Thermal Springs Spa Italy Wellness Tourism

Thermal Springs Spas in Italy, Federterme

Thermal Springs Spas in Italy

Monica Tindall

Italians are known for many things among which are their passion and above-average looks. However, what is the secret to their beauty and vitality? Is it the wine, great food, culture or is it something else? On this trip, Iā€™m uncovering a lesser-known (at least to me) side of the country, the thermal springs spas in Italy under Federterme, and perhaps here weā€™ll unravel the mystery.

Thermal Springs Spas in Italy – A Wet History

Romans have long known the importance of fresh water, and as early as 312 B.C, the first aqueduct carried over 70 thousand cubic metres of water daily into the capital. Today, Italians consume over twice the European average. Mineral water has spent decades to centuries underground, soaking up nutrients from its surroundings. These trace elements not only make a difference in taste but are also beneficial to health. Locals and travellers alike seem to be well aware of the wonders of Italian H2O, but now there is also growing awareness of the benefits of Italyā€™s thermal baths too. 

An important part of the countryā€™s natural heritage, these therapeutic springs are growing in popularity. The ultimate in wellness retreats, there are 320 Italian baths serving over three million people yearly. Combining ancient wisdom with contemporary science, thermal springs treatments strive to foster both physical and mental wellbeing. Add this to highly-reputed Italian hospitality and beautiful locations, and you have some incredible regenerative experiences to discover.

Thermalism

Spa culture has long been established in Italy, with ancient Romans using thermal waters for health and beauty, as well as a place to build relationships for centuries. Imperial Roman spa traditions have spread globally, yet the country continues to maintain the greatest scientific quality. Of the 320 spas around the nation, 90% are accredited by the National Health Service. 

Thermalism is noted as an aid in the prevention of many chronic diseases, and athletes have long used thermal rehabilitation as a means to reduce recovery time. Itā€™s no airy-fairy pseudo-science either. Thereā€™s a growing body of research to support the wisdom that locals have recognised for years. Italyā€™s National Health System recognises the effectiveness of certain spa treatments, and General Practitioners can prescribe such programs to patients. The list of conditions stipulated is not limited either. A broad range of ailments such as osteoarthritis and other degenerative diseases, respiratory problems, vascular diseases, certain skin pathologies, digestive disorders, and gynaecological diseases, are all included in the coverage. Italian nationals only pay the prescription charge, just like when buying medicine. Now, if thatā€™s not reason enough to emigrate, I donā€™t know what is!

Thermal Springs Spas in Italy

The country is divided into 17 spa regions, each with several types of thermal waters and treatments. An eye-opener for me is the different classification of waters. Theyā€™re not all just hot, mineral-enriched water but are grouped in categories of ferruginous, bicarbonate, oligomineral, salsobroiodic, sulphate and sulphurous. Each thermal spring is different, the outcome of its unique location and history underground, and every one brings its own health and beauty benefits. 

Thermal Spring Spas in Italy – Lazio

Terme di Vulci – Glamping & Spa

Terme di Vulci - Glamping & Spa
Terme di Vulci
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Terme di Vulci
Terme di Vulci - Glamping & Spa
Terme di Vulci - Glamping & Spa
Sauna at Terme di Vulci
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Terme di Vulci – Glamping & Spa

Terme di Vulci is the spa you choose when you want to connect with nature in comfort and style. The glamping experience encourages guests to ditch the city and soak up the ancient wisdom of the Etruscans. 

With nothing but undulating fields as far as the eye can see, the grounds of Terme di Vulci are stress-releasing just by sight. I think city-living makes you short-sighted, but Iā€™m sure a week of living here and my long vision would start to return.

This modern spa is inspired by natural treatments with over 3000 years of tradition. Only wholesome products coming from Lake Bolsena, based on volcanic rocks and thermal water, are used. This, combined with skilled therapists, makes for an incredibly relaxing escape. Often thermal waters are associated with the pungent smell of sulphur. However, here we delight in scents of lavender, orange and cinnamon essential oils. Herbs and aromatics are planted around the grounds providing both visual and scented pleasure. 

