Tuscany thermal baths: San Giuliano Terme

In San Giuliano Terme , about 7 km northeast of Pisa, lies the Bagni di Pisa thermal hotel – the former summer residence of the Grand Dukes of Lorraine. The spa is also open to day visitors: admission to the "Salus per Aquam" thermal circuit costs €60 (as of 2026). The thermal water emerges from the spring at 38°C.

Location and arrival

San Giuliano Terme lies at the foot of Monte Pisano between Pisa and Lucca . The thermal baths are located in the center of the town.

• Train: San Giuliano Terme train station on the Pisa–Lucca line is only about 300 m away – the most convenient way to get there without a car.
• Flight: Pisa airport is nearby; a spa day can easily be scheduled at the beginning or end of a trip.
• Car: from Pisa or Lucca via the SS12 state road.

Water and offer

What's included in the admission price

The "Salus per Aquam" day tour includes the Bioaquam pool with massage jets, the indoor and outdoor thermal pools, the Thalaquam saltwater pool, the Minerva bath, and the Thermarium with Turkish bath, sauna, and experience showers. Bathrobe, towel, and bathing cap are included; tea and fruit are available in the relaxation areas.

Treatments and Grotto

For an additional fee, the spa offers massages, mud treatments, inhalations, physiotherapy, and cosmetic services. A unique feature is the Grotta dei Granduchi, a natural steam grotto carved into the rock for a maximum of four people, which must be reserved in advance. The thermal water is traditionally used to treat inflammation, as well as joint and respiratory ailments.

Visitor tips

• Book your spa day online or by email in advance – demand is high on weekends and public holidays.
• Those who plan to include lunch will find the combination packages cheaper than booking individually.
• For children, check in advance whether and from what age they are allowed.
• A stroll through the town and the park is a good way to spend half a day in Pisa.

The town of San Giuliano Terme

San Giuliano Terme is more than just the thermal baths: The municipality, with around 30.900 inhabitants (ISTAT 2024), stretches from the plain north of Pisa to the southern slopes of the Monti Pisani and comprises about 20 hamlets, including Asciano, Agnano, Rigoli, Pugnano, and Ripafratta. The municipality even includes a stretch of coastline within the Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Natural Park – however, there are no bathing establishments there, and it is only accessible with park guides.

History of the Baths of San Giuliano

Schon Plinius der Ältere erwähnte die Quellen als aquae pisanae. 1112 ließ Mathilde von Tuszien die Bäder erneuern, unter den Medici wurde der Zugang geregelt. Ihre Blütezeit erlebten sie unter den Lothringern: Großherzog Franz Stephan machte San Giuliano ab 1743 zu seiner Sommerresidenz, 1749 war der Komplex samt der Kirche Santi Ranieri e Luigi Gonzaga fertig – das heutige Hotel Bagni di Pisa. Im 19. Jahrhundert kamen Kurgäste aus ganz Europa, darunter der englische Dichter Percy Bysshe Shelley mit seiner Frau Mary, die 1820 und 1821 mehrere Monate in den Bädern lebten; Shelley schrieb hier unter anderem „Adonais“. Daran erinnert der Platz Largo Shelley vor der Therme.

Things to see in the municipality

• Medici Aqueduct: The arched aqueduct of the Mediceo leads from Asciano to Pisa and is clearly visible from the town.
• Romanesque Pieven: the Pieve di San Marco in Rigoli and the Pieve di Santa Maria e San Giovanni Battista in Pugnano.
• Villas on the hillside: The area around the town is home to numerous historic country villas, such as the Villa di Corliano and the Villa Roncioni.
• Feste: Ende April findet die traditionsreiche Agrifiera statt (seit 1889), am 24. August das Fest des Schutzpatrons San Bartolomeo.

Hiking on Monte Pisano

Beyond the town, trails begin leading up Monte Pisano, the mountainous region between Pisa and Lucca. One destination is the Monte Castellare – Valle delle Fonti nature reserve above San Giuliano; a small multimedia museum in the San Giuliano Terme train station provides information about the area. A morning hike followed by an afternoon soaking in the warm thermal waters makes for a relaxing day.

Environment and alternatives

From San Giuliano, it's just a few minutes to the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. Tickets for the Leaning Tower and the Cathedral are officially available from the Opera della Primaziale or via GetYourGuide (Leaning Tower of Pisa) . Lucca, with its city walls, is also easily accessible.

Other nearby thermal baths include the Terme di Casciana thermal pool, the Bagni di Lucca baths , and the Uliveto Terme thermal park (with a summer outdoor pool). A complete list of thermal baths and free springs can be found in the overview of thermal baths in Tuscany.

Find accommodation

Besides the thermal spa hotel itself, there are accommodations in the town and in Pisa – a selection can be found at Booking.com in San Giuliano Terme.

Frequently asked questions about San Giuliano Terme