I love taking baths, yet I’m based in the UK where such practices aren’t widely embraced. There’s an old Victorian bathhouse close to my home that has been left unused, and unfortunately, public swimming pools around the nation have shut down as well.

our rivers

are not for swimmers.

When I travel for vacation, I look for destinations where I can relax in water: whether it’s soaking in Istanbul’s Hammams, enjoying the historical baths of Budapest, or spending time in Finland’s saunas.

Upscale spa culture doesn’t appeal to me, neither does the comfort of being alone; what I enjoy is watching people do calisthenics and engage in conversations. I am fascinated by social histories, ranging from 19th-century patients seeking treatments in German spas to modern-day influencers reviving this tradition.

wild swimming

and cold-water therapy.

There may not be a more enjoyable way to experience a location than by taking a plunge – thus, here are some swimming experiences worth trying.

Explore Budapest as you swim around its sights.

It didn’t seem like missing out on sightseeing when I decided to dedicate every afternoon during my stay to

Budapest

in a different bathhouse.

Hungary boasts 1,300 thermal water springs, including 123 within Budapest. These wells feed into various bathhouses reflecting distinct eras of the city’s past. Among these are the 16th-century Ottoman-inspired Rudas Baths, the Art Nouveau-decorated Gellért Baths featuring intricate tile work and mosaics, as well as the expansive Neo-Baroque Széchényi Thermal Bath—one of the biggest such facilities in all of Europe.

Yes, admire the architecture, but people-watching is where it’s really at – these are massive, social spaces for chilling and chatting.

Go hiking, hop between spas, and discover Europe’s most sought-after hot springs.

“Bulgaria stands out as one of the European nations most abundant in mineral water,” states Lyubomir Aleksandrov from the Sofia-based travel agency Green Valleys.

The nation boasts numerous springs, with several being the hottest on the continent, attaining temperatures as high as 100°C.

The Romans delighted in taking baths in areas that today constitute part of modern-day Europe.

Sofia

Today, it’s quite common for Bulgarians to utilize springs, according to Lyubo, either for enhancing physical well-being or simply to boost their spirits.

In the countryside, the combination of mineral richness and fresh mountain air creates a perfect experience: those who hike in the Pirin or Rhodope Mountains can unwind at day’s end by soothing their weary muscles with

spa

hotels.

Glimpse into Finland’s sauna tradition

I believe it’s challenging for foreign visitors arriving in Finland to grasp just how integral this aspect is.

Finnish culture

explains Petri Leinonen, who works as a guide for the Finnish nature tour company Upitrek.

Beyond the cleanliness, comfort, and wellness advantages, “it serves as a space where you can be truthful and vulnerable about your innermost emotions, treating each other as equals since there are no indicators of social hierarchy. In the saunas’ benches, everyone stands on an even footing.”

Petri’s father was born in a smoke sauna – a practice that has all but vanished now. Traditionally, sauna is a spiritual place, too. “The steam – the löyly – that’s the spirit of the sauna, and you can connect in this way in the sauna to the spiritual part of your life.”

Be enveloped in bubbles at a Turkish bath house

Everything is progressing wonderfully at the

hammam

. You’ve reclined on the large marble table in the warm room (sıcaklık) and opened your pores. After being scrubbed clean, you’re now prepared for a layer of frothy bubbles to be drizzled over your body.

However, when this occurs, the idea of relaxing beneath an entire foot of foam becomes so preposterous that you end up bursting into laughter instead. This is the classic kese-köpük treatment—a process involving scrubbing with a coarse fabric, succeeded by massaging using frothy soap.

In the 18th century, Istanbul boasted approximately 180 hammams; however, due to our fast-paced contemporary lifestyle, they have become less popular among locals and are now primarily frequented by visitors. You may still encounter groups such as bridal parties or bachelor gatherings making use of these traditional bathhouses.

From icy lakes to hot springs in Slovakia

Offering landscapes reminiscent of Switzerland yet more untamed and off-the-beaten-path, Slovakia’s High Tatras boasts icy lakes and steep mountain summits. However, the region also offers a gentler experience through its soothing thermal springs, perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking.

“

Slovakia

“Boasting ancient traditions of well-being,” states Alena Dulakova, who founded Tatra Escapes, “it is famous for its thermal springs and spa facilities.”

Alena mentions that soaking is highly popular in the country and greatly appreciated by Slovaks. She explains, “The bathing culture provides a distinctive means of connecting with the nation’s heritage and natural splendor.”

Relax and foam up as you gaze for the Aurora Borealis

Iceland’s landscape of ice and fire—plus mud and algae: The country harnesses its geothermal activity for over a quarter of its energy needs, as well as for more than 600 hot springs offering stunning mountain vistas by day and mesmerizing scenes of the northern lights at night.

Aurora Borealis

at night.

Sites include the popular

Blue Lagoon

One of the most frequented tourist spots in the nation, where guests can cover themselves with white mud whilst relaxing in waters abundant with algae.

Even though numerous swimming areas attract mainly tourists, there are still many serene spots for swimming.

Geothermal pools served as shared bathing spots for Icelanders who lacked such amenities at home, and many communities still maintain these warm public baths across numerous villages.

Eloise Barker works as a writer for the activist travel company called Responsible Travel.