For many people, the start of the year comes with a fresh set of annual leave days, providing a great opportunity to plan a vacation, dreaming of summer sun on cold winter days. For those looking for the ultimate in relaxation and serious self-care in 2024, a spa retreat may be just what the doctor ordered.
As part of its annual 2024 Spa Trends Report, online booking site SpaSeekers.com has identified the world’s most popular spa destinations based on the increase in Google search data. The results reveal the most promising spa getaways for the year ahead. These are certainly worth considering when planning any vacation – from spa and thermal hotspots to sprawling jungle paradises.
According to the study, Romania will be the most popular spa destination in 2024, with searches for spa travel worldwide up 233%. Home to numerous thermal and mineral springs, the country is sure to be the perfect spot for a relaxing break. France comes in second with a 120% increase in searches. Whether it’s a luxurious spa on the Côte d’Azur that calls to you, or a cosy sauna and hot tub in a mountain chalet, there are plenty of options to choose from. Qatar and Vietnam share third place (up 85%) for those looking for a more exotic destination, while China and Montenegro share fifth place (up 84%).
Bulgaria entered the top 10
Bulgaria and Poland continue the European trend in the top 10 destinations, with both offering budget-friendly luxury getaways for spa lovers. European countries also make up more than half of the top 20, with Malta, Austria, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Netherlands all offering options for those seeking a European spa holiday. From Asia, popular destinations Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand are joined by some more unusual ones in the form of China and Nepal. Tunisia ranks 10th, with the African nation of Morocco coming in at 13th. In both North African countries, the hammam tradition is a must for any spa-lover visiting the continent.
The 20 Hottest Spa Destinations for 2024
1. Romania: +233% of requests
Romania is known more for its snow-capped mountains, green hills and forests, vineyards, and beautiful sandy beaches on the Black Sea than for its resorts – but the landscape is also perfect for a relaxing spa holiday. With more than a third of Europe’s mineral and thermal springs in Romania, there are plenty of thermal spas to discover for any luxury lover.
2. France: +120% search queries
France is often considered the birthplace of many things related to luxury; high fashion, fine fragrances and delicious wines – and this is no different when it comes to wellness. Spa lovers don’t have to travel far to find a place to relax and unwind: the French Riviera is home to a number of excellent spas for the rich and famous. The Alps also have a wealth of spas and saunas, perfect for unwinding after a long day of skiing. Alternatively, for those who want to step back in time, Vichy, the ‘queen of spas’ and France’s most prestigious spa town, may well be worth a visit.
3. Qatar: +85% in search queries
Qatar is home to many world-class facilities, and this is no exception when it comes to spa holidays, with a variety of high-end resorts to choose from, all designed to soothe away all your worries. For those who enjoy trying out different treatments, the wide range of spa services on offer in the country will provide plenty of opportunities to find new spa experiences.
4. Vietnam: +85% of requests
Vietnam was also named the best spa destination in Asia in 2023. The country topped the list of Asian countries by search interest in 2024. With beautiful beaches and tropical jungles, Vietnam’s exotic landscapes allow spa lovers to truly escape from the mundane and stresses of their day-to-day life. Visitors to Vietnam can look forward to a variety of healing and relaxation programs, from mediation to thermal springs, Vietnamese massages and herbal baths.
5. China: +84% of requests
While countries like Thailand and Vietnam may be the first to come to mind when thinking of spa destinations in Asia, China also has an impressive array of wellness centers. With many holistic traditions and ancient medicines ingrained in the country’s culture, these practices, combined with cutting-edge treatments and technology, offer a completely unique healing landscape.
6. Montenegro: +84% of requests
Montenegro, an up-and-coming destination in Europe, offers the perfect place for those seeking a coastal holiday. Beaches with healing properties have long been believed to be found in two regions of Montenegro – Herceg Novi and Ulcinj. And Igalo in Herceg Novi is a popular health tourism destination, and the mud beach at the Dr. Simo Milosevic Institute is a popular spot where the mud is said to have healing properties that can alleviate the symptoms of rheumatic diseases, joint and muscle problems. and neurological diseases. As an alternative for women, the Women’s Beach in Ulcinj is said to have a positive effect on reproductive function due to its high levels of hydrogen sulphide.
7. Canada: +83% of requests
The thought of Canada’s beautiful landscapes is enough to make anyone feel relaxed, and a trip to this stunning country is sure to not disappoint. It is the perfect place for wellness tourism, with something for everyone, from active recreation to visiting saunas hidden in hidden coves.
8. Bulgaria : +82% of requests
One of the most affordable destinations in Europe, Bulgaria offers a more budget-friendly option for those looking for a relaxing holiday. The country has over 700 hot springs and is a popular destination for spas dating back to the Roman era. Why not visit Sapareva Banya to enjoy a natural hot spring geyser, or Hisarya, where you can bathe in hot springs amidst impressive ruins, or Devin, where the fresh mountain air is sure to make you feel brand new.
9. Nepal: +69% search queries
Nepal and the Himalayas, often associated with the practice of yoga, are very closely associated with health and should be a destination that many self-care enthusiasts will have on their travel lists. There are plenty of yoga retreats to be found here, but the country also has a history of Ayurvedic medicine, so Ayurvedic massages and hot stone massages are often offered, which can improve circulation and detoxify the body.
=10. Poland: +60% search queries
With its strong natural mineral springs, tourists visiting Poland for spa treatments should definitely pay attention to the acid springs, sulphur springs, salt springs and thermal waters. All of them provide different health benefits and are also pleasant natural wonders to admire. Another unique health treatment that spa lovers can enjoy in Poland are the salt caves, the most famous of which is the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Here visitors can enjoy a variety of treatments and all the health benefits that salt is said to offer, such as treating asthma, allergies and skin problems.
=10. Tunisia: +60% search queries
Tunisia is another country with a long history of spas and baths, again influenced by the Roman era. Any fan of the hammam is in for a treat in Tunisia. Thalassotherapy has recently become another popular choice. Treatments based on water and seaweed are designed to soothe and revitalize the skin and body.
The remaining 11-20 most popular spa destinations
12. Argentina: +56% of requests
=13. Cambodia: +52% of requests
=13. Malta: +52% search queries
=13. Morocco: +52% search queries
=16. Croatia: +51% of requests
=16. Egypt: +51% of requests
=18. Austria: +50% search queries
=18. Latvia: +50% search queries
=18. Luxembourg: +50% search queries
=18. Netherlands: +50% requests
=18. Thailand: +50% search queries
