Porretta Terme

Thermal spa town in the Apennines, set on the Reno River between Bologna and Florence.

Nestled in the foothills of the Apennines and bisected by the Reno River, Porretta Terme is a bit off the beaten path, west of the main highway that links Florence and Bologna. If you have time and want a reasonably priced spa experience, this is the place. Accessible by car or train, the town has a long history as a thermal destination — the Terme di Porretta draw visitors who have been coming to take the sulphureous waters since at least Roman times.

Every July, the small town punches far above its weight when the Porretta Soul Festival takes over. It is one of Europe's most respected events for American soul and R&B, booking original artists from the Stax and Fame records era. Even if you are not visiting for the festival, the town's curious obsession with soul music — visible in its record shops and memorabilia — is part of its character.

Guide

Getting There

Porretta Terme is on the Bologna–Pistoia railway line and has its own station — the journey from Bologna takes about an hour, with trains running several times daily. This makes it a genuinely easy day trip from Bologna, and some visitors come just for the day.

By car from Bologna, take the A1 motorway south and then follow signs west toward Vergato and the Reno valley. The road is scenic and the drive takes about 50 minutes depending on traffic. From Florence, you can approach from the south via Pistoia — a slightly longer but equally scenic route through the Tuscan Apennines.

Guide

Things to Do

Porretta Terme is a thermal spa town in the Apennine foothills — the main reasons to come are the hot springs, the mountain scenery, and in July, the Porretta Soul Festival. The old town along the Reno River is pleasant to walk, and the surrounding hills offer hiking.