Spa

Places of Interest
A perfect day
Tourist Information
Places to visit near
Events and festivals
Fact File

Spa, the “Pearl of the Ardennes”, is an internationally renowned town, whose fame led to the introduction of the name “spa” in the English language.

Located in the Ardennes region of eastern Belgium, Spa is surrounded by wooded hills, criss-crossed by ancient footpaths that lead to some of the numerous springs that made this town famous.

The iron-rich waters of Spa can be drunk in several different drinking halls in the town — the most famous being the Pouhon Pierre-le Grand. Indeed, Peter the Great and numerous other famous visitors to Spa can be admired in the “Livre d’Or” which is housed in this building, after tasting the water of course!

A short funicular ride will take you to the Thermes de Spa, a modern spa facility situated on top of the hill. Here, overlooking the town, you can bathe in traditional copper baths, swim in outdoor pools.

The water supplying the thermal spa treatments at Thermes de Spa comes from the Marie-Henriette Spring, which is the oldest of Spa’s waters (400 years). It is a naturally iron bearing and carbonated water, slightly sparkling on the surface. On entering a bathtub filled with water, the body is instantly covered in thousands of bubbles that caress the skin, conferring tiny tingling sensations and waves of warm currents within the body.

Spa is home to the first casino in the world, which opened in 1763. This grand entertainment complex is still open today within a trio of neoclassical buildings, alongside the 1862 bathhouse and the 1908 Exhibition Halls. The Spa croupiers were so acclaimed for their mastery of casino games, they were invited to train the croupiers of the Casino de Monaco, opened a century after the Casino de Spa.

Places of Interest

Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand

Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand houses the most prolific spring in Spa, naturally fizzy, full of mineral salts and rich in iron.

Old Thermal Bath

This emblematic building is the town’s finest example of thermal architecture.

Sauvenière Spring

Thanks to the legend of Saint Remacle’s foot, the Sauvenière Spring’s iron-rich waters are famed.

Tonnelet Spring

The most sparkling “pouhon” in Spa, the Tonnelet Spring’s water is used for bathing and supplies the spa.

Waux Hall

The oldest casino in Europe, Waux Hall is a remnant of the first golden age of Spa.

Casino Complex

Spa is the birthplace of the modern casino; the very first “maison d’assemblée”, which opened in 1763.

Léopold II Gallery and its pavilions

This cast-iron, covered walkway is listed as exceptional heritage of Wallonia, used for walking, concerts and theatre.

Parc de Sept-Heures

Lined with lime and elm trees, this park was and still is the place to “see and be seen” at seven in the evening.

Villa Royale

The last place of residence of Queen Marie-Henriette, the Villa Royale is now occupied by the Musée de la Ville d’Eaux.

Hotel Balmoral

The Hotel Balmoral was the first in Belgium to have running water and central heating.

Villa San Antonio

The villa is typical of Meuse-style holiday resort architecture, for its general appearance and materials.

Villa Le Soyeureux

Architect Georges Hobé designed many villas in the style of English cottages, in harmony with the landscape.

Promenade des Montagnes Russes and “de Hesse-Rhinfels” pavilion

This promenade leads you to one of the most impressive view points in Spa.

Promenade Meyerbeer

Bridges, benches and resting places along the path are named after the operas of this composer.

Cemetery

Leading figures, artists writers and members of British community are buried in this picturesque place.

Ice Rooms

The high concentration of these ice rooms can only be explained by the large-scale hotel activity of Spa.

Find Out More

Health, Wellness and Spa
Continuing a Living Tradition

Health & Wellness

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Spa History

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A perfect day in Spa

10 a.m.

Stroll around nature in the “Fagne de Malchamps”

Start your Spa day with a breath of fresh air. The Fagne of Malchamps is a wonderful place to take a stroll to enjoy beautiful natural surroundings. You will even find the Tower of Bérinzenne to give you an exceptional panoramic view.

11 a.m.

Discover the superb collections related to the history of Spa at the Museums of the water city

Located in the former Royal Villa, the residence of Queen Marie-Henriette, the Museums of the Water City welcome you to discover the beautiful collections related to the history of Spa.

1 p.m.

Lunch break at La Bobeline

Enjoy lunch at The Brasserie des Bobelines, an ode to the history of Spa. Its menu offers bistronomic cuisine, while its refined décor retraces the history of the spa town.

2 p.m.

Discover the Thermal Heritage by train

Board the little tourist train which travels from spring to spring, taking you to Nivezé and the Route des Fontaines. Local guides will also talk about heritage: the old British Hotel and the 1900-style villas.

4 p.m.

Go up the hill on the panoramic funicular

A funicular with panoramic views connects the city centre to Annette et Lubin hill where the new thermal centre is located. The funicular and the spa offer a splendid view of the city.

4:30 p.m.

Enjoy wellness at the Thermes of Spa

No Spa day is complete without…. a spa. After enjoying the magnificent panoramic view outside, come inside and enjoy the well-being offered by the Thermes of Spa.

7 p.m.

Stroll around the city centre park

This park in the city centre of Spa is called the Parc des 7 heures. There is no better time than 7 p.m. to stroll around it and discover its nature and its many historical monuments.

8 p.m.

Dine in a Spa villa

In Spa, you will discover magnificent architectural heritage. Some people have taken advantage of this and have developed their restaurants in former historic villas. The Grand Maur is one of these unique places.

10 p.m.

Enjoy one of the oldest Casinos in the world

The Casino of Spa, built in 1763, is one of the oldest casinos in the world. It still welcomes visitors daily and guarantees some memorable nights.

Accommodation & Offers

Find the perfect stay in Spa!

From guest houses to luxury hotels, and from unusual accommodation to rural lodges, Spa offers guests an exceptional range of places to stay. Like plenty of satisfied guests, you will be seduced by the personalized and warm welcome reserved for visitors.

To all accommodation

Getting there

Spa is at the end of a train line, and from Brussels Midi there are two changes, but the views along the route are well worth it! Connect to Spa from Brussels or other northern European destinations.
Connect to the Thermes de Spa above the town by funicular from the end of the Parc du Sept Heures. If you’re staying at the Radisson Blu hotel, you can ride direct from the hotel in your bathrobe!
Nearest Airport: Brussels