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It feels a bit odd to start off an entry on European hot springs with the confines of a sauna. But alas, can't delve up a good hot spring photo. Next time.
Anyway more on hot springs in Europe, then even more on sauna ..., well let's say sauna culture in Europe.
A is for Albania. Walkmyworld (Oct. 10) on the truth about Permet hot springs:
'The Benja Hot Springs are undoubtedly the most popular attraction in Permet, in fact it’s probably fair to say they put Permet on the map when it comes to tourism. And who wouldn’t be awed by blue thermal pools scattered amongst one of Albania’s most stunning canyons? However, the hot springs have become a controversial site due to the rapid development that’s taken place, changing the look and feel of the springs forever....The hot springs are by no means a hidden gem anymore, they get very crowded, especially in peak and shoulder season. One look at the development going on and the huuuuuge car park and you know it’s only going to get busier'.
Conclusion (after a very long description of no less than 7 pools):
'If development and unsympathetic manmade structures in a glorious natural environment is going to make you feel sad or angry then definitely don’t visit. If you only like true hot springs, not tepid ones, then it also won’t be for you.If you can look past the development and simply see the pools as being in a truly beautiful location, with mineral water that’s good for your skin, then don’t be put off visiting. You can probably already see that I had very mixed feelings about the pools, but I am still glad I visited'.
A World of Spa heads to Slovenia and compiles their 7 best thermal spa's in the country. For 2026, so let's say it's rather recent.
'Slovenia is a surprisingly rich destination for thermal spas, mineral springs and wellness resorts. From the green hills of the Slovenian interior to the Adriatic coast, you can find everything from sophisticated adults-oriented wellness retreats to enormous thermal water parks designed for families'.
Some real news, but it's trouble in paradise yet again.
Agence de Presse Catalane explains (Aug. 7, in French) how authorities have decamped to Fortpédrouse to weed out non-allowed activities. And in all honesty, open fires in summer, in mountainous forests are certainly not a sight for sore eyes. A translated snippet:
'Beyond the specific infractions noted [dangerous parking / drug use], the findings paint a worrying picture. State services discovered numerous waste dumps, around forty unauthorized fire sites, and multiple illegal shack-like structures.All these traces bear witness to the growing pressure on this natural site. A swim can leave memories… but some visitors leave behind mostly litter and scars on the landscape'.
More French actualitès.
Regional newspaper (Sud-Ouest, Nov. 5) reports that the oldest functioning thermal complex of Dax will close; two complexes remain. But it's considered as (translated):
'... this is the first symptom of the serious crisis facing the spa industry, in Dax as elsewhere'.
From another regional French newspaper a social media reel, this time from La Depêche de l'Aude (Nov. 1). Many comments in response to the 20 seconds from Rennes-les-Bains. One person's comment:
'Sauf quand les hippies a poil viennent se laver'.
This remarks itself generates more than 50 comments. As if those not regaled as the common people are to blame for societies ills, even on a global scale.
A post (Oct. 30) from a North American Facebook site picturing Saturnia terme. With a query on what hot springs to visit in Europe? They could have looked here. Overall they get sixty plus suggestions (Iceland, Ischia, Budapest Germany, etc.), but other comments such as:
'Been to that one in Italy, Saturnia. It’s actually similar to ones in the PNW. It’s natural, free and even has a pizza vending machine in the parking lot
...
This looks Turkish
...
Saturnia is like Disneyland. Please don’t go here and expect it to look like this photo at any time. I am convinced that everyone of these photos is Photoshop. This was warm water and I would say barely at that so if you go here make sure that it is a warm day because you will likely be cold if the weather is cold'.
More on the same termi. On Soaking in Southeast Asia some time back, they had a special on hot springs & arts. One addition, way overdue: China 9, Liberty 37 (1978). An Italian spaghetti western:
'The railroad hires a condemned killer to murder an uncooperative rancher but the assassin fails to deliver, prompting the railroad men to go after him instead'.
Otherwise known as Amore, piombo e furore it contains a bathing scene from Saturnia.
With current day pressure from tourists, this would not have been able to be shot (and enjoyed naturally).
More Italy. Beaneath the surface is a website seeking to record thermal bathing opportunities.
