Best natural swimming pools in Italy: wild bathing spots across the country

The Thermal Springs of Bullicame consist of a complex of several natural pools fed by sulphurous waters that maintain a constant temperature of approximately 58 degrees Celsius. These springs were mentioned by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy and have been recognized for their therapeutic properties since medieval times. The largest pool covers a considerable area and is used for bathing by locals and visitors alike. The site is located a few kilometres north of Viterbo in an open landscape and offers free access to the public.

The Fer Torrent Pools are located in Donnas in the Aosta Valley and are formed by a glacier-fed mountain stream. The iron-rich rocks give the water and surrounding stone a distinctive reddish coloration. Several natural basins and small waterfalls provide swimming opportunities in an alpine setting. Access is via hiking trails through forested terrain.

The Pozze Smeraldine are natural pools with emerald-green water formed by the Meduna river as it flows through the Friulan Dolomites. These pools are located near Tramonti di Sopra and were created by the erosion of limestone rock. The clear water offers opportunities for swimming and relaxation in the mountain landscape.

Jamaica Beach in Sirmione is a swimming area on Lake Garda characterized by flat stone slabs and turquoise water. Access is via a path along the Roman ruins of the Grotte di Catullo. Swimmers sunbathe on the smooth rock formations and swim in the clear lake. The location on the southern shore offers views of the surrounding mountains and the peninsula.

The Pitrisconi River Pools are located in granite gorges above San Teodoro in northeastern Sardinia. The river has carved deep pools into the rock over thousands of years, connected by small waterfalls. The water is clear and cool, fed by mountain springs. Access is via a hiking trail through Mediterranean scrubland. The pools are situated at different elevations along the river course, surrounded by smooth granite rocks suitable for sunbathing.

Fontana Capello is a waterfall located in the mountains near Casaletto Spartano within the Cilento National Park. The water flows down multiple tiers, creating small natural pools among the rocks. Ferns, mosses, and dense vegetation cover the surrounding area. Access requires a walk through the forest along a marked trail. The water temperature remains cool even during summer months.

The natural pools of the Euro are located along the Euro river near Borgo Pace in the Marche region. The river forms several pools and small waterfalls that provide opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. The clear water and rocky banks attract visitors seeking refreshment in a natural setting. These pools lie within a forested area of the Apennines and offer varying depths suitable for different swimming abilities.

The Bidente di Pietrapazza Natural Pools are located in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park near Bagno di Romagna. The river has carved deep basins and smooth rock slabs into the stone over centuries, creating natural bathing spots suitable for swimming and diving. The clear mountain water feeds several pools of varying depths, separated by natural rock formations. Access is via hiking trails through beech forests.

The Candalla Waterfalls form a series of natural pools and cascades along the Lombricese stream in the foothills of the Apuan Alps near Camaiore. The water flows over limestone rocks and collects in several pools of varying depths suitable for swimming and bathing. The surrounding area features Mediterranean vegetation, with chestnut trees and dense undergrowth. Access is via hiking trails starting from the village of Candalla.

Fosso Bianco is a natural thermal bathing site located near Bagni San Filippo in southern Tuscany. The water flows over white limestone formations created by centuries of mineral deposits. The thermal springs reach temperatures between 40 and 48 degrees Celsius, forming several natural pools suitable for bathing. The site sits in a wooded valley and can be accessed via a short hiking trail from the village. The pools are distributed across different elevations along the stream course, with the largest terraces displaying the distinctive white formations that give the place its name.

Cala Luna is a small coastal cove located on the eastern shore of Sardinia, reachable either by hiking trail or by boat. The cove features a pebble beach and clear sea water suitable for swimming. Several natural caves are carved into the limestone cliffs surrounding the beach, which visitors can explore. Access by land requires a walk through the Codula di Luna gorge.

The Laghetti di Cavagrande form a chain of natural pools carved into the Cassibile Canyon within the Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve. The reserve is located near Avola on the eastern coast of Sicily. These pools formed through limestone erosion by the Cassibile River over thousands of years. Visitors reach the pools via steep hiking trails that require approximately one hour of descent. The clear water collects at different levels, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and high rock walls. Water temperatures remain cool even during summer months. Access to the reserve is regulated, and visitors should bring adequate water supplies and sturdy footwear for the challenging terrain.

Laghetto Qualido is a small mountain lake in Val di Mello, formed by a river that has carved its way through granite rocks. The clear waters of this lake are fed by surrounding streams and provide a refreshing swimming spot among the Lombard Alps. Natural pools between the rock formations create different areas for swimming and resting.

Lago di Bilancino is an artificial reservoir located approximately 40 kilometres north of Florence in the Mugello valley. The lake was created in the 1990s for water supply and flood control purposes. Its shores feature both grassy areas and sandy beaches suitable for swimming. The reservoir is known among locals and visitors as a popular spot for bathing during the summer months. The surrounding area also offers opportunities for water sports and walks along the waterfront promenade.

The Aquafraggia Waterfalls consist of two tall cascades located in the Valchiavenna valley near Piuro. The water drops over rocky slopes and forms natural pools suitable for swimming. The falls reach a combined height of approximately 180 meters and are fed by meltwater from the surrounding mountains. A hiking trail follows the waterfalls and provides various viewpoints of the cascades and the valley below.

