors.
1. Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, Iceland
Image: Guide to Iceland
Taking out the top spot with a score of 6.79/10, the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa offers warm waters containing minerals which both give the lagoon its name and are great for the skin.
The water is drilled out of the ground, used to heat up fresh water that heats Icelandic homes at a nearby plant, and is then filtered and fed into the lagoon.
2. Travertine Hot Springs, USA
Image: Instagram
Scoring 5.39 out of ten, these geothermal hot springs are just outside the town of Bridgeport, California. The hot, mineral-rich waters are popular among locals and hikers, offering a stunning view of the surrounding sierras.
3. Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey
Image: Getty Images
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, the natural thermal pools of Pamukkale in western Turkey have been visited for thousands of years.
The mineral-rich waters have also caused stunning limestone cliffs called travertines to form over the last 400,000 years, with the nearby Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis having been a popular spa town since the 2nd century.
4. Hammam Al Andalus Baths, Spain
Image: Hammam Granada
After being closed for five centuries, the Arab baths in Granada, Spain, were restored and reopened to the public in 1998.
The baths feature geometric mosaics, carved columns, and vaulting ceilings, along with pools of varying temperatures.
5. Bagby Hot Springs, USA
Image: Forest Service, The United States Department of Agriculture
Nestled in among the towering firs of Oregon's Mount Hood National Forest, the hot springs are a secluded haven for nature lovers. The springs are contained in hand-hewn tubs and cedar plumbing.
TIED: 6. Chena Hot Springs, USA
Image: Chena Hot Springs / Instagram
The Chena Hot Springs are surrounded by the icy Alaskan landscape and offer amazing views of the Northern Lights.
The nearby Chena Hot Springs Resort is also home to the world’s biggest ice museum, featuring ice sculptures, an ice chapel, and an ice bar.
TIED: 6. Terme Di Saturnia, Italy
Image: Discover Tuscany
The Terme Di Saturnia can be found in the central Italian region of Tuscany, with the most popular of the springs being the Cascate del Mulino - the “waterfalls of the mill”.
The mill that the site takes its name from is surrounded by rippling thermal pools, backed by a tranquil forest.
8. Termas Geometricas, Chile
Image: Termas Geometricas / Instagram
With waters warmed by nearby Villarrica volcano, the Termas Geometricas hot springs are the largest complex of springs in Chile.
Temperatures range from 30-45 degrees across 20 pools surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes.
9. Ma’in Hot Springs, Jordan
Image: Ma’in Hot Spring Resort and Spa
Located near the eastern coast of the Dead Sea, the Ma’in hot springs are filled with waters with minerals taken from the basaltic mountains. With water temperatures reaching up to 67 degrees and a surround of waterfalls, the springs offer a change of scenery from Jordan’s dry environment.
10. Szechenyi, Hungary
Szechenyi Baths
A large complex of baths fed by two hot springs, Szechenyi Baths are a popular spot for tourists and locals alike in Budapest for their medical and relaxing qualities.
As one of the largest spa baths in Europe, there are 15 indoor baths and three outdoor baths for guests to choose from.