25 Most Relaxing Hot Springs and Open-Air Baths

From the Roman baths across the Roman Empire to the deep cultural significance of cenotes in Mexico and everywhere in between, bathing is part of our history.

Soak Up the Good Life at These Fabulous Open-Air Bath Spots

A shower is typically part of your daily routine, but how often do you actually think about the ritual? The ritual of bathing is a historic one and can be traced back thousands of years. From the Roman baths across the Roman Empire to the deep cultural significance of cenotes in Mexico and everywhere in between, bathing is part of our history.

To this day, travelers from all over the world seek out the best bathing experiences. The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. The best part about bath culture is that it is different all over the world, from onsens in Japan to public bathhouses in Hungary. But what they all have in common is the profound respect for the relaxation and wellness elements that make the ritual so appealing.

Are you ready to take a dip? We rounded up 25 of the best hot springs and open-air bath spots in the world. Come on in — the water's just fine!

25. Pamukkale

Location: Denizli Province, Turkey

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: April to June, September to October

Why Pamukkale Is One of the Best

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turkey's Pamukkale is absolutely breathtaking. Picture a series of tiered hot spring pools that rise like steps nearly 200 feet above Curuksu.

The cliffs on which the terraced pools hang gleam white due to the high amount of calcium bicarbonate, which, in turn, make the pools themselves look ethereally blue.

24. Leukerbad Therme

Location: Leukerbad, Switzerland

Type of bath spot: Thermal bath

Best time to visit: Year-round

Why Leukerbad Therme Is One of the Best

One of the largest thermal spa resort towns in the Alps, Leukerbad sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, with 65 thermal springs that flow into the town's 30 thermal baths.

The springs run year-round, but the town really makes the most out of it during winter when the entire region is blanketed in snow. Many resorts around town make use of the thermal springs and incorporate wellness programs into their ethos.

23. Khir Ganga

Location: Himachal Pradesh, India

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: March to June

Why Khir Ganga Is One of the Best

What makes Khir Ganga so magnificent is the amount of effort required to get there. Not for the faint of heart, Khir Ganga is accessed via a four-hour hike from the village of Barsheni in the Parvati Valley.

But once you reach the pools, you will instantly feel their magnitude — it is said that the god Shiva spent 3,000 years meditating in the meadow surrounding the pools. With the views of the Himalayas, you may consider camping out for a few millennia yourself.

22. Sanduny Banya

Location: Moscow, Russia

Type of bath spot: Bathhouse

Best time to visit: Year-round

Why Sanduny Banya Is One of the Best

One of the oldest public bathhouses in Russia, Sanduny Banya was founded in 1808. Today, locals and visitors alike still take part in the healing powers of this decadent bathhouse.

It is made up of many hot steam rooms as well as cold plunge pools. Eight bathing rooms have their own vibes and style as well.

21. Blue Lagoon

Location: Grindavik, Iceland

Type of bath spot: Mineral spa

Best time to visit: Evening for Midnight Summer or evening for Northern Lights in winter

Why Blue Lagoon Is One of the Best

Iceland's Blue Lagoon is one of the major tourist attractions in the country (read: it's very busy!). Still, it's rocketed to international fame for good reason — picture black lava rocks filled in with swirling, cloudy turquoise waters with bursts of steam emanating from below.

The spa experience is complete with silica mud masks and mineral salts that help give you a natural glow. That said, it should be noted that the lagoon itself is manmade and the warm waters are due to the output of a geothermal plant nearby.

20. Mataranka Hot Springs

Location: Kakadu National Park, Australia

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: May to September

Why Mataranka Hot Springs Is One of the Best

Spring-fed swimming holes babble from the red earth in the middle of Australia's Kakadu National Park. The oasis-like surroundings also feature swaying palm trees and thick-green foliage, all surrounding a beautiful series of turquoise pools.

The best part? There are no crocodiles found here, so you can swim freely and enjoy.

19. Chena Hot Springs

Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: Late August to early May

Why Chena Hot Springs Is One of the Best

Sixty miles north of Fairbanks sits the steaming Chena Hot Springs, a natural hot spring coupled with a resort. The springs were discovered in 1905 and have been the main draw to the town ever since. The waters reach 106 degrees Fahrenheit, and, if you time your visit during the right season, you may be able to catch the Northern Lights while you soak underneath the stars.

While in town, be sure to visit the Aurora Ice Museum, which is made from more than 1,000 tons of ice and snow.

