Europe has lots of fancy spas and wellness retreats, but you don’t need a giant budget to bag a world-class experience.
The Bucharest viral spa has gone… well, viral… thanks to its affordable entry fee and pampering vibes. But there are plenty of similar options if you fancy somewhere that’s getting a bit less attention.
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The Best Cheap Spa Alternatives To The Bucharest Viral Spa
Looking for rejuvenation without the price tag? From mountain sanctuaries to countryside escapes, here are 5 cheap spa alternatives to the Bucharest viral spa that get you a dose of luxury for an affordable price.
1. Therme Erding, Germany
- Day pass from €62 (£53.50)
- 2 hour spa access from €33 (£28.50)
Therme Erding is just outside Munich and it’s HUGE, with an enormous zone dedicated to the spa and sauna rituals. If you think it looks familiar, it’s actually run by the same people as the Bucharest viral spa, Terme Bucuresti.
Prepare to feel very relaxed indeed in their oasis zone: you’ve got the thermal pool, steam baths and 8 different saunas to choose from, from rave-style ones with neon lights to themed ones around forests, meditation and even ancient Rome. An important thing to note about this section is you can keep your swimwear on!
Now it’s a different story over in the thermal zone – here you have to whip off your togs, so bear this in mind when planning a visit. It’s actually the traditional way in Germany, and don’t worry you can get a towel to cover you up. This section is the real deal – there are over 20 themed saunas and steam baths to try, from Siberian and Nordic to Celtic and tropical – there’s even a Stonehenge sauna!
You can add on the usual extras like treatments and lounge access, but the sheer scale and variety here makes the entry fee seem like a steal. I mean this would all cost SO much more in the UK! There’s even a special type of transport ticket you can buy – the thermal ticket includes 4-hour spa access and round trip public transport from Munich – pretty sweet, no?
2. Termy Chochołowskie, Poland
- Day pass from 169zl (£34.50)
- 3 hour spa access from 129zl (£26.50)
Termy Chochołowskie is Poland’s largest thermal complex – and perhaps the best bargain on this list. It’s in the Tatra Mountains (close to Zakopane ski resort) and the mineral-rich water comes from thousands of meters underground.
This spa looks very nice indeed – all the modern glass and traditional wood feels like you could be in a design magazine! The outdoor spa pools are a real treat and have gorgeous mountain views. Especially in winter when you can have a lovely soak in the steamy water while snow falls around you (or go in summer when there’s a sandy beach!).
There are hydromassage stations and Jacuzzis, and there’s a giant panoramic sauna. In fact there’s a whole sauna zone with different types to choose from like infrared, juniper and dry and steam saunas. Extras include massages, bathtub treatments and even a pressurised chamber like the ones athletes use, proven to have health benefits.
It feels high end and bougie here, but the prices are affordable – from the entry fee to the on-site dining.
Zakopane actually has its own thermal baths too, with pools, saunas and a salt cave – so if you’re skiing and staying in the resort, it’s a nice add-on. A day pass is 139zł (£28.50).
3. Alpentherme Gastein, Austria
- Day pass from €50.50 (£44)
- 4 hour spa access from €42.50 (£40)
Alpentherme is in the Gastein Valley, which has been a wellness destination for hundreds of years. The big hitter is the natural lakes – Emerald Lake and Crystal Lake are natural pools of thermal spring water with no chemical treatment at all.
You can get anything and everything here, from hot spring baths and hammam rituals to fancy therapies including the cryochamber – kept at a chilly minus 110°C. The spa is divided into various zones, including ladies-only and family sections.
In the sauna zone, as well as various thermal baths you’ll find 12 different saunas – and you’ll have to take your swimwear off in here. The stand-out sauna is Cascadia, a huge sauna with panoramic views and themed infusions.
Now the fee for this place isn’t as cheap as the German or Polish spas, and accommodation and flights will likely set you back a bit more too. You’ll be rewarded with lots of fresh Austrian mountain air and medical-grade thermal water.
4. Terme Merano, Italy
- Day pass from €39 (£34)
- 3 hour spa access from €28 (£24.50)
Terme Merano in the heart of Italy’s South Tyrol, and is a stunning piece of architecture – a giant glass cube with mountain views.
This is a high-end spot that’s very hot on sustainability, with 25 different pools spread across the inside and outside. If you visit in summer, the enormous gardens are a total dream too.
The highlight here is probably their natural pool – chemical-free and like a crystal-clear alpine lake. The ridiculous part of this spa is the price – it’s a bargain if you think what you’d pay for a day pass to a similar spot in the UK.
Enjoy the main pool area or level up and hit Sauna World, a space dedicated to serious relaxation. It’s got everything from traditional saunas (hay sauna anyone?) to aromatic steam baths – and there’s even a snow room for an icy cool-down! The sauna zone is swimwear free, so be prepared to strip off – don’t worry there are towels for modesty.
5. Les Thermes de Spa, Belgium
- Day pass from €48 (£42)
- 3 hour spa access from €35 (£30.50)
Ok when you think of Belgium you don’t immediately think of world-class spas do you?! But this spa town is actually where the term ‘spa’ came from!
Les Thermes de Spa is located on a hill overlooking the town, and you ride a funicular to get up there. This is another sleek spot, with all the glass designed to give sweeping views of the nearby forests.
You’ve got the typical spa trappings here – indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and hammams, steam baths and relaxation zones with various light therapies.
Their signature experience is a carbonated bath (£36.50/€42) – a copper bathtub filled with the local thermal water. It’s naturally carbonated, so the bath is filled with tiny, skin-tingling bubbles that feel really nice on your skin.
It isn’t a flashy spot – more understated – so if you feel a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of a busy spa, then this could be the pick for you; low key but luxe!
Terme Manchester is coming...
The company that owns Therme Erding and Therme Bucuresti is actually bringing a spa to the UK!
They are building a huge spa complex in Manchester, next to the Trafford Centre. It’s going to be ‘the largest water-based wellbeing destination in Europe’ which sounds pretty giant, and is due to open in 2028.
Book a Cheap Spa Stay at One of These Alternatives to the Bucharest Viral Spa
Choose one of these top cheap spa alternatives and prepare for an amazing experience. It’s not just a sauna and swimming pool – it’s a full-body moment to restore your body and mind!
