Belgium, the small country sandwiched between Germany and France, has a ton of thermal bathing spots, especially given its size relative to its number of bathing areas. Bathhouses are fairly common, as are wellness centers that feature heated, therapeutic pools.

Belgium, and specifically its Wallonia region, holds a prestigious place in thermal history. The town of Spa is not just a destination; it's the eponym for all mineral baths with curative properties across the globe. Recognized as one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Belgium's thermal centers tap into naturally pure, mineral-rich waters.

While the number of truly "natural hot springs" in Belgium is limited, the nation's reputation is built on thermal resorts that harness these exceptional cold or lukewarm mineral springs—known locally as pouhons—and then warm them for comfortable bathing. The focus is on the unique mineral composition and the comprehensive spa treatments offered in elegant, historic, or modern settings.

However, be aware that thermal bathing in Belgium doesn’t necessarily equate to the pool utilizing natural hot spring water. Chaudfontaine, one location that does make the most of its natural mineral water, is the most renowned of these hot springs, and it has housed visitors seeking healing water treatments since the late 1600s.

Nearly all the hot springs locations are in the north half of the country.

Les Thermes de Spa (The Thermal Baths of Spa)

Located in the Ardennes, Spa is the undisputed "Café of Europe" for wellness. The modern thermal complex sits atop a hill, fed by the famous Marie-Henriette spring, a naturally iron-bearing and carbonated water source. The experience is a blend of historic tradition (like traditional copper baths) and modern, expansive facilities.

Stay at the Van der Valk Hotel Spa for direct access to the spa.

They offer beautiful candlelit evenings with over 400 candles place around the spa.

The famous copper baths of the Thermes of Spa hosted Tsar Peter Legrand, Victor Hugo, the Queen Marie-Henriette. The bath is filled with carbogaseous and ferriginous natural mineral water from the Marie-Henriette source.

The blue light produced by the Wood’s lamps creates a large discharge of negative ions which destroy pollutants and facilitate breathing and relaxation. It is said that breathing in this room for between 20 and 30 minutes is the equivalent of a day high in the mountains.

Water Quality (5 stars): Excellent. The natural, light mineral water is highly prized for its purity and is bottled and exported worldwide. No unpleasant odors.
Ease of Access (5 stars): Extremely easy. Accessible via paved roads, ample parking, and connected directly to the town center by a panoramic funicular.Van der Valk Hotel Spa
Ability to be Alone (4 stars): Large, 800 m2 complex with indoor/outdoor thermal areas, saunas, and private treatment rooms, offering space for solitude despite high popularity.
Water Temperature (4 stars): Features multiple baths, including a large outdoor pool, with water heated to a consistently comfortable 33∘C
Health Benefits (5 stars): Documented benefits for general well-being, iron deficiency (due to the ferruginous water), and a focus on recovery and rejuvenation.
Nearby Amenities (5 stars): Situated in the town of Spa (UNESCO site), offering luxury hotels (like Van der Valk Hotel Spa with direct access), restaurants, shopping, and the famous Spa-Francorchamps racetrack nearby.

Château des Thermes, Chaudfontaine

Chaudfontaine, near Liège, is unique in Belgium for having the only naturally warm spring in the country, with water emerging at a natural temperature of 37∘C. The water takes a 60-year journey to a depth of 1,600 meters, naturally heated by the earth, before being pushed back to the surface. The resort is housed in a beautifully converted 19th-century chateau. This includes:

An outdoor thermal bath (32°C) with a hydrojet system
An indoor thermal pool
Indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis
3 hammams
3 Indoor and 1 outdoor saunas
A foot bath
An infra-red cabin
A salt cabin
An ice cabin
A caldarium
Relaxation rooms

A bathrobe, towel and slippers are provided. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed in the spa.

Water Quality (5 stars): Excellent. Naturally purified, rich in calcium, magnesium, and fluorine, providing a constant, clean flow.

