Baths of Caracalla Rome : How to Visit the Terme, Tickets and History

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Did you know that the Baths of Caracalla could accommodate up to 1600 bathers at once? And that they were used to film the John Wick movie?

So it’s one of the largest and most opulent public baths of its time!

Beyond its historical role as a center for socializing and relaxation, this masterpiece now hosts spectacular open-air performances. Opera, ballet… Its influence stretches beyond Rome's borders as it inspired the design of iconic buildings like New York City's Pennsylvania Station.

The Baths of Caracalla offer a unique glimpse into the Roman way of life and its enduring legacy on the world today.

Learn how to get tickets to visit this place and dive into its history to discover why this ancient site continues to captivate visitors from around the globe.

Top Baths of Caracalla Entry Tickets, Guided & Private Tours

If you're heading to the Baths of Caracalla, we've got three ticket options for you to choose from.

Want to wander around at your own pace? Grab an entrance ticket.

But if you're keen to dive deep into the history, consider one of the guided tours.

Check out this comparison table and make your decision.

Looking for more ticket options? Take a look at the next section where we showcase quick links to other highly visited and praised choices.

Caracalla Baths Tickets Price (Quick Links)

Listed below are the ticket prices for different types of tours of the Caracalla Bath.

Each tour offers a special way to discover the Rome Baths of Caracalla and their rich history.

• 🎟️ Tickets for Caracalla Baths & Circus Maximus Guided Tour: Discover two of the Roman Empire's favorite leisure places with an expert guide. This 1h 30min tour skips the line and includes an entrance ticket to Circo Massimo, a guided tour of both sites, expert guide, headphones, and is wheelchair accessible. It’s an informative and convenient option to visit Caracalla Baths Rome Italy. Priced at 59 €. Get tickets here.
• 🎟️ Tickets for Entrance to Baths of Caracalla with Pemcards Postcard: This Baths of Caracalla entrance ticket offers entrance to the Baths and a digital postcard. It allows you to explore all 25 hectares of Rome's best-preserved ancient spa. It's an excellent option if you wish to explore the site at your own pace. Priced at 18.50 €, tickets are available here.
• 🎟️ Tickets for Baths of Caracalla + 3-Hour Bike Rental: combine the experience of visiting the Rome Baths of Caracalla with the freedom of a 3-hour electric bike rental. This option includes admission to the Baths, a video guide and a city app audio guide. It’s a great way to see the Baths and surrounding areas. Priced at 38 €. Get tickets here.
• 🎟️ Rome: Caracalla Baths & Circus Maximus — Private or Shared: A comprehensive 1h 30min tour that brings the ancient leisure sites to life with the help of a guide. This tour offers a deep dive into the history and architecture of the Caracalla Baths Rome Italy. It includes entrance fees, live archeologist guide and full on-site assistance. Pricing varies depending on the private or shared option. They start at 65 €. Tickets are available here.
• 🎟️ Rome: Caracalla Baths Express Small-Group or Private Tour: an express 1-hour tour ideal if you’re short on time but eager to explore the baths of Caracalla. It includes entrance fees, a professional archeologist guide and sterilized headsets for a guide narration. This tour offers a quick yet thorough overview of the Roman Baths' history and architecture. Pricing varies based on the private or small-group option. They start at 59 € and you can get tickets here.

Where and How to Buy Baths of Caracalla Ticket ?

You can check the official site if you want to purchase Baths of Caracalla tickets to visit the place. You’ll be able to make your reservation by calling +39 0639967702.

You can also get your tickets through tourist points. However, you may have to wait in a queue.

Booking your tickets beforehand comes with its advantages as you will save yourself the hassle of standing in long queues.

Tip – We recommend booking your skip the line ticket online through tiqets.com or getyourguide.com. It's much quicker, the process is smoother, and the cancellation policies are better than if you were to get the ticket through the official site.

Should You Consider a Caracalla Baths Guided Tour ?

If you are in a rush, then skimming through the audio tour that is available might be the best for you. Some tickets have normal tours included with them.

However, if you want to go back to the time of ancient Rome, then you must consider taking a fully guided tour of Caracalla Baths. There are many tours that you can choose from.

1. Guided Tour

You can take guided tours that are offered by several companies. These tours offer free passes at times. Using these tours, you can discover the Caracalla Baths to the fullest.

