Free hot springs near Rome

Rome is lucky: northern Lazio sits on an ancient volcanic landscape, and the Tuscia area around Viterbo is one of the richest thermal basins in Europe. Here water rises at 50 to 60 °C and fills pools that are free or almost free, all within reach on a day trip. Push a little further and in a couple of hours you reach the great free hot springs of southern Tuscany.

The list below shows every hot spring we have checked within roughly 200 km of central Rome as the crow flies. The distance is only a guide: the road distance is always a bit longer, and travel time depends a lot on traffic on the GRA ring road and the Via Cassia.

The Viterbo thermal basin: three pools a few kilometres apart

The easiest area for a trip from Rome is without doubt Viterbo, about 90 km away. Three quite different experiences lie within a few kilometres of each other:

• Piscine Carletti: completely free, open all year round and at night too, with a large car park right next to the pools. They are the most popular and, at weekends, the most crowded.
• Terme del Bullicame: free, but with regulated daytime opening hours. The water comes out at around 58 °C from a small natural crater.
• Terme del Bagnaccio: run by a local association that charges a small fee. In return the pools are emptied and refilled every night, and there is a camper van area.

An idea for the day: arrive at the Bullicame in the morning when it opens, have lunch in Viterbo's medieval centre and catch the sunset at the Carletti. If you prefer peace and quiet, go to the Bagnaccio on a weekday instead.

Towards the sea: the Ficoncella in Civitavecchia

If you are coming from the west side of Rome, the quickest option is the Terme della Ficoncella, inland from Civitavecchia, about 70 km away. Five pools carved into the rock, with temperatures between 30 and 56 °C, for a very low fee. Perfect combined with a walk around the port or a visit to Tarquinia.

Two hours away: southern Tuscany

With a little more time, the Maremma and the Val d'Orcia offer some of the most beautiful free hot springs in Italy: the Cascate del Mulino at Saturnia, the historic pools of San Casciano dei Bagni and the white rock formations of Bagni San Filippo. They are ideal for a weekend, ideally staying one night nearby so you can enjoy the pools at dawn, when they are almost empty.

Practical tips if you are starting from Rome

• Avoid Saturdays and Sundays if you can: the pools closest to the capital fill up from late morning.
• Bring fresh water to rinse off: almost no free hot spring has showers, and sulphurous water leaves a lingering smell.
• Check the opening times of the Bullicame, Bagnaccio and Ficoncella, which change with the seasons.
• Don't stay in too long in pools above 40 °C: take breaks in the open air and drink plenty.

Before you go, have a look at our guide to safety and good manners in natural hot pools.