Free spas in Italy: where they are and how to get there for free

Relaxation at no cost? Yes, why not. In Italy, from north to south, you will find numerous free spas, one of nature's most pleasant wonders. Thermal water gushes from the depths of the earth and forms heated pools where you can relax and devote yourself to the well-being of your body, without spending a penny.

They may not be those of Yellowstone National Park or Iceland, but even in Italy there is no shortage of beautiful natural pools. Here are the most beautiful spas to discover in Italy.

SEE ALSO: ITALY'S MOST BEAUTIFUL NATURAL POOLS

Italy's most beautiful free spas

Free spas in Italy

Which are the best free spas in Italy where soaking in thermal water is free?

We have put together a small guide to the best places in Italy where you can relax in the warm, beneficial water, surrounded by nature, without spending a penny: the guide to Italy's free spas, the most beautiful ones, and how to reach them.

Free thermal baths ofSaturnia(Grosseto)

According to myth, the thermal baths of Saturnia were formed by Jupiter hurling a thunderbolt to strike Saturn, missing him.

The ancient thermal complex is very extensive. In addition to the luxurious thermal baths of Saturnia, there are a number of natural spas and free pools. Three of these are the Gorello waterfalls and the stepped thermal baths of Manciano.

How to reach the thermal baths of Saturnia: taking the road from Scansano to Manciano, you will come across the thermal stream about 2 km before the town.

After the stream, where the road veers to the right, you can park and walk to the dirt road on the left. In a few minutes' walk you will reach the beautiful sulphurous waterfalls.

Free thermal baths of Ischia(Naples)

Ischia is the island of thermal baths, known to the Romans for this precious feature. The first stop on an Ischia thermal tour, strictly free, starts at Olmitello, in the south of the island. Entrance is possible all year round and access is via a path that starts at Maronti Bay.

Continuing clockwise around Ischia, one arrives at the Fumarole, where the rocks are heated by boiling water bubbling to the surface from the bottom of the sea. Hot sand bathing is possible here, while bathing is only possible in summer.

In the Sorgeto bay, thermal water springs form natural sea pools, fabulous in winter and also at night. At the Agnone beach in the municipality of Forio, hot springs gush out onto the beach. Here you will find information on the ancient Roman baths of Cavascura still in operation.

Bagni di San Filippo(Siena)

Hidden in the green woods, at the foot of Monte Amiata, there is a little treasure: these are the Bagni di San Filippo, the free spas you must reach in the Val d'Orcia in Siena.

From the village of San Filippo you reach a small path in the woods that leads to Fosso Bianco, the torrent where the hot water springs flow, which over time have created an enchanting scenery of white limestone mountains from which boiling water gushes out into small natural pools.

Carletti Free Spa(Viterbo)

Carletti is perhaps one of the most fascinating spas in the Viterbo area. The water flows down numerous rivulets at 58° and feeds several pools. The water is transparent and of evocative colours.

How to reach the Carlettifree thermal baths: to reach the Carletti thermal baths, take the road to Tuscania and once you reach the military area, turn left until you see the thermal baths on your right. There is ample free parking. They can be quite busy at weekends.

Petriolo Thermal Bath s (Siena)

On the banks of the Farma stream (municipality of Monticiano) are the Petriolo free thermal baths. The remains of a thermal establishment date back to the 15th century, but the Petriolo thermal water was known even earlier, in the time of Cicero.

It gushes out at 43°, charged with hydrogen sulphide. The free thermal baths are located in an inlet of the stream, protected by the rocks from the fresh water flowing alongside. They are quite large, although it is still quite easy to find them crowded at weekends. Better in the evening, a few candles lit on the rocks, something to drink, and relaxation is assured.

Terme di Bormio(Sondrio)

The magic of lying in boiling water with snow all around does not only happen in Iceland but also here in Bormio. The thermal pool is located at the edge of a stream protected by stones on which to rest your back while enjoying the warmth and the spectacular panorama all around.

How to get to the Bormio thermal baths: from Bormio continue towards the Stelvio Pass and then turn left for Livigno. Immediately after the bridge you can park and walk along the stream until you come to the natural pool.

Bagno Vignoni Thermal Bath s (Siena)

An ancient stone village in the heart of the Val d'Orcia. The beneficial water of the thermal baths has been an integral part of life in Bagno Vignoni since time immemorial. The main pool is in a very unusual position: in the centre of the square, where there is usually a fountain, there is a large, warm and transparent pool. Unfortunately, today it is no longer swimmable for reasons of decorum.

But don't worry, there are other pools and they are free.

How to get to Bagno Vignoni: at the end of the path of the Parco dei Mulini there is a rectangular pool, clean and well maintained, that captures the waters that run through canals and rivulets. The more adventurous and less inclined to comfort can bathe directly in the waters of the canals.

Bagnaccio Thermal Baths (Viterbo)

The Terme del Bagnaccio free thermal baths, with 6 thermal pools and two lawns for lying down and relaxing in the sun, are managed by an association that keeps the site clean and guarded. The thermal baths are open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight. You pay a 5 euro entrance fee, which you can use all year round.

Bullicame Thermal Baths (Viterbo)

The Bullicame free thermal baths are located on the Bullicame road 2.5 km from Viterbo. There is a small pool and a larger, elongated one. There is a small unattended car park right next to the pools.

Terme di Caronte(Lamezia Terme)

Not far from the paid establishment you will find the entrance to the free thermal baths of Caronte. Here the water gushes out at 39°, you can mitigate it with the adjacent waterfall whose jet is decidedly cooler.

San Casciano dei Bagni free thermal baths (Siena)

There are more than 40 thermal baths in this ancient town in the Val di Chiana, but the ones you absolutely must visit are the free thermal baths: free-access hot tubs located a few hundred metres from the historical centre.

Walk along Via della Fontanacci and you will reach walled baths and small pools where the water is constantly at 40°.

Vulcano free thermal baths(Messina)

Vulcano, the wellness island of the Aeolian Islands, has its precious free thermal baths, hypertemperal pools rich in sulphur where you can bathe. Reach the area of the Pozza dei Fanghi, a pool continuously fed by water, clay mud and sulphurous vapours and then benefit from the regenerating waters of the 'fumaroles' or 'hot waters', a short distance from the mud baths.

Sclafani Bagni(Palermo)

Sclafani Bagni is one of Sicily's best-kept hidden secrets. It is located along the mountain variant that connects Messina to Palermo and along the southern Via Francigena .

The free thermal baths, a small thermal pool surrounded by nature, can be reached by a super scenic downhill path. Not far from the pool are the fascinating, ruined remains of the ancient thermal baths of Sclafani Bagni. The village with the remains of its castle is also worth a visit.

The free thermal baths of Segesta(Trapani)

The ancient city of Segesta also has its own free thermal baths, the Polle di Crimiso. These are volcanic water springs at 47 degrees, surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.

Photos Free thermal baths in Italy

Below is a photo gallery with the most beautiful pictures of the free spas in Italy.

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