Among Rome’s most beloved attractions are the Baths of Caracalla, one of the largest and oldest bath complexes in the world. Still perfectly preserved, their monumental nature fascinates tourists eager to discover their history and immense heritage. Here are all the details you need to visit the Baths of Caracalla, including opening hours and ticket costs.
Baths of Caracalla, Rome
The Baths of Caracalla are an extraordinary example of a bath dating back to Imperial Rome. Their preservation, grandeur, and archaeological heritage make them one of Italy’s most visited monuments. The archaeological area of the Baths of Caracalla is located on the hill of Piccolo Aventino. Nearby, there are other significant archaeological sites such as the Circus Maximus, the Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum.
These baths were the most grandiose in Imperial Rome, at least until the inauguration of the Baths of Diocletian in 306. Citizens conceived them as a public service. The bath complex features tree-lined avenues and meadows and has a typical rectangular layout.
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Description of the Baths of Caracalla
For those planning to visit the Baths of Caracalla, a description of their appearance in the past may be helpful. The baths specifically use the central block, which presents a sequence of rooms. These rooms include typical Roman bath halls such as the caldarium, which is situated on the southern side to harness the sun’s heat, the tepidarium, the frigidarium, and the natatio. On the sides, remnants of two gymnasiums and changing rooms can be seen. Surrounding them were cisterns, two libraries, two grand exedras, and the tabernae.
Access was on the northeast side, through porticoes that flanked the large pool, decorated with four large granite columns. Only one of these columns remains today, now located in Piazza Santa Trinita in Florence. The changing rooms display sumptuous mosaics.
But the charm of the Baths of Caracalla also lies underground. Two kilometers of the bath complex’s underground rooms and tunnels remain intact today. Here, attendants and slaves worked to ensure the entire operation of the baths. The largest mithraeum in Rome, today restored and open to the public only on special occasions, is located in one of the underground areas.
The Enclosure
The large enclosure, facing outward, served as a portico for commercial functions. The two shorter sides feature two monumental exedras, each containing apsidal rooms. These exedras lead to equally grand rooms, whose function remains uncertain. A large water cistern and another exedra with steps are also present in the enclosure, likely serving as viewing areas for sports competitions and theatrical performances.
History of the Baths of Caracalla
Emperor Septimius Severus began the construction of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome in 206 AD. His son, Emperor Caracalla, completed and inaugurated them in 216 AD. The Aqua Antoniniana, a branch from the Aqua Marcia aqueduct, crossed Via Appia to supply water to the baths. The work on the decorations and the external enclosure continued under the successors Elagabalus (218-222) and Alexander Severus (222-235).
In the 5th century, the Baths of Caracalla were one of Rome’s seven wonders due to their lavish decorations and rooms. However, after centuries of glorious operation, the complex suddenly ceased functioning. During the Gothic War (535–553), Vitiges, King of the Goths, cut off the water supply in 537.
Excavation Campaigns
After centuries of abandonment, the bath complex began to be the subject of archaeological interest in the Renaissance. Indeed, during the pontificate of Pope Paul III (1534-1549), three monumental sculptures emerged, now preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
The excavation of the underground areas began in the early 20th century. From the 1930s, the central part of the bath complex hosts theatrical events and concerts. Among the numerous works of art unearthed during the excavations, we recall the polychrome mosaic with the 28 athletes, now at the Vatican Museums, the busts of the Antonines, and the statues of Minerva and Venus. The Vatican Museums house some basins from the baths in Piazza Farnese and the courtyard of the Belvedere. As mentioned earlier, the Justice Column from the Natatio of the Baths is located in Piazza Santa Trinita, Florence. The Cathedral of Pisa incorporates architectural structures from the Baths of Caracalla.
Artworks from the Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla in Rome were originally characterized by the presence of about 120 statues. Therefore, the Baths of Caracalla, situated in a popular area of the city, boasted the most sumptuous decorative apparatus of statues. Many of them disappeared during the Middle Ages. Instead, beginning in the 16th century, Pope Paul III Farnese aimed to retrieve the remaining statues from the region for use as decorations in newly constructed palaces.
