For a new generation of travelers, Abano Terme —nestled at the foot of the Euganean Hills, 10 km from Padua and just under an hour from Venice—is no longer merely a secluded retreat for those seeking only peace and quiet and wellness. Today, the spa district presents itself in a new light, defined by three words Simple yet powerful: spas, the local area, and eco-friendly tourism. Three elements that are reshaping the landscape of a historic destination, making it surprisingly contemporary.
The thermal baths, first and foremost, remain the beating heart of the experience. But we must set aside the somewhat outdated image of a therapeutic stay: here and now, active wellness has become the cornerstone of a sensory, preventive, therapeutic, and lifestyle experience. The steaming pools become urban backdrops, meeting places where even the youngest guests gather between a dip and an aperitif, striking a successful balance between prevention and recovery, body care, and the pleasure of taking time to slow down.
This is one of the key goals for 2026, as announced by Mayor Federico Barbierato, which reaffirms the future vision and development prospects for the region—a vision that has seen alpine skier Sofia Goggia take to the slopes as an ambassador. Young people and athletes alike benefit from the precious thermal waters, both for preventive care and for their well-known anti-inflammatory effects—as do the Fiamme Oro team and young people involved in competitive sports. Here, wellness takes on a new, fast-paced rhythm for those who cycle, play soccer, run, and practice sports. And Europe’s oldest spa resort has no intention of growing old.
T: Abano’s Thermal Springs and Historical Heritage
Already known in the days of ancient thermalism, the remarkable intrinsic properties of these salsobromoiodic waters represent Abano’s tradition and historical legacy. In an era in which the pursuit of all scientific evidence—which forms an integral part of the healthcare system—serves as the foundation for accurate information, this pursuit points toward the advancement of important goals. The result? On the one hand, contributing to longevity—that is, raising awareness of a healthier lifestyle with a direct focus on prevention and significant reductions in social and healthcare costs in old age—and, on the other hand, consolidating research in thermal medicine offered to an increasingly younger audience, at a destination that, by its very nature, has always dedicated its services to combining tradition and innovation in the name of well-being. Well-being here is not static. It brings extraordinary benefits for muscle and joint recovery thanks to mud therapy, hydrotherapy with salsobromoiodic water that dissolves lactic acid, and mud treatments combined with sports massage that ensure full recovery.
T: Territory
Abano is worth the trip not only for its unique setting—a green landscape that unfolds like a fan around the Euganean Hills Regional Park—but also for its mix of volcanic hills, ancient cities, historic villages, Venetian villas, and places of worship. It’s an explicit invitation to active tourism, capable of attracting a generation seeking authenticity and a slower pace of life. And along the way, some iconic sites are not to be missed, such asthe Abbey of Praglia, with its Renaissance cloister suspended in silence, paired columns, overlapping loggias, and a harmonious geometry that stretches to the horizon—it is not merely a place, but the embodiment of the “Ora et Labora” rule, put into practice by the 35 Benedictine monks and Abbot Stefano Visentin. The monk—who is also abbot of the Abbey of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice and a scholar of astrophysics—is the driving force behind numerous initiatives, such as the workshop for the restoration of ancient manuscripts and books, the library—now a municipal facility open to the public—which houses 120,000 volumes; artisan workshops such as herbal shops where herbal teas, honey, and liqueurs are produced; the cosmetics workshop, the cultivation of olive trees for oil production, and the vineyards yielding over 70,000 bottles of red and white wines from the Euganean Hills—produced using natural, eco-friendly methods and aged in the Abbey’s historic barrel cellar. Notable wines include Ex Alto: a Classic Method rosé sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir and aged for 36 months on the lees; Emeritus Extra Brut, a white wine made from Raboso grapes; and Domus Abbas Extra Brut, often made from Chardonnay grapes using the traditional method. It is also possible to stay at the Abbey, either to engage in spiritual exercises or to participate in the Abbey’s numerous artisanal and daily activities. https://praglia.it/
