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Wellness and timeless charm: discover some of the most beautiful spa towns in Emilia-Romagna
If you are looking for an experience that combines the relaxation of spas with the authentic charm of history and culture, Emilia-Romagna is waiting for you with its thermal villages. Here, amidst rolling hills, ancient cobbled streets and picture-postcard atmospheres, you can immerse yourself in beneficial waters and experience moments of pure wellbeing.
Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic getaway, a relaxing weekend break or a regenerating holiday, the region’s spa towns are the perfect destination to rediscover balance and harmony, surrounded by a landscape that will enchant you at first sight.
Below is a list of the villages in Emilia-Romagna that are among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, TCI Orange Flag Villages and Authentic Villages and that have (at least) one thermal spa nearby.
Bagno di Romagna (FC)
The picturesque town of Bagno di Romagna, known since Roman times for its thermal springs, is located in the splendid National Park of the Casentinesi Forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna, the great green lung of Romagna.
Surrounded by unspoilt nature, it offers a perfect blend of wellness, history and culinary tradition, with local specialities to be savoured in an authentic and relaxing atmosphere.
The town belongs to the part of the Romagna region known as Romagna Toscana, since it was annexed to the Tuscany region at the time of the Unification of Italy and only became the territory of Forlì in 1923, following the border changes ordered by Benito Mussolini.
Recommended activities:
- Follow the Sentiero degli Gnomi (Gnome Trail), an easy 2 km circuit that will take you into the magical world of the gnomes, even if you are no longer a child
- Follow one of the 2 trails that stop in the village: Cammino di San Vicinio and Via Romea Germanica
- Make an excursion to discover the park: here are 6 ideas
- Hunt for forest products and take part in photography workshops dedicated to the Fall Foliage
Take a plunge in the regenerating waters of the thermal baths: you can choose between the Ròseo Euroterme Wellness Resort and the Hotel delle Terme Santa Agnese
To try:
- Basotti, very special pasta baked with broth
- Tortelli alla lastra, a kind of Romagna cassone baked on a fireproof stone
- Raviggiolo, the fresh cheese that is also a Slow Food Presidium
Castrocaro Terme and Terra del Sole (FC)
One municipality for two villages, Castrocaro Terme and Terra del Sole, among the most picturesque in Romagna Toscana, rich in history and traditions, 10 km from the city of Forlì.
The history of Castrocaro is linked to its fortress, which has always been a strategic observation point for the defence of the territory since the early Middle Ages, while the fortified town of Terra del Sole dates back to the Medici domination (1564).
A stroll through the historic centre, among picturesque alleys and Renaissance palaces, will immerse you in the atmosphere of a timeless place, enriched by an excellent food and wine offer.
Recommended activities:
- Take part in the Palio di Terra del Sole, one of the oldest Palios in Emilia Romagna: the two villages of Borgo Romano and Borgo Fiorentino compete to commemorate the ancient division between Romagna and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany
- Take part in the historical re-enactment of Eliopoli, a three-day event that recreates the splendour of the Medici era
- Visit the medieval fortress of Castrocaro and take part in the many initiatives and guided tours
- Walk at least one stage of the Cammino di Sant’Antonio, a spiritual itinerary in the footsteps of the saint that links Padua to La Verna
- Treat yourself to a wellness break at the rationalist-style Castrocaro Spa, with its salt-bromo-iodine and sulphurous waters
To try:
- Squacquerone di Romagna DOP and Raviggiolo Slow Food, to be tasted with piadina
- Local white truffle
- Local wines, such as Sangiovese, Albana and Trebbiano
Brisighella (RA)
In the heart of the green Lamone Valley, among the gentle hills of Faenza, three majestic rocky pinnacles stand out, guardians of as many historical treasures: the Manfrediana and Venetian Fortress, the Clock Tower and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monticino. These monuments represent the distinctive symbols of Brisighella, an enchanting village with medieval charm.
What makes this place even more unique is the ancient Via del Borgo, better known as Via degli Asini (Donkey’s Street): an evocative, elevated and covered road, lit by a series of semicircular arches that open up along the façades of the houses perched on the rocky cliff.
Spending a weekend in Brisighella means immersing yourself in an experience of art, wellness and authentic flavours, surrounded by nature and archaeology.
Recommended activities:
- Dive underground, literally, to discover the Tanaccia Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in our region
- Explore the karst landscapes of the Parco della Vena del Gesso Romagnola, with numerous itineraries to follow on foot or by bike
- Take part in Borgo Indie, in the Medieval Feasts and in the many gastronomic and cultural events organized throughout the year
- Walk at least one stage of the Cammino di Dante or Cammino di Sant’Antonio, both of which pass through Brisighella
- Immerse yourself in the well-being of the nearby Terme di Riolo, which offers mud baths and three different types of thermal water (the Brisighella spa is currently closed)
To try:
- “Brisighello” PDO Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Mora Romagnola meat, Slow Food presidium
- Forgotten fruits such as the Volpina Pear and the autochthonous Moretto Artichoke
Montechiarugolo (PR)
Montechiarugolo, 10 km south-east of Parma, is a charming medieval village built along the banks of the Enza torrent. Dominated by an imposing castle, symbol of its thousand-year history, the village retains an atmosphere of times gone by, with its narrow streets, ancient walls and picturesque historic centre.
Montechiarugolo is also known for its culinary traditions (it is no coincidence that it is located along the Prosciutto and Wine Route of the Parma Hills, in the heart of the Food Valley) and for the tranquillity of its landscape, ideal for a regenerating break immersed in culture and nature.
Recommended activities:
- Visit his castle and discover the legend of the fairy Bema
- Visit the nearby Torrechiara Castle, one of the most beautiful among the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza Castles, together with Montechiarugolo Castle
- Take a cultural trip to the nearby Magnani Rocca Foundation to see its permanent collection or one of the interesting exhibitions held there, and take a break in its romantic park
- Discover first-hand how the king of cheeses is made with a visit to a local dairy
Take a relaxing break at the nearby Terme di Monticelli, a spa built in the 1920s and famous for its highly saline waters, particularly rich in bromine
To try:
- Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano: the two local PDO products, known and appreciated all over the world
- Tortelli d’erbetta alla Parmigiana served with melted butter and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese
- Torta fritta (a poor dough – flour, water, oil, salt and yeast – rolled out with a rolling pin, cut into lozenges and fried in boiling lard) to be served with local cured meats and cheeses
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