The historic old town, the heart of Fiuggi’s history and period buildings, and the modern district, best known for its thermal baths: each of the two sides of Fiuggi
has its own distinctive charm and, although it is a relatively small town, with around 10,000 inhabitants, it attracts visitors from all over Italy and from around the world.
The town, once known as Anticoli di Campagna, lies at the foot of the Ernici Mountains, in the province of Frosinone, and is surrounded by lush vegetation, making it an appealing destination for mountain bike and trekking enthusiasts, as well as anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
The thermal baths and the purifying water
Although there are plenty of places to visit, it is above all the water that draws thousands of people to Fiuggi, many of them returning several times a year. Numerous historical figures are said to have sought treatment by drinking from the town’s springs, and over the centuries their reputation has spread around the world, supported today by important scientific studies.
It is therefore not unusual to see coaches full of Japanese or Swedish visitors who, before heading to the Italian capital, stop in Fiuggi to try its famous water, traditionally associated with the body’s natural cleansing and purification.
«As a result of lake sedimentation and volcanic activity – according to the website of the well-known brand, now sold around the world – the soil became enriched with layers of silt, clay, tuff and ash. Even today, as the water filters through the volcanic layers, it picks up beneficial substances that may provide relief for a wide range of conditions.» Today, the springs are not only an important economic and tourist asset for the local authorities, but also for residents and shopkeepers, who display bottles in their shop windows alongside clothing and serve Fiuggi water in restaurants and hotels throughout the area.
A destination for couples and older visitors
For many older visitors, spending the summer in this town of legendary healing springs has become an unmissable pleasure. The many drinking fountains scattered around the town are a clear sign of this tradition, used by people who come to Fiuggi simply to drink the water, enjoy its reputed benefits, take a stroll and relax.
The town is also home to one of the largest thermal spa complexes in Italy, whose origins, as mentioned, go back many centuries. Unfortunately, the facility is open only at certain times, when the park fills with visitors carrying glasses, heading into the beautiful surroundings to sip the famous water and enjoy the peace and nature, either alone or in company. The large number of hotels and spas has also encouraged another type of tourism: the classic romantic getaway, with young couples escaping the noise of big cities and everyday life in small, peaceful towns such as Fiuggi.
Fiuggi, the town loved by famous figures
Fiuggi has a long and prestigious tradition as a spa and wellness destination, attracting kings, statesmen, artists, writers and major figures from international cinema throughout the 20th century. A central role in this story belongs to the historic Palazzo della Fonte, now Palazzo Fiuggi, which in 1914 welcomed King Victor Emmanuel III and the royal family and later became one of the town’s most exclusive addresses. Other illustrious guests included King Farouk of Egypt, Alcide De Gasperi and Giovanni Giolitti, while the entertainment world brought names such as Sophia Loren, Alberto Sordi, Vittorio De Sica, Totò, Roberto Rossellini, Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Quinn to Fiuggi.
The town also welcomed writers and leading cultural figures, from Gabriele D’Annunzio and Eleonora Duse to Luigi Pirandello, Guglielmo Marconi and Pablo Picasso, helping to establish Fiuggi’s international reputation. The tradition surrounding Fiuggi’s waters, however, dates back even further: according to local tradition, Pope Boniface VIII and Michelangelo Buonarroti are also said to have appreciated their properties. More recently, in April 2023, Fiuggi once again attracted international attention when Oprah Winfrey stayed at Palazzo Fiuggi, where the celebrated television host is said to have followed a personalised programme focused on wellness and rejuvenation. 
During her stay, Winfrey is also said to have discovered the artisanal bread purchased from a bakery in Torre Cajetani, enjoying it so much that she shared her experience on social media. It was a curious tribute to local food traditions that helped bring a small Ciociarian speciality to an international audience, all the way to the United States.
Sport and events
Not everyone knows that Fiuggi is also a particularly popular destination for the variety of sporting activities on offer. The current 18-hole golf club was founded way back in 1928, while the Fiuggi brand is also a partner of other major organisations involved in athletics, rugby, cycling and football. During the summer, the town also hosts several major national events, including the Fiuggi Film Festival, a film festival dedicated to family movies held during the last week of July, and the International Guitar Festival, which takes place during the third week of July.
For lovers of traditional flavours, Fiuggi is also the perfect place to try local recipes and home-style dishes, such as gnocchetti alla Fiuggina, made with homemade gnocchi, tuna and tomato sauce. The town’s real sweet specialities, however, are three classic treats: amaretti, wine biscuits and ciambelle sciroppate. Less commercial but certainly more distinctive are marzelletti and anisette.
At the table, alongside Fiuggi water, there is plenty of room for local wines. One worth mentioning is Cesanese del Piglio DOCG, one of Ciociaria’s most distinctive wines: a full-bodied red produced in the hills of the province of Frosinone, ideal with traditional pasta dishes, meat and local cheeses. For anyone who wants to discover Fiuggi through its flavours as well, this is certainly a glass worth trying.