Just a few kilometers, and the road begins to climb. Upon arriving in Luvigliano di Torreglia , Villa dei Vescovi stands out as a seamless continuum between inside and outside, between interiors and loggias that interact with nature—the rolling hills, the trees, and the colors. In the Chamber of the Seasons, commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Pisani, the gaze travels from left to right along the entire frescoed wall, and the landscape glimpsed through the window takes shape in a subtle interplay of references between interior and exterior, in a work by Lambert Sustris painted around 1542, which becomes complete and in harmony with nature. Alvise Cornaro envisioned it as a vacation retreat to “live in good health.” A former Roman domus, donated to the FAI in 2005 and open to the public, where upon entering one feels an urge to stay—to read, meditate, and leisurely observe the hills, the vineyards, the garden, and the orchard (the fenced-in cultivated area). It is also possible to stay overnight—a true privilege—on the top floor, by reservation only. https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/villa-dei-vescovi
On the way back from the hills to Abano, Villa Bassi Rathgeb is an elegant museum-residence that blends art and history. The villa, built by Giovanni Antonio Secco between 1566 and 1577, still preserves some original frescoes, while its 16th-century layout was remodeled in the 18th century. It became the property of the noble Paduan family, the Dondi dell’Orologio, who had the road between the villa and the thermal baths built in 1776. Its current name pays homage to the Bergamo-based art collector Roberto Bassi Rathgeb, who in 1972 bequeathed his art collection—consisting mainly of paintings and furnishings—to the municipality. The villa now serves as a cultural center and the home of the Civic Museum (Civic Art Gallery and Municipal Gallery of Contemporary Art). Visitors can admire approximately 500 works, including paintings from the schools of Tintoretto, Bellini, and Guardi—the great Venetian masters—as well as drawings and engravings, decorative arts and furnishings, sculptures, household objects, weapons, and archaeological artifacts. Thanks to careful artistic curation, the space—which houses prized works, including Giovanni Battista Moroni’s *Madonna and Child Enthroned* and the portrait of the Brescian painter Giacomo Ceruti, known as “il Pitocchetto”—it draws in travelers who are increasingly seeking authentic cultural experiences and direct engagement with local areas, transforming the site into a stimulating, ever-evolving space capable of connecting local identity with global cultural dialogue. https://www.museovillabassiabano.it/
T: Eco-Sustainable Active Tourism
Eco-sustainable tourism isn’t just a label—it’s a widespread practice. This is where the destination shifts gears and becomes dynamic: the bicycle becomes the ideal way to explore vineyards, trails, and back roads along the bike path that winds through rolling hills and offers unexpected views. From sustainable transportation to lodging facilities that are increasingly mindful of their environmental impact, Abano Terme is building a hospitality model that looks to the future without compromising its identity. It is concrete sustainability—made up of small gestures and grand visions—that restores value to the landscape and makes it accessible with respect. Just as the town utilizes the waters that flow at high temperatures—around 87 degrees—each hotel has a thermal well monitored by the Region, allowing it to harness the excess heat to generate its own energy. With over 100 hotels and approximately 11,000 rooms, the hospitality and expertise of staff trained at specialized schools in the area ensure a high level of professionalism in all activities related to wellness, prevention, and physical and mental recovery.
The Hotel Trieste & Victoria GB Hotels Collection in Abano Terme is an integral part of the area’s history. Outside, the 36-degree thermal pool steams even in winter, surrounded by palm trees and exotic plants. Inside, the marble, stucco, and chandeliers have witnessed happy hours spent by guests from all over the world for over a century. The rooms are spacious and airy, with that fin-de-siècle charm that captivates thanks to the luxurious furnishings, free of minimalism. And then there’s the room—number 106. It was here that Gabriele D’Annunzio sealed his historic victory. It’s no legend: in 1918, the “Vate” was staying right here, between a flight to Vienna and a military campaign on the Piave. In that room, on that letterhead, he wrote the proclamation for Italy following the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. He called it “the greatest victory in history.” Today, Room 106 is not a museum; it’s a hotel room where you can stay. You can set your suitcase down where D’Annunzio once placed his personal belongings. The experience includes certified mud therapy, thermal and refreshing waters, personalized treatments, local cuisine, and a spectacular breakfast with a view of the garden.
