A spa town is a resort town based on a mineral spa (a developed mineral spring). Patrons may visit spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. Thomas Guidott set up a medical practice in the English town of Bath in 1668. He became interested in the curative properties of the hot mineral waters there and in 1676 wrote A discourse of Bathe, and the hot waters there. Also, Some Enquiries into the Nature of the water. This brought the purported health-giving properties of the waters to the attention of the aristocracy, who started to partake in them soon after. The term spa is used for towns or resorts offering hydrotherapy, which can include cold water or mineral water treatments and geothermal baths, and comes from the Belgian town Spa.
Spa towns by country
Argentina Termas de Rio Hondo Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña
Australia There are mineral springs in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Most are in and around Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs call themselves "Spa Country" and the "Spa Centre of Australia". In Queensland, many towns have mineral springs created by artesian bores into the Great Artesian Basin, often the only or primary water supply to the towns. Some of these towns had periods of popularity as spa towns, including Ararmac, Barcaldine, Dalby, Helidon, Innot Hot Springs, and Muckadilla, mostly in the late 1800s and early 1900s when mineral spas were believed to cure various medical conditions. However, the remote locations of most of these towns made them expensive to visit and only small-scale spa facilities developed there. Helidon, a day trip from Brisbane by car, was more successful, particularly with growing ownership of cars after World War II. However, concerns about radioactivity and bacterial contamination resulted in the Helidon Spa falling into disuse by 1994. Many towns in Queensland continue to provide bathing facilities fed by hot springs, but these are promoted as relaxing holiday activities rather than as medical treatments.
Belgium Chaudfontaine (lit. "hot fountain" in French) Ostend Spa (the eponym for the modern word)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Banja Ilidža, a spa town near capital Sarajevo Banja Slatina, Slatina - Slatina is a spa town, well-known as one of the best health resorts for rheumatism in the region. Slatina has a tradition since 1870s. Banja Vrućica, Teslić
Brazil
Brazil has a growing number of spa towns. The traditional ones are: Águas de Lindoia, Serra Negra, Águas de São Pedro, Caxambu, Poços de Caldas, Caldas Novas, Araxá, and São Lourenço.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is known for its more than 500 mineral springs, including the hottest spring in the Balkans at Sapareva Banya - 103 °C. Other famous spa towns include Sandanski, Hisarya, Bankya, Devin, Kyustendil, Varshets, Velingrad. In Bulgarian, the word for a spa is баня (transliterated banya).
Canada
Harrison Hot Springs is one of the oldest among 18 in British Columbia; there are also two in Alberta and one in Ontario.
Croatia
In Croatia, the word Toplice implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Croatia are Daruvar, Šibenik and Sisak.
Czech Republic
In Czech, the word Lázně implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Czech Republic are the West Bohemian Spa Triangle of Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Lázně, listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other important spas are Luhačovice, Teplice, Jáchymov, Konstantinovy Lázně, Jeseník, Třeboň, Poděbrady, Bechyně or Velké Losiny.
Finland Traditionally, Hanko, Rauma and Kalajoki have been considered spa towns. Today there are more than 50 spas (kylpylä) in Finland; some towns known for their spa centers include Ikaalinen, Naantali and Imatra.
France
In France, the words bains, thermes and eaux in city names often imply a spa town. There are more than 50 spa towns in France, including Vichy, Aix-les-Bains, Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, Dax, and Enghien-les-Bains.
Georgia Borjomi is one such example in south Georgia.
Germany
In Germany, the word Bad implies a spa (bath) town. It is also referred to as a "kurort" - a place for curing. Among the many famous spa towns in Germany are Bad Aachen, Baden-Baden, Bad Brückenau, Bad Ems, Bad Homburg, Bad Honnef, Bad Kissingen, Bad Kreuznach, Bad Mergentheim, Bad Muskau, Bad Oeynhausen, Bad Pyrmont, Bad Reichenhall, Bad Saarow, Bad Schandau, Bad Schönborn, Bad Segeberg, Bad Soden, Bad Tölz, Bad Wildbad, Bad Wimpfen, Bad Wildstein, Berchtesgaden, Binz, Freudenstadt, Heiligendamm, Heringsdorf, Kampen, Königstein, Radebeul, Schwangau, St. Blasien, Titisee, Tegernsee, Travemünde and Zingst. Wiesbaden is the largest spa town in Germany.
Greece
The most popular spa towns in Greece are Aidipsos, Agkistro, Serres, Loutraki, Kamena Vourla, Kimolos, Loutra Kyllinis, Sidirokastro, Serres, Lakkos Milos, Loutrochori, Aridaia, Pella (Pozar)
Hungary
In Hungary, the word fürdő or the more archaic füred ("bath"), fürdőváros ("spa town") or fürdőhely ("bathing place") implies a spa town. Hungary is rich in thermal waters with purported health benefits, and many spa towns are popular tourist destinations. Budapest has several spas, including Turkish style spas dating back to the 16th century. Eger also has a Turkish spa. Other famous spas include the ones at Hévíz, Harkány, Bük, Hajdúszoboszló, Gyula, Bogács, Bükkszék, Zalakaros, the Cave Bath at Miskolctapolca and the Zsóry-fürdő at Mezőkövesd.
India Trivandrum Varkala Kovalam Poovar
Indonesia Bali Batam
Italy
In Italy, spa towns, called città termale (from Latin thermae), are very numerous all over the country because of the intense geological activity of the territory. These places were known and used since the Roman age.
Iraq
Japan
Kazakhstan Burabay, lies in the Kokshetau Mountains, part of the Kokshetau Hills of the Kazakh Uplands (Saryarka).
Luxembourg Mondorf-les-Bains
Lithuania Druskininkai - is known for mineral springs. The name comes from Lithuanian word druska - salt. Birštonas - is known for mineral springs and curative mud applications.
Madagascar Antsirabe
Netherlands Bad Nieuweschans in the North on the border with Germany, with "Bad" implying a spa town. Valkenburg near Maastricht.
New Zealand Rotorua Hanmer Springs Waiwera Te Aroha Ngawha Springs Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain
Poland
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