Banovci Thermal Spa

The Pomurje region in the northeast of Slovenia lies over a deep basin of hot water, and spas are one of its main attractions. Banovci Thermal Spa is one of the smaller and quieter of them, in the village of Banovci near Veržej, in the part of Pomurje known as Prlekija, a gentle landscape of wooded hills, fields and orchards beside the Mura. The surroundings are rural and calm, far from industrial centres, and the spa is designed around that quiet. It offers a more relaxed alternative to the big resort complexes elsewhere, and its pools, saunas and treatments fit easily into a day or a short stay.

The water comes from deep boreholes that tap thermal aquifers in the old sediments of the Pannonian basin, once the floor of a vast inland sea. It reaches the surface warm and rich in minerals, and it is used both for bathing and for treatments. The spa promotes it as having a link to the geological past of the region, and local tradition values it for easing aches and for general wellbeing. Visitors with medical conditions or who are pregnant should ask a doctor before long soaking, as with any thermal bath. The complex has several pools of different temperature, some outdoor and some indoor, with regular water and water of a more medicinal kind, and it is suitable for swimming, soaking and relaxing, as well as for children, who generally have their own shallow area.

A distinctive feature is the Prleška savna, a sauna centre in the style of the Prlekija region, where sauna masters lead daily programmes of heat and steam, often with aromas, scrubs and ritual elements. The spa also offers massages and treatments, with packages for couples, families and older visitors that combine bathing with accommodation, meals and excursions such as honey tasting or wine tasting. Check which packages are currently available and what they include, as offers change with the season. Entry arrangements, prices and opening hours vary, so check before travelling and book ahead for treatments and for peak periods.

The setting is good for walks and bike rides. Paths lead through the countryside and along the Mura, and the quiet roads are ideal for cycling. The spa fits easily into a wider tour of the area. Banovci Natural Bathing Sites is the part of the complex with a more natural character, Hotel Bioterme Mala Nedelja is another spa in the region, and the Island Of Love On The Mura River (Ižakovci), Časar's Mill, the Fine Lušt Homestead and the Otter Centre AQUALUTRA in Križevci na Goričkem offer other things to see. Razkrižje holds the Slovenia Green Destination Bronze Label, the Steirer Bridge (Mur Pedestrian Bridge) leads to Austria, and Tasting Wines And Sparkling Wines In Gornja Radgona rounds off a trip.

It suits couples, families and anyone looking for a quiet soak. The deep water is a legacy of the Pannonian Sea that once covered the region.