Italy Named World's Best Spa Destination for 2026
From Tuscany's natural thermal springs to award-winning spa resorts in the Dolomites, Italy offers wellness experiences that go well beyond a traditional hotel spa.
Italy has been named World's Best Spa Destination 2026 at the 12th annual World Spa Awards. Announced in September, the recognition puts the spotlight on a country with a long history of thermal bathing, historic spa towns and contemporary wellness retreats.
The World Spa Awards, a sister program of the World Travel Awards, selects its winners through online voting by spa industry professionals and consumers. Italy was among nine destinations shortlisted for the global title. Dubai held the same award in 2025.
For travelers, Italy offers several ways to plan a wellness holiday. There are naturally heated pools in the Tuscan countryside, historic thermal buildings worth visiting for their architecture, mountain spa resorts and structured wellness programs that combine nutrition, fitness and medical consultations.
Three Italian properties also received major global honors in 2026: Grotta Giusti, Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti and Palazzo Fiuggi.
Tuscany: Historic thermal towns and natural springs
Tuscany's wellness culture is closely connected to its mineral springs, which have attracted visitors for centuries.
Montecatini Terme, between Florence and Lucca, became part of the UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe in 2021. The designation recognizes 11 historic spa towns across seven European countries.
One of Montecatini's principal attractions is Terme Tettuccio, a historic thermal complex with colonnades, marble details, frescoes and landscaped grounds. It is worth exploring for its architecture alone, although visitors should confirm current access and treatment availability.
Nearby Montecatini Alto, reached by a historic funicular when operating, adds a medieval village and panoramic views to the visit. Further south, Saturnia is known for its naturally heated sulfurous springs. At Cascate del Mulino, thermal water flows over terraces into outdoor pools that visitors can access free of charge. The water emerges at approximately 37.5°C.
For a resort experience, nearby Terme di Saturnia offers thermal pools, spa treatments and accommodation. Saturnia is best incorporated into a countryside itinerary, particularly for travelers exploring southern Tuscany by car.
Grotta Giusti: An award-winning thermal cave
In Monsummano Terme, near Montecatini, Grotta Giusti offers an experience that is distinctly different from a conventional hotel spa. Its natural underground thermal grotto contains chambers with varying temperatures and humidity levels, allowing guests to experience thermal steam bathing within the cave. The property also offers thermal pools, spa treatments and accommodation.
Grotta Giusti won World's Best Thermal Grotto Spa 2026, a title it has held consistently since 2017, according to the World Spa Awards' published winner history. Its record also includes a win in 2015. The grotto is a compelling option for visitors interested in thermal traditions and unusual natural spa settings. However, the warm, humid environment may not suit everyone, particularly those with certain medical conditions.
Hotel accommodation is not necessarily required for every spa experience, but visitors should check day-spa packages, advance reservations, eligibility requirements and prices directly with the property.
The Dolomites: Luxury wellness in the mountains
In Pinzolo, in northern Italy's Trentino region, Lefay SPA World at Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti won World's Best Resort Spa 2026.
The resort features a 5,000-square-meter spa with swimming pools, saunas, relaxation spaces, fitness facilities and treatment rooms. Its signature Lefay SPA Method combines principles of classical Chinese medicine with Western wellness approaches. The resort's Active & Balance program incorporates treatments, movement and guided outdoor activities into multi-day stays.
The surrounding Dolomites provide opportunities for hiking, mountain excursions and winter sports, depending on the season. For travelers considering a dedicated mountain spa holiday, Pinzolo provides access to the Madonna di Campiglio ski and hiking region. The resort is better suited to a multi-night stay than a quick sightseeing stop, given its Alpine location and extensive facilities.
Palazzo Fiuggi: Medical wellness near Rome
In the Lazio region, southeast of Rome, Palazzo Fiuggi retained its title as World's Best Wellness Retreat in 2026. The property offers structured programs that bring together medical assessments, fitness, spa treatments and personalized nutrition. Its Food Line was developed by Heinz Beck, the three-Michelin-starred chef associated with La Pergola in Rome, working with Palazzo Fiuggi's medical team.
Programs address different wellness goals and may include consultations, prescribed activities and tailored meals. Stays are organized around the selected program rather than simply offering individual spa appointments.
Palazzo Fiuggi is particularly relevant for travelers seeking an extended wellness experience with clinical services. Before booking, review the length of each program, included assessments, medical supervision and total costs. Awards recognizing a retreat's hospitality and wellness offering should not be interpreted as independent evidence for the effectiveness of specific medical treatments.
Planning a spa holiday in Italy
Italy's wellness destinations can be incorporated into a broader holiday or visited as dedicated retreats. The best choice depends on whether the priority is thermal bathing, cultural sightseeing, outdoor activity or a structured wellness program.
Destination | Planning tip |
Montecatini Terme Historic spa architecture and thermal heritage | Less than an hour from Florence by train on many services |
Saturnia Natural outdoor thermal pools and resort spas | Approximately 2.5–3 hours by car from Rome |
Grotta Giusti Underground thermal grotto and treatments | Near Montecatini; reserve the grotto experience in advance |
Lefay Dolomiti Luxury Alpine spa and outdoor activities | Approximately 2.5–3 hours by car from Verona |
Palazzo Fiuggi Medical wellness and structured retreats | Approximately 1–1.5 hours by car from Rome |
Travel times are approximate and vary with traffic, routes and transportation schedules.
Spring and autumn are particularly convenient for combining Tuscany's thermal destinations with cultural sightseeing. The Dolomites offer hiking in warmer months and winter mountain activities, while destination wellness retreats operate on their own program schedules.
Visitors should also distinguish between public thermal attractions and private resort facilities. Cascate del Mulino offers free outdoor access, while luxury retreats and hotel spas have their own admission, treatment and package arrangements.
Italy's 2026 award gives travelers plenty to explore, whether that means an afternoon at a historic thermal town, a few days in the mountains or a longer wellness-focused stay.