The grounds contain four pools of therapeutic waters, a bar, a restaurant, dedicated spa huts for massage, a jacuzzi, steam and sauna, as well as charming and luxurious tent accommodation. With no air-con or heating, the best times of year to visit are Spring and Autumn. Do have a bite in their stellar restaurant with recipes by Chef Alessandro. Pair it will locally-produced wines, and you will leave feeling nourished and content.

Terme di Vulci
Via delle Terme, 01011
Canino VT, Italy
[email protected]
+39 0761 438574
https://termedivulci.com/en/

Terme dei Papi, Viterbo

Terme dei Papi - Viterbo
Terme dei Papi – Viterbo
Terme dei Papi - Viterbo
Terme dei Papi – Viterbo
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Breathing Steam from the Thermal Springs is a Popular Treatment
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Terme dei Papi – Thermal Springs Spas in Italy
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Hotel Niccolo V****S

If itā€™s good enough for the popes, itā€™s certainly good enough for me! Terme dei Papi, or Thermal Baths of the Popes, is located in Viterbo, and their sulphurous waters have long been used by the clergy for their therapeutic and healing qualities.

The centrepiece of the property is the Monumental Pool. Fittingly named, the whopping two thousand square metre swimming pool is filled with hyperthermal water from the Bullicame Spring. At a piping 58Ā°C, it offers an agreeable dip in any season. With water gushing from the central jets, itā€™s a delight for both the eyes and the body.

Bullicame, the sulphur-sulphate-bicarbonate-alkaline-earth water, is said to be a powerful antioxidant. Scientific studies support its use for several conditions, including the treatment of chronic dermal, musculoskeletal, respiratory, gynaecological, vascular, and lymphatic conditions.

The pool is not the only attraction here, though. The Natural Grotto, a rock cave heated to 48Ā°C by hyperthermal water, acts as a natural sauna. It boasts all the benefits of a man-made steam room used to improve ailments of the skin, respiratory tract, joints and metabolism but is ten times better; a gift from Mother Earth.

Furthermore, the centre holds an exhaustive range of services and amenities, enough to cater for large groups. From specialised respiratory machines to dedicated facilities for mud treatments, massage and much more, you could spend weeks consulting with specialists and exploring the options here.  

With accommodation on-site in the stylish and comfortable Hotel Niccolo V****S, longer stays are highly viable. The staff are not only professional and conversant in several languages, but they are committed to making your stay a pleasant one. My corner suite had two rooms, a refurbished bathroom and a large balcony. Breakfast was a magnificent display of cakes and tarts in all forms as well as ripe, juicy summer fruits, berries, cheeses, cold cuts, nuts, seeds and yoghurt. Barista-made cappuccinos complement the enjoyable start to the day.

Additionally, the restaurant, located next to the Monumental Pool, is superb for an intimate meal with a loved one but also makes for an excellent event space. The lush lawn sets the stage for aperitivo as the sun says its farewell and the air begins to cool. Itā€™s a beautiful spot to enjoy summer nights.

Terme dei Papi
Strada Bagni 12
01100 Viterbo, VT
+39 0761 3501
[email protected]
https://termedeipapi.it/en/home-en/

Acqua & Terme di Fiuggi

Acqua & Terme di Fiuggi
Acqua & Terme Fiuggi
Acqua & Terme di Fiuggi
Beautiful Parklands – Thermal Springs Spas in Italy
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Golf Course
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
The Historical Town is Worth a Visit

Italyā€™s natural springs are not only beneficial when immersed in but also when consumed. Our next stop, Acqua & Terme di Fiuggi, captures drinking water from the foot of the Ernici Mountains. We may be drinking water as old as the dinosaurs, as the Fiuggi basin was once a lake in prehistoric times. The lakeā€™s sedimentation and volcanic properties serve as superb filters and enrich the water with beneficial substances promoting wellbeing. 

