The UAE and Jordan
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Green Mubazzarah | Lawns at the foot of the mountain with hot springs, a small lake and a children's train. | Below Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain |
| Ma'in Hot Springs | Hot springs reaching 60 degrees, with waterfalls tumbling down the mountain. | Between Madaba and the Dead Sea |
| Floating in the Dead Sea | The lowest point on land, about 430 metres below sea level, where you float thanks to the salt, and its famous mud. | About an hour from Amman |
Türkiye and Georgia
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Pamukkale terraces | White travertine terraces holding warm water, which you walk barefoot. | Denizli, Türkiye |
| Cleopatra's Pool | A pool of warm thermal water where you swim among sunken ancient Roman columns. | Pamukkale; separate fee |
| Kara Ada island | An island with a hot spring and mud in a seaside cave. | About 20 minutes by boat from Bodrum |
| Ayder plateau | A mountain village of wooden chalets, waterfalls and hot springs. | Rize province, northern Türkiye |
| The sulphur baths | Brick-domed baths over warm sulphur springs, with private rooms for families. | Tbilisi; book the private room ahead |
| Borjomi Central Park | Borjomi mineral water at its source, and mineral-water pools among the forests. | Borjomi, Georgia |
Europe
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Széchenyi Baths | One of Europe's largest thermal baths, with outdoor pools warm even in winter. | Budapest, Hungary |
| Karlovy Vary | The spa town of hot springs with elegant colonnades among the forests, on the World Heritage list. | About 2 hours from Prague |
| Thermal pools around Zakopane | Hot-water pools with mountain views, loved by families in winter. | Poland |
| The Blue Lagoon | Turquoise geothermal water amid black lava. | Iceland, near the airport; can close temporarily during nearby volcanic activity |
| Geysir and Strokkur | A hot spring that shoots water high into the air every few minutes. | The Golden Circle, Iceland |
Asia and New Zealand
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone | A ropeway over a volcanic valley, hot springs, and a cruise on Lake Ashi. | About 80 to 90 minutes from Tokyo |
| Tirta Empul temple | The temple of springs, with clear pools fed by the spring. | Near Ubud, Bali |
| Hot springs near the Emerald Pool | Warm springs flowing over the rocks of the forest. | Krabi, Thailand |
| Rotorua | Hot springs, geysers and boiling mud, and Māori culture. | About 3 hours from Auckland |
Tips before you go
- Winter is the best time for hot springs: warm outdoor pools in the cold are an unforgettable experience.
- Drink plenty of water, don't stay too long in very hot water, and take a break between sessions.
- Book private baths and family rooms ahead, as they're in high demand.
Hotels in Hot springs
- Hotels in Rize and Ayder
- Hotels in Tbilisi
- Hotels in Bodrum
- Hotels in Bali
- Hotels in Prague
- Hotels in Amman
- Hotels in Al Ain
- Hotels in Reykjavík
- Hotels in Budapest
- Hotels in Zakopane
- Hotels in the Dead Sea
- Hotels in Krabi
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Frequently asked questions
What are the nearest hot springs to Saudi Arabia?
Green Mubazzarah in Al Ain in the UAE, and Ma'in Hot Springs near the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Does Tbilisi have private baths for families?
Yes, the sulphur baths in the Abanotubani district have private family rooms; it's best to book ahead.
Can I swim in Pamukkale?
Yes, in Cleopatra's Pool with its warm thermal water, for a separate fee, and you can paddle in the warm water on the terraces.
What are Europe's largest thermal baths?
The Széchenyi Baths in Budapest are among the largest, with outdoor pools warm even in winter.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.