Thermal

In the beginning there was, and always will be... the "very rare” carbonated mineral water, "discovered” by a farm labourer in the 19th century. This "balanced, fine and delicate” water has always been associated with Vidago. The history of the waters of Vidago began in the 16th century, when it was credited with therapeutic and curative properties. Drawn directly from deep bedrock of pure granite, these waters are currently used in various treatments exclusive to the Vidago Palace Hotel Spa. The architectural elegance of the hotel and the fresh, clean, contemporary lines of the Spa bring a new dimension to Vidago’s famous park and hotel, after centuries of incalculable value!

For long decades the waters of Vidago have been part of the daily life and traditions of the people of the town. Their excellent therapeutic properties made Vidago famous and at the beginning of the 20th century turned it into Portugal’s leading resort and one of the biggest on the Iberian Peninsula, a favourite destination of the Portuguese and European aristocracy.

It was in 1863 that this natural bounty came to light, and bottling of Vidago water began for the first time in 1886. It can still be tasted directly from the spring, in its highly concentrated, naturally carbonated form. There are currently three springs that bubble to the surface within the grounds of the Vidago Palace Hotel’s Vidago Park.

The chemical composition of Vidago’s waters differs slightly from one source to another, but they have in common an exceptionally high mineral content, and in particular iron content, with therapeutic properties. Generations ago, doctors would prescribe a specific spring from which to drink. They would encourage their patients to do the "water walk”, taking their daily dose as they strolled the paths of the park from one pavilion to the next. The same thing happens today!

The waters come from four cold mineral springs. Hypersaline and alkaline, they contain sodium and bicarbonate ions as well as traces of arsenic, iron and fluoride.