Barcelona is a city of the lean, the bronzed and the beautiful.
Each year around May, citywide playas transform into one sheening mass of abs and perfectly formed curves, the altars of Barceloneta feverishly crammed by devout worshippers to the supreme gods of sunshine, general attractiveness and the horn.

Contemplating the Spanish all-round love of life and seeming incapacity to ever be satiated by enough sol, sangria and… siestas, I suppose it is interesting to consider why they have never really been great spa-goers.

Of course, each spring beckons the great Operación Bikini, with women and men (this is the Mediterranean) across the country making a desperate clamor for the nearest gym, pool and beauty salon to be whipped, stripped and honed to within an inch of their lives in the name of beauty. But spas as relaxing centres to pamper and indulge are only just starting to appear on the map here.

Original spas here were the ancient, invigorating Balnearios Termales. Towards the end of the twentieth century however, they were becoming somewhat dreary, crumbling establishments used solely for medicinal purposes, the objective being to bring recovery by means of endurance and light self-flagellation as opposed to relaxation by means of an Offerings from Heaven facial.

Now that people are flooding in from all corners of the world, Barcelona has seen a fresh influx of world-class spas, many residing in five star hotels. Along with this swift internationalization, the Spanish are also realigning their ideas of spas as centres for relaxation and enjoyment.

DestinationBCN recently spent the day exploring the city’s finest offerings for your perusal (it’s a hard life) and was more than pleasantly surprised to discover an ample range of spaces to pamper and preen. Here is our own hand-picked selection.


Aire de Barcelona

These ancient Roman baths in the heart of the Born district have been lovingly restored to provide an indulgent and relaxing spa experience for early birds and night owls alike – the place is open from 8am until 2am.

The Hammam style baths employ the ancient practice of bathing in several pools, working through a circuit of cool and warm waters, steam and hot stone massages. The benefits of hot and cold baths have been extolled for centuries and include better circulation, increased energy and an overall feeling of invigoration.

The intimate atmosphere of vaulted stone, candles, steam, marble and incense are a heady combination and the ideal setting for a relaxing aromatherapy massage. Prices range from 28€ for the thermal bath (including aromatherapy) up to 125€ for a full Argan ritual. Other treatments include personalized anti-stress massages and Hammam exfoliations.


Aire de Barcelona
Paseo Picasso, 22
Tel: 932 955 743
www.airedebarcelona.com


Bliss at the W Hotel

This New York cult brand recently arrived in the striking W Hotel by Barceloneta beach, bringing a pristine and almost pharmaceutical approach to your spa experience in Barcelona. In true New York style, everything about the service here is complete and coordinated flawlessly, from the tea and nibbles as you wait (catering for all diets – olives, slices of cucumber or chunks of brownie? I´ll plump for the latter, but it´s nice to know the cucumber’s there), to the fully equipped changing rooms and comprehensive menu of treatments.

The spa menu ranges from the famous “triple oxygen” facial to slimming body treatments, both with a plethora of optional add-ons, massages, hair removal, and treatments for men.


BlissSpa W Hotel
Plaça de la Rosa dels Vents, 1
Tel: 932 95 28 58


SpaciOmm

The small but perfectly formed OMM spa combines ancient philosophies with state of the art technology to soothe both mind and body, and offers a variety of treatments including Thai, Chinese, Ayurvedic and even underwater massages. Wooden mats, running water and charcoal tones abound, lending an eastern ambiance to the place. Other far-out treatments range include gravitational beds with colour and light therapy and a decadent Inca chocolate ritual. All products are 100% natural, from their Egyptian hot marble massage bed to the vegetable fibre body brushes.

Spaciomm at the Hotel Omm
C/ Roselló, 265
Tel: 934 45 40 00
www.hotelomm.es
The full list of spa treatments

YHI Spa at the ME Hotel

Calm, tranquility and escapism is the order of the day here. In a similar vein to the SpaciOmm, the YHI spa is a soothing oasis of plump cushions, mystical music and wafts of exotic aromas. “Personal Spa Valets” will guide you through an eclectic array of Carribean, Aztec and Hawaiian inspired massages. This spa focuses on luxurious bodily massages and rituals, which begin at 118€ for 50 minutes.

