Acqui Terme

An ancient thermal spa town in southern Piedmont famous for its boiling natural spring called La Bollente and its excellent Brachetto d'Acqui sparkling red wine. Roman ruins and medieval architecture add to its allure.

Things to do

• See La Bollente Spring — A natural spring bubbling at 75°C rises in the main piazza beneath a 19th-century pavilion; a truly unique sight.
• Bathe in Thermal Spas — Several thermal establishments offer sulphurous baths and mud treatments using Acqui's natural waters.
• Explore the Roman Aqueduct Ruins — Impressive arched remains of the ancient Roman aqueduct stand on the edge of town as a free open-air monument.
• Visit the Archaeological Museum — Housed in the Bishop's Palace, the museum displays Roman finds including mosaics and artefacts from ancient Aquae Statiellae.
• Tour Brachetto Wineries — The surrounding hills produce Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG; many cantinas offer tastings of this sweet sparkling wine.

Food to try

• Brachetto d'Acqui — A fragrant, lightly sparkling sweet red wine with strawberry notes, produced exclusively in this DOCG zone.
• Moscato d'Asti — A neighbouring sweet sparkling white wine made from Muscat grapes, widely available in Acqui's wine bars.
• Agnolotti del plin — Tiny hand-pinched pasta parcels filled with roasted meat and served with butter and sage or meat juices.
• Amaretti di Acqui — Soft, moist almond biscuits baked locally and traditionally paired with Brachetto d'Acqui for dessert.

Local customs & good to know

• Thermal Booking — Reserve spa treatments in advance during summer and holiday weekends as thermal facilities fill up quickly.
• La Bollente Etiquette — Do not attempt to touch the boiling spring; locals treat the pavilion as a cultural landmark, not a tourist gimmick.
• Wine Festival Timing — The Douja d'Or wine festival takes place in September in nearby Asti, making late summer the ideal time to explore the region.