We recall the Farnese Bull, likely of oriental origin, and the Farnese Hercules, once residing in the frigidarium and currently housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, among the recovered sculptures. Other pieces are in the Capodimonte Museum. One of the most colossal statues is that of Asclepius, 13 feet high.
Visit the Baths of Caracalla
One of the stops on a travel itinerary in Rome is to visit the Baths of Caracalla. The evocative visit combines the charm of ancient ruins with new virtual technologies. Indeed, thanks to an innovative project, a headset recreates the life of the baths from two thousand years ago.
The tour to visit the Baths of Caracalla starts from the area of the pools and continues with the western gymnasium and the rooms of the frigidarium (cold water bath). The tour then continues to the eastern gymnasium, the apodyterium (changing rooms), the natatio, and the large pool that symbolizes the heart of the baths. Shortly after the pool area, a detour allows visiting the gardens. To the south is the majestic-windowed caldarium.
Here is a map of the Baths of Caracalla
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Get information about visiting the Baths of Caracalla.
Visits to the Baths of Caracalla are available for individuals on an hourly basis or for groups. In both cases, the visit takes place by reservation only. The bath complex is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with the following hours:
- From January 1 to February 28, the hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- From March 1 to March 30, the hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- From March 31 to August 31, the hours are from 9:00 AM to 7:15 PM
- From September 1 to September 30, the hours are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- From October 1 to the last Saturday of October, the hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
- From the last Sunday of October to December 31, the hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The ticket office closes one hour earlier. The site is easily accessible and does not present any unevenness. Closed on Mondays.
Tickets for the Baths of Caracalla
On the official website museiitaliani.it you can purchase tickets online. Alternatively, ticket offices are located at Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52 and at the Arch of Titus.
- Full price: €8.00
- Reduced price: €2.00
- Free: according to legal regulations
- The booking fee is €2.00, except for EU tour guides conducting their activities, disabled persons, and students of all grades.
- Supplement in case of exhibitions: €3.00
We recommend booking entrance for holders of the Roma Pass. The booking fee is €2.00. The ticket price does not include the Caracalla IV D virtual video guide.
How to get to the Baths of Caracalla and parking
The archaeological site is located at Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52. The complex has a parking area (56 spaces) reserved for visitors with specific permits.
However, given the monument’s location in Rome’s busiest historic center, we recommend using public transport to reach the Baths of Caracalla. You can take metro line B to the Circo Massimo stop or utilize buses 760 and 628.
Baths of Caracalla Gallery
Baths of Caracalla video
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Tourist Information Offices in Rome
The tourist offices of Rome are open 365 days a year in the historic center, in the central station Roma Termini, and in the airports Leonardo da Vinci in Fiumicino and G.B. Pastine in Ciampino. The staff is available to provide all useful information about tourist-cultural interest, itineraries, events, means of transport, the sale of ATAC tickets, and the sale and collection of Roma Passes.
- Tourist Information Areas Termini
Termini Station: Two desks in Galleria Gommata
Every day 10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Tourist Infopoint Fori Imperiali (closed on June 2)
Via dei Fori Imperiali
Every day 9.30 a.m-7 p.m. In July and August, open to the public from 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Tourist Infopoint MINGHETTI
Via Marco Minghetti
Every day 9.30 a.m-7 p.m. - Tourist Infopoint: Castel San Angelo.
Piazza Pia (adjacent to the gardens)
Open every day
From October 28 to March 31, 2024, 8.30 a.m-6 p.m.
From April 1 to October 27, 2024, 9.30 a.m-9 p.m. - Tourist Infopoint Ciampino Airport
G.B. Pastine, External Area: International Arrivals
Monday to Sunday, 8.30 a.m.–6.00 p.m.
For tourist information, call 060608. - Tourist Infopoint Fiumicino Airport
International Arrivals Terminal T3
Every day, 8.30 a.m.–8.00 p.m. - Barbarini Reception Point
At the Department of Major Events, Sports, Tourism, and Fashion of Rome Capital in Via di San Basilio 51, which is close to Piazza Barberini. Open: Monday to Friday 8.00 a.m.- 8 p.m. - PAT (Tourist Reception Point) Piazza Campitelli
Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m.–6.45 p.m. (closed Saturday and Sunday)