'Beneath the Surface uncovers the rich history, science, and spirituality of thermal waters. Told through stunning visuals and the intimate voices of scientists, historians, indigenous elders, and modern seekers, the film traces humanity’s journey: from ancient Roman thermae and Japanese onsens, where balneotherapy was sacred medicine, to the pharmaceutical era that sidelined them. Now, cutting-edge science revives their power—easing pain, healing gut health, melting stress—while mystical threads reveal water’s response to intention, earth’s grounding force, and a divine reconnection to nature'.
They recently (April) visited Vulcano:
'Just a short walk from the ferry port, the living heart of the Aeolian Islands, the Pozza dei Fanghi waits—a shallow, steaming pool of grey volcanic clay where the earth still breathes. Fed by geothermal springs and sulphurous vapours that rise through the rock, this natural mud bath has drawn people seeking healing since antiquity. The thermal traditions of the Aeolian archipelago reach back more than three thousand years, with evidence of therapeutic waters used as early as the Mycenaean era.Here the water is classified as sulphurous-salso-bromo-iodine and weakly radioactive, heated by the volcano’s subterranean fire to source temperatures of 40–80 °C. It mingles with fine clay rich in micronized sulphur, iron, and trace minerals, creating a dense, bubbling mud that coats the skin like liquid stone. Visitors sink into the warm, mineral-laden slurry, smooth the grey paste across arms, legs, and back, and rest while the sulphur-scented air and rising bubbles work their quiet chemistry. After a short immersion, a rinse in the adjacent “hot sea”—where submarine fumaroles gently warm the Tyrrhenian—completes the ritual'.
There's also youtube recording.
2^ giorno per la mia Rubrica “Posti spettacolari a quasi km 0, in solitaria e nella natura”. 🥾🎒👙🧖🏻♀️🦦~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Lascio a malincuore la carinissima Casina di Nonno Mario, vado a dare una sbirciata al Mulino delle Pile da cui prese vita l’icona del vero Mulino Bianco dei biscotti 🍪 e…Siamo sempre nel terroritorio senese…Elemento: Acqua…💦Calda, fredda, entrambe?!? 😏🤔Come facevo a non fare un bagno nelle Vene di Ciciano (è il “mare” degli abitanti del luogo) con circa 12 gradi fuori…infatti dentro ci si stava di lusso!Il fiume tutto per me! ❤️E poi dè, questo inverno non sono riuscita a fare nemmeno una capatina alle terme…indi per cui era il tempo di San Casciano dei bagni, con la sua acqua a 41,5 gradi! Che bellezza!Insomma…troppo presto per fare il bagno in fiume o troppo tardi per fare il bagno alle terme?!?I direi che…”poggi e bue fan pari”! 🫶🏽Al prossimo giro tour dei castelli! 🏰 #siena #torrenti #viagginsolitaria #termelibere
AbondonedBerlin (Nov. 3) with this:
'Georgia is selling 10 Soviet palaces. From $1 million..In October 2026, Georgia put ten old sanatoriums in the spa town of Tskaltubo up for auction, at about $1 million to $3.5 million each. The catch: buyers must also pay for a full renovation..This one has its own story. It was built from 1951 for coal miners and the Soviet Ministry of Coal Industry. They came here for the town’s warm springs, which contain radon, a radioactive gas. The water was said to work miracles for arthritis..In 2015 the state sold it for millions to become a hotel. The hotel never came, and in 2023 the state took it back'.
Boost
Where am I? It looks as though we've ploughed through the hot springs items on offer. Where to now?
'A new Finnish study reveals that just 30 minutes in a sauna can temporarily flood the bloodstream with additional white blood cells, potentially helping the immune system patrol the body and detect threats. The surprising response resembles the immune boost seen during exercise and may help explain some of the health benefits linked to sauna bathing'.
Would this also mean the same for soaking in a hot spring? And isn't 30 minutes in a sauna quite long ...?
More science.
