11 famous spa towns
Welcome to the Great Spa Towns of Europe
The Great Spa Towns of Europe is a World Heritage Site comprising 11 famous historic spa towns and cities in seven countries, inscribed on the World Heritage List on the 24th July 2021. The Great Spas, in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom represent a unique cultural phenomenon which reached its height in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as a particular urban type and form. As a World Heritage Site, it has been given global recognition as a phenomenon which helped to shape Europe.
Discover & Experience the Great Spa Towns of Europe
Whether you want to immerse yourself in the waters of the Great Spa Towns of Europe or to follow in the footsteps of many of the famous people that came here for the cure as well as the social and cultural life, spending several days in each town will be a treat you won’t forget! A visit to any one of the Great Spas would not be complete without experiencing the important elements of spa town life, but don’t forget to relax as well! You can explore all the towns from this page – look out for the best bits:
UNESCO World Heritage health, nature and culture
The eleven towns of the Great Spa Towns of Europe together make one “property”, nominated for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a transnational series. Together represent a unique cultural phenomenon and urban typology. Find out more about what makes a Great Spa, UNESCO World Heritage and the eleven towns in the series, including maps and downloads of the nomination document.