Here, you can purify your insides and your outsides. This location is also home to two thermal sources, the Fonte Bonifacio VIII and the Fonte Anticolana. These feed one of the largest and oldest thermal complexes in Italy.

Over 100 years ago, Fonte Bonifacio VIII was built in Art Nouveau style. Later, in the ā€™50s, architect Luigi Moretti expanded the project. Today, the laudable work of modern architecture is fit with lifts and moving walkways facilitating movement from the lower to the upper level. Staggered open and closed spaces enveloped in lush gardens curate a place devoted to wellbeing.

Also inaugurated over a century ago, the Fonte Anticolana is located within a vast natural park. Gardening fans will be in awe of the gardens lovingly maintained and developed with beautiful silver cedars, sequoias, evergreens and flowers of all kinds. Itā€™s a place that begs you to take a stroll. Bordered with trees and manicured landscapes, paths seem made for bathing in nature. It is indeed a comprehensive complex offering numerous recreational activities, including a large dance floor, bar, tennis courts, bowls, minigolf, a playground and even a little train to take a tour of the park.

Besides drinking and bathing in the thermal springs, the area has much to offer. Being slightly hilly and covered with lush greenery, itā€™s a couple of degrees cooler here than in Rome. Less than an hourā€™s drive from the capital, itā€™s easy to see why so many Romans have weekend homes here. Golfers should appreciate Golf Club Fiuggi. Due to strict regulations designed to protect the precious thermal spring waters, itā€™s 100% organic. No chemical fertilisers or pest control are used on the course, gifting the earth and humans a safe, chemical-free environment. Furthermore, the historical centre of the town is delightful with its narrow cobblestone streets, Medieval architecture and colourful murals.

Acqua & Terme di Fiuggi
Via Anticolana, 78
03014 Fiuggi FR, Italy
+39 0775 783301
https://www.acquafiuggi.com/

Terme di Pompeo, Ferentino

Terme di Pompeo, Ferentino
Terme di Pompeo, Ferentino
Terme di Pompeo, Ferentino
Terme di Pompeo, Ferentino
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Terme di Pompeo – Thermal Springs Spas in Italy
Terme di Pompeo, Ferentino
Terme di Pompeo, Ferentino

One of the oldest certified companies in Italy, Terme di Pompeo is immersed in the history of both the man-made and the living world. Hugged by ancient olive trees and the character and charm of centuries-old abbeys and villages, guests reap the benefits of the historic surroundings.

Brandishing a holistic program, Terme di Pompeo specialises in personal care, wellness and preventative medicine. Suitable for adults and children alike, the thermal baths and mud are the central point of interest for a leisure stay and also have the possibility of providing balance to business travel.

As you might expect, the Terme Pompeo has ancient origins, with the therapeutic properties of their waters known since Roman times. The construction of the building in the 1690s is credited to Flavia Domitilla, nephew of Emperor Vespasian. In 1854, the thermal springs were made more accessible, and the innovative works of architect Ambrogio Pompeo are still evidenced in the family-owned building today. The family continued to enhance the property over time with Marianna Mobilj Carrara, the wife of Emilio Pompeo, further developing the baths after the Second World War to include medical assistance, showers, a thermal pool (the first in this province), a reading room, restaurant and dance floor. 

Today, the facility offers an integrated program of beauty and spa services combined with fitness, health and relaxation. As with many of Italyā€™s certified thermal spas, local doctors often prescribe treatments here, which are covered by the National Health Service. During our stay, we see a solid stream of locals using the facilities, from the very young to the very old. 

The team at Terme Pompeo looks at the bigger picture of health in planning their programs for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. By casting their view wide, this multidisciplinary approach ensures the broadest diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative possibilities. Guests can reserve any number of professional treatments from massage to facials and, most importantly, thermal mud therapy. For a more free and easy time, the indoor and outdoor thermal pools promise hours of relaxation. 