A new find, thermalsociality, an nascent instagram site on sauna anthropology:
'So how did I end up studying social saunas, and the Oslo Badstuforening specifically? There’s a polycrisis happening right now, including a loneliness epidemic. We need open and accessible third spaces to get together and socialise and I believe social, community and public saunas can be places to heal: physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. 🌿What am I going to do with all this?I want to bring everything I learned to Dutch sauna culture. What can we learn from the Oslo Badstuforening, and from all the other researchers, practitioners and sauna operators around the world, to build a sauna culture that’s inclusive and accessible for everyone? That’s my mission. 🏳️🌈'
Saunatimes (Sep. 30) discusses from the sidelines of the recent International Sauna Congress (ISC) in Oslo. But before the congress, there was the Sauna Research Foundation convention:
'The Sauna Research Foundation convened its inaugural research consensus meeting at The Well, launching a formal Delphi process intended to establish shared definitions, terminology, research methods, and priorities for sauna and heat-therapy research. The working group includes 21 researchers from 14 institutions across nine countries, with 15 attending in person.I was fortunate to be in the room for those closed-door sessions.And honestly, there were several pinch-me moments.Researchers from different disciplines and countries sat around the table and gently wrestled with some pretty fundamental questions: What exactly do we mean when we say “sauna”? How should heat exposure be defined and reported? What terminology should everyone use? What should future studies actually measure? It’s as if the collective consciousness in the room has brought us all together for a technical yet important purpose. (Eg. differentiating sauna from other forms of heat therapy research)'.
The report then continues to reflect on the ISC itself, sauna culture and the sauna's of Oslo.
'amazing'.
Google recent reviews likewise: fantastic, amazing. Example:
'I was actually a bit stressed before we came, after reading a few bad reviews. But what an experience! The Well is absolutely amazing. The spa is huge, and even though it is a nude spa, it never feels cramped or uncomfortable. It is so big that you can easily find a quieter area. We were there on a Monday, so it was probably one of the quieter days, but we found it incredibly relaxing.There is so much to explore – lots of different saunas, pools and zones – and you really have plenty of time to enjoy it all. We also ate at the Brasserie, and the food was delicious. A bit pricey, but that is to be expected in a place like this.The hotel was also absolutely beautiful, with great details and amazing views. The whole experience felt complete and luxurious.A big plus was that we were able to use the spa on our departure day. We had breakfast, went straight to the spa and had a really nice start to the day before we packed up and left.We have been to several spas that try to be on the same level, but The Well really stands out in terms of size, variety and quality. It is a bit expensive, but definitely worth the money.10/10 – we will definitely be back! ❤️
Not the worst wildcamping spot - what do you think?🤪😃😍The romans knew how to enjoy life, and so do we 😉The area around Ourense is known for a huge density of hotsprings, and this one was quite awesome.They had different pools, the hottest one was 50°C 🥵[...]
Hallo München (Sep. 13) on a new local sauna (kapisauna.de), in the center of the city, entrance to the mini sauna, is online only.
'Munich just got a cool new sauna. Kapi Sauna is tucked into Bahnwärter Thiel, and it’s basically a little 80°C sauna you can book for yourself or a group of friends.You get 90 minutes, a private access code, and cold outdoor showers to jump under afterwards — all surrounded by the wonderfully chaotic Bahnwärter Thiel vibe. No spa-resort atmosphere, no fancy wellness package, just sauna, cold showers and good company'.
Google reviews: 2 of the 11 complain on the textile compulsion ...
I'll fit this in here. A Korean comedian on German sauna culture. Money Today (Nov. 10):
'Shin Dong-yup shared an anecdote about being shocked by German mixed-gender bathing culture....In the video, Shin recalled his visit to Berlin for the filming of the variety show "Adult Figures," saying, "I found out that Germany doesn't have the concept of separate men's and women's baths. Men and women used the shower rooms together without distinction." He added, "I was so surprised. During an interview, I asked if they had any awkward experiences, and one person said it was when they ran into their friend's mother," which drew laughter.Shin then added, "At the place we visited, they even held birthday parties in the bathhouse. Men and women would strip naked, sit down, and drink alcohol, and they were selling alcohol there too."
All for the clicks, question mark?
And then the share of been there, preferred not have done this, but for the clicks (again?) for my article: yes. And yes I'm prudish, but now less so. Sort of.
