The best spas in Piedmont at (almost) zero cost: number 5 is a real gem

Postcard alpine landscapes, rolling hills dotted with vineyards and a spa tradition as old as the villages that surround it. Piedmont is not just wine and mountains: it is also a region rich in thermal springs with healing properties, many of which are recognized by the National Health Service.
It means that, with a GP’s prescription and just paying the co-payment, it is possible to access treatment cycles which in other contexts would cost a lot.

Alongside the affiliated establishments, there are spectacular wellness centres, ideal for those seeking pure relaxation. Here is a complete overview of the most interesting Piedmontese spas, from those immersed in Alpine nature to those in the heart of the city.

Acqui Spa

In the heart of Alessandria, Acqui Terme is one of the most famous spa resorts in Northern Italy. Its waters – the famous “Aquae Statiellae” already known in Roman times – flow at temperatures ranging from 27 °C to 70 °C and are rich in minerals with important therapeutic properties.

The spa center develops around the Grand Hotel Nuove Terme and the modern Regina Thermal Establishment, where medical tradition and contemporary well-being coexist. Here you can enjoy spa treatments in agreement with the National Health Service, thanks to the status of “Super First Category Thermal Institute”. Mud baths, thermal baths, inhalations, ventilations and vaginal irrigations are among the treatments covered by the NHS: a doctor’s prescription is enough to access an annual cycle by paying only the ticket (around €55, except for exemptions).

Alongside the health offer, there is a well-kept wellness part, with the Thermal SPA and the characteristic Roman Path, an itinerary that alternates hot “salt-bromojodic” thermal waters (Calidarium) with cold waters (Frigidarium), recalling the rituals of the ancient imperial baths. There is no shortage of relaxation areas, solariums, massages and beauty treatments for those who want to treat themselves to a complete wellness break.

Acqui Terme is easily reachable both by car and by train, thanks to the train station in the town centre. It is an ideal destination for those seeking real spa treatments, with recognized health facilities and a long tradition, without giving up the historical and cultural charm of the village.

Royal Baths of Valdieri

At the foot of the Maritime Alps, within the Natural Park, are the Royal Baths of Valdieri. Here the waters flow hot and sulfurous (between 50 °C and 75 °C), with an alkaline pH, ideal for treating rheumatic, respiratory, dermatological and gynecological disorders.

The complex is immersed in an uncontaminated landscape: woods, streams and a natural solarium surrounding the summer thermal park. The experience is simple but authentic: panoramic pools at 34°C, natural jets and waterfalls, calidarium carved into the rock and a terrace where you can relax in the sun between one swim and another.

The real news is that Valdieri has an agreement with the NHS. With a prescription from your GP you can access annual therapeutic cycles by paying only the ticket. The treatments cover various pathologies and must be booked in advance: the center is open only in summer, from June to September, every day from 9am to 6pm. Children up to 3 years old enter free, 50% discounts up to 11 years old.

Lurisia Spa

In the province of Cuneo, Lurisia is one of the most important historic spa towns in Piedmont. Its low-mineral waters, coming from the Garbarino and Santa Barbara sources, are known for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory and purifying properties.

The Lurisia Spa is recognized by the Ministry of Health as a Super First Category Thermal Institute, the highest level. It means that it is possible to carry out courses of treatments agreed with the NHS for respiratory, ENT, rheumatic and joint problems. Inhalations, mud baths, thermal baths and irrigations are among the services covered.

Next to the medical area, there is the wellness section: Kneipp paths, steam caves, Finnish and infrared saunas, hydromassage tubs with targeted jets. The “Antro delle Acque route” (€40 for approximately 3 hours) is the workhorse for those who want to combine relaxation and health. The spa season runs from May to November, with easy access from Mondovì in around 20 minutes by car.

Agliano spa

Nestled among the vineyards of the Langhe and Monferrato, Agliano Terme is a center specialized in purification and inhalation treatments thanks to its waters rich in sulphates and magnesium.

Here the atmosphere is more intimate than the large Alpine establishments, but the quality of care is of a high level: inhalations, irrigations and targeted treatments for respiratory and digestive problems are recognized by the NHS. With a medical prescription, patients can carry out the classic annual cycle by paying only the co-pay, with reductions for those entitled to exemption.

The location in the heart of the Asti hills also makes this an ideal destination for those who want to combine health and food and wine tourism: spa visits can be alternated with visits to the cellars and walks among the rows.

Premia Spa

In Val d’Ossola, surrounded by mountains, the Terme di Premia represent one of the most modern structures in Piedmont. The sulphate-calcium waters flow naturally at 42°C and feed a system of internal and external swimming pools with temperatures between 32°C and 36°C.

Here you can find everything: hydromassage tubs, cervical jets, relaxing paths, Finnish saunas, aromatic steam baths and relaxation areas with salt walls. It is also a perfect destination for families – there are equipped baby pools and dedicated packages – but it maintains a strong therapeutic vocation.

In fact, Premia has an agreement with the NHS: it is possible to access cycles of recognized spa treatments (inhalations, balneotherapy and other specific therapies) by presenting a doctor’s prescription. The establishment is open all year round, excluding the month of May, with flexible entry formulas.

Bognanco spa

In the heart of Val Bognanco, a few kilometers from Domodossola and not far from the Swiss border, there is one of the most fascinating historic spa centers in Piedmont. The Terme di Bognanco, immersed in an uncontaminated mountain landscape at 700 meters above sea level, owe their fame to the mineral waters with unique properties, used since the nineteenth century both for healing purposes and bottled and distributed throughout Italy.

There are three main sources: Ausonia, bicarbonate-alkaline-earthy and excellent for digestion; Gaudenziana, very light and low in sodium, indicated for the kidneys and urinary tract; and San Lorenzo, rich in iron and carbon dioxide, beneficial for the stomach, liver and intestines. These waters are used both for hydropinotherapy (treatment by drinking water) and in spa treatments.

The thermal park includes a 25-metre swimming pool with water from the Gaudenziana spring heated to 32°C, hydromassages, shower heads and cervical jets. There is also a Spa area available to visitors with a Jacuzzi tub, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath and emotional showers. Worthy of note is the granite reaction tank, with water at 8–10 °C, ideal for the classic hot-cold alternation of thermal treatments. The atmosphere is authentic, a little retro but with attention to detail, perfect for those who want to disconnect in a true natural context, without excesses of artificial luxury.

As regards the healthcare aspect, Bognanco has historically offered treatments affiliated with the NHS – in particular for inhalation and drinking therapies – but availability can vary from year to year. It is always advisable to contact the establishment to confirm before booking. Access to the Spa area is reserved for those over 14 years of age, while the swimming pool is also open to children. Prices are affordable: €20 for daily entry for adults (€10 for children), with combined spa + pool packages starting from €30.

Bognanco can be easily reached from Domodossola by car (7 km) and is a perfect destination for those who want to combine waters with real therapeutic properties with a weekend of nature and relaxation away from the mass tourist circuits.