Verona isn’t merely history, culture and monuments. If you’re looking to completely relax on holiday, it’s worth exploring some of the numerous spas in and around Verona where you can treat yourself to some downtime and well-being, whether by yourself or with a partner.
The city of Verona is one of the most captivating tourist destinations on the Italian peninsula owing to the indisputable charm afforded by its rich history and monuments.
Verona has also become the “city of love” in our collective imagination thanks to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This has made it the tourist destination of choice for many couples who want to relax and enjoy an extremely romantic experience.
There are so many things to do and sights to see in the city, and they’re not only for couples. To name just a few, there’s the famous Piazza delle Erbe and Juliet’s balcony, the Cathedral, the Castelvecchio castle, and the Castelvecchio Bridge. The alleys and piazzas of Verona will plunge you into a magical atmosphere that you’ll fall in love with instantly.
I guarantee you that “getting lost” in Verona is a unique experience. My advice as a local is to visit all the iconic sites of the city recommended by the guides first, and then devote your time to exploring far and wide, without any particular destination in mind. This way, as well as experiencing Verona at its most authentic, you’ll discover wonderful lesser-known spots.
But the city isn’t merely history, culture and monuments. If you’re looking to completely relax on holiday, it’s worth exploring some of the numerous spas in and around Verona where you can treat yourself to some downtime and well-being, whether by yourself or with a partner.
If you’re visiting Verona for more than a few days, I “warmly” recommend (I know, I’m so punny…) booking at least one day at the spa. Tucked away in this verdant region, you’ll in fact find some of the best spas in Italy, visited just as frequently by locals as by tourists.
Read on for all the details you need about the thermal baths in and around Verona to plan your well-being stay in advance. And don’t forget to take a look at the up-to-date information published on the websites of the different spas we’re recommending, because the Covid restrictions in place may affect their opening.
Thermal baths in and around Verona: spas in the area
The province of Verona has a wealth of thermal waters: a real boon for the locals, who can find peace and tranquility just a few minutes from home and stay cool, even on the hottest days. But this province in the Veneto region is also a famous spa tourism destination for those who live in other parts of Italy.
This type of tourism is catching on more and more throughout the country, aided by the fact that, for a few years now, spa treatments have been one of the therapies reimbursed by the State health service. It is why increasing numbers of Italians are choosing to spend their holidays in one of these centres, saving money while they relax.
But where are the baths in Verona? How many spas are there in the area and which ones are the best? How much does it cost for a few hours or a full day of relaxation?
Below, you’ll find a list of the main spas in the province of Verona, with all the information you’ll need to choose the right one for you!
Aquardens Thermal Park (Pescantina – Valpolicella)
The fantastic Aquardens Thermal Park is located in the village of Santa Lucia, just outside Pescantina in Valpolicella, an area particularly famous for its wines. It sits just 15km from central Verona, and just under 10km from the banks of Lake Garda.
Opened in 2012, it’s the largest thermal park in Italy and in Europe, stretching across more than 5000 square metres of land, with a succession of pools, lagoons and grottos, and cascades of the purest thermal water flowing from a depth of 130 metres at a temperature of 47ºC. Inside, there’s a 1500-square-metre wellness centre with a beauty salon, spa and medical spa, where you can consult medical specialists.
Don’t miss the Grotta della Fonte, with the warmest water in the park (39ºC), and the thermal lakes with the Isola del Sole, as well as the many treatments, well-being programmes and services offered by the centre (such as the sauna, Mediterranean baths, multi-sensory showers etc.). You can also spend just the evening at the spa (by purchasing an evening pass) and enjoy an aperitif at the lounge bar while comfortably immersed in the water.
Aquardens is open all year, and is even ideal for a spa day with the kids. In winter in particular, when it’s too cold to spend time on the shore of the lake, it’s the ideal place to relax and restore your mental and physical well-being.
The park can get quite crowded at certain times, so it’s best to avoid weekends and public holidays. We also recommend booking, especially if you want to enjoy any treatments or a massage at the wellness centre. For further information on how to book and on the treatments available, please visit the park’s official website.
- How to get there from central Verona
- Price range: from €19 (two hours of balneotherapy) to €49 (full day).
- Opening hours: every day of the week from 9:00 to 21:00.
Antiche Terme di Giunone Park (Caldiero)
Around 10km east of Verona, in the commune of Caldiero, you’ll find the lush Antiche Terme di Giunone Park.
The thermal waters of Caldiero, which flow from the Brentella spring, were already known and being used for therapeutic purposes in Roman times, so much so that they were known as the “Waters of Beauty”. At least one spa building certainly existed in Verona too, and numerous artifacts from it have been found.
In the early Middle Ages, when the Terme di Giunone fell into disuse because of the Church (which considered attendance of the baths inappropriate), they were used by local people to macerate flax.
In the centuries that followed, medical science of the time began to recognise the therapeutic value of thermal waters in general, including those from the Terme di Giunone. From around 1400, when it became part of the Republic of Venice, various villas were built in Caldiero, encouraging a return to the countryside and probably also the rediscovery of the Terme di Giunone.
The current Terme di Giunone Water Park building, which has been enlarged considerably over the years, incorporates two ancient pools dating back to the medieval period: the Cavalla pool and the Brentella pool. These pools are one of a kind, with thermal water that flows from natural springs, surrounded by a centuries-old copse of plane trees, horse chestnuts, yews, thuja, pagoda trees, and rows of box and hedges.
