Hotels near Baths of Caracalla

Built between AD 212 and 216 under Emperor Caracalla, these were among the largest public baths of ancient Rome, able to hold around 1,600 bathers at a time. The brick walls still rise more than 30 metres, and sections of the original black-and-white floor mosaics survive in the side halls. In December the site is often almost empty, a striking contrast with the Colosseum queues a short walk north.

Tickets cost around €8-10, and the site closes in the late afternoon in winter, so plan a morning visit. Parts of the underground service tunnels, where enslaved workers stoked the furnaces that heated the water, have been opened to visitors. The low winter sun casts long shadows through the great arches, which makes it one of the most photogenic ruins in Rome this month.

Pro Tip: Combine the baths with a walk along Circo Massimo, then continue up the Aventine Hill to look through the famous keyhole of the Knights of Malta gate.