These tours can be anything from around €50 – €120. There are different types of companies that offer these tours, but usually, the duration is in between 1 to 3 hours.

If you’re looking for a private tour, Baths of Caracalla tickets tour started from €169 per person.

But honestly, a self audio and video guide tour is enough and much cheaper.

The one which is worth if you want to discover many Ancient Rome monument, is the combined Baths of Caracalla tickets tour. It also include the Catacombs and Appian Way visit. Get your ticket from €40 with a 3-hours live tour guide.

2. Audio Tour

There are many audio tours available. These tours help you save time and also give you the personal space that would be interrupted by the presence of a tour guide.

These audio tours are available at a bookshop that you will find in the Caracalla Bath. The audio tour is about 1,5-hour.

You can also combine an audio and video tour, which help you understand the complete Terme di Caracalla history.

3. Caracalla 4D IVD Tour

Don't forget to visit Ancient Rome in the 21st century in 21st-century style. Now you can also do a Caracalla 4D IVD tour. This tour is designed in such a way that it enables tourists to visualize how the Caracalla Baths looked in ancient Rome.

It might be rather difficult to know how things looked back then; therefore, this tour can help you perfectly recreate the 216 AD.

The price is also fair, which is €17 per person. This tour is available in many different languages which means you are more likely to enjoy it in your local language. You can purchase tickets for this tour by clicking here.

4. Combined Ancient Rome Bike Tour

You can also get a combined tour with a Catacomb Rome tour. Some companies also offer a tour of all the sites in Rome on the Appian way such as Colosseum, Circus Maximus.

These tours are much more economical than other ones. You can book a 6-hour tour from €85 by clicking here.

5. Baths of Caracalla Viator Tours

Explore the remnants of Imperial Rome with the Baths of Caracalla Viator tours – get tickets here.

Those intimate tours of the baths today start from $65 (around 60 €), are capped at eight participants and are guided by a professional archaeologist.

As you walk through the ruins, you'll gain insights into the daily lives of Romans and learn more about their leisure and sports.

The tour includes entrance fees, sterilized headsets for guidance and the chance to continue exploring the baths today on your own after the tour concludes.

How to Get to the Caracalla Baths ?

Getting to the Caracalla Baths is very easy, as it is accessible by a variety of public transportation options. Additionally, it is only a few minutes away from other architectural wonders of Rome, such as the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, and Roman Forum.

You can use Google Maps to get there. It is a few minutes away from both the metro stations of Circo Massimo and Piramide. Therefore, you can walk from the metro station to the area.

Check out this interactive Baths of Caracalla map.

Rome Public Transport to the Baths of Caracalla

If you are using a public bus service, then you can consider Big Bus, as, on their hop-on and hop-off tour, the Caracalla baths are one of the first stops.

You can also use other public bus stops that are a few minutes' walk away from Caracalla.

• Terme Caracalla/Valle Camene
• Baccelli
• Hop-On-Hop-Off: Baths of Caracalla
  

Baths of Caracalla Hours

The Caracalla Baths are open to visitors year-round, though operating hours may vary by season. Generally, the baths are open from 9 am to 4:30 pm, extending to 7:15 pm during Summer. Check the table below for exact hours.

On Monday the site is closed (also august 16th).

Here are Baths of Caracalla opening hours :

You should keep in mind that the site is pretty large and you will require around 1 to 2 hours to see the place properly.

What Can You See at the Caracalla Baths Rome ?

• Imagine the baths: Now if you visit the Baths of Caracalla Rome, you will not find the actual bath. You will have to use your imagination to wonder how locals during ancient Rome days, used to enjoy and socialize moving from one swimming pool to the other. The baths consisted of several interconnected pools, each varying in size and temperature, providing a diverse bathing experience for visitors.
• Gardens: You can walk through the beautiful gardens and enjoy the fresh air and breathe the air of ancient Rome. You will feel very relaxed and calm.
• Opera: You can also check out concerts that occur there frequently or watch an opera.
• Attractions around: The Caracalla Baths are on a walking distance from some of the major sightseeing places such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus.

Tip – You can book your Bath of Caracalla tickets right here.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Caracalla Baths Rome ?

The best time to visit the Caracalla baths is usually around the summer season. This is because most of the shows, such as Teatro dell' Opera, host their show around this period.

