Terme San Giovanni

Terme San Giovanni Rapolano (San Giovanni Terme Rapolano) is a thermal bathing and wellness resort set within a large park overlooking the Crete Senesi countryside in the province of Siena, Tuscany. The complex combines a thermal pool park, a thermal wellness centre, medically supervised spa therapies and a hotel, all drawing on a natural thermal spring whose curative properties are officially recognised by the Italian Ministry of Health.

Thermal water

The resort's thermal water rises naturally from the spring at a temperature of 39 °C. Its defining natural components are sulphur, which gives the water its characteristic smell, and calcium bicarbonate. Combined with the water's elevated temperature, these elements give it curative properties the site describes as particularly suited to treatments of the skin and of the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems. Beyond a general sensation of relaxation and wellbeing, bathing is said to improve the appearance of the skin and to help counter dermatological conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema; the water also eases muscular stiffness and adds elasticity to the tissues, while inhaling the spontaneous vapours acts as a disinfectant for the airways.

Thermal pool park

The Parco Piscine Termali is set in a large green area facing the Crete Senesi and is divided into two zones, one reserved for hotel guests and one open to day visitors. The day-visitor area holds five thermal pools—one indoor and four open-air—whose naturally differentiated water temperatures range indicatively from about 27 °C to 36 °C. The pools have an average depth of one metre, and some areas feature water jets with a hydromassage effect as well as in-water solariums and submerged seating. The site names the individual pools as Bollore, Ottagono, Fiore, Grotta and Panoramica. The park also contains two indoor relaxation areas, a panoramic terrace, a saline pool, a gym, the Coffee Relax refreshment point and, in the warm season, the open-air Sunset Bar. At the entrance guests can rent a pool kit with bathrobe and slippers, and buy a swimsuit if needed.

The park

The surrounding park extends over more than 20 hectares and is planted with tamarisks, plane trees, maples and poplars along with shrubs including lavender, rosemary and antique roses, offering quiet corners, gazebos and scenic viewpoints across the landscape.

Wellness centre and spa

The thermal wellness centre (Centro Benessere Termale) organises its offering into three areas: Terme & Benessere, Terme & Salute and Ambulatori Specialistici. Guests can choose treatments, regenerating massages and Day SPA programmes. The centre's therapeutic muds are made from ventilated clay left to mature for six months in flowing sulphurous thermal water. The site also references saunas among the regenerating spaces available to guests.

Thermal health therapies

Under Terme & Salute the resort provides medically oriented thermal treatments. Inhalation therapies are recommended for cases such as pharyngolaryngitis, tracheitis, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, chronic sinusitis and chronic otitis. Mud and balneotherapy cycles are indicated for conditions including osteoarthritis, extra-articular rheumatism, discopathies, cervical and lumbar pain, periarthritis, osteoporosis and other degenerative forms, spondyloarthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis (in the silent phase only) and fibromyalgia. The centre also offers physiotherapy and an integrated women's rehabilitation programme built around integrated-medicine pathways relating to breast-cancer diagnosis. The facility states that it is accredited with and works under agreement with the Italian National Health Service (SSN).

Hotel and dining

The on-site hotel faces the Crete Senesi and offers 54 rooms, together with a restaurant, a coffee relax area, the thermal pool park and the wellness centre. Mountain bikes, a tennis court and trekking routes are available to guests. Dining outlets across the resort include the L'Olivo restaurant, a Bistrot, a Cocktail Bar, the Coffee Relax and the seasonal Sunset Bar.

Opening hours and admission

The thermal pool park opens from 9:00, with closing times varying by day—weekdays (Monday–Thursday) to 20:00, Friday to 22:00, Saturday to 20:00 or midnight, and Sundays and holidays to 22:00; half-day, afternoon, evening and night entries are also sold. Weekday full-day admission is €20 (children aged 2–9: €14), rising to €25 at weekends and on holidays and €27 in the highest season. On weekends the resort also runs "le notti delle terme" night bathing. Prices and hours are subject to change; the site advises checking the booking section for the desired date.