Terme dei Papi, the Thermal Baths You Need to Visit Near Rome
If you’re a loyal reader, you may remember that I mentioned Terme dei Papi before, in my article about my day trip to Viterbo. While Viterbo is the perfect day trip from Rome by train, Terme dei Papi are located 4 kilometres outside the city centre, making them a little inconvenient to reach by public transport (even though there are buses).
This time, I finally went to visit the Terme, and in this blog post, I will tell you everything you need to know. From prices to parking and my experience there, after reading this article, you will be more than prepared to put Terme dei Papi on your travel bucket list!
What Are Terme dei Papi?
Terme dei Papi, or the “baths of the popes” in English, are a natural wellness centre near Viterbo, using hyperthermal water from a natural spring. The name Terme dei Papi comes from the fact that the location was very popular with popes during the Middle Ages, who were well aware of the properties of the thermal waters.
The Terme are supplied with water from the Bullicame spring, which enters the baths at a temperature of 58 degrees Celsius. The hyperthermal waters of the spring are rich in sulphur, bicarbonate and alkaline minerals, and their beneficial properties have been recognised by modern medicine. The waters are traditionally used to soothe conditions such as rheumatism and arthritis, as well as for certain skin and respiratory conditions.
While the thermal springs were already known to the Etruscans, the complex as it exists today has been renovated and expanded over the years. Today, guests can enjoy a monumental outdoor pool, unique in its kind, as well as wellness centres, a hotel and dining facilities.
How to Get to Terme dei Papi from Rome
As I mentioned before, it is definitely possible to get to the Terme by public transport, but it is a little more complicated since you need to take a train from Rome and then catch a bus. From what I discovered, the buses don’t run that often, so if you want a relaxing and easy day trip, I would recommend going by car.
If you want to travel from Rome to Viterbo by train and visit the Terme from there anyway, I recommend reading my day trip to Viterbo article, where everything is explained for you.
Terme dei Papi are around one hour and fifteen minutes from Rome by car. There is a large parking area at the Terme, where you can park for free if you are a guest of the Terme.
Facilities at Terme dei Papi
The main ticket at Terme dei Papi gives you access to the monumental thermal pool. For the thermal pool, you can choose between a 3-hour ticket for €12 or a full-day ticket for €18. Children between 2 and 12 years old can enter for a discounted price of €8. Inside the pool area, it is also possible to rent a chair for €3 or a sunbed for €5 per person.
Included in the ticket price are the use of the changing rooms and showers. If you want, you can also make use of the lockers, which you can open and close with the wristband you receive at the ticket office when you purchase your ticket.
If you want to extend your experience at Terme dei Papi, they also offer multiple smaller thermal experiences, such as a natural cave, Hydrosound pool and vascular path, among others. Tickets for these experiences are sold separately and can be purchased online or in person at the ticket office. There are also several packages available on the official website, so if this is something you are interested in, I would definitely check them out to see whether one of the packages works out cheaper for you.
At Terme dei Papi, they also offer various spa treatments, including massages, facials and treatments using thermal mud. These treatments need to be booked in advance, and you can make a reservation through their website.
So, to conclude, if you simply want to visit the thermal pool at Terme dei Papi, you don't need to make a reservation online. You can go directly to the ticket office and purchase your ticket there. However, if you want to book an additional experience, such as the Hydrosound pool, or a spa treatment such as a massage, these may require a separate reservation. I would recommend checking the official website before your visit to see what needs to be booked in advance.
My Experience at Terme dei Papi
First things first: I actually planned to visit the Terme on a Tuesday, only to later learn that they are closed every Tuesday for scheduled maintenance. So keep in mind that if you want to visit the Terme, Tuesdays are not really an option.
Instead, I visited the Terme on a Monday, and I drastically brought down the average age, with mostly people around 70 years old spending the day at the baths. Since everyone knows I am a certified grandma, I was very content with this, and of course, I had a blast.
During my day at Terme dei Papi, I bought a regular full-day ticket and rented a sunbed. The monumental pool is, in fact, very large and has a shallow area where the hot water comes in, as well as a deeper area that is perfect for swimming.
The area surrounding the pool, where the sunbeds are located, has lots of greenery and palm trees and feels very relaxing and even a little luxurious. There is also a bar if you want to buy some drinks or snacks. Overall, I was more than happy with the facilities, which all seemed clean and well maintained.
The only downside, in my humble opinion, to visiting this thermal bath is the smell. Of course, I could have known this beforehand, but I didn't really put two and two together when I read that the water contains sulphur. So imagine my surprise when the smell of rotten eggs hung around the pool, and I couldn't quite put my finger on where it was coming from.
In the end, I sort of got used to it, but if you are really sensitive to smells, this thermal pool might not be quite as relaxing for you.
I have to say that after a day in the thermal bath, my skin felt amazing and incredibly soft. I would definitely come back, and I really want to try the other thermal experiences they offer too!
Is Terme dei Papi Worth Visiting?
To conclude, of course you want to know if Terme dei Papi are actually worth visiting. I am very enthusiastic about this place! With its history, relaxing atmosphere and naturally hot thermal waters, I think this is the perfect place to unwind if you are looking for a day trip from Rome.
Since the water is naturally hot, I also think it would be a great place to relax your muscles during autumn or winter. And honestly, I was even thinking that a day at Terme dei Papi could make a lovely birthday gift or a special treat for someone!
I am a little sad that it isn't particularly accessible by public transport, but if you have a car at your disposal, I can highly recommend visiting Terme dei Papi for a relaxing day trip from Rome.
If you have any suggestions for my next adventure, or want to share your memories of this place, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.
See you soon, my loves!
Much love,
Juliette
