Whether you soak in them or simply take in the sights, the best hot springs in the world are well worth a visit
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Yangpachen Hot Springs, Tibet
Tucked within the peaks of the Himalayas at 4,300 meters (approximately 14,100 feet) above sea level, the Yangpachen Hot Springs are the highest hot springs in the world. But don’t just go jumping in! The water comes to the surface at 158 degrees and has to be cooled down before bathers can wade in. But one bonus of the (very) hot springs is that Yangpachen doesn’t have to close with the seasons.
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Banjar Hot Springs, Bali
The first thing you’ll notice about the Banjar Hot Springs is that the water has a colorful tint. Chalk it up to the water’s high sulphur content, which is also responsible for Banjar’s famous healing, soothing elements. Intricately carved dragon-head fountains feed the springs’ three-tiered pools, which are surrounded by gorgeous Bali rainforest.
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Huanglong National Park, China
Dubbed Fairyland on Earth, Huanglong National Park is magical not only for the color-changing waters of its hot springs but also for the area’s golden snub-nosed monkeys and giant pandas. The terraced hot springs spill into one another for just over 2 miles, earning the park the nickname Yellow Dragon. Whether you come from the soothing water or jaw-dropping sights, this is undeniably one of the best hot springs in the world for memory-making trips.
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Terme di Saturnia, Italy
The water in this 3,000-year-old spring embarks on quite the journey to get there, flowing down from the slopes of Tuscany’s Mount Amiata. From there, it follows an underground course, slowly filtering into the spring’s thermal pool through micro-cracks in the rock. It takes 40 years for the water to arrive at its final destination. Now, all you have to do is pick the best time to travel to Italy to enjoy it. Legend has it the springs formed when Jupiter threw lightning bolts at Saturn—and missed.
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Deception Island, Antarctica
For folks who thought only scientists visit Antarctica, this island has already deceived you. Not buying it? Don’t let your fear hold you back: A trip to Antarctica can be life-changing. Just a few hundred miles from the southernmost tip of Chile, the active underwater volcano that formed Deception Island keeps the heat hidden just a few inches below the surface. All you need to do after taking a dip is dig a few inches in the sand to access its geothermal heat.
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Grand Prismatic Spring, United States
Located in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring is the third-largest hot spring in the world. Its mesmerizing blend of orange, yellow, green and blue is only one of its crowd-drawing attributes. Its maximum depth is 121 feet, and its diameter is an impressive 370 feet. The hot spring’s average temperature is 160 degrees, so there’s no swimming here.
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Pamukkale, Turkey
Pamukkale, which is Turkish for “Cotton Castle,” is Turkey’s most visited tourist attraction. And after seeing these incredible hot springs, we understand why. The travertine edges of the springs, caused by calcium carbonate crystallizing, appear to be hanging onto the side of a cliff, creating a remarkable natural phenomenon. Pamukkale is also rich in history—it’s located beneath the site of the very well-preserved ancient Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis. Who wouldn’t want to bathe and walk where the Romans once did?
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Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Arguably the most famous hot spring in the world, Blue Lagoon is reason enough to book a trip to Iceland. It’s situated in an 800-year-old lava field and holds 9 million liters of geothermal seawater, with temperatures ranging from 98 to 102 degrees, aka the perfect hot tub temperature. This 5-foot-deep geothermal spa is a hybrid of seawater and groundwater that converges in subterranean porous lava.
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Jae Sorn Hot Spring, Thailand
Thailand is one of the most budget-friendly places to travel in the world, with clear-water beaches and the breathtaking Jae Sorn Hot Spring. Nestled among rocky terrain in Chae Son National Park, this hot spring has an average temperature ranging from 176 to 212 degrees—hot enough to cook an egg, which you can buy at nearby stands. (It goes without saying: No swimming!) While it’s particularly beautiful during the misty morning hours, the spring’s warm waters create a beautiful ambiance at any time of the day.
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Inferno Crater Lake, New Zealand
If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime spring break experience in New Zealand, make sure to stop at one of the best hot springs in the world. Located in the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, Inferno Crater Lake is the world’s largest hot spring, with temperatures ranging from 95 to 176 degrees and a maximum depth of 98 feet. Inferno Crater is connected to another hot spring, Frying Pan Lake, and the two bodies of water share a unique 38-day hydrothermal system cycle. When Inferno Crater’s water levels are low, the lake appears a dull gray. When its levels are high, the lake glistens with an intense teal.
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Frying Pan Lake, New Zealand
Inferno Crater Lake’s counterpart, Frying Pan Lake, has to be the best-named hot spring in the world, if not the best hot spring (though it could be that too). Frying Pan Lake is also located in the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley in New Zealand. Like Inferno Crater, it’s one of the world’s largest hot springs, but it’s not quite as large as Inferno Crater. This beautiful natural pool’s temperatures range from 122 to 140 degrees, and it has a maximum depth of 66 feet.
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Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell), Japan
Out of the eight hot springs in the Hells of Beppu in Japan, Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) is one of the most beautiful. Surrounded by spacious gardens, this hot spring comes with a history dating back 1,300 years to when Mt. Tsurumi, a nearby volcano, erupted. Japan may be one of the safest countries for solo travel, but Umi Jigoku is definitely not safe for swimming. Its maximum depth is an astonishing 656 feet, and its bright blue waters can reach temperatures of up to 208 degrees.
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Maruia Hot Springs, New Zealand
New Zealand seems to be a hot spot for hot springs (and apparently, glowworms). Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Southern Alps, the Maruia Hot Springs are located in the South Island’s Lewis Pass National Park. Average temperatures range from 96 to 107 degrees, making it the perfect relaxation spot for both locals and tourists.
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Boiling Lake, Dominica
Located in Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica, another appropriately named hot spring, Boiling Lake, takes the title for the second-largest hot spring in the world. The flooded fumarole (an opening in a volcano through which gases escape) has a depth of over 195 feet, and its grayish-blue water averages between 180 and 197 degrees. If you plan on visiting, pack your sneakers—Boiling Lake is accessible only via an 8-mile hike.
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Mataranka Thermal Pool, Australia
Imagine bathing in warm, crystal-clear water surrounded by a forest of swaying paperbark and palm trees. That’s exactly what you can expect at Australia’s Mataranka Thermal Pool. As the 86-degree water rids you of your aches and pains, the trees around you stir up a gentle breeze, allowing for a truly peaceful experience.
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Sources:
- Tibet Travel: “Yangpachen Hot Spring”
- Banjar Holy Hot Spring: “Banjar Hot Spring”
- Terme Di Saturnia: “Terme Di Saturnia Natural Destination”
- Deception Island Antarctic Specially Managed Area: “Deception Island”
- Smithsonian Magazine: “The Science Behind Yellowstone’s Rainbow Hot Spring”
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: “Hierapolis-Pamukkale”
- Blue Lagoon Iceland: “Blue Lagoon Iceland”
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley: “Waimangu Volcanic Valley Rotorua”
- Japan Guide: “Hells (Jigoku) – Beppu Travel”
- Maruia Hot Springs: “Maruia Hot Springs”
- UNESCO World Heritage Center: “Morne Trois Pitons National Park”
- Northern Territory Government: “Mataranka Thermal Pool”