Iā€™ve tried enough beauty treatments now to safely say that I (and many of you what from you tell me) would prefer non-evasive technologies when searching for effective aesthetic treatments. Beauty Terme Pompeo is the first centre of Advanced Thermal Aesthetics, specialising in ā€œbalanced and harmonious physical reshaping without resorting to invasive technologies.ā€ By understanding the interconnectivity of all cogs in the wheel, the team marry exercise, nutrition and thermal waters to design a complete map toward optimal health. Only scientifically-backed services are considered with the prevention, care, and maintenance sustained at home with cosmeceuticals, food supplementation and a medical fitness training program. Accepting the outcome of mental health on beauty, these services are provided in relaxing environments with dedicated rituals for a true natural multisensory experience.

Terme di Pompeo
Via Casilina km. 76
03013 Ferentino (Fr)
+39 0775 244114
https://www.termepompeo.it/

Terme Vescine

Terme Vescine
Terme Vescine – Smart Pool
Terme Vescine
Thermal Springs Spas in Italy – Relax Pool
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Views from Terme Vescine
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Great Meals on Local Produce at Terme Vescine

The rugged and vibrant territory of Suio Terme is home to the Vescine Thermal Complex. Atop a hill, the extensive 31-hectare property offers panoramic views and holds a 48-room hotel, three restaurants (Typica, Praeclarus and Aqua), two outdoor pools, and a spa.

The considerable spa facility weds cutting-edge technology with the wonders of the natural world. A thorough list of treatments includes mud therapy, inhalation treatments, balneotherapy, massage and endotympanic (within the eardrum) breathing.

Smart and Relax, the duo of outdoor pools at Terme Vescine are both beautiful and functional. The hyperthermal sulphurous waters aided by the modernity of the facilities are especially effective in the relief of symptoms of various diseases, particularly osteoarticular ones. Guests have also reported improvements in muscle tone and some skin imperfections following exposure. 

Take note of how marvellous this sounds! The Smart pool, with a constant temperature of 36Ā°C, features 37 whirlpools and 16 waterfalls! Around 60 minutes is recommended to take advantage of all of the stations. On the other hand, the Relax pool is set on the bewitching ledge of the hill, furnishing arresting views of the area ā€“ the perfect ending and place to meditate on the benefits of all that pounding.

On top of whatā€™s on-site, the Vescine Thermal Complex is able to offer guests diverse packages taking advantage of its fabulous location. Think along the lines of day cruises around the Pontine Islands, trekking and biking in the woods, food and wine trips, as well as tours of the nearby cities of Rome, Naples and Pompeii.

Hotel rooms include Executive and Junior Suites, with the latter recently renovated. True to the Italian stereotype, they have been furnished in style, distinguished by a warm palette of colour with modern furniture and elegant lines.

Terme Vescine
Via delle Terme, 417
Suio di Castelforte, Italy
+39 0771 670007
https://www.termevescine.com/

Acque Albule Tivoli ā€“ Terme di Roma

Acque Albule Tivoli ā€“ Terme di Roma
Acque Albule Tivoli ā€“ Terme di Roma
Thermal Springs Spa Italy
Acque Albule Tivoli ā€“ Thermal Springs Spas in Italy
Acque Albule Tivoli ā€“ Terme di Roma
Acque Albule Tivoli ā€“ Terme di Roma
Acque Albule Tivoli ā€“ Terme di Roma
This Olive Tree is 1700 Years Old!

In prime position on the outskirts of Rome (near the Eternal City and a short walk from the villas of Tivoli), Acque Albule provides a spa and wellness experience incredibly convenient for anyone visiting the countryā€™s capital. Of all the spas we’ve visited on this trip, this one is the most accessible for tourists not wishing to rent a car. On the train line, it’s about half an hour from Rome. Additionally, it benefits from a recent complete refurbishment. The new thermal spa hosts a detailed list of wellness programs combining traditional thermal medicine with the most advanced technologies.

