Eastern Europe’s thermal springs have been bubbling away for millennia, but only recently have savvy travelers discovered what locals have known forever: world-class spa experiences without the Western European price tag. From Budapest’s legendary baths to Romania’s Instagram-famous thermal complex, these destinations offer everything from ancient Roman pools to cutting-edge wellness facilities.
Here are 15 budget-friendly spas across Eastern Europe where you can soak, steam, and unwind without breaking the bank.
Széchenyi thermal baths
Budapest’s crown jewel sits in the City Park like a neo-Baroque palace dropped into the middle of the city. Europe’s largest medicinal bath offers a whole day at the spa for approximately €20–€25. The massive complex houses 18 pools ranging from scorching to refreshingly cool, plus steam rooms and saunas that locals treat like their neighborhood coffee shop.
Chess players gather around steaming outdoor pools even in winter. Not many places let you checkmate your opponent while soaking in 38°C mineral water.
Therme Bucharest
Therme Bucharest has blown up on TikTok, with people taking a day trip to Romania just to experience the affordable resort. This massive complex features indoor and outdoor thermal pools, Finnish saunas, and even a tropical botanical garden complete with palm trees. Therme Bucharest is the largest thermal spa complex in Europe.
The Instagram factor is real here. But beyond the photo ops, the therapeutic mineral waters and extensive wellness facilities make it worth the hype.
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Karlovy Vary
The most affordable location on our list is the spa town of Karlovy Vary, with an average cost for a massage of less than £40. This UNESCO World Heritage Site looks like a Wes Anderson film set, complete with pastel buildings and columned walkways. A night in a three-star hotel and an inexpensive meal come in at an average of just £36.38 and £3.83 respectively.
The city is famous for its apparently restorative drinking waters, which have attracted visitors from far and wide since the 1800s. Health-conscious visitors can go on a ‘spring crawl’ of the countless drinking fountains dotted around town.
Cieplice thermal baths
Poland’s thermal springs have attracted visitors for centuries, with the waters in Cieplice hailed as some of the very best in Central Europe. Entrance to the Cieplice Thermal Baths resort costs just under €10 for a day pass, and there are around 70 inexpensive treatments to choose from.
The low-mineralized, fluoride-silicon thermal springs reach temperatures up to 90°C before cooling to comfortable bathing levels. Treatments focus on rheumatology and dry-eye syndrome, increasingly common in our screen-addicted world.
Banja Gornja Trepča
Serbia’s medical spa town offers some of Europe’s most affordable spa experiences. The spa facilities provide various treatments, including hydromassage and therapeutic services at budget-friendly rates. Accommodations in the spa resorts remain among the most affordable in Europe.
The destination combines wellness treatments with exploring the surrounding Serbian countryside. Small spa towns like this offer authentic local experiences alongside genuine therapeutic benefits.
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Piešťany spa
Slovakia’s most famous spa town operates on refreshingly simple economics. Public thermal pools and mud treatment facilities cost about €20–€25 for a day visitor. The town specializes in sulfur mud treatments that locals swear by for rheumatic conditions.
Package deals combining accommodation and spa access make extended stays remarkably affordable. The surrounding mountains don’t hurt the scenery either.
Heviz thermal lake
Hungary’s second-most famous thermal destination sits southwest of Budapest. This natural thermal lake maintains its temperature year-round, creating an otherworldly experience of floating in warm water while surrounded by cool air.
The lake’s unique ecosystem includes special bacteria that contribute to the water’s healing properties. Swimming in what’s essentially a giant natural hot tub feels appropriately surreal.
Hajdúszoboszló
Hungary’s second-largest spa complex sits in the Great Plain region, offering thermal waters with some of the highest mineral content in Europe. The massive aquapark and thermal bath complex provides excellent value with day passes starting around €15–€20.
The outdoor thermal pools stay open year-round, creating the surreal experience of soaking in hot water while snow falls around you. Local Hungarians treat this place like their backyard pool.
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Terme Čatež
Slovenia’s largest thermal pool complex spans nearly 12,000 square meters of water attractions. The facility offers both indoor and outdoor pools, making it a year-round destination regardless of Alpine weather.
The complex sits on the Sava River’s right bank. Slovenia’s compact size means you can easily combine spa visits with mountain hiking or coastal exploration.
Wieliczka salt mine health resort
Poland offers one of Europe’s most unique spa experiences deep underground. Day visits cost approximately €25 and include guided tours and time in the underground therapeutic chambers. The historic salt mine provides natural speleotherapy in centuries-old chambers.
The combination of history and wellness creates an unforgettable experience. Not many places let you combine sightseeing with respiratory therapy.
Velingrad
Bulgaria’s self-proclaimed “Spa Capital of the Balkans” features over 80 mineral springs, each with different healing properties. The town offers exceptional value for money with treatments starting at remarkably low prices.
The outdoor thermal pools remain open even in winter. Bulgarian spa culture runs deep, with many locals treating regular spa visits as essential healthcare rather than luxury.
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Terme Olimia
Slovenia’s eastern spa resort sits along the meandering Sotla River that divides Slovenia from Croatia. The location offers thermal pools, wellness treatments, and easy access to wine country.
The cross-border location means you can literally spa-hop between countries. Wine tourism and thermal baths make natural companions.
Hisarya thermal baths
Bulgaria’s Roman-era spa town has been famous for its hot springs since ancient times. The town features well-preserved Roman ruins alongside modern thermal spas and mineral baths with high-temperature waters known for their detoxifying properties.
Steam baths complete the wellness experience. Walking among Roman ruins between spa sessions adds historical depth to the relaxation.
Terme Ilidža
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s historic balneological resort has welcomed visitors since Roman times. The village’s name derives from the word ‘medicine’, and the large day spa complex offers admission from under €5 a day. The 15-hectare Termalna Rivijera features indoor and outdoor thermal pools.
Just a 20-minute drive from Sarajevo makes this easily accessible from the capital. Few places offer such affordability combined with genuine historical significance.
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Bardejov spa
Slovakia’s eastern valley spa town returns visitors to the imperial period with numerous stylish buildings. Patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, and other ailments come to Bardejov for treatments using 14 different mineral springs.
The huge thermal pool specializes in treating internal disorders. The combination of architectural beauty and therapeutic waters creates an almost cinematic spa experience.
Soaking up the savings
Eastern Europe’s spa scene proves that luxury doesn’t require astronomical prices. From Serbia’s €9 massages to Romania’s TikTok-famous thermal complex, these destinations offer world-class relaxation at prices that won’t leave your wallet feeling drained.
The best part? Most combine spa treatments with rich cultural experiences, making every soak a journey through history.
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