YHI Spa at the ME Hotel
Pere IV, 272-286
www.me-barcelona.com

- See the full list of spa treatments at the ME hotel

A mà Teràpies is a true urban oasis, set on a pedestrian street in the Eixample area, offering a variety of relaxing treatments including massages, facials, emotional therapies and beauty treatments. The philosophy behind the centre is to offer rebalancing, de-stressing, complementary therapies that enhance wellbeing and relaxation. Treatments must be booked in advance, are tailored to suit invidual requirements and carried out by a professional, competent team of holistic practitioners. Aromatherapeutic, Ayurvedic, Body Buffer, Polarity, Hot and Cold Stone and Therapeutic massages, Acupuncture, and Cranio-Sacral treatments feature among the diverse range of procedures. Yoga, pilates and other classes are also offered. A mà Teràpies is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10.00h to 22.00h, and from 10.00h to 18.00h on Sundays and gift vouchers are available.

A mà Teràpies
Calle Enric Granados, 23, 2ª 2
Phone: +34 93 451 65 72
www.amaterapies.org

The Anahata Centre for Yoga and Holistic therapies has earned its reputation as a renowned organization offering great, detail-orientated and caring service. Choose from: Swedish Massage, Polarity Therapy, Chiro- Massage, Sports Massage, Traditional Chinese Massage (Tui Na), Reflexology, Pre-and Post Natal Massage, Acupuncture and Shiatsu. Sessions range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and house calls are available. Core Synchronism sessions are also available at the centre, and involve a subtle therapy, which works with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid within the body and relaxes the patient while toning the nervous system. Depression, anxiety, insomnia, migraines and a whole host of other disorders can be effectively treated with this procedure. Yoga classes, alternative courses and events are also offered. Opening times vary, so call ahead for an appointment.

Anahata Barcelona
Calle Aribau 61
Phone: +34 605 656 738
www.anahata-bcn.com

Essence offers a great selection of massage treatments such as Acupuncture, Ayurvedic treatments, Chiro-massage, Thai massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, and Lymphatic Drainage. This friendly, helpful centre offers peaceful surroundings, experienced staff and great value treatments, starting from 25 euros for a 30-minute session. Essence also features Reconnection Therapy sessions based on US doctor Eric Pearl’s technique of healing energy work through rebalance along the body’s meridian (acupuncture) lines. Conferences, workshops and yoga classes and courses also take place at this centre. Essence is open Mondays to Fridays, from 10.00h to 21.00h, Wednesdays from 10.00h to 20.00h, and Saturdays from 10.00h to 14.00h

Essence Barcelona
Calle Caballero 87
Phone: +34 933 638 358
www.essence-barcelona.com

The Mukta Cinic offers numerous natural health therapies and alternative courses, with attentive English speaking practitioners. Massage and therapy sessions last from 30 to 90 minutes and an initial appointment involves a careful case study and examination in order to assess patients’ individual needs and offer suitable treatment. Natural health treatments include: Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Bach Flower Remedies, Cranial Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Massage, Nutrition / Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Reflexology and Reiki and Alternative classes include Alexander Technique, Pilates, Tai Chi and Yoga. Courses are also offered and opening hours are Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 10pm.

Mukta Natural Health Clinic
Calle Consell de Cent 265, Pral 2ª
Phone: +34 93 451 5415
www.muktaclinic.com

Shiatsu Assari opened in Madrid in 1999, and was the pioneering centre for Shiatsu therapies in Spain. Now there are centres in Barcelona and Valencia, all of which follow the Assari ethic of effective, high-quality, personalized service in a relaxing environment. Treatments include Shiatsu, Acupuncture. Physiotherapy/Osteopathy, Lymphatic Drainage and Anma (a Japanese massage technique similar to Shiatsu.) The centre incorporates The Back School, which offers an hour-long assessment using state of the art software and advice on realignment of the back, helping to correct posture and avoid back-pain; this procedure costs 78 euros. Sessions can be bought individually, or in blocks of 3, 5 or 10. Therapeutic kits can also be purchased and business service is offered, where practitioners visit company offices and treat employees to help alleviate stress and promote wellbeing.

Shiatsu Assari
Calle Mallorca 273
Phone: +34 932 722 978
www.shiatsu-assari.com

I have a hard life as a writer. (Cue violin sonata…) I woke up on Monday morning, put the cat on and the kettle out, and was rudely interrupted while reading the paper by a call from my boss demanding that I go investigate the city’s best Spas.

