UNESCO Great Spa Towns of Europe are hosting summer events

‘Take the cure’ this Euro summer at special events across the Great Spa Towns of Europe.

There are few things more enjoyable than a spa day of bathing. The older I get, the more I will factor a good hot spring or bathhouse into my travel plans wherever possible. And where better to indulge than the UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe, where your bathing comes with a side of history. Especially in 2026, as they all celebrate their fifth birthdays.

What are the Great Spa Towns of Europe?

Aerial view of the city of Bad Ems Germany, Great Spa Towns of Europe — Check into the Great Spa Towns of Europe for summer celebrations. (Credit: Getty/ Leesle)

Five years ago, UNESCO designated a single transnational World Heritage Site comprising 11 historic spa towns across seven European countries, all developed around natural mineral springs.

In Europe, thermal spa towns were popping up in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The idea was grand health resorts, and these towns were an influence on medicine and wellness at the time. But this ‘European spa phenomenon’ extended its reach beyond health. ‘Spa architecture’ became a thing, and the towns pioneered a new style of urban design (and the first to ever centre around wellness). They also influenced art, culture, politics and society (everybody loves to bathe, after all).

person drinking from fountain with famous porcelain sippy cup in Karlovy Vary czech — Take a drink from Karlovy Vary’s famous waters. (Credit: Getty/ Victoria Romarniuc)

These towns are spread across Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy and the UK. The full list includes:

Bath, United Kingdom
Baden bei Wien, Austria
Spa, Belgium
Karlovy Vary, Czech
Mariánské Lázně, Czech
Františkovy Lázně, Czech
Vichy, France
Baden-Baden, Germany
Bad Ems, Germany
Bad Kissingen, Germany
Montecatini Terme, Italy

Fifth birthday celebrations

Montecatini terme in Tuscany, Great Spa Towns of Europe — Relax in Montecatini Terme. (Credit: Getty/ Karzof Pleine)

And how will these Great Spa Towns celebrate their fifth year of being recognised by UNESCO? A range of events will be held across these continents, from film screenings and concerts to guided tours.

The word ‘spa’ all began in Belgium’s town of Spa. For the anniversary, enjoy curated historical walks alongside the thermal cures (a combination of historic hydrotherapy traditions with modern wellness) at Les Thermes de Spa.

Bad Ems, Germany, will be holding a series of events during the summer months named A Summer in World Heritage (Ein Sommer im Welterbe). Think exhibitions, photography, dance, film, flea markets and so much more.

Karlovy Vary, the Czech town known for its famous sippy cups to drink the mineral water flowing from public fountains (it doesn’t taste great, but the locals swear by its healing properties), will be turning its already rather fairytale-esque town into a Festival of Lights. Each light display will embody six attributes of all the Great Spa Towns of Europe: architecture, infrastructure, urban ensemble, a therapeutic spa landscape and continuing spa function.

And who could say no to a jaunt in Tuscany? Montecatini Terme is currently planning a full week of celebrations to mark the anniversary, including a range of performances celebrating the arts.

Find the full list of Great Spa Towns of Europe on the official website.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The UNESCO Great Spa Towns of Europe are all hosting unmissable summer events

‘Take the cure’ this Euro summer at special events across the Great Spa Towns of Europe.

What are the Great Spa Towns of Europe?

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