European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA)
European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA) is a network of historic spa towns committed to promoting thermal heritage and sustainable tourism. EHTTA works to safeguard and promote the unique cultural, architectural, and therapeutic heritage of its member towns. EHTTA is a membership organisation currently representing 50 members in 18 European countries and has two international partners in the USA and Brazil.
EHTTA was founded in 2009 with six Founding Members: Acqui Terme (Italy), Bath (UK), Ourense (Spain), Salsomaggiore Terme (Italy), Spa (Belgium) and Vichy (France). In 2010 it was certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and today is one of 48 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe which provide a wealth of leisure and educational activities for all citizens across Europe and beyond and are key resources for responsible tourism and sustainable development.
Since 2019 the association has been an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism. In September 2022, EHTTA signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Change in Tourism and a Memorandum of Understanding on Thermal Tourism with UNWTO. In the framework of this, the International Congress on Thermal Tourism
has been developed as bi-annual event.
Budapest Spas Baths in Budapest
Our company, Budapest Spas, is responsible for the operation of 13 baths in Budapest. Our visitors can choose from a wide variety on the right and left banks of the Danube. Our historical baths has got a special atmosphere: Széchenyi bath known as the spa palace, Gellért bath on the Buda side with a magical art nouveau style, the Lukács bath operated as a hospital in the Middle Ages, the original Turkish Rudas, Rác and Király baths. Our open-air baths are also full inthe summer, Palatinus bath is the most popular one, but the Római and Pünkösdürdő are also very beloved. Those who seek for healing and relax can visit the Pesterzsébeti, Dandár or Paskál baths which is considered the youngest in the capital.
We are definitely one of the most important attractions of Budapest tourism. Not only we think so, but we are also considered like this in the world, there is no tourist top sights list in which we are not included. In 2020, among the 25 most beautiful spas in the world two of our spas were ranked highly
(Széchenyi 2nd, Gellért 10th) based on the opinion of Instagram users. In 2023, as the largest spa in Europe and the third largest in the world, Széchenyi was added to the British Daily Mirror weekly list of the best and most beautiful thermal spas in Europe, along with spas in Iceland, England, France, Greece and Switzerland. Spa Seekers evaluated Széchenyi bath as the 2nd most relaxing place in Europe based on online travel reviews and mentions.
Nowadays thermal baths in Budapest are unmissable when visiting the city. The medicinal water, the spa culture and the architectural values of the spas together offer an unforgettable unique experience for every visitor. We welcome everyone for an unforgettable bath in Budapest who just wants to relax, unwind, heal or simply enjoy our baths, because as Hippocrates, the promoter of natural remedies, said: “…water is the best”!
Ensana Hotels
The International Congress on Thermal Tourism 2025 is organized with the strong support of Ensana Hotels. The company’s venues Ensana Grand Hotel and Ensana Thermal Hotel Margaret Island, Budapest, will host the welcome reception as well as the conference over two days.
At Ensana we offer a truly unique opportunity for your health and happiness. Our wide collection of spa hotels celebrates the power of natural resources for your physical wellbeing and emotional balance. We combine the healing properties of thermal and mineral waters, muds and other natural assets with a history of proven medical expertise and modern diagnostic methods. And we share this with guests in historic places of culture and beauty in seven destinations across Europe. Whether you want to treat a condition, or prevent one; whether you want to regenerate, simply take time out or enjoy a healthy family holiday, we have an option for you. We can tailor our programmes to meet your specific needs. There is nowhere else quite like Ensana. Reward yourself with the gift of health and happiness… naturally.