This post will provide information about visiting the ancient Baths of Caracalla, named for the reigning emperor from 211-218 A.D.
This post includes tips on how to get there, the best hours to go, ticket prices, tours, and nearby attractions.
TICKETS
It's easy to purchase tickets online or at the gate, but to save a few Euros and time standing in line, we suggest you buy tickets ahead of time.
To save 50% or more, check out the discounts section below.
Entry Tickets
- €11 per person
- €5 reduced
- Click here to purchase your ticket or learn more
Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
- €17 per person
- Click here to purchase your ticket
Audio Guide
- €5
- Available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, and German.
Virtual Reality Guide
- €9
- This audio/video guide is available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, and German.
DISCOUNTS
Tickets for the Baths of Caracalla are not expensive. However, before you pay full prices, take a look at these discounts.
Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
The Baths of Caracalla are included on the Roma Pass as just one of many historic sites you can see for free or at a discount of up to 50%.
This attraction pass will allow you to visit either one or two attractions for free in addition to giving you unlimited access to Roman public transportation.
You'll also get entry to a long list of other museums and archaeological sites at their reduced concession price.
The Roma Pass can include the following attractions:
There are a few additional benefits which you can learn about by reading our post on Rome Tourist Passes.
Concession Tickets
Concessions include €5 tickets for European Union citizens between 18 and 25, as well as disabled visitors with one companion.
Free Admission Days
Entry is free for all visitors on the first Sunday of each month, but you must get your ticket at the cash desk when you arrive - no advance tickets are sold.
This means you might have to wait in line.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
This section will help you get to the Baths, decide when to go, and give other useful information.
How to Get to the Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla are close to some of the major landmarks in Rome’s city center.
The closest historic sites are the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus, which are all within a 10-15 minute walk of the baths.
Most people will choose to walk from some of the other sites in the area.
You may also want to consider taking public transportation. There are several bus stops nearby which are only a few minutes' walk from the Caracalla Baths.
Bus Stops:
- Terme Caracalla/Valle Camene
- Baccelli
- Hop-On-Hop-Off: Baths of Caracalla
Metro Stations:
- Circo Massimo
- Piramide
Use this Google Maps link for specific directions to the Caracalla Baths. Learn more about taking mass transit by reading our post on navigating the Roman metro system.
TIP: Big Bus makes the Baths of Caracalla one of the stops on their hop-on-hop-off bus tour. City Sightseeing offers a special tour straight to the Baths. If you’re already interested in taking a bus tour, this is one of the easiest ways to get there.
Best Times to Visit
Opening times fluctuate during the year, but the Baths are generally open between 9:00 am - 18:15 (6:15 pm). Last entry is one hour prior to closing.
The Baths of Caracalla are always closed on Sundays, December 25, and January 1.
Unlike other historic sites in Rome, the Caracalla Baths are usually more popular during weekdays.
Even so, there isn’t a huge difference between crowd sizes throughout the week.
Most people probably won’t have any trouble seeing this landmark whenever they wish.
No matter which day you choose to visit, chances are that crowd sizes will increase between the hours of 10:00 am - 11:00 am and 14:00 - 15:00 (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm).
As a result, it might be a good idea to plan your trip either early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
TIP: Throughout most of July and August, Teatro dell’Opera hosts a series of open-air operas at the Baths! You can find out more about this fun night activity in our post, Things to Do in Rome in August.
How Much Time Will It Take To See the Baths?
This is a pretty large attraction and it can take quite a bit of time to see everything.
While some sources recommend setting aside 1 ½ hours, others indicate that you will need at least 2 hours for a trip to the Baths of Caracalla.
Many visitors indicate that it is easy to enjoy a nice, relaxing walk around the site and take everything in at a leisurely pace.
Even if you’re looking to get in and out quickly, you may want to consider setting aside at least an hour for this outing.
If you decide to take a guided tour, your trip could take a bit longer. Some tours of the baths can take as much as 3 hours to complete.
If you’re running low on time, their audio tours are far shorter at 50 minutes in length.
Security
Suitcases and large bags are not allowed inside the Baths.
If you're looking for a secure place to store your luggage during your visit, check out our guide to luggage storage in Rome.
Nearby Attractions
There are a lot of attractions to take in near the Baths of Caracalla.
TOURS OF THE BATHS OF CARACALLA
There are a few different ways to take a tour of this landmark. In addition to the traditional guided and audio tours, you can also take a virtual reality tour of the grounds.
This photo of Baths of Caracalla is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Some of these options will come with free admission while others will not. Keep that in mind before purchasing your tickets.
Guided Tours
Several companies offer guided tours of the Caracalla Baths. Some of these services are open to the public, but others are private tours for small groups.
You can also take a walking tour which includes a visit to some of the nearby attractions.
Keep an eye out for tours that include free admission, as this can be a great way to save a little extra money.
- Ticket Prices: €50 – €100
- Duration: 1 – 3 hours
- Availability varies between each service
- Click here to learn more or purchase tickets
Audio Tours
Once you enter the Baths of Caracalla, you will find a small bookshop where you can purchase an audio guide for the site.
This tour is approximately 50 minutes in length, providing a lot of useful information about the landmark.
- Official Audio Tour Price: €5 per person
- Available at Caracalla Baths bookshop
- Click here for free audio guide
Caracalla IVD Tour
In addition to their audio tour, the Baths of Caracalla also offers a new 4D VR experience which is designed to give you an idea of what the baths looked like back in 216 A.C.
It might be difficult to imagine how these ruins appeared when they were in use, and this service perfectly recreates the site in virtual reality so that visitors can appreciate the architectural feat.
- Caracalla IVD Price: €9 per person
- Available in English, Spanish, French, Italian and German
- Click here to purchase tickets
RELATED POSTS:
- Bus Tours in Rome
- Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
- How to Navigate Roman Public Transportation
- Colosseum Tickets
