Things to do in Spa

The town of Spa in Belgium’s Walloon region has had an enormous impact on the culture and history of Europe for a centre with a population of just over 10,000 people. Located in the densely forested Ardennes region, today the town is one of Belgium’s hidden treasures and its medieval buildings and spectacular architecture lend to a truly storybook feel. The town has also been shaped by modern events and culture, however, and it is these that help to bring thousands of visitors to Spa every year.



Spa’s first came to prominence from the hot springs that turned the town into a health resort for Europe’s nobility from the fourteenth century onwards. Indeed, so big was the impact on the mind set of Europe’s aristocracy that before long every watering hole reputed to have healing properties on the continent was soon referred to as a ‘spa’. The springs and thermal baths continue to draw visitors from around Europe, with some of the best offering an almost unprecedented level of luxury and relaxation.

Today Spa is almost as famous as the home of the Circuit de Spa-Franchorchamps, most commonly referred to simply as ‘Spa’, the venue for the Belgian Grand Prix in the Formula One World Championship. Dating back to 1920, the 7 kilometre long circuit has a reputation as one of the most challenging and exciting tracks to race on, although it has seen more than its fair share of accidents over the years. Travel, ticket and accommodation packages are sometimes available from specialised Formula One travel agents for the Grand Prix, which usually takes place at the end of August.



Spa is also an excellent base for those who wish to tour the forest and hills of Belgium’s beautiful Ardennes region. The area is one of the most heavily forested in Western Europe and is dominated by steep valley and fast rivers and streams. While the Ardennes is rich in natural beauty, it attained a new significance in the twentieth century as the site of some of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War, including the infamous Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Today battlefield tours of the most important sites are a cornerstone of the region’s tourist industry and it is not unusual for Second World War munitions to wash up along the banks of the area’s many rivers.



Spa’s role as a playground and refuge for the aristocracy of Medieval and Early Modern Europe has greatly influenced the look of the modern town, with many period buildings still standing. Many hotels in Spa are converted mansions and stately homes, offering a level of luxury and grandeur rarely seen elsewhere. With so much to do in the surrounding area, easy access to the baths, thermal springs and golf courses that still dominated the town make it easy to relax after a busy day.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.