Among Lazio’s hidden gems, the natural thermal baths stand out, especially those in the city of Viterbo, which are my absolute favorites.
Viterbo’s thermal baths are varied, making this beautiful medieval city a perfect spot for anyone looking to chill and rejuvenate, whether in summer or winter. I actually visited Viterbo for the first time just to dive into its healing thermal waters—it was the start of countless refreshing trips.
In this post, I’m going to spill the details on Viterbo’s hot springs and thermal pools. Just a heads up, the choices are diverse: from free-access pools to the more popular pay-to-enter thermal centers, to spas where the price tag pretty much filters who walks through the door.
Most of the thermal baths are ideal for winter, but there is one that is only open in summer instead, having water at a mild temperature.
7 Best thermal baths and hot springs to visit in Viterbo
1. Terme dei Papi – Thermal Baths of the Popes
Address: Strada Bagni, 12 Viterbo
Contact: +39-0761-3501 | info@termedeipapi.it
Opening Hours: Closed for cleaning on Tuesdays. Open Sunday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Terme dei Papi was the first thermal bath I checked out in Viterbo, and it’s the one I’ve gone to the most. I’ve been going less these days because the entry fees went up. It’s still a good deal, especially on weekdays during the off-season, so it draws a crowd from Viterbo and Rome.
It’s named after Pope Nicholas V, who built a palace here in 1450. Viterbo was a big deal for the popes in the 13th century, which is why it’s got such a rich history with these thermal waters. In 1993, a local business person fixed up the place and opened it to everyone.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- A big thermal pool with different depths for swimming.
- A natural cave with thermal vapors that costs extra to visit.
- A spa that’s got its own beauty product line.
- A four-star hotel with pool access, but staying there doesn’t get you into the spa for free.
- A restaurant and café if you’re hungry or need a drink.
One thing that’s not so great is the rubber floats you can rent; they’re pretty worn out. Sometimes, you’ll see bits of plastic floating in the water, which isn’t great.
The best thing, though, is the massive thermal pool. It’s got areas with different temperatures, so if you move away from where the water comes out, it gets cooler and you can swim around.
2. Piscine Carletti Pools
Address: Strada Terme, Viterbo
Always Open
The Piscine Carletti thermal pools are about 2.5 km from the center of Viterbo. They are a free-access thermal area fed by a spring with characteristics similar to the Bullicame spring.
Water temperature ranges from 36 to 40°. A larger pool accommodates about 30 people, and the three smaller pools have higher temperatures. The water replenishes quickly in all the pools.
There are lawns around the pools where you can rest, but there is no shade, so I recommend going here only in the less hot months.
The pools are about 30 meters from a side road. If you bring camping chairs with you, they might be handy for resting after swimming, because few benches are available.
Locals also come here to socialize, so don’t be surprised if they try to chat you up while you are bathing. To avoid crowds, I come here only on weekdays. This is one of the most appreciated natural thermal baths north of Rome.
Consider that a military barracks is relatively close by, from which helicopters often depart, so I recommend going elsewhere if you are looking for quiet.
3. Bullicame Hot Spring and Pool
Address: Bullicame Road
Always Open
If you like natural thermal baths that you can just walk into without paying, Viterbo’s got a couple of spots you’ll like. Bullicame pool is the one I visit most. It’s really close to the thermal center I mentioned before.
This place is awesome because it’s right in the middle of the countryside, making it feel like you’re somewhere totally different. The Bullicame spring, which even got a shoutout from Dante in the Divine Comedy, is just a short walk from the pool.
You’ll usually find other people there too. There’s this white thermal mud on the bottom that some people use for mud packs. I tried it once, but after finding hair in it, I’m not sure I’d recommend it.
Still, the pool itself and the whole vibe are pretty unique. The water is really warm, about 104°F. They’ve got parking and a guard, and they clean out the pools now and then. Just a heads-up, there aren’t any changing rooms or bathrooms right there.
To get there, you can take a train from Rome Ostiense, Rome Trastevere, or Valle Aurelia to Viterbo Porta Romana and then catch the 1C bus to Bullicame.
4. Therma Oasi
Address: Via Martana
Opening Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. | Saturday Evening: 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
I’ve visited here several times, taking advantage of a Groupon deal that’s still available for weekday entries.
The pool is slightly smaller than the one at Terme dei Papi, but I prefer it because of its aesthetic touches that truly make it feel like an oasis. Next to the large pool, there are big trees that provide wonderful shade.
The only downside is its location, right across from a gas station, which slightly mars the atmosphere, but you barely notice it from the pool area.
The water is very hot and sulfurous. I particularly enjoyed the café area’s decor. Therma Oasis is the second most recently updated thermal spa in Viterbo. Over two thousand years ago, this site was home to the ancient Therma Navisso, which the Romans enjoyed during the imperial era.
The Oasis hot spring bursts forth at 65°C and flows through geysers and waterfalls into the 500-square-meter pool, featuring four different areas. The pool water varies in natural shades, from opalescent to emerald green. This thermal water is microbiologically and bacteriologically pure, mineral-rich, and contains a high level of hydrogen sulfide, known for its excellent dermatological benefits.
