One thing I really enjoy doing in the cold seasons is visiting the thermal/mineral baths and spas outside of Berlin, which feels like heaven after a stroll in the countryside. Wellness centres like these are currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but at the beginning of autumn we just about made it to one in between our hikes in Nature Park Erzgebirge/Vogtland. So read on for some ideas for the upcoming winter and spring, when the situations hopefully take a turn for the better and we can all swim/float/pamper ourselves in these spas again.
The mineral baths and spa that J and I visited in autumn is located in Bad Elster, which lies in the Elster hills on Saxony’s borders with Bavaria and the Czech Republic. You can check out the website here. It was our second time at the wellness centre and we loved it on both of our visits, because the place wasn’t crowded, the service was friendly (for German standards!) and it’s close to hiking & walking trails. I booked the Well-Being Day package which includes an admission to the Albert Baths’ pools & sauna, a massage, a relaxing bath and healing water from the mineral springs at the Marienquelle. Bliss!
As J and I discovered on our first visit, Bad Elster offers quite a number of walking and hiking possibilities. The Vogtland Panoramaweg is one hiking trail you can follow, and on Komoot you can find plenty of recommendations for various distances and fitness levels. During our visit to Bad Elster in autumn, we did only a short walk through the forest to the town, since we wanted to swim outdoor while the sun was still shining. You can watch the highlights of our walk here.
While Bad Elster is my spa town of choice in Saxony, I also like Bad Saarow in Brandenburg and Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. They offer similar vibes and walking/hiking possibilities, with Karlovy Vary being the biggest and most touristy of them all. Definitely check them out if you like the combination of hiking/walking, fresh air and thermal baths!
As for next year, J and I have a reservation in Marianske Lazne in the Czech Republic, which we’ve already postponed twice because of COVID-19. Like everyone, we’re crossing our fingers that the situations improve this winter. Nothing like hot springs to beat the cold.
