Spa day at Terme dei Papi

Sink into the healing waters once favoured by popes

Word to the wise: Use the handy bus service departing every morning from Piazza Mancini in Rome at 8.30am, and arriving at Terme dei Papi at 9.45am.
In days gone by, this is where Roman consuls and a few popes used to kick back and relax. The name “dei Papi” - of the popes - is due to the intervention of Pope Nicholas V who was so impressed by the healing properties of the waters that he had a palace built here in 1450, giving him somewhere to stay when he required treatment.

Terme dei Papi is in Viterbo, about 75km outside of Rome and open all year round. As well as the monumental pool with its natural warm, sulphur smelling water from the Bullicame font, there are a range of luxurious spa treatments such as moisturising body massages, facials with volcanic mud and a steam bath in a natural grotto.