In these new urban retreats centered on relaxation, we find the same spirit that reigned in the baths of Ancient Rome: a place where water, appreciated for its curative properties, is the vital element of a regenerating journey. Today's spas, with their thermal baths, saunas, and beauty treatments, are nothing more than the natural evolution of a thousand-year-old tradition, a modern-day ode to health and harmony handed down to us by those masters of well-being, the Romans.
Looking back to the past
From the time of the Roman Republic to the height of the Empire, thermal baths were a mainstay of daily life in Ancient Rome. A typical visit to the spa would have included the frigidarium (cold room), the tepidarium (warm room), and the calidarium (hot room). Each room was designed to give the bather an experience of gradual warming and relaxation of the body, culminating in the laconicum, a kind of sauna.
Baths of Caracalla
Built between 212 and 216 AD on Aventino, the small Aventine Hill, the Terme di Caracalla are one of the largest and best-preserved bath complexes from Antiquity. Located close to the Appian Way, they were supplied by the Aqua Antoniniana, a special connection to the almost 100km-long Aqua Marcia, the third aqueduct in Ancient Rome. The rectangular architecture encompassed a caldarium, a tepidarium, a frigidarium, and a natatio, with rooms arranged symmetrically around the gymnasiums.
However, thermal baths were about more than well-being and sporting activities – they were also hubs of socializing and urban life. This is still the case today. In summer, the Baths of Caracalla host open-air performances of the Teatro dell'Opera, ballets, and concerts, the scenography of which is extraordinary. This site is Ideal for an archaeology-focused stroll and an unforgettable evening.
Baths of Diocletian
As a monumental complex built between 298 and 306 AD, the Terme di Diocleziano are unique in terms of their size and state of preservation. Spread over 13 hectares, they were able to accommodate over 3,000 people. The structure adhered to the classic layout of Imperial baths, with a caldarium, tepidarium, and frigidarium set along a central axis. The natatio, a 4 000m² outdoor swimming pool, and the vast symmetrical gymnasiums add to the majesty of the site.
One of the most famous rooms is the Aula Ottagona (Octagonal Classroom) with its eight-ribbed cupola, also known as the Planetarium because of its use as such in the 20th century. In operation until the 6th century, the thermal baths were then abandoned until 1561, when Pope Pius IV commissioned Michelangelo to convert them into a church and a Carthusian monastery. The church, dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels, occupied the tepidarium, frigidarium, and part of the natatio, while the cloisters of the Carthusian monastery were installed in the northern part of the complex.
The contemporary legacy of the Ancient baths
Rome, the Eternal City, is a place where past and present collide in a timeless embrace. Ancient Roman spa traditions are revived today in luxurious modern spas. These sanctuaries of well-being procure unique experiences that evoke the Ancient art of caring for body and mind. Here is a selection of the best spas in Rome, where contemporary luxury meets age-old tradition.
Bulgari Hotel Spa
Piazza Augusto Imperatore 10The spa at the Bulgari Hotel (One Michelin Key) embodies the essence of Ancient Roman baths with its marble columns and stained-glass windows that create a luxurious, enveloping atmosphere. Covering 1 500m², the spa is an oasis of calm devoted to balancing body, mind, and spirit. It features eight rooms, signature Augustinus Bader treatments, and a luxurious Spa Suite with a green onyx pool. The 20m indoor pool decorated with mosaics inspired by the Baths of Caracalla adds a touch of splendor and sophistication to the ambience.
Constantly inspired by Rome, Bulgari has always incorporated the city's lines, architecture, and style into its creations. This tribute to the magnificence of Rome is evident not only in the jewels, but also in the spaces, including the exclusive spa, a modern retreat where you can tap into the ancient art of wellness.
Six Senses Rome Spa
Piazza San Marcello
Entering the spa of Six Senses Rome (One Michelin Key) means leaving behind the hectic city streets to immerse yourself in an oasis of equilibrium and serenity. This Eden of relaxation offers a sensory journey through the classic Roman spa circuit. Treatments range from personalized facials and signature body massages to innovative therapies such as biohacking, sound therapy, and breathwork, guiding guests to wellness with state-of-the-art techniques. Facilities include Roman baths, saunas, hammams, a biohacking room, a beauty area, and a yoga and meditation studio.
"The Cocoon" deserves a special mention – this treatment combines a foot soak, body exfoliation, and warm candle massage, culminating in a body wrap and a mini-facial ritual. This multi-sensory odyssey uses natural products such as argan oil and shea butter to stimulate cell regeneration and promote a lasting sense of wellbeing.
Also on this topic: Journey in Time: the Roman Baths of Six Senses Rome
Hotel de Russie Spa
Via del Babuino 9
Surrounded by the lush greenery of the secret garden of the Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie (One Michelin Key), the spa is an exclusive retreat focused on rebalancing physical, emotional, and mental energies. This 600m² wellness center is as popular with international guests as it is with locals, offering a wide range of services including a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, Turkish bath, and fully equipped gym. The spa, open 365 days a year, is a perfect haven in which to escape the hectic pace of city life and restore mental and physical well-being.
There is a broad menu of high-caliber treatments, such as the renowned Beauty Facials Treatment from the Swiss Perfection brand and holistic therapies such as aromatherapy, shiatsu, reiki, and ayurveda. The spa exclusively uses Irene Forte Skincare products, formulated in Italy with selected ingredients from the Rocco Forte Verdura Resort farm in Sicily.
This rejuvenating environment makes for an ideal sanctuary just a few steps from Piazza del Popolo, where every detail is designed for total well-being.
Amorvero Spa - Hotel Hassler
Piazza Trinità dei Monti 6
The Amorvero Spa at Hotel Hassler (One MICHELIN Key) offers a peaceful and luxurious time-out. The spa features a wide range of services, including personalized massages, beauty treatments, a sauna, and a Turkish bath. Wellness packages are tailored to meet all needs, making each visit a unique and rejuvenating experience. With its extraordinary view of the Eternal City, the terrace adds another layer of uniqueness, so that each treatment is a full sensory experience.
AcquaMadre hammam
Via di Sant'Ambrogio 17
Nestled in the heart of the Roman Ghetto just a few steps from the famous Fontana delle Tartarughe (Fountain of the Turtles), the AcquaMadre Hammam is a timeless refuge, where the scent of incense and gently flowing water transport you to a world of stillness.
The journey begins in the apodyterium, where daily worries are set aside to prepare you to deeply tune into yourself. It continues in the calidarium, a warm and humid environment that dilates the blood vessels, improves circulation, and promotes detoxification. After a regenerating pause in the calidarium, guests can enjoy an exfoliating scrub to rid the skin of impurities, followed by a thorough cleansing. The last stage is a dip in the frigidarium, a pool of cool water that tightens pores, tones muscles, and revitalizes the entire body.
In the hammam, a variety of treatments are available, including rose rassoul clay masks and exfoliating scrubs, with natural ingredients that are suitable for even the most delicate skin. The experience ends in the relaxation room, a true decompression chamber, where one can sip tea, kick back, and indulge in some reading, and gradually return to reality. Relaxing, circulatory, and decontracting massages with essential oils bring an extra level of well-being and a feeling of rebirth. This unique environment is an invitation to really listen to yourself and conducive to a complete regeneration of body and mind.
Travel notes
Baths of Caracalla - viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52
Opera de Roma - piazza Beniamino Gigli
Baths of Diocletian - via Enrico de Nicola 78
Aula Ottagona - via Giuseppe Romita 8
AcquaMadre hammam - via di Sant'Ambrogio 17
Hero image: Bulgari Hotel Spa / © Bulgari Hotel
