Skip to content

Bagni di Lucca

A thermal center famous across the whole Europe, where the springing water has beneficial powers

Probably known since Roman antiquity, the hot springs of Bagni di Lucca gained great renown in the 11th century, during the time of Countess Matilda of Canossa, until becoming during the 19th century one of the most elegant spas in Europe.

Bagni di Lucca was a true elite destination of European tourism before the coastal boom made people forget this corner of Lucca, which the English called the "Switzerland of Tuscany". It was precisely the Anglo-Saxons who were the first to discover Bagni di Lucca and the therapeutic properties of its waters, loving it to the point of turning it into a small second homeland.

Indeed, the village became - and even today traces of that shining British explosion can be discerned - an exclusive retreat for nobility and diplomats from all over Europe, accredited to the court of Lucca and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, as well as a destination for illustrious guests, such as the poets Byron, Shelley, Lever, Giusti, Monti and then in the twentieth century Carducci, Pascoli, Montale; writers such as Dumas and musicians like Strauss, Listz, Paganini, Puccini, Mascagni; politicians and rulers such as Napoleonides, Queen Margherita, D’Azeglio, Galeazzo Ciano; religious figures like St. Luigi Gonzaga, St. Gemma Galgani, and even Popes, like Sixtus IV and V.

What to see in Bagni di Lucca

To discover Bagni di Lucca means to immerse yourself in an oasis that, from spring until autumn, reveals hidden parts of the world endowed with beauty, harmony, freshness and the vestige of a recent past. Discover the Art Nouveau complex of the Real Casino, opened in 1839, followed later by Italy's first Anglican church and the English Cemetery.

Among the most impressive signs of the period is the Ponte delle Catene (Chain Bridge), designed by Lorenzo Nottolini, one of the oldest iron bridges still standing today.

It is important to note that the charm of this small town does not end on some nostalgic note; in fact, the hot springs continue to flow from the slopes of Corsena Hill. The Thermal Baths Bernabò establishment on Via Bagni Caldi offers several dressing rooms with single 19th-century marble tubs and a Steam Grotto, a perfect mix of heat and humidity to purify and relax.

To discover Bagni di Lucca means to immerse yourself in an oasis that, from spring until autumn, reveals hidden parts of the world endowed with beauty, harmony, freshness and the vestige of a recent past. Discover the Art Nouveau complex of the Real Casino, opened in 1839, followed later by Italy's first Anglican church and the English Cemetery.

Among the most impressive signs of the period is the Ponte delle Catene (Chain Bridge), designed by Lorenzo Nottolini, one of the oldest iron bridges still standing today.

It is important to note that the charm of this small town does not end on some nostalgic note; in fact, the hot springs continue to flow from the slopes of Corsena Hill. The Thermal Baths Bernabò establishment on Via Bagni Caldi offers several dressing rooms with single 19th-century marble tubs and a Steam Grotto, a perfect mix of heat and humidity to purify and relax.

Nearby

Bagni di Lucca is located in Garfagnana and middle Serchio Valley, a fascinating area consisting of chestnut woods, small historic villages and picturesque scenery.

Among the most emblematic places is the Orrido di Botri: a natural canyon, carved out over millennia by the flow of the Pelago River, with high walls, deep gorges, waterfalls and small creeks of water. By renting a protective helmet, one can climb a wide stretch up the course of the Pelago River.

In the Strette di Cocciglia gorge in Scesta, less than 10 kilometers from Bagni di Lucca, comes Canyon Park, the first adventure park in Italy developed inside a canyon. Perfect for the whole family!

In the direction of Lucca are Borgo a Mozzano, which will amaze visitors with the exciting discovery of its famous Ponte della Maddalena, and Coreglia Antelminelli, named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Bagni di Lucca is located in Garfagnana and middle Serchio Valley, a fascinating area consisting of chestnut woods, small historic villages and picturesque scenery.

Among the most emblematic places is the Orrido di Botri: a natural canyon, carved out over millennia by the flow of the Pelago River, with high walls, deep gorges, waterfalls and small creeks of water. By renting a protective helmet, one can climb a wide stretch up the course of the Pelago River.

In the Strette di Cocciglia gorge in Scesta, less than 10 kilometers from Bagni di Lucca, comes Canyon Park, the first adventure park in Italy developed inside a canyon. Perfect for the whole family!

In the direction of Lucca are Borgo a Mozzano, which will amaze visitors with the exciting discovery of its famous Ponte della Maddalena, and Coreglia Antelminelli, named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

What’s nearby?

Must-see places, stage-by-stage routes, events and tips for your trip

Garfagnana and the Mid Serchio Valley