Ease of Access (5 stars): Very easy. Located just 7 km from Liège, accessible by main roads with dedicated parking on the elegant grounds.
Ability to be Alone (4 stars): Operated as a luxury hotel and spa, it encourages a serene atmosphere with relaxation rooms, multiple saunas, and private gardens.
Water Temperature (5 stars): Exceptional. The natural warmth of the water is maintained at a pleasant 32∘C in the outdoor pool, with various other heated pools and cabins.
Health Benefits (4 stars): Known for general relaxation, stress reduction, and benefits derived from its unique blend of minerals.
Nearby Amenities (5 stars): An all-in-one resort: luxury hotel, gourmet restaurant, full range of spa treatments, and a tranquil setting in the Vesdre Valley.

Thermae Boetfort (Melsbroek/Brussels)

This unique wellness complex is housed in a beautifully preserved 17th-century castle domain near Brussels Airport, offering an extensive range of saunas, baths, and relaxation areas in both bathing suit (Curia) and nude (Moenia) zones.

Therme Boetfortis a 400-year old castle domain which offers elegant yet rustic rooms, both inside (superior & deluxe) as well as outside (classic) of the castle domain. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi and for an additional fee you can use extensive wellness facilities which includes saunas, spa baths and an outdoor pool.

Water Quality (4 stars): High-quality, clean water used in multiple thermal and relaxation baths, constantly filtered and maintained to top standards.

Ease of Access (5 stars): Easily accessible near Brussels and the airport, with excellent road connections and ample parking.
Ability to be Alone (4 stars): The sheer size of the castle domain and the distinct separate zones (clothing optional and clothed) allow guests to find very quiet corners, especially on weekdays.
Water Temperature (5 stars): Wide variety: large outdoor thermal baths, indoor pools, foot baths, and multiple saunas and steam rooms with varying, controlled temperatures.
Health Benefits (3 stars): Focus is primarily on general well-being, detoxification via sauna/steam, and stress reduction, rather than specific mineral cura.
Nearby Amenities (5 stars): Hotel on-site, restaurant, and full spectrum of treatments (massage, facial) within the beautiful, historic grounds.

Thermae Grimbergen (Grimbergen/Brussels)

Sister location to Boetfort, this modern thermal complex is also close to Brussels and features an impressive, spacious setting, including a beautiful garden with large outdoor pools. They offer both clothed and clothing optional.

You can also take part in one of over 100 weekly group classes, play a game of tennis or padel on the tennis or padel courts or enjoy a bite to eat and/or drink in the brasserie.

Thankfully their restaurants no longer sell plastic water bottles. There are water fountains available near the thermal baths.

Therme Hotel Grimbergen is located 328 feet away from Therme Grimbergen spa and 20 minutes’ drive from Brussels. Relax with their massages, sauna, and swimming pools. Sauna and wellness facilities are accessible from the age of 6, up to the age of 18 you must be accompanied by an adult.

Water Quality (4 stars): High-quality, well-maintained pool water, used in a variety of indoor and outdoor thermal pools.

Ease of Access (5 stars): Excellent, easy access from the Brussels region with dedicated parking.
Ability to be Alone (4 stars): Very large facilities with extensive outdoor gardens and quiet relaxation rooms. Offers a calm environment despite its location near the capital.
Water Temperature (4 stars): Multiple pools at comfortable temperatures (indoor and outdoor), plus saunas, hammams, and an infrared cabin.
Health Benefits (4 stars): Strong focus on relaxation, modern spa treatments, and general detoxification.
Nearby Amenities (4 stars): Excellent on-site restaurant, full treatment menu, and lodging options nearby.

Nooz (Grobbendonk)

Nooz offers a unique, highly secluded experience focusing on sensory deprivation and total immersion in nature, with private wellness suites that include thermal baths. This is the ultimate choice for solitude. Nooz will offer you a journey for all of your senses, from 2 hours up to 1 week.

The mystic water experience takes you into the woods with absolutely nothing and yet you have everything there. Nature, peace, connection and a lovely warm Dutch tub.

Water Quality (4 stars): High standard of hygiene in private, controlled spa baths and pools.

Ease of Access (4 stars): Easy to reach by road, but intentionally set deep within a natural area for maximum seclusion.
Ability to be Alone (5 stars): Maximum solitude. The entire concept is built around private, 22-hour experiences with no public areas or crowds.
Water Temperature (4 stars): Private thermal baths are perfectly tempered and adjustable to individual preferences within the suites.
Health Benefits (4 stars): Unique benefits from sensory relaxation, floatation, and de-stressing, though not directly from a mineral spring.
Nearby Amenities (3 stars): Limited amenities outside the resort, but the experience is all-inclusive within the private suite (dining, treatments).

