The spa resort of Abano Terme is a peaceful spot at the foot of the Euganean Hills. It is a place where relaxation is a way of life. Recharge with mud treatments and in thermal pools and by exploring green hills dotted with castles, hamlets and walled towns.
Abano Terme has a long history as a spa town. Romans used to come here 2,000 years ago to bathe in its warm waters. On entering the town, you will see a sign that declares: “Welcome. Please avoid disturbing noises.” Visitors pay heed to the advice as they surrender their bodies to a range of therapies.
Take your pick from the dizzying array of treatments on offer in the town’s many hotels. There are indoor and outdoor thermal pools, steam baths, saunas, aromatherapy treatments and much more.
As well as blissful relaxation, put sightseeing on your to-do list. Visit the Grand Hotel Orologio, built in the year 1700. Admire its neoclassical façade, an early 19th-century addition. See the collection of theatre masks at the International Museum of Amleto and Donato Sartori Masks. Go over to the Hotel Trieste & Victoria, which was used by Italian military command during World War I.
As you wander through the squares and pedestrian areas, pause by the many fountains. Go to piazza Cristoforo Colombo for its grand statue and fountain dedicated to the famous explorer.
Abano Terme’s spas and treatment centers are not the only places where you can unwind. The Euganean Hills are distinguished by their gentle slopes and there are numerous trails through the area. Stroll along paths among chestnut and oak trees.
Take a scenic drive through the hills, stopping off at some of its sites of interest, including the medieval hamlet of Arquà Petrarca, the Botanical Garden of Padua and Monselice, a walled town.
To get to Abano Terme, arrive at Marco Polo Airport in Venice and travel west for 37.3 miles (60 kilometres). Then enjoy a laid-back holiday with spa treatments and sightseeing tours through the countryside.