18. Homestead Crater

Location: Midway, Utah

Type of bath spot: Mineral bath

Best time to visit: Year-round

Why Homestead Crater Is One of the Best

One of Utah's best-kept secrets, the Homestead Crater sits under a 55-foot-tall, beehive-shaped cone that was formed about 10,000 years ago. Inside, the crater is filled with 95-degree water year-round, and a 30-foot-wide hole at the top of the crater means you'll have gorgeous, open-air views from your cavernous bath below.

You can even strap on scuba gear for some of the only warm scuba diving in the United States.

17. Deception Island

Location: Antarctica

Type of bath spot: Thermal pool

Best time to visit: Varies

Why Deception Island Is One of the Best

In the vast expanse of Antarctica's frozen wilderness sits a hot, steamy secret. Deception Island exists where an active underwater volcano has created a caldera in the Shetland Islands. The result? An underground heat source that creates thermal springs along the shoreline of Pendulum Cove.

They aren't your traditional “hot springs,” but when the conditions are right (your guide will know when), this is one of the most spectacular spots to take a nice, hot bath at the ends of the earth.

16. Ik Kil Cenote

Location: Yucatan, Mexico

Type of bath spot: Cenote

Best time to visit: Year-round, early in the morning

Why Ik Kil Cenote Is One of the Best

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is veined with a magnificent web of underground rivers and caves, known as cenotes. A visit to Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum will typically have a visit to a cenote on the agenda.

One of the most popular is Cenote Ik Vil, which is near the historic site of Chichen Itza. The crystal-clear water makes for a refreshing dip after a long, hot day exploring ruins.

15. Banjar Hot Springs

Location: Bali, Indonesia

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: Year-round, early in the morning

Why Banjar Hot Springs Is One of the Best

Bali is famous for many things — temples, culture, rice fields and beaches. But did you know the island paradise is also known for its hot springs?

Banjar Hot Springs sits in the north of the island and is complete with a Jacuzzi area, spa that offers massages, a restaurant, and, of course, the mineral pools. The temperatures reach about 100.4 degrees, and the site offers three different pools from which to soak.

14. Spence Hot Springs

Location: Jemez Springs, New Mexico

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: May to October

Why Spence Hot Springs Is One of the Best

Technically the waters have cooled at Spence Hot Springs, but at a balmy 98 degrees, they still get the job done. These panoramic natural pools overlook the red rock canyons and shimmering aspen trees of New Mexico. T

ip: If the Spence Hot Springs are too crowded, Jemez Springs and McCauley Hot Springs are just a short drive away.

13. Terme di Saturnia

Location: Tuscany, Italy

Type of bath spot: Geothermal spring

Best time to visit: April to June

Why Terme di Saturnia Is One of the Best

Tuscany is home to both the Terme di Saturnia thermal spa as well as the Cascate del Mulino waterfalls. The flow from the falls collects into small pools down the rocky hillside, and the waters are said to help heal ailments (like acne and tonsillitis).

The pools were used by Roman nobles, but today anyone is welcome to come relax. A nearby resort, the Terme di Saturnia, is a beautiful place to stay.

12. Devil’s Pool

Location: Victoria Falls, Zambia

Type of bath spot: Natural infinity pool

Best time to visit: Mid-August to mid-January

Why Devil’s Pool Is One of the Best

Not for the faint of heart, the natural infinity pool perched at the top of Victoria Falls is the bath of dreams for adrenaline junkies. Victoria Falls is one of the worlds largest waterfalls, and the view from the Devil's Pool, perched precariously close to the edge of the falls, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Visiting in the drier months when the water level is lowest is what makes it possible to access the pool. Of course, you can always just enjoy the view from dry land, too. Wherever you are, it’s breathtaking.

11. Uunartoq Island

Location: Greenland

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: Year-round

Why Uunartoq Island Is One of the Best

Greenland has no shortage of hot springs, but what makes the ones on Uunartoq Island so special is that they are warm enough for year-round bathing. Visitors can reach the hot springs by boat from the towns of Qaqortoq or Nanortalik.

Brace yourself for sweeping views of icebergs and mountains in every direction.

10. Dyppezone

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Type of bath spot: Public bath

Best time to visit: Year-round

Why Dyppezone Is One of the Best

What's cool about Dyppezone is that it is a movable, open-air bath right in the heart of Copenhagen.

There are five permanent public harbor pools and bathing zones for the summer months, though Dyppezone is open year-round.

9. Kurokawa Onsen

Location: Kyushu, Japan

Type of bath spot: Onsen

Best time to visit: Year-round

Why Kurokawa Onsen Is One of the Best

Japan is peppered with hundreds of onsens, otherwise known as natural hot springs. The town of Kurokawa is one of the loveliest historic villages and is teeming with them.

