Tuscany thermal baths: San Carlo Terme
Content
The Terme di San Carlo spa above Massa reopened on May 11, 2026, after a decades-long hiatus. Important for planning purposes: there is no thermal bath . San Carlo is solely a drinking spa, whose lightly mineralized spring water is primarily consumed to treat kidney and urinary tract ailments. The park is also open to visitors without spa treatments in the afternoons.
San Carlo Terme at a glance
- Location: San Carlo Terme, municipality of Massa (province of Massa-Carrara), on the hillside between the town and the Pian della Fioba
- Water: Cold, low-mineral, low-sodium spring water for drinking cures – no bathing pools
- Chargeable: Drinking cures are available (inquire about prices with the operator); the park is open to the public from 14 pm.
- Öffnungszeiten (Stand 2026): Trinkkur täglich 9–13 Uhr; ärztliche Sprechstunde Mo, Mi und Sa 9–13 Uhr nach Voranmeldung; Saison von Mai bis in den Herbst
- Contact: Such. +39 0585 47703, acquasancarlo.com
Location and arrival
San Carlo Terme is situated on a hill above Massa, roughly halfway between the old town and the Pian della Fioba in the Apuan Alps. From here, you can look down to the sea. The route is via the mountain road from Massa towards Pian della Fioba; from the A12 motorway, take the Massa exit. Reaching the thermal baths without a car is difficult.
Water and applications
Drinking cure instead of thermal baths
The water is oxygen-rich, low in minerals, and low in sodium. Since reopening, the focus has been on medically supervised drinking cures (cure idropiniche), particularly for kidney and urinary tract diseases and for the prevention of kidney stones. Guests drink the water directly from the historic fountains in the park. In addition, the water is bottled and sold, and fitness and rehabilitation programs are being developed.
History
Die Quellen waren schon in römischer Zeit bekannt. Ihren Namen verdankt der Ort dem Mailänder Erzbischof Carlo Borromeo, der das Wasser im 16. Jahrhundert nutzte. Das moderne Kurhaus entstand in den 1930er-Jahren; nach langem Stillstand hat der Eigentümer Eugenio Alphandery die Anlage seit 2014 saniert und 2026 wieder eröffnet.
Visitor tips
- For a drinking cure, please arrange an appointment by phone in advance for the initial medical examination.
- Those who only want to look should come in the afternoon: that's when the park with its viewing terrace is open to the public.
- You can leave your swimwear at home – for swimming you're better off going to the coast or to one of the thermal baths down below.
Environment and alternatives
From San Carlo, it's just a few kilometers down to the sea at Marina di Massa. Worthwhile destinations nearby include the marble city of Carrara with its quarries, as well as Forte dei Marmi and Pietrasanta in Versilia. You can read more about the region on the Massa-Carrara province page.
Those wishing to bathe will find the nearest thermal pools at Terme della Versilia in Cinquale, right by the sea, and – in summer – at Terme di Equi in Lunigiana. All thermal baths and public hot springs can be found in our overview of thermal baths in Tuscany.
Find accommodation
Accommodation in Massa and Marina di Massa can be found at Booking.com (Massa).
Find accommodation in Massa
Frequently asked questions about San Carlo Terme
Will San Carlo Terme be open in 2026?
Yes. The Terme di San Carlo reopened on May 11, 2026, after a decades-long hiatus. The season runs from May until autumn.
Is it possible to swim in San Carlo Terme?
No. Only drinking cures are offered; there are no thermal pools.
What is the water from San Carlo used for?
This low-mineral, low-sodium water is primarily drunk for kidney and urinary tract problems, as well as for the prevention of kidney stones.
When is the park open?
The drinking cure takes place daily from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m. From 14 p.m. onwards, the park is open to the public (as of 2026).
Where is the nearest thermal spa for swimming?
The Terme della Versilia in Cinquale on the coast and in summer the Terme di Equi in the Lunigiana.