In this way, Abano rediscovers itself as an inclusive, diverse destination that appeals to an audience open to new, dynamic, and varied experiences. And so, even young people—between bike rides through the hills and thermal baths—find a new balance: one that is less predictable and more attuned to the benefits related to health and well-being. A destination that is no longer limited to simply providing treatment, but invites visitors to prevent illness and maintain optimal physical condition while simultaneously appreciating the slow pace of life. An invitation to discover a region that offers so much in terms of relaxation, culture, history, nature, and hospitality—with the added bonus of culinary delights.
Dining with History
Osteria Al Filò – Abano Terme (PD)
The place where people gathered at sunset to chat, to spend time together, and where the women spun yarn was the barn—known as the “Filò,” a name that evokes the community life of that era. Today, the historic barn, dating back to the 1800s, has been skillfully restored and welcomes guests in its interior rooms and, during the summer months, on the porch and in the pleasant garden. Guests can enjoy traditional Venetian dishes such as bigoli with duck sauce, mezze maniche with farm-raised meat ragù, and specialties created by the chef. www.osteriaalfilo.com
Enotrattoria da Serafino – Torreglia (PD)
Three generations and a trattoria run by the founder, Serafino Baù, and his three sons—Alberto, Matteo, and Giacomo—who work alongside their mother, Michela, Serafino’s wife, who is the mastermind behind the dessert recipes, such as the famous apple cake with pastry cream. Diners come for the excellent traditional cuisine, which honors local ingredients. Notable dishes include homemade pasta, recipes featuring white asparagus and seasonal vegetables, and guinea fowl roulade with apple mostarda, all paired with wines from the Euganean Hills and other select wineries. Until recently, their grandmother also created recipes , including the tagliatelle served at Vescovi Bistrot—the family’s other restaurant, located inside Villa dei Vescovi in Torreglia. https://www.enotecasandaniele.com/
Naiade Restaurant – Abano Terme (PD)
In an intimate and elegant setting within the renowned Abano Grand Hotel, Naiade —which is set to open its doors to non-hotel guests as well—features the creations of Chef Andrea Rossetti, who was born and raised in the area. Through his extensive experience abroad, he has gathered secrets that he brings to life using primarily local products and ingredients. There are three tasting menus: “In the Courtyard,” “In the Venetian Lagoon,” and “In the Countryside,” each paired with a carefully curated selection of wines.
Osterie Meccaniche – Abano Terme (PD)
A Stop Along the Way. Loved by children, teens, and adults alike, this spacious venue captivates with its display of model motorcycles, race cars, sports cars, and vintage cars arranged around the tables. Be sure to try the “finger-licking good fried chicken,” as described on the menu, served with cacio e pepe potatoes, along with pizzas, burgers, grilled dishes, and much more. https://www.osteriemeccaniche.it/
Necessary Thrills
Colli Euganei Wine Route Wine Shop in Villa Vescovi – Torreglia (PD)
Whether by bike or car, after visiting the unique Villa dei Vescovi, be sure to enjoy a tasting of DOCG wines from the Euganean Hills at the on-site wine shop. Don’t leave without trying Colli Euganei Fior d’arancio—it pours like a sunset that never ends and is available in both dry and sweet varieties. Tastings are also offered in English and German. https://www.stradadelvinocollieuganei.it/schede/enoteca-strada-del-vino/
Luxardo Distillery – Torreglia (PD)
Just 10 minutes from Villa dei Vescovi and 15 minutes from Villa Bassi Rathgeb, it’s well worth the stop to visit the distillery and museum and sample Luxardo Maraschino—clear and dry—and Sangue Morlacco—thick and spicy. Tours are by reservation only and include tastings of gourmet specialties. https://www.luxardo.it/
