Hot springs have fascinated people for centuries. They’re natural spas that have been bubbling away long before humans walked the earth.
A hot spring is formed when rainwater or groundwater is heated by geothermal energy in the earth’s core, causing the water to rise back to the surface. It’s pretty astonishing if you think about it. The water you bathe in has been deep in the earth’s crust.
Throughout history, people have used natural baths for soothing, therapeutic, and spiritual purposes. The Romans, for example, built elaborate bathhouses around their hot springs, while the Japanese developed an entire culture around the onsen.
10. Polques Hot Springs, Bolivia
The Polques Hot Springs are one of those surreal places that look like they belong on another planet. They’re located in Bolivia’s Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Park near the town of Uyuni. The high-altitude spring sits 14450 feet above sea level in the salt lands of the volcanoes of Salar de Uyuni.
They came about due to volcanic activity from the nearby Polques Vilcano – hence the name. The waters are incredibly rich in minerals, which are believed to relieve arthritis and rheumatism pain. A visit to the spring is usually paired with a day exploring the salt flats. And what better way to end a day on your feet than by floating in a comfortable pool of 84°F with epic views?
9. Cascate del Mulino, Italy
Tuscany isn’t only for wine and olive oil. Close to the town of Saturnia, Cascate del Mulino is home to a series of cascading thermal waterfalls that flow from Mount Amiata. Over centuries, beautiful limestone pools have formed to hold the water. The sulfur-rich pools average around 99°F. Historically, the Etruscans and Romans once bathed here, believing the pools had rejuvenating powers.
Today, people visit the pools hoping to alleviate all sorts of issues ranging from skin problems to tonsillitis. Best of all, access to the pools is free year-round. But for those after a more indulgent experience, the nearby Terme di Saturnia hotel and spa elevates the experience to pure luxury, with exclusive thermal baths and spa treatments.
8. Jigokudani Hot Spring, Japan
For centuries, the Japanese have used onsens, or hot springs, for their health benefits, as well as places of communal relaxation. The Jigokudani Onsen in Korakukan opened in 1864 and is one of the most unique hot spring experiences on this list. Nestled in front of the Snow Monkey Park, these baths aren’t just for humans – you’ll be sharing the water with Japanese macaques. These monkeys have been soaking in the steaming waters for decades.
The name ‘Jigokudani’ translates to ‘Hell Valley,’ which references the area’s steamy, volcanic landscape. But let’s get one thing straight: This place is straight up heaven. The onsen has private and public baths, but the real stars of the show here are no doubt the monkeys.
7. Banjar Hot Springs, Indonesia
Everything on the island of Bali feels a little mystical and magical, and the Banjar Hot Springs are no exception. Located in the north of the island, where few tourists venture, the springs are tucked away in the lush jungles near the village of Banjar.
Locally called the Air Panas Banjar, the water springs into a holy Hindu blessing pool decorated with stone carvings and dragon fountains. It’s believed that the springs have unique healing properties. Today, you can spend time soaking in the tiered pools, surrounded by nothing but the dense jungle.
6. Chena Hot Springs, Alaska
Alaska has its fair share of natural wonders, so it makes sense it is home to the gorgeous Chena Hot Springs. Located north of Fairbanks, these springs were found in 1905 during a gold mining mission and have drawn travelers from around the world ever since.
Today, it’s a fully-fledged resort with a hotel, restaurant, and even an ice museum. However, the main attraction is the thermal hot spring lake. The pool is spectacular no matter the season, although I’m a personal fan of winter when the surrounding trees are coated in a layer of snow. If you visit between August and April, you could even catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis overhead!
5. Huanglong Hot Springs, China
The Huanglong Valley in the northwest of the Sichuan Province in China is famous for its population of pandas and incredible hot spring landscapes. In fact, the entire valley is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of it.
The hot springs here are basically like multicolored basins filled with mineral-rich waters that cascade into and out of one another. From above, the waters, which stretch for 2.2 miles, are said to look like a giant dragon winding through the mountain.
Culturally, the area has a deep spiritual significance. There are ancient temples scattered around the mountain, and the valley has been a Buddhist pilgrimage site for centuries. This, combined with the delicate environment, means you can’t bathe in these pools. Nevertheless, the sheer beauty makes a trip absolutely worthwhile.
4. Tabacon Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Hidden in the lush jungle beneath the Arenal Volcano, the Tabacon Hot Springs might just be the most beautiful in all of Costa Rica. Located near the town of La Fortuna, this geothermal paradise is now home to a resort and spa. But the magic goes far beyond the hospitality industry.
With a mix of warm and cool pools, surrounded by dense rainforest and dramatic volcanic views, this place feels like stepping into a dreamscape. Long before it became a world-class retreat, the Indigenous Maleku people considered the springs a sacred healing site.
3. Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey
Pamukkale translates to ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish, and once you see these 17-tiered pools, you’ll understand why. They’re undoubtedly one of the most exquisite hot springs, with calm blue 94°F water flowing over milky white limestone formations.
It is so stunning that the pools, along with the ancient spa town of Hierapolis nearby, are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formed over millions of years by the mineral-rich waters cascading down the mountainside, this area has been used as a spa destination since the 2nd century BC. It’s so old that the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines have all had their turn in the pools.
2. Blue Lagoon, Iceland
If there is one hot spring you might be familiar with on this list, it is Blue Lagoon in Iceland. These magical pools are so popular that many tourists visit the country just to spend a day soaking in the Blue Lagoon.
The milky-blue waters are surrounded by a rugged lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula, not far from the capital city. Unlike the Turkish lagoon above, Blue Lagoon has only existed for under a century. The lagoon’s origins date back to the 1970s, when it was accidentally created from a geothermal power plant overflow. Locals were skeptical at first, but today, the pools are the highlight of a world-famous spa.
1. Grutas Tolantongo, Mexico
Tucked away in the Hidalgo Mountains lies a paradise of thermal waters and cascading waterfalls called Grutas Tolantongo.
The water source here is deep within the mountain. More recently, it has been transformed into a thriving hot spring resort, with man-made pools along the edge of the cliff face. Locals and tourists flock to the springs to experience the powerful rush of the water and serene surroundings.
It’s a scene out of a fictional fairytale, with grottoes, a turquoise river, a cascading waterfall, and cliffside pools, all surrounded by stunning canyon views.
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