Grotta delle Ninfe - Terme di Cerchiara

About Grotta delle Ninfe - Terme di Cerchiara

The Grotta delle Ninfe (Nymphs' Cave) is at Cerchiara di Calabria, in the north of the region, at the foot of Monte Sellaro and on the edge of the Pollino National Park. A stream of sulphurous water, the Caldanello, comes out of the rock, runs through the cave and feeds a thermal pool built outside. Legend links the place to the nymphs, the water deities, and even in ancient times the spring was considered healing.

The water is around 30 °C: lukewarm rather than hot, ideal for the summer months. The pool is run as a small paid facility: sources give a cost of about €6-8 a day, with reductions for children, but current prices need checking. Some guides report, however, that it's still possible to bathe for free in the pools where the sulphurous stream comes out of the rock.

That's why the Grotta delle Ninfe is classified as "small fee" and "regulated". Information on opening times doesn't match either: one source says the pool opens from June to September, others say the cave is accessible all year round while the pool only operates at certain times. Before you go, it's worth contacting Cerchiara council.

Thanks to the moderate temperature and the equipped pool, it's a place that also suits families with children. There is no public transport, so you'll need a car. The atmosphere is peaceful and far from mass tourism, in one of the most authentic parts of Calabria.

Nearby, the village of Cerchiara, the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Armi, clinging to the mountain with a spectacular view over the Sibari plain, and of course the trails of the Pollino are all worth a visit.

For families, the combination of lukewarm water, an equipped pool and the chance to explore the cave makes the Grotta delle Ninfe a very pleasant summer outing. Do bring non-slip shoes, though, because the areas around the natural pools can be wet and uneven, and check the pool's opening times in advance.