Italy is dotted with natural hot springs as a result of its complicated geological structure. These waters, which are abundant in sulphur and a variety of other minerals, are said to offer countless health and cosmetic advantages, including the ability to treat skin conditions and lower blood pressure. These are some of the nicest hot springs in Italy, and what’s even better is that they are all completely free.
If you’re looking for a low-cost spa vacation in Italy, then we have the ideal locations for you. It’s time to take advantage of Italy’s most stunning thermal spas and natural hot springs, so pack your bags and don’t forget your swimming suit. From Tuscany to Sicily, we list some of the best throughout the nation.
Hot Springs in Italy
Italy has several hot springs that offer to relax and rejuvenating experiences. Here are some of the best hot springs in Italy:
1. Bormio in Lombardy, Italy:
There are three top-notch spas in Bormio, making it a popular destination for weekend spa getaways. The spa is also free to use in Bormio! The pool known as Leonardo’s Pool (La pozza di Leonardo), after Leonardo Da Vinci, is actually an inlet of the stream where the thermal water arrives. It is open to the public and is even simple for kids to use. In the winter, when you might be fortunate enough to be surrounded by snow, don’t miss a dive in these warm waters!
2. Saturnia:
The deep calcareous rock pools below are filled with the boiling hot sulphurous waters of Saturnia, which flow from Mount Amiata and the nearby Maremma hills. They burble over ivory-white stones. Legend has it that the Roman god of Saturn, who was popularised by the Romans, first built the springs to calm down people. However, after a malaria epidemic, the springs were completely forgotten about until the 19th century. Today, millions of people go here in pursuit of the sulphur-rich mud and teal-colored therapeutic waters, which are renowned for reducing high blood pressure and curing a variety of skin conditions.
3. Bullicame pools in Lazio, Italy:
There are spas that you can use for free in Lazio as well. Due to its multiple therapeutic benefits, the thermal water that emerges from the Bullicame hot spring is arguably the most well-known. The waters are so comfortable to bathe in that you can do so even in the dead of winter. In addition to being cozy and having a sizable parking lot, it is close to a number of amenities.
4. Fosso Bianco:
In the town of Bagni San Filippo, the Fosso Bianco natural pools are located where many hot springs converge. The Fosso Bianco waterfalls offer the ideal year-round bathing experience as they cascade down the calcium carbonate-encrusted rock face into the natural cerulean basins below. The “white whale” (the most giant calcium formation in Bagni San Filippo), where the white-blue water is in marked contrast with the green and copper tones of the forests, may be reached by following the tree-lined, leafy pathway into the heart of the woods.
5. Ischia Island in Campania, Italy:
Naples’ Ischia does not require elaborate presentations because of its volcanic origin, which makes it the ideal thermal island with world-class structures. However, not everyone is aware that using the spa facilities in Ischia is completely free. In fact, a free path will take you to the bay of Sorgeto in the county of Forio, where the mixture of fresh spring water and seawater creates a scene you won’t soon forget.
6. Vulcano:
On the Aeolian Island of Vulcano, the thermal springs and mud baths of Laghetto di Funghi are just a short stroll from the harbor. This natural mud is said to be a great treatment for a variety of skin conditions as well as for muscle, joint, and bone ailments, and it provides an incredibly unique spa-day experience. Despite the foul odor, many still come here to soak in the well-known 28C (82F) sulphurous sludge.
7. Cerchiara in Calabria, Italy:
In the Calabrian village of Cerchiara, there is a little paradise known as La Grotta delle Ninfe, or Nymph’s grotto. It is a naturally occurring thermal pool between two towering rocks, which together form a tight canyon and a wonderfully stunning vista. All year long, the water is a very welcoming 30°C. The water of Cerchiara is used to treat a variety of illnesses because of its unique qualities, particularly arthropathies and skin conditions like acne and eczema. As the hot waters that flow from the Cave of the Nymphs was already recognized in ancient times and their characteristics have been highly valued for generations, it is one of the most significant spas in Italy.
8. Petriolo:
The towns of Monticiano and Civitella Paganico are separated by the River Farma, where the hot springs of Petriolo are located. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is only a short distance away. The natural concavities are kept full by the hot, sulphurous waters, which are around 43C/109F, and provide free, all-day bathing. These springs, which are surrounded by ancient oak and chestnut trees and situated beneath crumbling walls in the rural heart of Tuscany, are the last remaining examples of the fortified ancient thermal baths that the Etruscans and the Romans once frequented.
9. Piscine Carletti, Viterbo:
If you want a more genuine Italian bathing experience, go to Piscine Carletti. This network of hot pools, which is located in the countryside an hour outside of Rome, is cherished by the community, who voluntarily maintain them. The thermal waters in Piscine Carletti are among the cleanest and warmest in the area, reaching 58C. (136F). You can spend hours lazing in the pools, the hottest of which trickles directly down from the source while the outer pools are cooler. There is no admission charge.
10. Bagni di Bormio:
The historic hamlet of Bormio may be found in northern Italy’s Lombardy region. The village, which is located on the mountainside of Mount Reit, is renowned for its hot springs that average temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius and its winter sports (104F). The resort is divided into three main areas: Terme di Bormio, Bagni Vecchi (the ancient baths), and Bagni Nuovi (the new baths) (the spa). The quaint, 1,000-year-old Bagni Vecchi offers a spectacular view of the snow-capped western Dolomites and has a pool inside a former Roman tunnel.
Read more, Italian Renaissance Places to Visit in Italy
Italy has several hot springs that offer a unique and rejuvenating experience. Whether you’re looking for luxury or simplicity, there is a hot spring in Italy for every taste and budget. We mentioned some of the best hot springs in Italy that can relax and rejuvenate you. If you are planning to visit Italy or want a place in Italy to get relax, choose one of the best hot springs in Italy.