Visitors can stay overnight in a traditional ryokan, or they can purchase a day pass to access three of the 24 participating baths. Some baths are tucked in caves, while others bubble near the river.

8. Lake Heviz

Location: Heviz, Hungary

Type of bath spot: Thermal lake

Best time to visit: Winter

Why Lake Heviz Is One of the Best

The largest thermal lake in the world is located on the side of a mountain in Heviz. Lake Heviz is known for its mineral-rich makeup, which has made it a top spot for wellness seekers for decades. Bathers are encouraged to soak for 30 minutes (but no more) in the waters, which range from 73 to 10 degrees.

Fun fact: If you go in winter, the steam forms a type of lid over the lake, which creates a natural "inhalatorium" — perfect for resting any throat-related stress.

7. Travertine Hot Springs

Location: Eastern Sierras, California

Type of bath spot: Hot springs

Best time to visit: Winter

Why Travertine Hot Springs Is One of the Best

Begin the day with a mountain hike in the Eastern Sierras — the part of California that borders Nevada. When it's time to relax, you can make your way to the Travertine Hot Springs, a completely swimmable spot just off of Highway 395.

Bear in mind that this is a popular tourist attraction, but if you time it just right, you'll end up in the pools for the nightly sunset show, which is nothing short of incredible.

6. Termas Geometricas

Location: Villarica Sur National Park, Chile

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: March to August

Why Termas Geometricas Is One of the Best

Tucked in a rainforest within Chile's Villarrica Sur National Park, these 20 hot spring pools are truly a sight to behold. Visitors wind their way along a red walkway that twists through the maze of a ravine before they emerge at the various different pools, all of which range from 86 to 113 degrees.

The scene is set as you kick back and relax amid waterfalls, jungle trees and the sound of the hundreds of birds up in the canopy.

5. Dunton Hot Springs

Location: Dolores, Colorado

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: Year-round

Why Dunton Hot Springs Is One of the Best

Part of the well-heeled luxury hotel by the same name, Dunton Hot Springs is nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains, and the location is oozing with rustic charm. The hot springs' bubbling waters can reach temperatures up to 106 degrees.

Visitors can take a dip in the restored 19th-century bathhouse or in a variety of indoor and outdoor pools. Of course, you can always go straight to the source itself and have a dip in the wild.

4. Esalen Baths

Location: Big Sur, California

Type of bath spot: Sulphur bath

Best time to visit: 1 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Why Esalen Baths Is One of the Best

You may recognize Esalen from the final scene of “Mad Men” — it’s the “hippie retreat” Don Draper finds himself in as the camera slowly zooms out. But it’s actually a real place. This retreat in Big Sur is designed for extreme wellness and disconnection.

But you don’t have to commit to those levels to enjoy their magnificent cliffside baths. You just need to call and make a reservation for their midnight bathing. Most nights, the retreat opens up 30 spots to use their cliffside pools underneath the moonlight. Keep in mind that it’s clothing optional, but whether or not that dissuades you, the experience is well worth every effort.

3. Las Grutas Tolantongo

Location: Hidalgo, Mexico

Type of bath spot: Thermal pool

Best time to visit: February to October

Why Las Grutas Tolantongo Is One of the Best

Plastered against the side of a cliff, the thermal infinity pools at Las Grutas Tolantongo overlook Mexico's sweeping Mezquital Valley. The cliffside pools and the warm waters of River Tolantongo are all open and available for bathers.

The heat from the river creates a steamy atmosphere within the many caves and tunnels that run through the rocky terrain in the area.

2. Gellert Baths and Spa

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Type of bath spot: Public bath

Best time to visit: Year-round, morning

Why Gellert Baths and Spa Is One of the Best

Back in the day, Budapest was known as Spa City because it was a literal hotbed of public spas and outdoor bathing. Gellert Baths and Spa opened in 1919 and continues to be one of the most popular public baths for locals and tourists alike.

The spa has 13 different baths, including two bubbly sections, three outdoor pools and eight thermal baths. You can also marvel at the gorgeous mosaics, sculptures and stained glass.

1. Yangpachen Hot Springs

Location: Tibet

Type of bath spot: Hot spring

Best time to visit: Year-round

Why Yangpachen Hot Springs Is One of the Best

Chances are you've never bathed at more than 14,000 feet above sea level. But with a visit to Yangpachen Hot Springs, you certainly can cross that off your list. The highest altitude hot springs in the world, Yangpachen Hot Springs feature stunning views over the Nyainqen Tanggula mountains.

But the springs do more than just relax and offer spectacular views — the hot springs actually produce about a third of the electricity in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.