Austria and Hotel Hurzerhof have done their utmost to pique interest from the British Isles. The Scotsman (Oct. 25, but also Irish Times Oct. 14, RTE, Oct. 14) and despite all the usual Austrian distractions (think cowbells, apfelstrudel):
'But the activity I keep coming back to is the evening Sauna Aufguss, which I attended four times. With each session, my inhibitions begin to ease, although I’m still not quite ready to ditch my towel. Slowly but surely, however, I find myself embracing the local sauna culture.At one session, someone celebrating their birthday is invited to dance naked in front of the other guests. With my own birthday falling the following day, I’m horrified at the prospect, but manage to escape such a celebration.By the time we leave, I’m hugging Janine and Andi, our exuberant sauna masters, and saying a fond farewell to all my new naked friends. I’m not sure I leave with all my inhibitions thrown out of the window, but the experience certainly helps me loosen up and rethink my attitude towards body confidence – I leave with a more open mind and a little less body shame'.
Likewise the Independent (Oct. 23), but now not a copy of above. But same time / same place.
'As the [Aufguss] session goes on, the towels start to slip but I still can’t quite bring myself to let it all hang out, as it were.To the Austrians, it’s baffling how reserved the British are about taking off their clothes.Christina, the spa owner, explains diplomatically: “For international people it can be a bit strange but for us in Austria, it is completely normal.”....So much so that my journey from awkward sauna user to Aufguss enthusiast sees me join in heartily with my new naked friends.I am just devastated to miss the Highway to Hell-themed session held after a few hours after I leave.Next time, next time'.
Dutch website Saunagids shares that one of the few Dutch thermal complexes (Thermen Nieuweschans) has recently seen some renovations, the re-opening was on October 16.
Looking at the most recent reviews on Google, things are not panning out as hoped. A lot of explanation from management. F.i. (translated):
'Given the resort’s reputation, we genuinely expected much better. The experience fell far short of our expectations, and the response to our feedback left us feeling that customer satisfaction was no longer a priority once the basic refund had been issued'.
Nearly there.
Culture of Bathing (Nov. 6) goes Ireland:
'We asked Rosanna Cooney, author of Sweathouse: The New & Ancient Irish Sauna Tradition, for her can’t-miss Irish bathing spots and the story behind the country’s ancient bathing culture'.
Rosanna Cooney:
'There were once thousands of sweathouses around the country, one for every four or five houses. Today, 300 remain standing. The lost memories of Ireland’s sweathouses and culture were part of a great forgetting of traditional ways in the 20th century, but the memory of our past is getting stronger as people find their way back to the heat. Here I share some of my favourite bathing spots, and then dive into the ancient history'.
With many examples.
Finally, Sweden's Naturistensite shares (Nov. 1) an exhibition on saunaing:
Cristian Quinteros Soto has had Sauna Sessions in Tomelilla Konsthall from September 5 to November 1.During the exhibition days, visitors were offered a nude hour at the end of Saturdays. During the preview and the last day of the exhibition, clothing was optional the entire time!
Otrolig fin recension av min utställning Sauna Sessions i @tomelillakonsthall i @ystadsallehanda ❤️🔥 känner mig så otroligt tacksam för all fin respons!Nu är det sista helgen så passa på att besöka!Länk i stories!
Continuing. From the Tomelilla konsthalle website (translated from Swedish):
'Sauna Sessions is a long-term artistic project by Cristian Quinteros Soto that uses the sauna as a method, meeting place and space for care. Through collective bathing, warmth, stillness and conversation, the project explores how intimacy, trust and community can arise beyond hierarchies and representation.The exhibition brings together documentation from different places and contexts – film, sound, photography and traces of the temporary infrastructures that made the encounters possible. Here, the focus shifts from the individual body to the common state: the warmth that is shared, time that slows down and relationships that arise in the spaces between.The exhibition invites the visitor to reflect on the body in public, care as an artistic practice and how simple, collective actions can create new ways of being together'.
Άλλη μια σεζόν έφτασε στο τέλος της!Σας ευχαριστούμε όλους θερμά που μας επισκεφθήκατε και μοιραστήκατε μαζί μας όμορφες στιγμές χαλάρωσης και ευεξίας.Ανανεώνουμε το ραντεβού μας για του χρόνου, να έχετε έναν όμορφο χειμώνα.Another season has come to an end!We warmly thank you all for visiting us and sharing wonderful moments of relaxation and well-being.We look forward to seeing you again next year, wishing you a lovely winter.
