6 European Wellness Breaks For Your Bucketlist
By
1 month ago
Catch a break at these zen spots
We love finding new ways to feel good. And as wellness tourism peaks, we need only hop across to the continent to find a plethora of destinations geared towards longevity, relaxation and health, from the snowy peaks of the Alps to the crystal blue seas of the Mediterranean. (That’s why we geared our 2025 spa special all around the transformational retreats Europe has to offer.)
Wellness retreats are a marvellous thing – but they’re not always scheduled at a time that suits us best. Here are the best European wellness breaks that are around whenever you need them.
Best European Wellness Breaks
Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
This Swiss resort is nothing short of spectacular. Spread across a 60 hectare site atop a mountain ridge 500m above the lake, three hotels and a series of residences offer breathtaking, soul-nourishing views of the lake and surrounding nature. And it’s from here the spa draws its inspiration. A world of wellness spanning 10,000 sqm, the Alpine Spa is home to five pools, four saunas, a hammam, spa garden, fitness zone, beauty lounge, treatment rooms and plenty more. Elsewhere, enjoy tennis and pickleball courts, yoga classes, cliff walks, mountain biking, explore nearby mountain town Wirzweli, or embark on a city tour of nearby Lucerne.
Palace Merano, Italy
This is one of the world’s leading resorts dedicated to healthcare. But Palace Merano is also incredibly glamorous, set in the large private parkland surrounding Palace Merano in Italy. Once helmed by king of Italian wellness Henri Chenot, the spa is famed for its most popular six-day programme, ‘The Revital Method: Detox for Longevity’, which eliminates toxins organically via deep cleansing. There’s also a serene garden, swanky new sport and recovery lab, and a beautiful spa spanning hydro-mud therapy, cupping, electric acupuncture and more.
Image courtesy of Schloss Elmau
Schloss Elmau, Germany
Two five-star hotels with 162 rooms and suites and a whopping eight restaurants: Schloss Elmau is a true wellness compound. Located 100km south of Munich, Schloss Elmau is open year-round for wellness breaks, but also offers a range of yoga and meditation retreats, as well as hosting the Annual Yoga Summit every June. Year round, enjoy its exceptional facilities: six spas (suitable for adults and families), a TCM Health Spa, a state-of-the-art Yoga School, and more.
Tschuggen Grand Hotel, Switzerland
Wellbeing needs to be holistic to last, incorporating sleep, nutrition, mindfulness and activeness. This ethos underpins Tschuggen Hotel Group, with indulgent spa treatments and beautiful settings an added bonus. At Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa, find a spa set across four floors. An architectural marvel instilling calm itself, materials utilised by Swiss architect Mario Botta include alpine granite, hand-crafted maple wood and Arosa rock. newly developed treatments focus on strengthening the immune system and replenishing the body. Outside, try yoga, hiking at Lake Obersee, ice bathing and cross-country skiing, fuelled by a nourishing, plant-based menu. The architecture celebrates the natural surrounds
Capovaticano Resort, Italy
Uninterrupted views of azure blue sea and expansive white sandy beaches: if your definition of relaxation is winding down by the sea, Capovaticano will treat you well. The 2,000 sqm Thalasso Spa uses seawater as the basis for treatments that encourage physical and mental wellbeing. Customised body treatments and massages are also inspired by the sea, which guests can book in one of the 15 natural light-filled treatment rooms. There’s also energising outdoor yoga and pilates classes, and guests are encouraged to explore the area’s stunning coastline, either by hiring a boat for the day or paying a visit to the picturesque town of Tropea.
(© Rudi Wyhlidal)
Das Central, Austria
Set among the pines, Das Central is a spectacular hotel nestled in the Sölden resort, Austria. Each of the 125 rooms and suites exude opulence, and the three-storey, 1,500 sqm spa is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of alpine activities. You’ll find ten saunas and steam baths, including two Finnish saunas, an infrared sauna, a brine steam bath and a tepidarium. To soothe sore muscles, guests can also enjoy holistic massages that focus on a ‘Body & Soul Balance’ concept.