This usually attracts a big crowd. Even though they are open throughout the year, the timings may vary.

Although the Thermae have the same crowd almost every day, you might find less rush if you are visiting during the afternoon or early in the morning.

Caracalla Baths Context and History

These famous Roman baths go a long way back in history. If you're planning to visit Rome and want to go sightseeing in Rome, Terme di Caracalla is the best option.

Their history will surely draw you towards them. They might be the most well-preserved ancient Rome large scale building projects.

What Are The Baths Of Caracalla?

The Roman Baths of Caracalla, one of the most grandiose Roman baths ever built, served not just as a swimming pool but also as a complex social and cultural hub.

These ancient baths feature underfloor heating and vast swimming pools. They exemplify the architectural and engineering prowess of ancient Rome and are a great stop for history enthusiasts.

How Old are the Baths of Caracalla Rome ?

The construction of these public baths started in 206 AD by Emperor Septimius Severus. However, they were completed in 216 AD by his son the emperor, Caracalla. The Caracalla baths are named after his name.

Since their opening, they were used continually until the 6th century. Today, with modern techniques, they have been reconstructed.

Despite the passage of time and various renovations, the historic public baths remained an enduring symbol of the city's rich cultural heritage.

To truly appreciate the grandeur and scale of this ancient site, one must look at the Baths of Caracalla photos from today. These images showcase the beauty of the entire bath building and the detailed baths of Caracalla reconstruction efforts that have preserved its splendor for modern eyes.

You'll for sure be fascinated by the remnants of the sophisticated heating systems and the cold baths, which were an essential part of the Roman bathing ritual. Their goal? Invigorate and refresh users.

Now is your time to delve into ancient Roman life and the architectural genius behind these grand cold baths.

How Long Did It Take to Build the Baths of Caracalla ?

A lot of hard-working men put sweat into constructing the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.

The construction process took five years to complete, with all the building work and decorations finished by 235 AD.

The construction of these great imperial baths demanded extensive labor but also an artistic touch, particularly visible in the floor mosaics that adorned the facility.

These floor mosaics are a hallmark of Roman opulence and add up to the beauty of the great imperial baths. They perfectly reflect the sophisticated taste and engineering prowess of ancient Rome.

What Is the Purpose of the Caracalla Baths Rome ?

The Caracalla baths weren't just for bathing—they doubled as leisure centers. Within these baths were numerous amenities like gymnasiums, parks, libraries, and spas, making it a popular spot for locals to unwind and relax.

The dressing rooms at the Caracalla Baths were symmetrically arranged on both sides of the building, facilitating easy access and accommodating a larger number of visitors.

Beyond their role as a bathing and leisure center, the Baths of Caracalla were also a prowess of engineering, with a sophisticated water supply system that fed the different facilities like the hot room (caldarium), the cold room (frigidarium) and tepidarium.

The water supply was central, not just for the bathing pools but also to maintain the complex's lush gardens and fountains. This water supply network shows how Romans understood hydraulics and made sure that both the hot room and cold room offered bathers a mesmerizing experience.

Tips to Visit the Caracalla Baths of Rome

While you are visiting the Baths of Caracalla, Rome, there are many things that you can consider to save yourself money or time.

These can make your trip much more fun, and you can enjoy yourself more.

Are the Baths of Caracalla Free ?

Although tickets for the Baths of Caracalla typically need to be purchased, there are certain days when you can enjoy a visit to the Terme di Caracalla completely free of charge.

• 25 April, 2 June and 4 November free entrance
• you can visit the bath for free for 8 days as a part of the Io Vado al Museo.
• free tours are also available on World Water Day.
• you can also get free tours on Natale di Roma day or Rome's birthday.

Also, free entrance is for:

• Individuals under 18
• People with disabilities (plus one accompanying family member or helper from health and social assistance services)
• European Union tour guides during their professional activities

Baths Of Caracalla Events

The ruins of the Baths of Caracalla serve as a stunning venue for many events, most notably the Baths of Caracalla opera.

Performances of Verdi's Aida at the Baths of Caracalla, along with other Baths of Caracalla concerts, bring the ancient site to life.

The tradition of hosting opera at the Baths of Caracalla Rome Italy is a great way for history to meet contemporary artistic expression.

What you need to know to go on a Catacombs of Rome tour ?

