Italy’s Best Natural Hot Springs And Thermal Baths For Winter

Natural thermal water can be found underground throughout almost all of the Italian peninsula.

It bubbles up to the surface in the form of hot springs across the country, creating heavenly hot pools and steaming 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.

In winter, natural hot springs are particularly magical as the vapor rises into the frosty air.

Here are the best natural pools and thermal baths to visit in Italy.

Get muddy at Vulcano

If you like to wallow in the mud, head to the hot springs on the Aeolian island of Vulcano.

The Laghetto di Fanghi, just a short walk from the harbor, is a totally free do-it-yourself spa.

Although a little pungent, the grey sludge around the pool is said to work wonders. The natural mud can ease muscle and joint pain as well as treat skin diseases.

Soak at spectacular Saturnia

These natural thermal water pools are by far the most stunning hot springs in Italy.

Located in Tuscany, the cascading water has formed a series of pale-white calcareous rock pools where bathers can lounge.

Laze in cerulean, sulfur-scented waters as you gaze out at the undulating Tuscan hills.

But be warned, Saturnia can get extremely busy so it’s best to go early in the morning.

Frolick in the Fosso Bianco

Not far from Saturnia, you can find a series of steaming hot springs hidden deep in a forest.

Wear some comfortable shoes to delve into the woods near the town of Bagni San Filippo where you’ll stumble across a series of pale turquoise pools.

Following a muddy pathway into the heart of the forest, you will arrive at the “white whale.”

This is a gigantic gleaming white rockface created by centuries of encrusted calcium-carbonate deposits.

Dig deep into the teal waters below for some rejuvenating mud.

Bathe in bubbling Bagni di Bormio

Visitors heading to Bormio, in the northern region of Lombardy, for its famed winter sports should also spend some quality downtime in its thermal baths.

The stone-walled Bagni Vecchi (old baths) were constructed 1000 years ago. The big outdoor hot tub offers visitors a dip in steaming thermal water at 40C (104F).

As you bathe in the bubbling waters, gaze out at the snow-dusted peaks of the western Dolomites.

Check out the 12th-century church of San Martino just next door too.

Plunge into the pools of Bullicame

These steaming pools in Lazio, the region also home to Italy’s capital Rome, are an ideal temperature for winter bathing.

Visitors flock to the site for its remedial waters said to have numerous therapeutic properties beneficial to skin, muscles and circulation.

If you have a family in tow, this is also a good option as there is a large car park near by and various other services in the vicinity.