Romantic Getaways: The Best Spa Towns in Europe for Couples

Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic: UNESCO-Listed Romance

Located in West Bohemia near the Czech-German border, Mariánské Lázně feels like a film set for a romantic period drama. Grand colonnades, ornate fountains and pastel façades are framed by forested hills and beautifully kept parks, criss-crossed with promenades made for unhurried walks hand in hand. 

As part of the UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe, the town combines historic charm with therapeutic mineral springs that have attracted visitors for centuries. Ensana operates multiple properties in the spa district:

• Nové Lázně features Neo-Renaissance architecture and houses the Roman Baths—ornate pools supplied by local mineral sources.
• Hvězda offers one of the larger indoor pool complexes in town alongside extensive sauna facilities.

Both provide access to medical spa services and wellness programming, though treatments focus on wellness support rather than medical intervention.

Romantic experiences for couples in Mariánské Lázně include:

• Indulging in couples' massages and spa rituals using mineral water, healing mud and natural CO₂ therapies
• Relaxing together in extensive wellness zones with pools, whirlpools and saunas
• Strolling through colonnades, fountains and flower-filled parks, stopping for coffee and traditional spa wafers
• Enjoying concerts, cultural events and the timeless spa ambience that lingers from the era of philosophers, composers and royalty

The town operates at a slower pace than most European destinations, which works well for couples seeking structure without pressure. Treatment schedules typically follow traditional spa routines, involving morning therapies, midday rest periods, and afternoon activities.

Piešťany, Slovakia: Where Healing Meets Intimacy

Set on a spa island in Slovakia's River Váh, Piešťany has built its international reputation on two natural resources—thermal sulphur springs and mineral-rich peloid mud. This combination has been applied for musculoskeletal conditions and joint mobility issues for over a century.

What distinguishes the destination is its ability to create an environment where therapeutic treatments feel integrated into the overall experience rather than separated from relaxation and relationship time.

Ensana Thermia Palace, a five-star Art Nouveau landmark, provides direct access to the Irma Health Spa—home to the famous communal mud pool.

Nearby, Ensana Esplanade offers contemporary design while housing one of Europe's largest balneotherapy centres, with comprehensive hydrotherapy facilities and medical spa services.

Both properties occupy prime island locations, with walking paths and river views that encourage outdoor time between treatment sessions.

Why couples choose Piešťany:

• Comprehensive wellness packages combining balneotherapy, massage, and movement therapies in coordinated programs developed by spa physicians
• Island setting that creates psychological separation from daily routines while maintaining practical accessibility
• Evening dining and live music in elegant hotel restaurants overlooking the river—a balance of sophistication and relaxation

The thermal sulphur springs maintain consistent temperatures throughout the year, making Piešťany equally practical in summer and winter. The sulphur content produces a noticeable scent—some visitors adapt quickly and find it becomes part of the therapeutic experience, while others remain sensitive to it throughout their stay.

Smrdáky, Slovakia: Nature and Privacy

Tucked into western Slovakia's rolling countryside, Smrdáky operates on a fundamentally different scale than the larger spa resorts. This small facility specialises in exceptionally sulphur-rich mineral water and peloid applications, traditionally employed for dermatological conditions and musculoskeletal issues.

The intimate setting of the property, which is surrounded by 16 hectares of parkland, appeals specifically to couples who prioritise privacy and quietude over extensive amenities and social atmosphere.

Ensana Smrdáky maintains a focused wellness program centred on balneotherapy and targeted treatments rather than comprehensive spa rituals. The limited scale means fewer treatment options but also eliminates crowds and waiting times. The surrounding landscape includes gentle hills, forest edges, and agricultural fields which invite slow exploration on foot.

What defines the Smrdáky experience:

• Genuine isolation far from tourist infrastructure—this is authentically rural rather than resort countryside
• Personalized treatment approach reflecting the small scale
• Natural environment that encourages simple pleasures, such as reading in the park, walking forest paths, or quiet conversation on secluded benches
• Very limited evening entertainment or commercial activity, which some couples find liberating

This destination suits couples seeking minimal external stimulation—a place to disconnect from digital life and rediscover slower rhythms.

Budapest, Hungary: City Life With Thermal Luxury

Budapest offers something fundamentally different from dedicated spa towns—the ability to combine cultural exploration with thermal wellness in a single trip.

