At the heart of that experience is ESPA at Pical, the first ESPA in Croatia – a serene wellness retreat where treatments, thermal experiences, movement and moments of complete stillness come together. Add the sea just outside, indoor pools, fitness and exceptional dining, and autumn might just be the best season to discover another side of Poreč.
ESPA at Pical: a destination within the resort
ESPA at Pical feels less like a hotel spa and more like a destination in its own right – somewhere worth setting aside a generous part of the day to experience. Across its 1,300 m² wellness area, everything is designed around a thoughtful, holistic approach to wellbeing, from personalised treatments and expert therapies to Beauty Rituals and the sensory Alchemy Bar, as well as spaces created simply for slowing down.
Rather than arriving for a massage and leaving, the pleasure is in having time to explore: moving between warmth and water, resting between rituals, discovering moments of beauty and self-care, and allowing the experience to unfold at your own pace.
Take your time in the thermal area
When the temperature outside drops, the thermal area becomes one of Pical’s most inviting spaces. Its 8 saunas and steam rooms, each inspired by a different Istrian landscape, turn heat and relaxation into a journey through the region itself – from olive groves and salt fields to forested hills and village gardens, with local herbs, light, music and storytelling shaping the atmosphere.
Move from gentle warmth to more intense heat, pause for a cooling experience, then retreat to one of the four themed relaxation zones.
Float on waterbeds in the Aqua Sensory Room, unwind among the scents of the Herbal Lounge, embrace the stillness of the cave-like Quiet Room or settle into the more social Relax Zone inspired by Istrian forests, vineyards and town squares. The contrast between heat, coolness and quiet leaves you feeling refreshed, deeply relaxed and in no hurry to move on.
Aufguss ritual: when sauna becomes an experience
For a more immersive way to experience the thermal area, the Aufguss ritual transforms time in the sauna into a guided sensory journey. Led by a trained sauna master, the ritual combines heat, essential oils and rhythmic towel techniques to circulate warm, scented air throughout the space.
The result feels both energising and deeply relaxing – a shared ritual that encourages you to slow down, focus on the moment and experience sauna culture in a completely different way.
AI-generated image.
The Private Spa Suite: wellness on your own terms
For moments when privacy matters as much as the treatment itself, the Private Spa Suite offers a more intimate way to experience ESPA at Pical.
Designed as a secluded retreat within the wellness area, it gives couples the freedom to slow down, switch off and enjoy time together away from the rhythm of the resort. When cooler days naturally invite a little more cocooning, the experience feels especially indulgent – a private space for warmth, quiet and uninterrupted relaxation, entirely on your own terms.
Step outside into the Garden Spa
Wellness at ESPA at Pical does not end indoors. The Garden Spa located at the Beach Club extends the experience into the open air, creating a natural transition between warmth, fresh air and the surrounding greenery. Outside the height of summer, this connection feels especially rewarding: cooler temperatures make the contrast more refreshing, while the quieter atmosphere invites you to linger a little longer.
It is a simple but memorable part of the experience – stepping outside, breathing deeply and allowing nature to become part of your time at the spa.
Family wellness time, daily from noon to 1 pm
While ESPA at Pical is primarily a serene thermal retreat for adults and guests aged 16+, this dedicated hour invites younger guests to discover wellness too. Selected experiences are thoughtfully adapted for children, teens and families, creating an opportunity to relax, recharge and enjoy time together.
Signature ESPA rituals rooted in Mediterranean wisdom
ESPA’s signature rituals at Pical draw inspiration from the landscapes, ingredients and traditions of the Mediterranean, turning each treatment into a deeply personal journey of reconnection.
Guided by ESPA’s holistic philosophy and tailored to how each guest feels in the moment, the rituals bring together elements such as Istrian salt, wild herbs, olive oil and aromatic herbal infusions to create a sense of grounding, balance and renewal.
Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, each experience is shaped through intuitive, personalised care, allowing the benefits to unfold at your own pace. For a closer look at some of the standout rituals and treatments, discover our 5 ESPA Treatments to Try This Autumn at Pical Resort 5*.
Beauty Rituals & Alchemy Bar
Wellbeing at ESPA at Pical also extends into beauty and self-care. Beauty Rituals offer a more polished finishing touch to your spa experience, while the Alchemy Bar introduces a playful, sensory element inspired by ESPA’s botanical philosophy.
Here, textures, aromas and carefully selected ingredients become part of a more personalised ritual, inviting you to slow down, explore and enjoy the creative side of wellbeing. It is a lighter, more interactive complement to the spa’s treatments and thermal experiences – and another way to make time for yourself.
Wellness beyond the spa
At Pical Resort 5*, wellness doesn’t stop at the spa doors. For some guests, feeling better means slowing down with a massage or spending an afternoon in the thermal area; for others, it begins with movement. The 25-metre indoor pool is ideal for an energising swim, while the 200 m² 24/7 gym makes it easy to fit in a workout whenever it suits you.
Stay Fit activities, stretching, yoga and other guided movement sessions add even more ways to reset, whether you prefer to start the day actively or simply bring a little more movement into your stay.
The Adriatic is part of the wellness experience
Beyond the resort, the coastline becomes part of the rhythm too. Morning walks beside the sea, fresh coastal air and time in the Parenzana beachfront park offer a simple way to clear your head and reconnect with your surroundings.
On milder autumn days, cycling or gentle outdoor activity adds another dimension. Sometimes wellness is a treatment; sometimes it is twenty lengths in the pool, a walk by the Adriatic or a few quiet minutes watching the sea.
Give yourself time
Perhaps the best way to experience ESPA at Pical is not to think of it as one thing you need to tick off during your stay.
- Give yourself time for the sauna before your treatment.
- Stay a little longer afterwards; read a book.
- Take a walk by the sea before dinner.
- Swim because you feel like swimming, not because it is on your schedule.
- Book the treatment your body needs rather than the one you think you should choose.
Pical Resort 5* offers plenty to fill a day, but its real luxury may be that you do not have to fill every moment.
How to book your spa experience
To make the most of your time at ESPA at Pical, we recommend booking your spa treatments in advance.Simply contact the ESPA at Pical reception team, who will be happy to help you choose the right treatment and reserve your preferred time.
