Although spas and ritual bathing are more commonly associated with Scandinavian and Middle Eastern countries than Spain, in recent years – perhaps due to the city’s increasingly cosmopolitan nature and international outlook – there has been a sharp rise in the number of wellness centres setting up shop in the Catalan capital.

Great news for pleasure-seeking visitors, who can now easily combine lounging on the city’s beaches, overindulging on tapas in Barcelona’s restaurants and exploring the local nightlife, with relaxing sessions of spa treatments, wellness therapies and health & beauty procedures.

Turkish steam rooms, Finnish saunas, flotation tanks, infinity pools and ice showers (for the brave!) are just some of the facilities visitors will find available in Barcelona’s spas, whilst you can also opt for Thai, Balinese, Hawaiian and Swedish massages in top-of-the-range treatment rooms – as well as more cutting-edge and/or exotic therapies.

As well as day spas, Barcelona has a number of spa hotels (which are also open to the general public if you can’t afford the five star accommodation prices), a handful of traditional-style Hammams, harking back to Spain’s Arabic history, and several women-only wellness centres to choose from.

In addition, if you’re willing to travel slightly further afield, you’ll also find two or three picturesque spa towns, like Caldes de Malavella, within an hour or so from the city – great if you have time to make a day or two of it.

Overall, whether you’re here on a hen weekend, enjoying a romantic weekend away with a loved one, or just dead keen on spoiling yourself you should be able to find the right place and experience for you.

Barcelona Spas & Wellness Centres

Check below for a few of our favourite recommendations.

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel

It doesn’t come much flashier than this centre in the five star Mandarin Oriental, where treatments include “Relaxing Bamboo and Argan Ritual” and Collagen facials and usually cost between €150 and €300.
www.mandarinoriental.com/barcelona/luxury-spa

Arts Hotel

Another five star offering, 43 The Spa gets its name from the fact that you find it on the 43rd floor of the towering Arts Hotel on the beach. Hydrotherapy pools, saunas and steam baths come with panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/en/Luxury-Spa-Barcelona

Barcelona Massage

These lifestyle specialists have contacts at all of the best venues in the Catalan capital and therefore can offer you a tantalising range of massages which includes everything from Thai, Mayan, Chakra Stone and even the exotic sounding Silk and Sea Shell massage. They can get you excellent rates at the most professional facilities in town.

Caldes de Malavella Spa Town

Just over an hour away from Barcelona by train, this picturesque town can chart its days as a rest and recuperation destination back to Roman times, and indeed it was founded by the Roman colonists after they discovered hot springs on site. It really developed though in the 1890s when two beautiful spa resorts, Balneari Prats and Vichy Catalan, were created to meet the needs of Barcelona’s burgeoning middle classes.

Balneari Prats Hotel

A lovely resort dating back to 1890, this neoclassical beauty boasts a shaded garden and naturally thermal outdoor swimming pool, as well modern amenities, a wide range of tempting health and beauty treatments… and a resident parrot. A great option if you want to get out of the city for a while.
www.balneariprats.com

More of the best spas in Barcelona coming soon, along with more nearby resorts in the Costa Brava and Spain.