Before you plan your catacomb tour, you must know that it can get claustrophobic. The catacombs of Rome are located underground tombs on the Appian Way.

They are away from the city but are close to many other ancient Rome attractions such as the Baths of Caracalla. You must know that the catacombs are a sacred place; therefore, you should dress appropriately.

Similarly, while visiting them ensure that you pack yourself some snacks or lunch as you might not find a lot according to your liking nearby. Public washrooms are available that are clean.

Don’t worry, the catacombs are safe, and there are not a lot of thefts and other incidents reported in the area.

Where to Stay Near Baths of Caracalla

Looking for hotels near Baths of Caracalla?

Here are three excellent accommodations, all within a 5-10 minute walk from the site.

• 🏨 Il giardino nascosto: Renowned for its exceptional service and facilities, this hidden accommodation invites you to a peaceful retreat in the heart of Rome. The air-conditioned apartment comes with a balcony, free WiFi, and a view of the inner courtyard.
• 🏨 Hotel San Giovanni Roma: With a fabulous rating from its customers, this hotel combines comfort with convenience. It comes with air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi and private parking. An ideal base if you’re looking to explore the ancient sites of Rome. The hotel also features a bar and a shared lounge for guests to relax.
• 🏨 Druso Dream Apartment: This exceptional apartment provides a luxurious stay with its spacious two-bedroom setup, city views and fully equipped kitchen and free WiFi. It’s an excellent choice for families or groups!

2 Restaurants Near Baths of Caracalla We Highly Recommend

Discover delightful dining options near the Baths of Caracalla.

Here are the two restaurants I liked the most.

• 👨‍🍳 Ristorante Leon: a charming Italian eatery that boasts an impressive rating for its delicious cuisine and cozy atmosphere. Its menu features Italian, steakhouse, pizza and Mediterranean options. It's a hit among locals and tourists alike! Don't miss their all-you-can-eat steak and the mozzarella prosciutto focaccia.
• 👨‍🍳 Bull Steak: known as the historic steakhouse of Rome, Bull Steak offers a traditional Roman dining experience with a focus on the finest cuts of meat sourced from around the world. Whether you crave Italian, Argentinian or Brazilian beef, this steakhouse will for sure satisfy your meaty desires.

FAQs

Are the Baths of Caracalla free?

The Baths of Caracalla are not free, except on specific dates like April 25, June 2, November 4, during 'Io Vado al Museo' days, World Water Day and Natale di Roma .

When were the Baths of Caracalla built?

The Baths of Caracalla were built starting in 206 AD and completed in 216 AD by Emperor Caracalla .

Where are the Baths of Caracalla?

The Baths of Caracalla are located in Rome, Italy, near other historical sites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Circus Maximus .

Who built the Baths of Caracalla?

Emperor Septimius Severus initiated the construction of the Baths of Caracalla in 206 AD, and they were completed by his son, Emperor Caracalla, in 216 AD .

Why were the Baths of Caracalla built?

The Baths of Caracalla were built as a grand bathing and social complex. They offered many facilities: gymnasiums, parks, libraries and spas for public leisure and relaxation .

Do you need tickets for Baths of Caracalla?

Yes, you need tickets to enter the Baths of Caracalla. But please note there are free entrance days and options for free tours on special occasions .

How large was the Bath of Caracalla built in Rome?

The Baths of Caracalla covered about 25 hectares and included steam rooms, gardens and libraries. They could accommodate over 1600 visitors at once .

What kind of columns were in the Baths of Caracalla?

The Baths of Caracalla boasted a minimum of 252 columns, including 16 that towered over 12 meters high. Several marble columns from the library endured through the ages but were taken in the 12th century to be repurposed for the Church of Santa Maria.

How many fire places were in the Baths of Caracalla?

The Baths of Caracalla didn't have any traditional fireplaces; instead, the structure was equipped with around 50 massive furnaces that warmed both the water and the premises.

Final Words

Now that you are all equipped with information on Caracalla Baths, you must consider going there for your vacation. It is a great place for the family to see. There is so much art and history that children and adults can get inspired by.

It enlightens a person about how great the Roman civilization was. It is also good for anyone who is traveling to Rome on a small budget as the ticket is not very expensive and you can also visit it during the free pass days.

If you want more traveling tips and a complete and comprehensive guide, you can start with planning your 3 days in Rome here.