The ABCs of the SPA for Beginners

Pubblicato il 11 febbraio 2026 alle ore 14:41

The ABCs of the SPA for Beginners: Your Guide to a Perfect First Time

Have you booked your stay in Montegrotto Terme, the heart of well-being, but the idea of facing a thermal center for the first time makes you a little anxious? We understand you perfectly! Entering a world of steamy pools, treatments with mysterious names, and precise rituals can seem intimidating. But that is exactly why we wrote this guide. Consider it your expert friend who takes you by the hand and explains everything, from beginning to end. The goal of a day at the SPA is only one: to relax and regenerate. Follow our advice and you will feel at ease from the very first moment.

Before Leaving: Preparation (It’s already relaxation!)

Book in Advance: Especially on weekends, the most requested treatments (massages, specific muds) go fast. Booking earlier ensures you get the experience you want. Thermal centers often offer half-day or full-day tickets, and treatments (mud, massages) are usually separate. Check the website of the chosen thermal center or ask Casa Luna for advice.
What to Put in Your Bag:
- Swimsuit: Essential for common pools. Yes, in Italy, it is customary to wear a swimsuit in all shared areas.
- Slippers and Bathrobe: Many centers provide them, but having your own can be more comfortable and hygienic.
- Change of underwear: After treatments and showers, it is pleasant to put on something dry.
- Beauty products: Hair conditioner (thermal water can sometimes dry it out) and your favorite moisturizing cream.
- Water bottle: Hydrating is fundamental!

Arrival at the SPA: The First Things to Do

As soon as you arrive, head to the reception. Here, the functioning of the center will be explained to you, they will give you a map and, often, an electronic bracelet to open the lockers. Ask all the questions you want! There are no silly questions. The first step is always to reach the changing room to change. Put your things in the locker and put on your swimsuit and bathrobe. Now you are ready to start.

The Heart of the Experience: Thermal Rituals

Here are the things you will probably find and how to approach them.

1. Shower First of All

It is a golden hygienic rule. Always take a quick shower before entering any pool or tub. You will remove creams, sweat, and prepare the skin for the thermal water.

2. Thermal Pools (Whirlpool, Waterfall Jets...)

What they are: Tubs with hot water (usually between 32° and 36°C) enriched with whirlpools, water jets to massage shoulders and back, and waterfall paths.
How to use them: Enter slowly to get used to the temperature. Start with a stay of 10-15 minutes. Do not overdo it! Leaving when you feel a bit of tiredness is the rule. Alternate the heat of the tub with brief cold showers to reactivate circulation.
Bonus for Montegrotto: Your pools are outdoors. Enjoy the magical contrast between the heat of the water and the fresh air, especially in winter!

3. Thermal Muds

What they are: A natural treatment par excellence. Mud matured with thermal water is applied to the body (usually by an operator) for its powerful beneficial effects on muscles, joints, and skin.
How to use them: After application, you expose yourself to heat to promote "guided sweating." It is then rinsed with lukewarm water jets. It is an intense treatment, perfect for those suffering from joint pain or muscular stress.

4. Turkish Bath and Sauna

What they are: These are the heat rooms. The Turkish Bath (or Hammam) has a humid and less intense heat, great for purifying the respiratory tract and the skin. The Sauna has a dry and very high heat, ideal for detox and deep muscle relaxation.
The Golden Rules:
- Time: Never stay for more than 10-15 consecutive minutes.
- Respect: Enter in silence; it is a place of relaxation.
- Naked or in a swimsuit? In Italy, normally, you wear a swimsuit in the public sauna. Wrapped in a towel for hygiene. Always check the center's regulations.
- After: Always take a cold shower or a dip in the cold water pool to tone the skin and close the pores.

5. Massages and Wellness Treatments

If you have booked a massage, the operator will come to call you. Here, only one rule applies: communicate. If the pressure is too strong or too light, if you are hot or cold, talk about it. The treatment is tailor-made for you.

The Unwritten Rules (for a stress-free SPA)

Silence is Well-being: Speak in a low voice. The sound of the water and ambient music are the right soundtrack.
Phone off: It's time to disconnect. Leave the phone in the locker.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after thermal treatments.
Listen to your body: It is the most important rule. If you feel tired, fatigued, or hot, stop. Lie down on a chaise-longue and rest. It is not a race.

After the SPA: How to Prolong the Magic

At the end of your session, allow yourself some rest. Drink a hot tea or an herbal tea. Avoid intense efforts. In the evening, you will notice a pleasant tiredness that will give you a deep and regenerating sleep.

Is the SPA for Everyone?

Yes, but with some precautions. Those who have heart problems, high or low blood pressure, are pregnant, or have other pathologies, should always consult their doctor before undergoing thermal treatments.

And after the SPA? Relaxation continues at Casa Luna

After a day of pure well-being, what is better than returning to a welcoming and familiar environment? At Casa Luna, your holiday home in Montegrotto, you can continue to enjoy the tranquility. Prepare an herbal tea, relax in the garden or on your private terrace, and let the benefits of the spas settle in your body and mind. Book your regenerating stay at Casa Luna and experience the magic of the Euganean Spas!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What if I am ashamed of my body? In all common areas people wear swimsuits and the atmosphere is one of total non-judgment. Everyone is focused on their own relaxation.
I have tattoos, can I do mud treatments or the sauna? In general, yes, but it is always better to ask the thermal center for specific rules and wait until they are completely healed.
Will I get bored? Absolutely not! Time flies between one thermal path and another. You can bring a book for the break moments, but the real experience is listening to your own body.
How long should I stay in the sauna or Turkish bath? The golden rule is not to exceed 10-15 consecutive minutes and always listen to your body's signals.
Do you have other questions about your first SPA experience? Write to us! We will be happy to help you organize your perfect day of well-being at the Spas of Montegrotto.