The spa provides comfortable changing rooms with bathrooms and lockers for storing personal items. You access the pool via a covered corridor, where you can leave your bathrobe and slippers.
Prices: Daily weekday admission: $25 | Holiday, pre-holiday, and weekend admission: $30 | Saturday evening admission: $20
Tip: Look out for Groupon deals for daily admission to Therma Oasi.
5. Salus Terme
Address: Strada Tuscanese 26-28 Contact: tel +39 07611970000 | info@hotelsalusterme.it, spa@hotelsalusterme.it
I’ve only visited this thermal bath once. It’s the priciest in Viterbo, and now that we’re a family of three, the cost has become a bit steep for us.
The elegant Terme Salus, part of the Salus Terme Hotel, offers access to its day spa and thermal pools without requiring a hotel stay. As the most exclusive—and indeed, the most expensive—thermal baths in Viterbo, it features two thermal pools, one indoors and one outdoors. The spa’s grounds also house additional pools with lukewarm or cold water, enhanced with sea salt for those seeking different experiences.
A day at the Hotel Salus Terme thermal baths promises utter relaxation, complete with massages, a sauna overlooking the park, Kneipp paths, and a herbal tea room. Note, children are not permitted in the spa pool. It could be perfect for a getaway from Rome with your sweet half.
For details on all available packages and offers, reaching out to the spa’s customer service is your best bet.
Daily admission cost: $45
6. Terme di Orte – my summer pick
Address: Strada Bagno, 9 Orte
Open from late May to mid-September
Contact: Tel: +39 0761 402404 | info@termediorte.it
My father-in-law was the one who introduced me to this incredible place, and I couldn’t be more thankful. I’ll admit, initially, I hesitated to spend a day there with my daughter, considering all the summer attractions near Rome, from beaches to lakes.
About 25 km east of Viterbo, right on the border with Umbria, you’ll find this gem of a hot spring, perfect for a summer dip. The waters at Terme di Orte gush out at a cozy 29°, historically dubbed the “Spring of the Scabies” for its knack for healing skin ailments.
Since the ’60s, after a bit of a facelift, this spot became a hit not just for the therapeutic waters but also for the breathtaking landscape and the lush tree coverage. It felt like a retreat where the beauty of nature did most of the talking.
Back in the early 20th century, bathers would lounge and chat in simple log huts on the lawns. Fast forward to now, those huts have made way for comfy, shaded gazebos complete with tables.
The pool itself is spacious, so finding your spot to chill is a breeze. Along the pool’s edge, there’s this cool feature where water drops off, creating what I call “thermal showers,” perfect for a back massage. There’s a section with a diving board for anyone keen on doing some laps, and they’ve even thought about the little ones with a kids-only pool.
This is one of my favorite day trips from Rome with family in summer.
It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend the whole day. Pack a lunch or try the on-site restaurant, bring a good book or some cards to play with friends. It’s all about unwinding at your own pace here.
Orte Thermal Baths strike that balance between being well-maintained and feeling just as welcoming as if you’re hanging out at a friend’s pool. And it’s not gonna burn a hole in your wallet either.
7. Vulci Thermal Bath and Spa
Address: Via delle Terme, Riminino, Viterbo
Open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Contacts: Tel: +390761438574 | info@termedivulci.com
I discovered the thermal baths in Vulci while exploring Tarquinia, a picturesque town near the Tuscany border.
Vulci, an ancient Etruscan town, still whispers tales from the past. Uno dei luoghi più incredibili a nord di Viterbo è proprio il Castello di Vulci, di epoca medievale e circondato da un scenico fossato.
But back to the thermal bath, which has a pool and a spa.
The most pleasing sight is the pool with four areas, each with its temperature, color, and water properties, ranging from 30 to 42 degrees Celsius. So it is also good for late spring/early summer.
The thermal water is remarkably pure and rich in mineral salts, bicarbonate, sulfate, magnesium, fluoride, and iron.
When visiting the pools, I always remember the dress code: a white towel or bathrobe is a must.
If you forget to bring one, you can rent it for €5.
Slippers, in any color, are mandatory, and while lockers are free with an online booking, they’re available for €2 on-site as long as they last.
Around the pools, you can relax on sunbeds, under umbrellas, or in director-type chairs scattered across the lawns. The center also provides showers, changing rooms, baths, and shower soaps for convenience.
The Voltumna Spa, located within Terme di Vulci, offers treatments like massages and thermal mud therapy, which are particularly effective for rheumatism and arthrosis.
For those feeling peckish, a kiosk by the pool serves breakfast, lunch, and aperitifs.
One more detail that truly sets Vulci Spa apart is its Glamping area.
I did not take advantage of it because I can go and return in the day.
PRICES:
- High season (June to October): weekday daily admission €21 (afternoon only €16) | Holiday and pre-holiday daily admission €34 (afternoon only €21).
- Low season (October, November, and March to June): weekday daily admission €16 (afternoon only €12) | Holiday and pre-holiday daily admission €24 (afternoon only €18).
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