Short answer
Saturnia’s Cascate del Mulino in southern Tuscany are free and open all year, with water at about 37.5 °C — but it’s a long day from Rome by road; Viterbo is a nearer alternative. Bagni San Filippo and Bagno Vignoni (Val d’Orcia) and Montecatini are other classics. On Ischia, the thermal parks (Negombo, Poseidon and others) are seasonal — a day trip from Sorrento or Naples is tight, so stay a night. For a spa day in a city, see our Wellness & spa guide.
Checked 2026-09-24 · Italy · Nature
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Saturnia · Cascate del Mulino | Free · all year · ~37.5 °C |
| From Rome | Saturnia is a long day · Viterbo is closer |
| Val d’Orcia | Bagni San Filippo · Bagno Vignoni |
| Ischia | Seasonal thermal parks · stay a night |
| Tip | Arrive at opening — sunbeds fill fast |
Where to go
Place
Saturnia — Cascate del Mulino
Verified 2026-09-24
Natural pools and small waterfalls of sulphur water at about 37.5 °C, free all year. Paid spas nearby for more comfort.
Place
Viterbo
Candidate · not verified · 2026-09-24
Hot springs closer to Rome than Saturnia — travellers’ alternative for a shorter day.
Place
Val d’Orcia: San Filippo and Vignoni
Candidate · not verified · 2026-09-24
Bagni San Filippo’s white limestone pools and Bagno Vignoni’s thermal village square; check current bathing rules on site.
Place
Ischia’s thermal parks
Candidate · not verified · 2026-09-24
Garden spas with several pools; seasonal opening dates differ by park — check before you go.
Plan it
Good to know
Ischia: stay a night
Candidate · not verified · 2026-09-24
A day trip from Sorrento with ferry, spa and garden leaves little slack.
Good to know
Arrive early
Candidate · not verified · 2026-09-24
At the Ischia parks sunbeds fill quickly after opening.
Good to know
City spa instead
Short on time? A spa afternoon in Rome, Milan or Florence.
Quick answers
Are the Saturnia hot springs free?
Yes — the Cascate del Mulino are free and open all year.
Can you visit Saturnia on a day trip from Rome?
It’s a long day by road; Viterbo is a closer alternative.
Are Ischia thermal parks open in October?
Some are — seasonal dates differ by park, so check each one.
Go deeper in our guides
Related answers
Sources: Visit Tuscany · Cascate del Mulino ↗