Where to stay in Spa & the Liège Ardennes: thermal town, F1 circuit and quiet villages

Few destinations in Belgium bring together such contrasting worlds as Spa. The town gave its name to the term ‘spa’ worldwide, as visitors have been travelling here for its healing thermal springs since as far back as the 14th century. At the same time, Spa-Francorchamps – one of the world’s most famous race tracks – is just a few minutes away. Surrounding both these landmarks lie the Liège Ardennes, with their wooded hills, river valleys, castle ruins and the famous Coo Waterfalls. From Cologne, you can reach the region in around 1 hour and 15 minutes. But where should you stay: right in Spa, near the racetrack, or perhaps in a quiet Ardennes village? This guide will help you decide.

Anyone looking for relaxation, thermal baths and a stylish weekend is in exactly the right place in Spa. The thermal baths of Spa are situated above the town and can be reached via a panoramic funicular railway. Added to this are the historic centre, the famous springs and the Casino de Spa, which opened as far back as 1763.

Motorsport fans, on the other hand, tend to head for Francorchamps, Stavelot or Malmedy. Every year, there is a huge surge in demand around the Formula 1 circuit. Especially for the Belgian Grand Prix, accommodation should be booked at least nine to twelve months in advance. Many visitors book specifically via the F1 Holiday Home Spa-Francorchamps website.

Families and nature lovers often prefer the quieter villages around Stoumont, Jalhay, Theux or Aywaille. Here, hiking trails, river valleys, castle ruins and the famous Coo waterfalls are right on your doorstep.

For wellness and couples

Spa is one of Belgium’s top destinations for a romantic weekend. After a visit to the Spa Thermal Baths, Belle Époque façades, cafés and restaurants invite you to take a leisurely stroll. The combination of wellness and nature is particularly appealing. Spend a few hours in the thermal baths in the morning, then head out in the afternoon for a walk along the Hoëgne or through the woods around Spa.

Many couples deliberately opt for a luxury holiday home in the Ardennes outside the town to combine privacy with views of the countryside. Accommodation with its own wellness area is also particularly in demand. Our article Private Spa in Belgium offers some inspiration on this. If you’d like to explore the region as a couple, you’ll find further ideas in the article ‘Romantic holiday in Belgium’.

For Formula 1 and motorsport fans

The best places to stay for a race weekend are Francorchamps itself, Stavelot, Sart-lez-Spa and the outskirts of Malmedy. From there, you can usually reach the circuit within ten to fifteen minutes. For the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August, there’s one clear rule: book early. Many accommodation options are already fully booked a year before the race.

If you’re travelling with a group of friends, you’ll find suitable group accommodation in the Ardennes, offering plenty of space for a race weekend together. For the widest choice, it’s worth taking a look at the F1 holiday homes in Spa-Francorchamps page.

The region is well worth a visit even outside the Grand Prix season. Track days, endurance races, historic events and the famous 24-hour races ensure a motorsport atmosphere almost all year round.

For families with children

Families will find plenty of places to visit around Spa without having to travel long distances all the time. The best-known attraction is the Coo Waterfalls, which are considered to be the largest in Belgium. Right next to them is the Plopsa Coo theme park, with attractions for younger children.

Aywaille is another good starting point. Here you’ll find nature reserves, kayaking opportunities and the Monde Sauvage Wildlife Park. Families also appreciate the quieter villages around Stoumont and Theux. There are often larger houses with gardens available there, offering considerably more space than accommodation in the town.

Particularly popular are a [holiday home in the Ardennes with an indoor pool] (https://www.casapilot.com/en/specials/ardennes-holiday-home-indoor-pool) and a holiday home in the Ardennes where dogs are welcome, so that all family members can enjoy their stay.

For walkers and nature lovers

The region is one of the most varied walking areas in Belgium. The Hoëgne Valley is one of the most beautiful river landscapes in the Ardennes and features numerous wooden footbridges along the water’s edge. Equally popular are the paths along the Amel, the hills around Sart-lez-Spa and the area around Jalhay.

Another highlight is the Franchimont castle ruins near Theux. This medieval fortress not only offers a fascinating history but also beautiful views of the surrounding forests.

Anyone looking specifically for walking routes will find plenty of suggestions in the article Walking in Spa-Francorchamps. The quieter villages are often cheaper than Spa itself and are ideal for longer stays in the countryside.

Things to do in the Spa region

The Spa region has much more to offer than just thermal baths and motor racing. Of course, the Spa thermal baths are among the best-known attractions. The modern wellness complex is situated above the town and features indoor and outdoor pools with panoramic views across the Ardennes.

Equally impressive is the Spa-Francorchamps race track. Even outside of race weekends, visitors can soak up the atmosphere around the famous Eau Rouge bend or take part in guided tours of the circuit.

The Coo Waterfalls attract numerous visitors every year. Together with Plopsa Coo and the cable car, they make for ideal family days out. Those interested in history should visit Stavelot Abbey and Franchimont Castle. In Aywaille, the Monde Sauvage wildlife park is a major attraction.

For active holidaymakers, the Hoëgne, the Amel and numerous GR hiking trails offer excellent opportunities. You can find further ideas in our article Activities in the Ardennes and in the guide Hiking in Spa-Francorchamps.

In addition, the High Fens, Liège and numerous Ardennes villages are just a short drive away and make for excellent day trips.

The Spa region brings together contrasts in a unique way. In the morning, you can relax in warm thermal waters; in the afternoon, go for a walk through the Ardennes forests; and the next day, soak up the atmosphere at Spa-Francorchamps. Hardly any other region in Belgium combines wellness, nature and motor racing so convincingly.