Visit Segesta – Hot Springs
- Nature Source Chaude
- Published on
- Updated on 25 April 2025
Situated in western of Sicily, in the province of Trapani, Segesta is a town steeped in history, with several monuments dating back to ancient Greek times. There is an amphitheatre and a well-preserved temple on a rocky spur at the top of a hill.
Segesta was also famous for its thermal baths. In fact, classical baths now stand on the archaeological remains of an ancient thermal monument : Roman baths.
However, the abundance of naturally hot water that gushed out around these paid thermal baths made it possible to build a thermal pool in the middle of nature, with free access.
Without further ado, let’s discover this enchanting place which, in my opinion, has the most beautiful natural hot springs in Sicily.
IN SUMMARY :
Segesta thermal baths
The thermal baths of Segesta have several hot springs, three of which are used by the spa centre.
Near the paid baths there are other free hot springs. Known in Sicily as ‘Polle del Crimiso‘ or ‘Terme libere di Segesta‘, these free baths are sure to attract travellers in search of natural beauty.
A natural spa
To get to this beautiful place, rich in natural resources, you have to cross a stream. But it was worth it. About ten metres from the crossing, in a corner of the valley, appears the sulphurous spring, whose waters mysteriously flow into a large natural pool. This thermal pool seems to be hidden and lost among the tall grasses that make this place truly unique.
You can also feel that the proximity of the reeds and tamarisk has a great influence on the state of the atmosphere, as it has a great influence on the soil and the stream that runs a few metres away. This elegant vegetation has a calming effect on the mind. At the foot of the sulphur spring there is also a wall of travertine with coloured stripes, which forms an attractive contrast to this place rich in beauty.
At sunrise, the spectacle is breathtaking: some of the clear water is transformed into steam and gas, creating a visually stunning landscape. It creates a very special atmosphere. However, when the first bathers arrive (around 7-8am), the sulphurous water is subjected to turbulence, which takes away a bit of its transparency.
The sulphurous water is contained by a stone barrier, creating a large basin whose diameter and depth are are in proportion to the amount of water required. The water came up to my knees. It is large enough to hold about thirty people.
The temperature of the large pool is 40 degrees, which may seem a little hot at first. But what about some of the regulars who like to bathe in the small pool, where the temperature is even higher (43 degrees)? This small area allows you to enjoy the benefits of hyperthermic baths. But don’t overdo it (a few minutes is enough).
The water that feeds the pool comes from several underground veins.
Some of the water comes from a pipe set in the rock and located in the recess of the main pool. This pipe is also used by the locals to fill bottles.
However, much of the water flows underground in several directions and gushes out at the bottom of the pool. Strings of bubbles, not very reassuring to the inexperienced bather, appear periodically in the water. In this way, the bather is like being immersed in a cooking pot, releasing gases that are truly healing. In the Roman world of the early Empire, Pliny the Elder, an ancient naturalist, already described the therapeutic virtues of the hot waters of Segesta. His testimony confirmed that of Strabo, an ancient Greek geographer of the Roman period.
The waters of Segesta are also considered to be highly mineralised, radioactive, hyperthermal and sulphurous. These waters are said to treat rheumatic, dermatological and respiratory diseases… To find out more about the benefits of sulphurous waters and thermal gases, read the article: How cleanse your lungs with simple, natural ways. This spring has a rotten-egg smell (sulphurous spring) which is not very strong (between 5 and 10 mg of H₂S per litre).
Hot springs in the canyon
As you enter the canyon, the scenery is also breathtaking. As you walk up the canyon along the river bank, reeds cover parts of the river for about a hundred metres. Then, crossing the (cold) river on the right, there is a small, fairly warm pool (41 degrees). If the water is too warm, you can sit by the pool or by the river.
Further down the canyon you’ll find a small cave with a few centimetres of very hot water (42 degrees). This cave is a real natural sauna, especially in winter. It’s also a vaporarium, which is particularly good for the respiratory tract. It’s also a great place for physical and mental regeneration. You can also take advantage of the sulphured thermal mud, which should be used in moderation.
The cave then discharges its thermal water onto layers of clay that have been transformed deep down by microorganisms in the soil.
A few dozen metres further up the canyon, there are small cascades of hot water that flow into the river. The hot water comes from the spa centre high above, close to the road. The locals have built several pools to take advantage of this area. The abundance of hot water heats up the river nicely and provides a number of good places to soak.
How to get to the Baths ?
To reach this place (see also our map), you have to go to the ‘Terme Libere Segestane’ car park.
Turn left just before the entrance to the spa centre of Segestane and leave your car on the side of the road before the steep descent. It’s better to walk a bit rather than risk damaging your car, as the road is in very bad condition with large ruts. The 4×4 is handy, but it will only save you a hundred metres or so. The only negative point is the access.
The path then leads directly to the hot spring. The river is crossed at a place where the river bed is shallow. Large stones are placed across the river. You can cross barefoot or with water shoes. Water shoes are also essential for venturing into the canyon.
The second option is to drive to the ‘Parking Terme Libere Segesta 2’ which is more suitable for low cars, but is a little further away.
