One of the Bologna and Modena area’s most prized resources is its hot spring waters and the various spa facilities are the ideal starting point for a wellness tour that brings together these special waters, scenic surroundings, and local traditions.
Along this three-stop tour, you’ll discover the most characteristic spas in the area, from the historical Terme di Castel San Pietro complex to the acclaimed Terme di Porretta centre and the beautiful Terme della Salvarola spa.
From the sulphur springs of the Apennine mountains to the wellness centres nestled in the hills of Modena, this route alternates time for pampering and spa treatments with opportunities to enjoy nature, for a boost that combines health and pleasure.
It is also a great choice for couples wanting to wind down together, sharing an experience that blends wellness and reinvigoration.
Let’s start our journey in a town rich in art and history, Castel San Pietro Terme, to visit its renowned spas. Founded in 1870, these facilities have a reputation for excellence in health care and prevention originating from the use of their sulphurous and salt-, bromine-, and iodine-rich waters.
The spa complex is set in extensive, well-cared-for, centuries-old grounds that invite visitors to take relaxing walks after their treatments. The facility is renowned for the effectiveness of its services, from inhalation treatments to mud baths, modern cosmetic medicine, and physical therapy rehabilitation.
A stop at the Terme di Castel San Pietro, one of the Emilia region’s ‘Slow Cities’, is an opportunity not only to indulge in a little pampering but also to rediscover the gentle pace of wellness in a setting where medical professionalism meets hospitality, the kind of the region is known for.
In between treatments, you can savour the peacefulness of this spa town, which has made hospitality and quality of life its hallmark.
Useful information
It's best to check opening times and periods, as these spas may be closed in the winter.
Continuing our wellness journey, let’s head up into the Bologna Apennines, to the Alto Reno Terme area, where the famous Terme di Porretta spa centre is located. In this area, the healing properties of the local waters have been intertwined with history for millennia.
The ancient Romans knew all about the extraordinary therapeutic properties of their sulphurous and salt-, bromine-, and iodine-rich waters and the springs went on to become a popular destination for the nobility and intellectuals over the centuries that followed.
Here, guests can enjoy mineral-rich waters known for their benefits to the body containing:
To know
Therapeutic bathing in spa waters, vascular treatment circuits, specialist health treatments, and beauty treatments - whether you opt for a couples’ experience or time to relax alone, the Terme di Porretta spa centre is the ideal place to unwind and recharge, where thermal treatments and personal care blend in a unique natural setting.
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Easy to reach from Bologna by car or train.
As our journey draws to an end, let’s make our way to Sassuolo, in the province of Modena, for a final stop at the Terme di Salvarola spa complex.
Nestled in the Modena hills, this historical Art Nouveau building houses facilities combining spring water treatments and wellness.
The Balnea wellness centre is the heart of the complex, whose sulphur-magnesium waters have been popular since 1760 for their beneficial effects on the respiratory tract, joints, and skin. It features indoor and outdoor hot spring pools, whirlpools, saunas, a Turkish bath, gyms, a beauty area, and a solarium, for all-round pampering.
The Terme della Salvarola spa is the perfect way to end a journey dedicated to relaxation and personal care, recharging both body and mind in a welcoming setting surrounded by history and nature.
To try
The Terme della Salvarola were pioneers in Italy as the first to offer visitors ‘vinotherapy’. Inspired by the rows of Lambrusco Grasparossa grapevines surrounding the spa, they created the Benessere di Bacco® approach, which includes wellness treatments using both fresh grapes and grape-based products combined with their mineral-rich water. These ingredients help combat skin ageing, improve microcirculation, and provide unique benefits for the skin.
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