Baden-Baden, Thermal Waters for Old Money
Welcome! Today we’re exploring Baden-Baden, a legendary spa town in Germany known as the playground of old money and aristocrats. The name itself says a lot: “old old money” — a place steeped in history, elegance, and timeless wellness.
Imagine a place where time slows down, where old-world elegance meets modern luxury, for the wealthy, and those who appreciate the finer things in life.
Thermal waters in Europe
Before yatchs and beaches, there were thermal waters, as they call hot springs in Europe. They have long been obsessed with thermal waters—Roman emperors built baths, and kings sought cures in these mineral-rich springs.
There are many famous thermal spa towns in Europe, places where natural hot springs have been used for centuries to heal, relax, and rejuvenate.
There are 11 European spa towns as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The so called Great Spa Towns of Europe. Baden/Baden is among them together with
- Spa (Belgium) – Gave the name to “spa.” A hotspot for European aristocracy since the 18th century.
- Baden-Baden (Germany) – Visited by European royalty and Russian aristocrats. Caracalla Therme and Friedrichsbad are iconic.
- Vichy (France) – Napoleon III developed it into a luxury destination. Famous for its mineral waters and elegant architecture.
- Karlovy Vary / Carlsbad (Czech Republic) – Popular among Russian Tsars and European elites. Known for its hot springs and colonnades.
- Bath (UK) – Roman origins. In Georgian times it became a fashionable retreat for nobles.
- Montecatini Terme (Italy) – Attracted artists, nobles, and composers like Verdi and Puccini.
- Evian-les-Bains (France) – Popular among aristocrats for its lake and mineral waters. Evian water is bottled here.
- Merano (Italy) – Loved by Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi). Alpine scenery and mild climate.
- Hévíz (Hungary) – Known for its natural thermal lake. Visited by Austro-Hungarian nobles.
- Baden bei Wien (Austria) – A historic spa town near Vienna.
- Bad Ems (Germany) – Another distinguished German spa with a rich past.
How Many Spas Are There in the European Union?
According to the European Spas Association (ESPA), there are approximately 18,000 facilities across Europe including medical spas, thermal spas, preventive and rehabilitation centers, and wellness resorts.
These numbers show how important the spa and wellness sector is to the European economy and lifestyle.
Regarding distribution by Country, while there’s no exact list by country, some highlights include:
Baden-Baden’s location and population
Nestled in Germany’s Black Forest, near the French border, Baden-Baden is home to just 55,000 people—making it exclusive, intimate, and peaceful.
which was then called the “Summer Capital of Europe.”
It’s easily accessible from Frankfurt and Stuttgart in Germany, or Strasbourg in France, yet feels worlds away from hustle and bustle.
Famous People Who Have Retired or Lived in Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is often called a retreat for the wealthy and well-to-do, with a refined, old-fashioned charm that still attracts those seeking luxury and relaxation.
Its thermal waters have long attracted notable figures who chose to retire or spend their later years here, drawn by its peaceful atmosphere and healing environment.
Among them were writers like Thomas Mann, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Mark Twain, royals like Queen Victoria, prominent people like Otto von Bismarck, Napoleon Bonaparte, composers like Johannes Brahms, and other aristocrats, artists, and thinkers.
The Thermal Waters of Baden-Baden
The town offers two world-renowned spas Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Therme, With 12 natural springs pumping out 800,000 liters of 68°C (154°F) water daily,
A traditional Roman-Irish bath experience with more than 145-year-old bathing tradition
They say: It’s about you – about your body, your soul, your spirit and about cleansing, regeneration and relaxation.
More modern, features indoor and outdoor thermal pools.
The bathing area is reminiscent of an ancient temple, with its varied water surfaces. The Roman sauna area with an outdoor area in the picturesque castle garden invite you to feel good, perfect for fresh air and sunshine, especially in warmer months.
Both spa venues offer a range of wellness treatments beyond bathing, like massages, beauty care, and fitness classes.
Health Benefits of Thermal Waters/Hot Springs
These waters aren’t just relaxing—they’re medicinal! Thermal water or hot springs as rich in minerals as that found in Baden-Baden is rare. Baden-Baden’s thermal water is also known as fluoride-containing sodium chloride thermal water. These two predominant components give the water its mildly salty taste.
No wonder doctors prescribed ‘spa retreats’ here for centuries for:
- ease arthritis
- improve circulation
- help with muscle relaxation
- recommended for skin health
- superb for stress relief
- and even aid post-surgery recovery
For retirees, it’s a wonderful way to combine health with leisure in a beautiful setting.
What to Do in Baden-Baden (Beyond the Spa)
Pampered enough?
- Try your luck at the glamorous Casino Baden-Baden, one of the oldest in Europe
- Catch an opera at the Festspielhaus (Europe’s second-largest!)
- Or hike the Lichtentaler Allee and the Black Forest
- For car lovers, the Mercedes and Porsche museums are just a short drive away in Stuttgart!
- Enjoy the beautiful parks.
- Don’t miss the Trinkhalle’s stunning murals
- Aboat ride on the Mummelsee, or
- Sipping Baden wines at a sun-drenched vineyard
Because in Baden-Baden, every day feels like a fairytale. The tourism office website offers event schedules and guided tours.
Housing Prices: Could YOU Live Here?
Dreaming of retiring here? housing prices are on the higher side — reflecting its luxury status. A chic apartment in the center costs around €5,000–7,000 per m². Prefer a villa? Expect €1.5 million and up. Pricey? Yes. But for old-money luxury, it’s a steal compared to Monaco or Zurich!
Hot Springs in the US
With westward expansion in the 19th century, hot springs became fashionable destinations. Railroads made it easier for city dwellers to travel to remote areas, and resorts flourished in places like Saratoga Springs in New York and Hot Springs, Arkansas. These venues offered not just bathing but also grand hotels, social clubs, and casinos, making them gathering places for politicians, artists, and entrepreneurs. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, frequently visited Warm Springs, Georgia, for hydrotherapy treatments during his presidency.
Today, there are more than 1,600 hot springs identified across the United States, though only a fraction are developed into resorts or bathing facilities.