Thermal Spas Of Aargau

Aargau is one of the main spa regions of Switzerland, and several of its towns owe their history and their character to hot springs and mineral water. The best known are Baden, Bad Zurzach, Rheinfelden and Schinznach-Bad, each with its own style of bathing and its own story. Visiting one or more of them is a classic way to spend a day in northern Switzerland, and they are all within easy reach of Zürich and Basel by train.

Baden is the oldest and the most famous. The town lies in the valley of the Limmat, and its springs emerge at a temperature of around 47 degrees Celsius, among the hottest thermal waters in Switzerland. The Romans built a bathing town here, which they called Aquae Helveticae, and the tradition continued through the Middle Ages, when the town was a fashionable resort for visitors from across Europe. Today the baths are concentrated in a district beside the river, where a new thermal bath called Fortyseven, designed by the architect Mario Botta, opened in the early 2020s alongside older hotels and historic bathhouses. The pools include indoor and outdoor basins, steam rooms and saunas, and a rooftop pool with views of the town. The old town of Baden, with its medieval streets, covered bridge and castle ruin, makes a pleasant addition.

Bad Zurzach, on the Rhine in the north of the canton, has a different history. Its thermal spring was discovered in the twentieth century during a search for salt, and it has since grown into a spa town with a large thermal complex, specialised clinics and a quiet, small-town atmosphere. The town also has a historic church, the Verenamünster, which is a pilgrimage site connected to Saint Verena. The baths here offer a mix of indoor and outdoor pools, with different temperatures, and some wellness areas include saunas and relaxation zones.

Rheinfelden, also on the Rhine, is known for its brine. Salt was found under the town in the nineteenth century, and the brine baths use this strongly mineral water for bathing and treatment, which gives them a distinct quality compared with the thermal waters of the other towns. Schinznach-Bad, further inland on the Aare, uses sulphurous water and has a long tradition as a health resort.

All these spas are open through the year, and they offer day tickets, evening tickets and treatments such as massage. Many have rules on swimming costumes, towels and children's age, so check the details on the operator's website. Weekends and holidays can be crowded, and weekday mornings are quieter. The thermal baths suit couples, friends and anyone who wants a restful day, and they combine well with a walk in the old towns. Allow at least half a day for a visit and bring a towel and flip-flops, although many spas also rent them. If you have health conditions, it is wise to ask a doctor before spending a long time in hot water.