5 Dreamy Hot Springs You'll Never Want to Leave
Is it just us, or have you wanted to swim in a hot spring since the moment you found out they existed? The idea of floating around in a pool of water that is literally being heated by the centre of the earth is equal parts thrilling and relaxing.
While hot springs can be found all over the world, most need to be visited with intention; you won’t stumble across a spring while walking along a European main street. So, we’ve done the hard work for you: read on to discover the 5 most incredible hot springs around the world.
Based on appearance alone, it’s hard to believe that Pamukkale thermal pools are located on planet earth – southwest Turkey, to be specific. These terraced springs are rimmed by paper-white limestone and brimming with mineral-rich turquoise water that looks almost glacial, but is delightfully warm!
Once you’re done soaking in Pamukkale’s life-giving pools, you can explore the nearby Hierapolis ruins to cap off your picture-perfect day. What could be better?
While Colorado is best known for its towering mountain ranges, it’s also home to a truly fascinating hot spring locale. Dunton, where the springs are located, is an abandoned 19th century mining town (check out Butch Cassidy’s name carved into the saloon’s original bar top) that’s been transformed into a remote luxury resort.
These springs are made extra-special by their eye-catching rust-colored pools, pigmented by a potent mix of calcium bicarbonate, iron, manganese, and lithium. For an experience that marries sublime relaxation with a touch of Americana and fresh mountain air, Dunton is your spot.
If you’ve got an adventurous streak, there’s no better hot spring on earth than the one in Japan’s Jigokudani Monkey Park. True to its name, visitors will encounter a very special kind of pool-mate here: Japanese Macaques, AKA Snow Monkeys!
Since they’re so used to being around humans, you can get up close and personal with Jigokudani’s monkey population (without feeding or touching them, of course) and enjoy a front-row seat to their entertaining antics. Just remember: they love the springs as much as humans do, so you may need to shuffle over if one of them decides to join you for a dip.
In recent years, Iceland has exploded in popularity thanks to its vast, rugged landscapes and untameable natural beauty. It says a whole lot, then, that Blue Lagoon is one of its crown jewels, located just a half hour away from the capital of Reykjavik.
Its robin’s-egg-blue waters are surrounded by a dramatic black lava field and packed with skin-friendly minerals. A veil of steam shrouds visitors as they sink into geothermal bliss, as though a cloud of stress and worry was evaporating into thin air. Just be sure to book your spot as far in advance as possible – this open-air spa is in very high demand!
For 3,000 years straight, Tuscany’s Terme di Saturnia thermal baths have been bubbling and flowing at a temperature of precisely 37.5 degrees Celcius. To reach their destination, these waters travel underground from Mount Amiata, eventually filling the thermal pools that beckon visitors from all over the world.
The Terme hot spring is said to have anti-stress, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties, as well as the ability to make skin feel baby-soft. When you’re done soaking in its mineral-rich waters, you can explore the rest of Terme’s surroundings, including other restorative baths and treatments that are part of the adjacent spa complex.
Few things are more luxe than pampering yourself with a hot spring dip. Double down on treating yo’ self with a stunning SKYE swimsuit, so you can feel your best in every possible way!