The most incredible hot springs in the world
Stunning natural hot springs

Travertine Hot Springs, California, USA

Spencer Hot Springs, Nevada, USA

Széchenyi Spa, Budapest, Hungary

Glenwood Hot Springs, Colorado, USA

Fancy a thermal-themed road trip? You can explore 19 of Colorado’s hot springs (there are over 30) from the Historic Hot Springs loop, a 720-mile route taking in some of the best in the state. Make sure you visit Glenwood Hot Springs, which is one of the world’s largest mineral baths and open year-round. The gigantic main pool contains a staggering one million gallons of water (at 32°C), whilst the warmer therapy pool is 100 feet long.
Soufrière, St Lucia

The Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Lussier Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada

Beppu, Japan

Dubbed Japan’s hot spring capital, Beppu is trumped only by Yellowstone Park when it comes to sheer volume of thermal waters. The city is home to some 2,500 onsen (public natural baths), and experiences range from relaxing hot water pools, to steam baths and mud pools. You can even take a sand bath, where your body is buried under hot, black, volcanic sand. Travellers can also visit (but not swim at) The Hells, seven hot springs that range from a boiling turquoise pool to a steaming, blood-orange pond. Visit May-October.
Huanglong, Sichuan, China

Kuirau Park, Rotorua, New Zealand

The Gastein Valley, Austria

Upper Hot Springs, Alberta, Canada

Hoffell Hot Tubs, Iceland

If you want to escape the hordes in Iceland, there are several remote hot springs. At Hoffell Hot Tubs (pictured), 11 miles west of Höfn, you’ll find five pools and glorious views across Vatnajökull National Park. Or, take a 20-minute mountain hike to Seljavallalaug, where you’ll find an 82-foot swimming pool at the base of a volcanic valley and filled with natural spring water from Eyjafjallajökull Glacier Volcano. Visit from May to September when the days are longer. Discover more of Iceland without the crowds here.
Puritama, Chile

Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand

El Tatio, Chile

At El Tatio, on Chile’s Altiplano, powerful shots of steam jet out from geyser blowholes (for obvious reasons, no bathing allowed). Get there at sunrise for a spellbinding sight of the geysers and silhouetted mountain peaks. You can reach both Puritama and El Tatio from San Pedro, in northern Chile, which is just under two hours from the airport in Calama. Real World Holidays offers tailor made tours of Chile, including trips to El Tatio and Puritama. You can visit the Altiplano year-round.
Tabacón Hot Springs, Arenal, Costa Rica

The warm, mineral-rich waters generated by Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano draw thousands of tourists to the surrounding area each year. At Tabacón Hot Springs, you’ll find over 20 pools, creeks and tumbling thermal waterfalls, all within verdant rainforest. There’s a luxury hotel on-site, but day passes are also available.
Conundrum Hot Springs, Colorado, USA

Bitter Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Cascate Del Mulino, Italy

Liard River Hot Spring, British Columbia, Canada

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming, USA

Peninsula Hot Springs, Victoria, Australia

In the late 20th century, two brothers drilled a bore hole some 2,000 feet into Australia's Mornington Peninsula in a bid to access the geothermal waters deep below the surface. They succeeded, and today the waters flow through a series of tastefully built pools, including a hilltop bath with 360 degree views, a grotto pool and an indoor pool with lake views. There’s also a traditional sauna and Moroccan hammam. You’ll find Peninsula Hot Springs 90 minutes from Melbourne.
Niseko, Japan

Niseko, on Hokkaido island, is as famous for its volcanic springs as it is for its pristine powder snow. After a day on the slopes, strip off and warm up in one of the many onsen. There’s a strict code of behaviour at play – tattoos are forbidden, bathers are generally expected to be naked and the majority of hot springs segregate men and women. If you want to mingle with the opposite sex, try the onsen at the Niseko Grand Hotel. For plentiful snow, visit between December and April.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Bath, England

The elegant Georgian city of Bath attracts millions of tourists, not least for its magnificent modern spa complex and Roman Baths. Start by exploring the thermal waters at the Thermae Bath Spa – the highlight is bubbling away in the steaming rooftop pool, with city skyline views. Next, step back 1,900 years, at the Roman Baths complex. The grand pools are remarkably preserved and still flow with hot spring water today.
Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

Granite Hot Springs, Wyoming, USA

Pamukkale, Turkey

Dallol Sulphur Springs, Ethiopia

You can't bathe in these, but Dallol Sulphur Springs in Ethopia’s Danakil Depression offers a mesmerising landscape that wouldn’t look out of place in sci-fi movie. Here, steam is spewed out from fissures in the Earth’s crust and the boiling magma below the surface heats the watery pools. The rocky salt deposits get their striking, neon colours from minerals dissolved within the waters. Visit in November or December, when the searing heat lessens. Responsible Travel offer a nine-day tour, including Dallol.
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