In addition to its beautiful natural landscapes, Slovenia is famous for its excellent spas where you can switch off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In Slovenia, spas are part of an ancient tradition and many places were already known in Roman times. According to some accounts, the thermal spa of Dolenjske Toplice was one of the first centres to open for spa tourism in 1228. Now, however, there are many hotels that also house spas, and several facilities are able to offer guests spa activities and modern wellness services.
During a trip to Slovenia, why not carve out some time to take care of yourself? A spa stay is a perfect idea in any month of the year. In summer, after long hikes or bike rides, relaxing at a spa is the perfect ending, as it is in winter after a day on the ski slopes.
As Slovenian territory stretches from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea, there are several thermal spas here that differ in terms of the properties of their waters, services and the various treatments they can offer. Choosing the most suitable thermal centre, therefore, depends not only on where you want to go but also on the type of treatment you want to perform.
To help you choose the most suitable facility, here is a guide to the 8 best spas in Slovenia.
Considered one of the largest thermal water pool complexes in Europe, Terme Catez is located right on the border between Slovenia and Croatia. The thermal water is rich in minerals and is particularly suitable for rehabilitation therapies. In fact, this centre is often frequented by athletes who need rehabilitation after operations or injuries. Here you will find jacuzzis with thermal water, indoor and outdoor pools and also play areas for children. Tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, squash courts and several fitness rooms complete the offer.
In the north-eastern part of Slovenia lies the town of Moravske Toplice, home to Terme 3000 , one of the most popular thermal spas in Europe. The facility has become famous for its black thermo-mineral water with a high salt concentration, which, due to its chemical composition, can alleviate disorders of the musculoskeletal system and various rheumatic diseases.
In addition to the thermal area, there is a large water park with more than 20 pools, slides and water games, making it the perfect destination for families with children. Terme 3000 also boasts a variety of accommodation options, including three hotels (Livada Prestige, Ajda, Termal), a campsite and an apartment complex.
Known since Roman times, Terme Krka in Dolenjske Toplice is considered the oldest thermal spa in Europe. The thermal waters of the Dolenjska region come from a spring almost a thousand metres deep located along the Krka River. Terme Dolenjske Toplice is one of the best centres in Europe for rehabilitation after operations or injuries and also houses a health centre for the treatment of women’s diseases and cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and nervous system problems.
The centre also features a wellness area, children’s pools and play areas for the little ones. Near Terme Dolenjske Toplice are the hotels Balnea, Kristal and Vital, three hotels that provide excellent hospitality and easy access to the thermal centre.
The springs of Donat Mg mineral water are considered curative and have unique properties. Situated in a large green park with Art Nouveau buildings, the spa is connected by a beautiful promenade to a state-of-the-art medical centre.
Known for being a centre where selfness is practised, i.e. a path that helps one look inside oneself and regain one’s balance, Terme Olimia is a true place to relax. It has been voted the best wellness centre in Slovenia for eight years. Terme Olimia therefore seems like just the right place to switch off and recharge your batteries from the stresses of everyday life.
Located in Podcetrtek, a small town on the Croatian border, Terme Olimia is particularly suitable for treating rheumatic diseases, skin conditions and arterial circulation disorders. The complex also includes the Aqualuna Thermal Park, the Orhidelia Wellness Centre and the Olimia Health Centre.
Portorož is a celebrated seaside resort belonging to the municipality of Piran. Located in the Gulf of Trieste, the town is not far from the Croatian border and therefore attracts numerous visitors from Croatia as well. The town is famous because hundreds of years ago, Benedictine monks discovered the healing properties of its water, which is rich in minerals such as bromine, iodine and magnesium.
Thanks to this discovery, Portorož has become an important Slovenian spa centre, attracting visitors from all over Europe to spend days of true relaxation. In addition to a large sauna, pool and spa area, here you will find the Wai Thai thermal area, an environment built according to the canons of Thai architecture where guests can try the famous Thai massage.
Lasko is a Slovenian town with an old spa tradition. The thermal centre consists of pools that are covered by a beautiful glass dome that accumulates the sun’s rays during the day and releases them in the evening to create fantastic plays of light. The centre houses an outdoor area with a recreational pool connected to the indoor pool, a crystal clear pool and several children’s pools with slides.
Here, balneotherapy programmes with immersion baths, water massages and a Kneipp path are carried out. There is also a wellness centre where you can indulge in true moments of relaxation.
In the Slovenian hinterland lies the town of Dobrna, which has been famous since the beginning of the 15th century as an important thermal centre, even though it has been proven that the properties of its water were known to both the Celts and the Romans. Thanks to the mineral composition of its water, it can be said that the Dobrna Spa has beneficial and curative properties, so much so that important figures such as Napoleon were treated here.
The complex consists of indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools and a sun terrace. The centre is located within a thermal park, built in the 19th century, which also houses five energy points, i.e. points that can benefit the psychological and emotional state and can help heal ailments. Terme Dobrna also houses an important diagnostic and rehabilitation centre.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.