So I did. 

I toiled and troubled and boiled and bubbled in the name of finding the quintessential dipping spots Barcelona has to offer, to bring you the best of my findings via this blog. Pity me, pretty please…

Six Senses Spa, Hotel Arts Barcelona

Set on the 42 and 43rd floors of this stylish modern hotel right by the beach, with views out over the ocean, you’ll find the Six Senses Spa. This place is truly from another world: embracing the philosophy of Balancing Senses. Treatments include: The Art of Stone therapy, and the namesake Six Senses Sensory Journey, which I decided to give a whirl. Remember to clear a space in your agenda for this one… Two therapists will thoroughly pamper you for over 2 hours, using the sublimely soft-scented Sodashi natural product line, and you’ll float on air for days afterwards. Aromatherapy and beauty services are also available by appointment.

Six Senses Spa, Hotel Arts

Carrer de la Marina 19-21, Barcelona 08005, Spain
Tel: +34 93 221 1000, Fax: +34 93 221 1070
www.sixsenses.com

O3 Thermal Centre

The O3 Thermal Centre has so many great treatments, I’m going to buy a waterproof laptop stand and bloomin’ well move in. Thermal baths, Vichy and Scottish shower treatments (I don’t mean a Glaswegian downpour), a hydro-massage bath, mud treatments and sub-aquatic massages with algae and essential oils are among the water sports, and 5 beauty cabins offer a host of ample pampering treatments. I went for a holistic massage with volcanic stones, and a paraffin hydrating facial… and positively wafted out of the place on a cloud. Combination packages include the Exotic Ceylon massage, which involves a body peel with oriental resins, herbs and spices, and the Multi-Sensorial Odyssey: An all-over exfoliation and an obsequies stone treatment, which is a ritual every part as divine as it sounds. Open 10am to 9pm Monday to Saturday.

O3 Thermal Centre

C/ Alfonso XII, 7 bajos
08006 Barcelona

Tel: 93 202 22 58
www.o3termal.com

The Aqua Diagonal Wellness Centre

Who says Spas are just for girls? The Aqua Diagonal Wellness Centre actively encourages male visitors, with special offers on Father’s Day, and a wide range of treatments for himself. Personalized programmes, combining any of the spa treatments such as hydro or sub-aquatic massage, with beauty treatments such as an absolute Hydration or Just for Him, facials, hairdressing or styling and a scrumptious light bite in the café. I indulged in a heaven-scented, anti-oxidizing grape polyphenol bath treatment and a Dead-Sea body wrap, before gliding off to the café for a celebratory salad and a fruit juice. Who needs the real world anyway? The Aqua Diagonal is open Mondays to Fridays from 7.00h to 22.30h, Saturdays from 9.00h to 22.00h and Sundays and holidays from 9.00h to 20.00h.

The Aqua Diagonal Wellness Centre
Avda. Joan XXIII,
08028 Barcelona
Tel. 93 330 63 66
www.aquadiagonal.com

Flotarium

Wanna go all the way? Submerge yourself in one of the flotation tanks at the Flotarium. An hour-long session in this zero-gravity bath, replicates the feeling of being in the womb, and encourages profound relaxation, promotes circulation, reduces stress and can produce pain relief. The Flotarium itself is a 2.5 x 1.6m bath filled with 600 litres of water and 300kg of Epsom salts, to create a buoyancy similar to that of the Dead Sea. I’ve gotta tell you folks, I was a wee bit cautious at first, stepping into a bath in a semi-dark room, wearing only the suit I was born in. Thankfully there were two controllable lights, some optional chill-out music, and good ventilation, so I didn’t feel claustrophobic in the slightest. I came out all warm and tingly, without a care in the world and slept like a baby afterwards: Do it, I say. Sessions cost 35 Euros for an hour’s flotation, or 90 euros for 3 sessions (gift vouchers also available,) There are two Flotarium centres in Barcelona, each with 3 Flotariums and both open 10.00 to 22.00h, 7 days a week, including public holidays.

Flotarium Centres:
Plaza Narcís Oller, 3
Tel: 93 217 36 37

Calle Valencia, 160
Tel: 93 453 81 99

www.flotarium.com