There are also a further four pools in the park (Olympic pool, wave pool, junior pool and rain pool) and four water slides, as well as tennis courts, beach volleyball courts and beach football pitches. In short, there’s everything you could need for a day of pure fun!
The Terme di Giunone park is open from late May to early September. Booking isn’t necessary. Local residents can save money on the entrance fee by buying a book of 10 entrance tickets or a season pass. For further information, please visit the Terme di Giunone Park website.
- How to get there from central Verona
- Price range: from €8 (weekdays) to €10 (weekends and public holidays). Children, over 65s and residents of Caldiero can enjoy a reduced rate.
- Opening hours: from May to September, every day of the week from 10:00 to 19:00.
Villa dei Cedri Thermal Park (Colà di Lazise)
The Villa dei Cedri thermal park is located in Colà di Lazise, around 25km from the city of Verona. It is a natural spa surrounded by greenery: among the rare plants and centuries-old trees, you’ll find lakes, hydromassage pools, fountains and waterfalls of thermal water at temperatures between 29 and 39 degrees.
Within the park is the magnificent Villa dei Cedri, a historic Lombardy-style villa built in the late 18th century that now functions as a hotel. It has 27 rooms available in an elegant, exclusive setting.
There are also many other services to enjoy within the park: a sports centre with a thermal pool, gym and physical therapy area; a wellness centre that offers a great many treatments, from saunas to Turkish baths, chromotherapy and aromatherapy; and a restaurant (Villa Moscardo) with sophisticated yet affordable dishes.
Finally, as well as Villa dei Cedri, there are two other places to stay: the Residences (inside the park) and the Country House (around 350m from the entrance to the park). This gives you all the services of the thermal baths within easy reach (some included in the price, depending on the package chosen) during your stay in a relaxing, enchanting location, far from the stress of the city.
The Villa dei Cedri Thermal Park is open all year and is perfect both for a romantic weekend for two or for a relaxing break with family or friends. For more information on all the services available, please visit the official website.
- How to get there from central Verona
- Price range: day pass for the park only: €28 (full price), €16 (concession); wellness centre only: €29; park + wellness centre: €53.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00; Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 to 20:30.
Aquaria Thermal Spa – Terme di Sirmione
Aquaria Thermal Spa is the spectacular spa centre belonging to the Terme di Sirmione group, around 40km from Verona in the town of Sirmione, the so-called “Pearl of Lake Garda” praised by Latin poet Catullus.
The centre consists of more than 3500 square metres of covered area, 6500 square metres of park and 700 square metres of thermal waters in a splendid setting looking our over Lake Garda.
Within the centre, you’ll find everything you need to relax completely: thermal pools with bubble beds, hydromassage pools, vascular treatment pools, a freshwater pool by the lake, multi-sensory showers, multi-sensory relaxation areas with views of the lake, and much more. You can also enjoy a wide range of beauty treatments and medical services, courtesy of the best specialists and professionals.
The Terme di Sirmione group also manages the Grand Hotel Terme, a magnificent 5-star hotel located just 5 minutes from the spa centre, and offers a medical spa service with integrated health and wellness programmes that take advantage of the benefits of the local thermal waters.
Aquaria Thermal Spa is open all year. To find out more about the treatments and experiences offered by the centre, please visit Termedisirmione.com.
- How to get there from central Verona
- Price range: 5-hour pass (including welcome pack): €34 (midweek), €43 (weekend); all-day pass (includes one dish with a soft drink, one Acqua Termale Spray with waterproof bag, change of towels, one pack of Acqua di Sirmione and welcome pack): €68; “short” pass (two hours): €22 (including cap).
- Opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 22:00.
Terme della Valpolicella – Villa Quaranta (Ospedaletto)
The Terme della Valpolicella spa and thermal centre is located in Villa Quaranta, a luxury 4-star hotel in Ospedaletto, about 15km from the centre of Verona.
The spa boasts a beauty centre (where you can try the original vinotherapy), relaxing thermal pools, a fitness centre and a thermarium (with various services to be enjoyed, from the Finnish sauna to different types of massage).
Essentially, if you love wine and relaxation, Villa Quaranta and its spa is the ideal place for a romantic weekend with your partner or simply for a change of routine. The icing on the cake is the Borgo Antico restaurant, which brings you pure culinary pleasure combined with the best wines.
The Terme di Valpolicella is open all year, and has package deals and offers for special occasions. Booking is required. You can find all the offers and news on the centre’s official site.
- How to get there from central Verona
- Price range: depends on the type of treatment. The full price list can be found here.
- Opening hours: Monday and Friday from 10:00 to 21:00; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 to 21:00; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10:00 to 19:00.
Other hotels in Verona with spas
To conclude, here’s a short list of other hotels in the province of Verona where you can reap the benefits of thermal water:
- Aqualux Hotel Spa Suite & Terme (Bardolino – Lake Garda);
- Hotel Caesius Thermae & Spa Resort (Bardolino – Lake Garda);
- Hotel Veronesi La Torre (Dossobuono);
- Parc Hotel (Peschiera del Garda).
So now that you know all there is to know about spas in Verona, what are you waiting for? Get organising your trip! Read the other magazine articles on this wonderful city and book your flight with Volotea!