The Hungarian capital sits atop an extensive geothermal system, with over 100 thermal springs feeding both historic bathhouses and modern wellness facilities throughout the city. This creates an environment where thermal bathing is woven into daily urban life rather than reserved for dedicated wellness retreats—you'll find locals alongside tourists in many of the city's thermal facilities.

Ensana Thermal Margaret Island occupies a distinctive position on Margaret Island—a 2.5-kilometre park in the middle of the Danube, accessible by bridge but psychologically removed from urban intensity. The setting provides immediate access to running paths, landscaped gardens, and riverside walks while keeping the city's museums, restaurants, and architectural landmarks within 15-20 minutes by public transport.

The Budapest advantage for couples:

• Thermal pools and comprehensive spa facilities on a green island, with urban attractions easily accessible when desired
• Flexible daily patterns—mornings exploring the city's architectural heritage and cultural sites, afternoons in thermal waters
• Access to Budapest's renowned restaurant scene, from traditional Hungarian establishments to contemporary fine dining
• Opportunity to experience both hotel thermal facilities and the city's historic public baths—Széchenyi, Gellért, and Rudas among them

This approach works particularly well for couples with divergent interests or different wellness priorities. One partner can pursue spa treatments while the other explores the Jewish Quarter or Central Market Hall, reconvening for afternoon thermal bathing and evening dining. The island location provides a buffer—you return to greenery and relative quiet rather than busy hotel districts.

Hévíz, Hungary: Thermal Lake Therapy for Two

The Hévíz experience revolves around a singular natural feature. It is a 4.4-hectare thermal lake fed by underground springs that maintain water temperatures between 24°C and 37°C year-round.

It's the largest natural thermal lake suitable for bathing in Europe, surrounded by forest and releasing visible steam clouds that drift through the surrounding town. The lake's mineral composition and consistent temperature have drawn people seeking relief from musculoskeletal issues for centuries.

The act of floating together in naturally heated, mineralised water—watching mist patterns shift and water lilies drift past—creates a distinctive form of shared experience. The lake's scale means finding quieter sections remains possible even during busier periods. 

Ensana Thermal Hévíz sits minutes from the lake entrance, offering a practical base for morning lake sessions combined with afternoon wellness treatments and spa therapies at the hotel.

What makes Hévíz distinctive:

• Natural thermal bathing in a forest setting—an experience that feels more connected to landscape than clinical wellness facilities
• Year-round swimming capability, with winter offering the striking contrast of warm water surrounded by cold air and occasional snow
• Cozy atmosphere with cafés and restaurants within walking distance
• Proximity to Lake Balaton—less than 10 kilometres—for couples interested in combining thermal wellness with lakeside exploration

The lake operates with natural rhythms rather than strict schedules—early morning and evening sessions tend to be quieter, midday more social. Many couples develop routines around these patterns, using thermal sessions to structure days otherwise filled with reading, walking the surrounding trails, or simply resting between hotel treatments.

Why Couples Choose Ensana for Spa Escapes?

Whether you're drawn to historic colonnades, spa islands, or thermal lakes, Ensana gives couples the same essentials everywhere—medical know-how, warm hospitality and time that truly feels like time off. Across Central Europe, Ensana hotels build on long-standing spa traditions, using local mineral waters, healing muds and natural CO₂ in ways that are thoughtfully adapted to modern lifestyles and individual needs.

The medical component distinguishes these facilities from conventional wellness resorts. Most locations employ physicians who conduct intake consultations and may design individualised treatment protocols based on health history, current conditions, and wellness objectives.

Wherever you go, you'll find:

• Medical oversight and personalised treatment planning—intake consultations are typically required even for wellness-focused stays rather than therapeutic programs
• Historic spa town locations selected for natural therapeutic resources—mineral springs, peloid deposits, or thermal water sources with documented traditional use
• Integration of traditional balneotherapy techniques with contemporary wellness facilities—expect both historic tile-lined bath halls and modern fitness centres
• Park or island settings—encourage outdoor activity between structured treatments, supporting both physical movement and psychological restoration

Choosing Ensana means you don't have to compromise between health and romance. In every destination, you can expect trusted quality, genuine care and shared experiences that stay with you long after you return home.