Spa Travel Guide

  Relaxing indoors at the Spa
by Orchid
 
  • Relaxing indoors at the Spa
      Relaxing indoors at the Spa
    by Orchid
  • Boring Gambling House
      Boring Gambling House
    by Orchid
  • Ride the Funicular to the hilltop
      Ride the Funicular to the hilltop
    by Orchid
  • Or a brisk walk up the hill
      Or a brisk walk up the hill
    by Orchid
  • Protected from the elements
      Protected from the elements
    by Orchid
 

Explore Spa

Things to Do  

Europe's Oldest Casino

Europe's Oldest Casino, Spa

 Orchid Says:  The casino is housed in a fine old building. It dates form 1763.Why you would want to enter a gambling house with no windows, where you could be almost anywhere in the world is beyond me. Entrance however is free, so it will provide shelter from the rain. If you must, 5... 

Have a spa at Les Thermes de Spa

Have a spa at Les Thermes de Spa, Spa

 Orchid Says:  Throughout Europe (and indeed the rest of the world), natural mineral waters are believed to the beneficial to the health. Whether there is any ACTUAL benefit, other than the relaxing pleasure of soaking ones self in warm water for a period of time is questionable. However... 

Formula 1

Formula 1, Spa

 SailorRoar Says:  Spa hosts one of the annual Formula 1 races, sadly I was there the weekend it was supposed to be on in 2006, but that year they decided to close the track for renovation. So we had to race around it ourselves.... 

La Fontaine de Groesbeeck

La Fontaine de Groesbeeck, Spa

 tompt Says:  Just a few metres from la Sauveni?re you will find la Fontaine de Groesbeeck. This spring bears the name of Baron de Groesbeeck, because he had a small niche built in the wall bearing his coat of arms (1651). The water has diuretic properties.General Area Or DirectionsThe... 

Source de la Reine

Source de la Reine, Spa

 tompt Says:  The Source de la Reine (Queens Spring) gives the water that is used in the baths. It contains little salt and is known for its diuretic effect. It also eliminates toxines from the body. But the most famous for its bottled version Spa Reine.The Source de la Reine is not... 

the famous visitors

the famous visitors, Spa

 tompt Says:  This fountain / monument has a lot of names on it. Names of famous people who visited the baths in Spa. The monument is located in the city centre near the back of the Pouhon Pierre le Grand. 

Hotels  

Manoir de Lebioles

 22 Opinions

Restaurants  

Le Menthe a L'Eau: Local Trout, waffles & Beer

Le Menthe a L'Eau: Local Trout, waffles & Beer, Spa

 Orchid Says:  The Brasserie is located at the at the end of Place Vertes. You can eat inside, or as we chose, outside under awnings.We enjoyed especially Trout cooked in the style of the Ardennes, with almonds and cream sauce. There are ample local wines and beers to sample as well.The... 

Restaurant Le Relais: Excellent trout

Restaurant Le Relais: Excellent trout, Spa

 Museeuw Says:  This was the restaurant of the hotel we stayed in (see hotel tips). It was excellent. The atmosphere was great, the wine was good and the food was fantastic. My wife never really liked the fish in Belgium, until she ate the trout in this restaurant. It was so good that the... 

Les Saisons de Spa: Les Saisons de Spa

Les Saisons de Spa: Les Saisons de Spa, Spa

 myriam_c Says:  Les Saisons de Spa is located in the luxury Radisson Sas Palace hotel, right across from the tourist office. We had lunch at the brasserie. Unfortunately not all the dishes listed were available. We ate very well, nevertheless. 

La Dolce Vita: very populair italian

La Dolce Vita: very populair italian, Spa

 tompt Says:  It was very busy in this restaurant on a friday night. This means it is a populair one. People were even waiting to get a table.Food was good, but we tought they tried to push too many people in too little space, which made the atmosphere not great. Not the place for a... 

Le Pavillon Chinois: Chinese kitch

Le Pavillon Chinois: Chinese kitch, Spa

 tompt Says:  In this restaurant you will be amazed by the decorations. An entire cave with wooden cranes and a waterfall.......All looking a bit tacky, but o so very chinese.The food was great, we really enjoyed it. Open:every day from 12:00-15:00 and 18:00-24:00 

Transportation  

Car, bus and trains will get you there
Pavlik_NL profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Pavlik_NL 3266 reviews
Nice park - great facades - in between a busy road

Driving in Spa is one thing, parking however another. The town has few parkingplaces in the town and the locals are really pissed off when tourists get crazy from the bad roadsigns and blunder on a crossroad or just wait a little to long (I've seen it happen twice!). One better parks well outside the centre and walk the way there or book an all inclusive healthcare-package and get there by train or bus. Most hotels have special parkingspots for their guests, which is also a solution to get rid of the car.

Written Aug 9, 2003

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Warnings and Dangers  

Use your fantasy to prevent disappointment
Pavlik_NL profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Pavlik_NL 3266 reviews
With a right angle you leave out the worst places

As already stated, Spa is badly managed and the citizens as well as governement have turned the town into quite a mess. Many buildings that could be monuments, are ruins and break down the towns general beauty. Please, do try to look through this neglectance and see that - with some good will and a proper management - Spa could be really a wonderful town and maybe even again ... the Spa that was the example of all bathing-towns of the world.

Written Aug 9, 2003

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Off The Beaten Path  

Spa and the Jugendstile

Spa and the Jugendstile, Spa

 Pavlik_NL Says:  Spa was placed many times in large Jugendstile posters. This because this particular style was rather popular in the time that Spa had it's golden age (around the 1900 century-change). As I liked the affiches I placed a few on this page for other fans of this Jugendstile. 

Visit the sources outside of town

Visit the sources outside of town, Spa

 Pavlik_NL Says:  It sounds strange to put this tip in the "off the beaten path"-section, but it seems that almost no-one is visiting anymore the public wells that are situated in the forests around Spa. Though one would say that here in Spa this is all what it is about, one will be surprised... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Lac de Warfaaz

Lac de Warfaaz, Spa

 tompt Says:  Great fishing in the Lac de Warfaaz. In this small lake there is a lot of fish for the anglers enjoyment. In total they put 3.400 kg fish in the lake. There is trout, salmon, carp, pikes and more. You need to have a permit. This permit can be obtained at the Spa tourist... 

waterbikes

waterbikes, Spa

 tompt Says:  Great with children is the waterbikes at Lac de Warfaaz. With sunny weather the small lake is the destination for families from Spa and surrounding areas. There are some restaurants and bars. Two have a playground for young children. And always populair on these days are the... 

Favorites  

Racetrack food at Francorchamps

Racetrack food at Francorchamps, Spa

 groover101 Says:  During racing season the circuit almost always has some type of activity and the snack stands have very good food. Grab yourself a hotdog and frites and wash it down with a tall Jupiler beer. Francorchamps also has a hotel and cafe named "The Racing Hotel" I have never eaten... 

Eating snow flakes in the swimming-pool

Eating snow flakes in the swimming-pool, Spa

 Bigjones Says:  I liked everything. Simply when you put your feet in the warm water (34°), you say : "wow, it feels so great". But my best feeling was in the outside swimming-pool, more exactly in the outside jaccuzi, when it began to snow. It was a bit surreal actually but so... 

the dilemma

the dilemma, Spa

 tompt Says:  The dilemma in Spa, what to drink. Belgium famous for its beer, and Spa famous for its water.In the restaurant of our hotel we ordered two beers (Jupiler pilsner) and a bottle of Spa.The price of the beer was 2.25 a glas, the bottle Spa water was 6 Euro. That means price... 

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