4 Of Italy’s Best Free Hot Springs And Thermal Baths

14.05.2024 - 13:11 / forbes.com

Steamy natural thermal water simmers beneath the surface throughout almost the whole Italian peninsula. It bubbles up above the ground in the form of hot springs across the country, creating heavenly hot pools and balmy baths.

The water is naturally rich in sulfur and other minerals said to have a myriad of health-giving properties. A dip in a thermal bath has the potential to treat skin conditions, improve circulation and lower blood pressure.

There are dozens of free spots for a swim across Italy. Some, like the spectacular natural terraces of Saturnia, have become well-known and overtouristed. Here are four of the best natural pools and thermal baths to visit in Italy, all of which are free to swim in and still relatively under the radar.

The thermal spring of Lu Vurghe is found in a forest clearing near the town of Acquasanta Terme in the region of Le Marche. A rocky track leads to an oasis of manmade stone pools with crystalline water at a pleasant 30 degrees Celsius and with a pH of less than 8.

The thermal water contains a variety of minerals including calcium, sodium, chlorides, iodides, bromides and bicarbonates. This rich mineral composition gives the waters of Lu Vurghe powerful therapeutic and regenerating properties, which can encourage muscle relaxation, relieve stress and improve skin health.

In the heart of Tuscany in the Valley of Ombrone, you can find the Terme di Petriolo in a forested river valley. The hot springs are said to have been in use since Roman times and were popular in the Renaissance with the illustrious Medici and Gonzaga families.

At the free pools along the river Farma, the milky water bubbles up at a dreamy 43 degrees and is rich in sulfur and minerals. If you need a little break from the sun, you can lay a towel down in the shade of the overhanging chestnut and oak trees.

The area around Viterbo in Lazio is brimming with hot water springs and resorts. One of the lesser-visited is Piscine Carletti, a clutch of little natural pools in a grassy plain.

The basins have a variety of water temperatures, from 60 degrees near the source to 30 degrees, so you can swap between them in emulation of the ancient Roman practice of circulating around the caldarium, tepidarium and frigidarium in a bathhouse. There’s not much space here so even though it doesn’t attract big crowds, it’s still best to go early in the morning so you’re not jostling with other visitors.

On the island of Sardinia, hot water lovers can visit the Fordongianus hot springs in the province of Oristano, part of a thermal water hotspot already popular in ancient Roman times—there are even remains of a Roman bath complex.

Although you can’t swim inside the archaeological site, you can take a dip in natural