Weā€™ve dipped ourselves into some very hot waters on this trip, and it took us a little time to ā€˜warmā€™ up to the heat. However, those at Acque Albule maintain a constant temperature of 23Ā°C, a very pleasant introduction, especially for those new to thermal springs. Albule comes from Latin, meaning ā€œwhitish water.ā€ Looking at the gaseous emulsion on the waterā€™s surface, itā€™s clear to see the nameā€™s origin. These sulphurous hypothermal springs flow from Lakes Regina and Colonnelle, north of Via Tiburtina. What locals have known for decades has more recently been confirmed by science ā€“ sulphurous water is a powerful antibacterial and boasts anti-inflammatory properties.

The ideal spa journey is an alternation of warm (24Ā°C) and hot (37Ā°C) water. First, a series of jets massage all the muscles from the neck to the soles of the feet in the indoor sulphurous pool. Followed by a bath in the whirlpool, the process reinvigorates the body and mind. My tired, jetlagged and overwalked legs and feet are relieved of their exhaustion and swelling. The switch between hot and cold is said to reactivate the hematic and lymphatic systems.

Next, enter the sauna and steam bath. The former expelling sulphurous vapours for purification, and the latter provides dry heat for detoxification. Lastly, end with an aromatic shower, breathing in soft fragrances and leaving the body fresh and rejuvenated.

Conclude the expedition on a lounge in the relaxation room with a cup of herbal tea. Time to physically and mentally reflect on the journey enables you to embrace and appreciate the entirety of the experience.

Acque Albule
Via Tiburtina Valeria
00019 Tivoli Terme Roma, Italy
(+39) 0774 408500
www.termediroma.org/en/albule-waters.php

Thermal Springs Spas in Italy

So, did we discover the secret behind Italian good looks and vitality? Is there some magical ingredient in the thermal springs? Perhaps itā€™s reconnecting with the natural world? Maybe itā€™s the time taken to focus on wellbeing in a dedicated place with experts to encourage and guide you. I think itā€™s a combination of all of the above. After a week of ticking these boxes, I certainly feel well, mentally and physically at ease, relaxed and grateful. I donā€™t know that Iā€™d score any higher on the beauty-metre but sure have had a fun and memorable time trying. 

For comprehensive information on the thermal springs spas in Italy, visit the Federterme website.

Find more on theĀ spa and beauty scene here and find more tips for the best travel experiences in Italy here.

13 Comments

  1. Look like a nice place to relax.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

  2. I love hot springs! But when the weather is so hot, I’d rather have some icy cold bath to refresh myself.

  3. What an amazing beautiful place.
    I have long believed in the therapeutic benifets of the mineral spa.
    Italy has always been on my bucket list to visit.
    Thank you Monica for sharing your experiences of this beautiful, amazing place.

  4. Definitely adding this to the bucket list! Trust the Italians to take thermal springs and add gorgeous food, sunbathing and facial steaming. That sauna is magnificent!

  5. Wow this looks spectacular. Iā€™m definitely putting on my list for my next Italy trip!

  6. I went to Kerling hot spring in Selangor, not nearly as fancy but hey, it was warm! šŸ˜€

  7. Wow! Your photos are beautiful. I would love to visit some of these spas. Maybe the one that is closest to Rome will be my first. Thank you for the information.

  8. Damn, those places look amazing. I am going to look more into that glamping place, and the one on the train line from Rome looks convenient.

  9. I’ve heard thermal waters are very good for your health when you soak in them regularly. I didn’t know Italy had made a whole industry out of them. I must consider this on my next trip.

  10. Thanks for the information. I’m always on the lookout for the next health trend. Although this doesn’t look like a trend, more of a tradition. I must include at least one in my next travels.

  11. I bet those thermal waters would be great for my arthritis.

  12. I always think of Italy for food, wine and history. This gives me a whole new reason to keep going back.

  13. I visited Sardegnia many times. Loved the beaches immensely. Villasimus , Kia beach. & travelled from Cagliari all the way to Algero . Love the blue , calm water smooth like a pool.

    Couldn’t imagine there are thermal places.

    I enjoyed the article so much.

    Ciao

    Talia

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.