Lithuania Receives Prestigious Health Tourism Award
The demand for health tourism is growing worldwide, and Lithuania, a Baltic gem, is no exception. This country, famous for its mineral waters and therapeutic mud treatments, has been awarded the prestigious ITB Health Tourism Award 2025.
Lithuania has been recognised for its high-quality medical and wellness services, sustainable development, and successful international cooperation. One of the world's most significant health tourism awards will be presented on March 5 by ITB Berlin—the largest and most influential global tourism exhibition.
“For years, Lithuania has been one of Europe’s health tourism leaders. The ITB Health Tourism Award 2025 once again confirms that our country not only competes successfully with Europe’s most famous resorts and rehabilitation centres but is also becoming one of the world’s leading innovators in the health segment,” says Olga Gončarova, General Manager at Lithuania Travel, Lithuania's national tourism promotion agency.
According to her, this award is an honour and a strategic opportunity for Lithuania. It can attract even more foreign tourists seeking high-quality wellness services, open new doors for international expansion, and encourage further investments.
Lithuania's international recognition in this field is no coincidence. The country has a long-standing wellness tradition.
Combines long tradition with innovation
The city of Druskininkai, located in southern Lithuania, was first mentioned in 1794 when King Stanisław August Poniatowski of Poland and Lithuania declared it a health resort. By World War I, Druskininkai was well known not only in Lithuania but also abroad. In the resort town of Birštonas, another Lithuanian city, the first mineral water treatment complex started operating at the end of the 19th century, making the town a favourite retreat for Lithuanian nobility. Palanga is also known for its mineral water springs, while Anykščiai is famous for its therapeutic mud.
Moreover, Lithuania has long traditions in herbal medicine, bee products (bees are considered sacred and special creatures in Lithuanian mythology), and saunas. For Lithuanians, saunas have historically been associated with bodily cleansing, immune system strengthening, and spiritual purification.
Today, the country's tourism sector combines tradition with innovation. Most Lithuanian sanatoriums and hotels offering wellness services hold the "EuropeSpa med" certificate, established in 2006 by the European Spa Association (ESPA). This certification ensures quality, transparency, and sustainability.
Recognized in more ways
The previous year has been particularly successful for Lithuania. Forbes wrote about Lithuania’s health tourism sector, highlighting the country's resorts, sanatoriums, and SPA centres, such as SPA Vilnius. In 2024, Lithuania also hosted the prestigious ESPA Congress, where Lithuanian wellness institutions triumphed, winning several ESPA Innovation Awards.
Additionally, "Lonely Planet" named Lithuania the second-best travel destination in the world and the best in Europe for 2025. The prestigious Michelin Guide awarded four Lithuanian restaurants with stars, one restaurant with a Green Michelin Star, and four others with "Bib Gourmand." Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, also received exceptional recognition, earning two prestigious titles: "European Christmas Capital 2025" and "European Green Capital 2025."
ITB Berlin 2025 will take place from March 4 to 6. During the ITB Medical Night, the ITB Health Tourism Award, awarded by an international jury of experts, will be presented for the first time this year.