Cascata del Diborrato is a fifteen-meter waterfall that forms a natural pool along the Elsa Trail near Colle Val d'Elsa. The water drops over limestone rocks into a basin suitable for swimming during warm months. Access is via the walking trail that follows the course of the Elsa River. The surrounding area features Mediterranean vegetation and rock formations. The pool offers cool water fed by the river current.

The Torrente Lima flows through the Apuan Alps near Bagni di Lucca, forming numerous natural pools along its course. The riverbed consists of smooth limestone carved by thousands of years of erosion. Water temperatures remain cool and refreshing even during summer months. Multiple access points along the road allow entry to different sections with varying swimming depths. The current ranges from calm pools to faster passages with small waterfalls.

Lago di Garda spans three northern Italian regions and provides numerous swimming locations along its 158-kilometer shoreline. The lake's waters reach temperatures between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius during summer months. Beaches range from pebbly shores in the southern section near Sirmione to narrower coastal areas in the north around Limone. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 346 meters and covers an area of 370 square kilometers.

Lago di Molveno sits in the Trentino Alps at the base of the Brenta Dolomites at an elevation of 864 meters. The lake water reaches temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius during summer months. Water quality is regularly monitored and meets bathing standards. The lake has a maximum depth of 123 meters and covers an area of approximately 3.3 square kilometers. Swimmers can access the water from several points along the shore, with designated swimming areas featuring grass beaches for sunbathing.

Lago del Turano is an artificial lake located in the Sabine hills, approximately 70 kilometres northeast of Rome. The lake was created in 1939 following the construction of a dam on the Turano River. The shores of the lake feature several pebble beaches where visitors can swim. The water quality is considered good, with pleasant temperatures during summer months. Several medieval villages surround the lake, including Castel di Tora, which sits perched on a rocky outcrop above the water.

Torri del Benaco Beach stretches along the eastern shore of Lake Garda, facing the Sirmione peninsula across the water. The shoreline consists of smooth pebbles and provides direct access to the clear lake waters. This beach section attracts fewer visitors than the southern resorts and suits swimmers who prefer morning sessions in the lake.

The Euro River Pools stretch along the Euro river between Parchiule and Borgo Pace in the Marche region. The river has carved several natural pools and waterfalls through the limestone rock, creating swimming spots accessible from the hiking trail that follows the watercourse. These freshwater pools offer clear water and rock formations with varying depths suitable for swimmers of different abilities. The surrounding area features wooded slopes and Mediterranean vegetation typical of the central Apennine mountains. The pools provide relief during summer months in this inland region of Italy.

Lake Fiastra is located in the Sibillini mountains and features deep blue waters. The shores of this lake are lined with white limestone rock beaches that create a strong contrast with the water's color. This mountain lake was formed by the construction of a dam and offers swimming spots in a natural setting. The surrounding mountains and clear water make this lake a destination for swimmers and nature enthusiasts.

The Cascata dell'Alferello is a 32-meter high waterfall in the mountains of Marche, cascading into several turquoise pools. The water flows over limestone rocks, forming natural basins suitable for swimming and jumping. Access is via a hiking trail through wooded terrain. The water temperature remains cool even in summer due to the elevation and shaded location.

Lake Gramolazzo is situated within the Alpi Apuane Natural Park and provides several accessible beaches along its northern shore for freshwater swimming. The lake is surrounded by forested mountains and attracts visitors seeking natural recreation. Water quality is suitable for bathing during summer months, and the shoreline allows easy access to the water.

The Mulino Waterfalls near Saturnia are formed by thermal spring water flowing over natural travertine terraces, creating multiple pools. The water emerges at approximately 37 degrees Celsius and contains sulfur along with other minerals. These terraced pools are located in a rural area and are freely accessible to visitors. The thermal water flows continuously from the nearby source, feeding the cascading pools that extend across several levels. The travertine has formed over thousands of years through mineral deposits, creating natural bathing pools of varying sizes.

The Petriolo Baths are located in the Farma River valley, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Siena. These natural thermal pools form along the riverbank where hot sulfurous water emerges from underground springs at temperatures reaching up to 43 degrees Celsius. The pools have been used since Roman times and remain freely accessible to visitors. The thermal water flows directly into the river, creating various bathing zones with different temperature levels. The site features basic facilities and is surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation.

The San Filippo Baths are located in a forested valley south of Monte Amiata and feature several natural thermal water pools. The highly mineralized water produces a milky blue color and deposits limestone that has formed white formations and small waterfalls over centuries. The springs emerge at temperatures ranging from 25 to 48 degrees Celsius.

The Carletti Pool is a natural thermal basin in Tuscany that maintains a constant water temperature of 37°C throughout the year. The mineral-rich thermal waters originate from underground springs and provide visitors with bathing opportunities in a natural setting. The site includes basic facilities for guests and operates as a free-access bathing location.

The Bossolo Baths are a Roman archaeological site in Tuscany featuring three separate thermal pools. The complex includes an ancient washhouse that has been used for washing activities since Roman times. These thermal springs have fed the pools for centuries, serving both hygienic and social purposes in Roman society.