Looking for the ultimate in relaxation? Our guide to Portugal’s best spas has you covered. From island retreats on the Azores to quiet mountain towns in the Algarve, these spa towns offer relaxing getaways from the everyday routine in Portugal. Portugal’s hot springs, or “termas,” have been known for their health benefits for centuries and provide a comprehensive wellness experience. Portugal’s spas do not provide the lush facilities of Thailand, Bali, or Switzerland, but they do allow visitors to step back in time and admire the charm of slower-paced life. So, slow down, sit back, and enjoy these Portuguese six spa towns.
1. Caldas de Monchique
The village of Caldas de Monchique is a 10-minute drive from the enchanting town of Monchique in the northern Algarve. These baths are renowned for their mineral-rich waters, high in bicarbonates, sodium, and fluorine, which provide therapeutic benefits for muscular pain, diseases, and respiratory illnesses. Visitors can get spa treatments if they stay in the 5-star Monchique Resort & Spa and and/or enjoy a swim in one of two outdoor swimming pools. You can also just visit the small town of Caldas de Monchique as part of your visit to Monchique. In this case, you can take a drink from the Fonte os Amores and walk along the stream to a small church dedicated to Saint Theresa.
The water from Monchique has a pH of 9.5 and is some of the most alkaline in the world. Due to its high quality, Monchique also bottles and sells its water throughout Portugal. So, if you don’t take a dip in the water, you can at least take a sip! Whether you go for a spa treatment, visit one of the art galleries, or hike along one of its many hiking trails, you are certainly in for a treat if you visit Monchique.
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2. Furnas, São Miguel, Azores
Our next destination takes us to another part of Portugal entirely – the breathtaking Azores, specifically the town of Furnas on São Miguel Island. The volcanic origins of the island create a thermal paradise, with Furnas featuring steamy, iron-rich pools surrounded by lush vegetation and tropical trees. There are a few hot springs in the area, but Parque Terra Nostra is a highlight due to its rich history and iconic thermal pool full of natural iron-rich water. The water temperature is right around 37 °C (98.6 °F), which makes for a very pleasant experience.
Ten minutes down the road from Parque Terra Nostra is a more modern but equally pleasant experience at Poça da Dona Beija, where you can gaze out at the tropical scenery while soaking in four different hot pools at slightly different temperatures. Trips here need to be booked in advance and, due to the popularity of the hot springs, you can only stay for a set amount of time. Here, you even have the option to bathe under the stars as the thermal baths stay open until 11:00 pm!
3. Termas de Unhais da Serra
In the middle of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the Mountain Spa Aquadome, integrated into the H2otel Congress & Medical Spa in Unhais da Serra, offers a unique health and wellness destination. Known as the first Portuguese mountain spa and one of Europe’s largest, it provides numerous therapeutic and beauty treatments focused on physical and spiritual rehabilitation. Visitors can enhance both body and mind and enjoy a comprehensive wellness experience looking out at a beautiful natural setting.
The facility is divided into distinct sections, each catering to specific needs: AquaTermas for respiratory diseases, AquaFisio with an impressive osteopathic and physiotherapy center, AquaCorpus combining oriental and western cosmetic techniques, and AquaLudic featuring themed pools. This variety ensures a truly incredible experience, making Termas de Unhais da Serra one of Portugal’s finest spas.
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4. Termas de Luso
In the heart of the Buçaco mountains in central Portugal, the termas in Luso are ideal for those looking to care for themselves inside and out. Part of the Grande Hotel do Luso complex, this spa combines the charm of a historic hotel with a contemporary space that includes a hot spring spa and the Malo Clinic Spa Luso, a rehabilitation medical center. The blend of old-world elegance and modern amenities makes it a unique destination at the foot of the enchanting Buçaco Forest.
The Luso hot springs offer benefits for those suffering from metabolic disorders, urinary tract issues, muscular system challenges, and chronic respiratory diseases. Visitors can indulge in a large variety of treatments for twelve months of the year. The spa is open Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, and Saturdays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Just to give you an idea, a half-day spa pass including a 40-minute massage costs €127. Many other treatment combinations are available.
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5. Termas das Caldas da Rainha
Termas das Caldas da Rainha in Caldas da Rainha was founded in 1484 by Queen Dona Leonor. Legend has it that the queen, suffering from an illness, discovered the healing properties of the sulfur-rich waters and subsequently established what is considered the world’s oldest thermal hospital. Over the centuries, the site has evolved, with King D. João V and administrator Rodrigo Berquó contributing to its expansion and modernization, transforming it into a significant health and wellness destination.
Spa treatments at Termas das Caldas da Rainha were actually suspended between 2009 and 2022 after the “legionela” bacterium was detected in the pipes where the thermal water circulated. After 13 years and 500,000 euros of renovation work, the south wing of the Thermal Hospital reopened for treatments on September 26, 2022 from Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
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6. Termas do Gêres
The Termas do Gêres, located in the stunning Peneda-Gêres Natural Park in Northern Portugal, offers an unforgettable retreat in the heart of nature. Surrounded by lakes and mountains, these hot springs were first discovered by the Romans and the first bathing facilities were constructed in the beginning of the 18th century.
The best place to stay is the Águas do Gerês – Hotel, Termas & Spa located right across from the Termas do Gerês. Please note that access to the spa facility is not included with your hotel stay. It is also important to check with the reception about the details of the specific treatment that you wish to purchase including length of the massage, whether access to the jacuzzi is included, etc. Bathing in the mineral water here is said to aid cellular regeneration and relieve conditions such as obesity, gout, and diabetes. Get away from it all and treat yourself to a few days of rest and wellness.
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Final Thoughts
The thermal spas of Portugal offer a diverse and rejuvenating experience for wellness seekers. From the mineral-rich waters of Termas das Caldas de Monchique in the Algarve to the volcanic hot springs of Parque Terra Nostra in São Miguel, Azores, each spa provides unique therapeutic benefits in stunning natural settings.
