Relaxed in Barca: Barcelona’s best spas

Spas can sometimes suffer from being tucked away in a dimly lit basement. Not so at The Arts Hotel. A long-term player in the Barcelona hospitality scene, this hotel has had more than a few years to perfect its ambience, service and spa experience. And, no surprises here, it really shows. You’ll find the spa on the top two floors of a coastal skyscraper. So expect to take in some sea views – along with a better than average cityscape. Chic and popular, the infinity pool is accessorised with a vast sculpture – very much setting the tone for The Arts hotel. Prices aren’t cheap here – but the experience comes with the opportunity to sample Michelin star level gelato and pick up some self-care tips at regular masterclasses.

You wouldn’t expect to find a 100% eco-friendly, organic and sustainable resort on nature reserve in Barcelona. And, well, you’d be right. But, bear with us. Just a 20-minute drive from the city, you’ll find Mas Salagros an eco-resort with a spa circuit provided by Aire Ancient Baths. Plus, your experience will include a dip in ‘the bath of a thousand jets’. Impressive stuff. Farmhouse chic, scented candles, water therapy, steam room and massage sounds like a basic offering. But the out-of-the-city setting lifts it into bliss territory.

Vegans in Barcelona may as well contemplate a permanent move here. Not only are your plant-based needs more than met in the many, many restaurants, but now you can be ethically pampered too. Spain’s first vegan spa can be found in the Yurbban Passage Hotel. A white-washed and calming spot, Signature Spa’s beauty products are all vegan and organic. Which is great – but do the massages and treatments hold their own with non-vegan rivals? In short, yes. Their Mediterrean Energy Lifting treatment is award-winning and the views from the, albeit small, rooftop pool aren’t too shabby either.

Fish spas have had quite the rise and fall in popularity. This spa in the old town has kept its tanks – but the ever-nibbling freshwater fish are backed up by a solid stable of treatments. Which means a fish pedicure – or manicure, is entirely optional. Facials, peels and full body massages turn the AquaBliss spa into a credible spa option – instead of what could be a decidedly fishy gimmick. It’s not as luxurious as some others on our list – but ideal if your aching feet could do with a break from exploring. Dip them in the tanks or treat yourself to a foot massage. The choice is yours.

If you’re in the city to reignite a flame, celebrate an anniversary or are in the midst of a whirlwind romance, 1850 Urban Spa Barcelona is the place for you. Their two hour Love Experience includes a massage, a bottle of cava, Godiva chocolates and private use of the water circuit for an hour. Actually, regardless of your relationship status – at €199 it’s worth it. For another €100 you can complete the experience with a sushi platter, though Barcelona’s dining scene is so good, you might want to explore other less-scented candlelit spots.

In certain circles, Thai massage has been likened to lazy man’s yoga. But, don’t expect to flump on a massage table and wake up an hour later feeling floaty and refreshed. Yes, you’ll reap some benefits but you’ll also be stretched, rocked and pulled about by an experienced masseuse to unwind any knots you’re carrying. And the staff here are some of the best, relocated from some of Asia’s best spas – this is as authentic as it gets – outside of Thailand. If your Barcelona flight has left you feeling a little desiccated, it’s hard not to be tempted by this spa’s body hydration wrap.