I’ve heard it been said before that if something is great, you should say it twice. An example of this is New York, N.Y. I feel this way about Baden-Baden. Without hesitation I jumped at the chance to visit this gorgeous town filled with day spas where kings and soldiers from all over Europe once came to heal and rejuvenate.

It was obvious at the beginning of my quest that I was not entirely prepared for all the beauty, serenity and relaxation oases offered throughout this heavenly town. For relaxation seekers, Baden-Baden offers amazing spa options, the Roman Bath Ruins, Himalayan Sea Salt Grottos and tranquil walking through this calming city nestled near the Black Forest National Park. Here’s what I found.

Caracella Spa

The very popular Caracella Spa is one of four spas that are very close to each other and have different options to choose from. This particular spa is amazing: they offer a gorgeous bathing area, famous German sauna treatments, all the wellness treatments you can handle, and of course some of Baden Baden’s famous thermal waters.

Friedrichsbad

The Friedrichsbad, which is one of the oldest baths, was closed the day we went due to construction. However, I did find out it’s best to book your appointment about two weeks out. This bath is “a la natural” and more suitable for adults.

Ancient Roman Bath Ruins

Our first stop in town, after parking in an excellent recommended downtown parking garage, was the Ancient Roman Bath Ruins. Located underneath the Friedrichsbad, this original site was mind-blowing. With our tour costing €4.50 complete with (English) audio guide, it was worth every penny.

While there, I learned about a Hypocaustum system, which was a Roman system in which quarry-style pillars transferred hot and cold water to a certain temperature and then pushed it through an aqueduct steam system. This bath house was believed to help soldiers and high ranking officers rehabilitate after war injuries.

The foundation is mostly intact, although pictures were not allowed. I completed the tour in just under an hour.

Himalayan Sea Salt Caves and Grotto – Salina

My younger daughter had done some research prior to our trip and found the Salina Salt Cave and Grotto. This magical hour of relaxation and restoration was exactly what this lady needed. The lovely owner led us to the Grotto where we completely relaxed (insert snoring sound effects here).

This family-friendly paradise helps individuals recover from asthmatic or respiratory issues, and is also ideal for those who suffer from burn-out. With our comfortable clothing on, we wrapped up in blankets and peacefully zoned out in comfy chairs. The sea salt content is 40 times higher than the salt of the North Sea. Built with salts from the Dead Sea and the Himalayas, the caves were a spectacular sight to see as well.

 

Walks Through Town

After our sea salt mellow session, we walked through the town and found the Faberge Museum, the theatre, the Stadt Museum, the Kongresshaus and the Kurhaus. Walking along Lichtentaller Allee was one of my favorite things to do. It was a magical experience, and the town of Baden-Baden does not disappoint.

The garden and park of the Kurhaus is where you can catch a horse and buggy historical tour of the city. It also has a lovely assortment of gift stores and shops that dot this magical garden.

For those who are a little lucky at cards, you can also try your hand at Baden-Baden’s casino. I’ve never had any kind of luck with that, even with the slots, so I just buy shoes instead.

How to Get To Baden-Baden

By car, Baden Baden is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes south of Kaiserslautern, 1 hour and 15 minutes west of Stuttgart, and just under 2 hours south of Wiesdaen. Please check with Deutsche Bahn for train information.

Author’s Profile: Wendy Payne is a military spouse and lives with her family in Stuttgart, Germany. She is a freelance writer, blogger and photographer. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, yoga and sharing Europe with people.

Featured Image Photo Credit:  © Wendy Payne