L'Escale Forestière (Lierneux, Ardennes)

Nestled deep in the forest of the Belgian Ardennes, this place offers a nature-focused retreat experience, combining thermal relaxation with the tranquillity of the woods.

Walk barefoot in the forest across textures that remind you of a time when things were slower. Step through 20 trays filled with natural (straw, reeds, sandstone, spruce cones, bark...) and surprising (pods, corks, billiard balls...) textures.

Enjoy Escale Forestière, a playful, amazing show on the flora and fauna of the forest concluding on a virtual journey in a hot air balloon so see how beautiful the park is from above.

After forest bathing you can stay nearby at the spa, Hôtel l'Escale where you can enjoy their sauna, massages, and hot tubs.

Water Quality (4 stars): High standard of cleanliness and hygiene in the controlled thermal baths and pools.

Ease of Access (3 stars): Requires travel on minor roads through the forest; parking is available, but it's intentionally off the beaten path.
Ability to be Alone (4 stars): The secluded forest location ensures a high degree of peace and minimal noise, promoting true relaxation.
Water Temperature (4 stars): Well-regulated thermal pools, saunas, and relaxation areas for various temperature preferences.
Health Benefits (3 stars): Benefits are largely derived from de-stressing and immersion in a clean, natural environment.
Nearby Amenities (3 stars): Limited immediate amenities outside the hotel/spa complex, making it a pure escape.

Waer Waters (Groot-Bijgaarden)

A massive, state-of-the-art wellness resort near Brussels, renowned for its extensive thermal facilities, including multiple indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and heat cabins. It caters to a high volume of guests while maintaining quality.

Waer Waters spa Hotel offers a serene escape with a full breakfast and coffee shop. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating massage at the onsite spa or enjoy one of two restaurants, then unwind in the garden or by one of six pools.

Note there is a clothed and clothing optional zone, as with many Belgium spas.

Water Quality (4 stars): Excellent, professionally maintained water quality across numerous pools and baths.

Ease of Access (5 stars): Exceptional. Located near major highways and the Brussels orbital road, with a large, dedicated parking area.
Ability to be Alone (3 stars): Due to its popularity and size, there are crowds, but the sheer volume of different saunas, relaxation rooms, and pools allows for finding quiet spots.
Water Temperature (5 stars): Unbeatable variety: from large thermal pools to cold plunge pools, foot baths, and saunas up to 95∘C
Health Benefits (3 stars): Focus on modern wellness practices: hydrotherapy, heat exposure, and cryotherapy, offering significant relaxation benefits.
Nearby Amenities (5 stars): On-site hotel, multiple restaurants, extensive treatment/massage menu, and a full gym/fitness center.

Azur en Ardenne (Durbuy)

Azur en Ardenne is a relatively new holiday resort with 54 rooms and 14 villas near Durbuy in Belgium. A modern holiday park and hotel with a dedicated wellness center and indoor swimming pool. It offers a family-friendly thermal experience in the natural beauty of the Durbuy area.

Nearby there’s lots to do. Walking and hiking, kayaking, golf and mini-golf (Gold de Durbuy and Golf de Méan), fishing, and the Adventure Valley Park (5 minutes from the hotel).

Water Quality (4 stars): Clean, well-maintained pools and heat rooms.

Ease of Access (4 stars): Good road access to the park, set in the hills near Durbuy.
Ability to be Alone (3 stars): Being a resort, the main pool can be busy, but the smaller wellness area offers more privacy.
Water Temperature (4 stars): Comfortable indoor pool, plus sauna, hammam, and hot tub.
Health Benefits (3 stars): Focuses on general family relaxation and recuperation after outdoor activities.
Nearby Amenities (5 stars): Full-service resort with lodging, restaurant, gym, and proximity to Durbuy's famous tourist attractions and outdoor sports.

Are you traveling in other parts of Europe? Take a look at more hot springs in the United Kingdom, Poland, Serbia, Romania, Austria, Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Belgium’s Most Relaxing Spas