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A hot spring or a thermal lake is a body of water heated by geothermal groundwater. Such hot springs exists all over the world, but you can’t really bathe in many of them, either due to access issues, or because the water is just way too hot or contains dangerous compositions. We gathered a list of 10 great hot springs you can actually bathe in.
1. The Blue Lagoon – Located near Reykjavik, The Blue Lagoon is one of themost visited attractions in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa with naturally steaming water.
2. Szechenyi Baths, Budapest, Hungary – Public baths are part of the tradition in Budapest since the Turkish occupation several centuries ago. The Szechenyi Baths are the most famous public bath place in Budapest and the water is supplied by two thermal springs.
3. Terme di Saturinia, Italy – The Terme di Saturinia are a group of hot springs located near Saturnia, about 160 km (100 miles) north of Rome. The water springs from the ground at a temperature of 37.5 °C (99.5 °F), and at a rate of around 800 liters per seconds (211 US gallons). The springs also include waterfalls, the Mill Falls (Cascate del Mulino) being the main thermal waterfalls. The Terme di Saturinia springs are famous for their therapeutic properties.
4. Pamukkale Hot Springs, Turkey – The city of Pamukkale in southwestern contains 17 hot springs, as well as terraces of carbonate minerals, created by the thermal water as it flows through the terraces. The temperature of the water as it springs from the ground ranges from 35 °C (95 °F) to 100 °C (212 °F).
5. Tabacón Hot Springs, Costa Rica – The Tabacón Hot Springs are located at the base of the Arenal Volcano. The geothermal hot springs are heated by the volcano, making the area a prime location for natural spa resorts. The most famous resort is the Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, located near the town of La Fortuna
6. The Roman Baths, Bath, England – Bath is a city in South West England. The city was built by the Romans, at the location of the only known hot springs in the country. They called the city Aquae Sulis (“the waters of Sulis”). The city later became a spa town during the Georgian era. Today the city celebrates its history as a UNESCO heritage site, and offers local residents, domestic visitors and tourists the chance to feel the history of Bath by exploring the historic roman spa structures, or through a real spa experience: In 2006 the Thermae Bath Spareopened, offering once again a chance to enjoy the hot springs of Bath in restored and modern facilities.
7. Upper Hot Springs, Banff National Park, Canada – The Upper Hot Springs are just one of 9 natural hot springs in the area, but the Upper Hot Springs were developed commercially, allowing visitors to soak in an organized outdoor pool, at a temperature of 38°C (100°F), and enjoy the wonderful view of the Rockies.
8. Conundrum Hot Springs, Colorado, United States – There are many hot springs in the United States, and specifically in Colorado. But at an elevation of 11,200 feet (3,413 meters), the Conundrum Hot Springs are probably the highest hot springs in the entire country. The scenery from the springs over the forests and mountains is beautiful, and watching such a wonderful view while relaxing in the steaming water is just what you need after the 8.5 mile (13.6 km) hike you had to do through the White River National Forest in order to get to the springs.
9. Puritama Hot Springs, Chile – The Puritama Hot Springs are a series of 8 large pools of geothermal spring water. The springs are located in the Atacama Desert, at the bottom of a canyon. Like other springs listed here, these too are commercially developed, which means an easy and comfortable access, with paths and changing rooms, but this also means entry fees. The hot springs are a major tourist attraction, along with other attractions in the Atacama desert, like the Valley of the Moon and the Atacama Salt Flat.
10. Deception Island, Antarctica – Deception island is an island near Antarctica, considered one of the safest harbors in Antarctica. The island itself is the caldera of an active volcano, which means that there are many hot spots to be found on the island. In some areas the water temperature can reach 70 °C (158 °F). Not exactly the Antarctica you were thinking of?