Dreaming of soaking in natural hot springs surrounded by breathtaking views? Look no further than the Saturnia Hot Springs in Tuscany, Italy!
Legend has it that the hot springs were created when the god Saturn struck the ground with a thunderbolt. Today, you can immerse yourself in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the hot spring, known for healing properties like muscle and joint pain, respiratory problems, and skin issues. As you relax and unwind, let the soothing waters melt away your stress, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalised.
But it’s not just the healing waters that make Saturnia a must-visit destination. The hot springs are set against a stunning backdrop of rolling hills and lush greenery, creating a picture-perfect setting that will take your breath away. Whether you visit during the day or under the starry night sky, the natural beauty of Saturnia will leave you in awe.
- 1. What is the best time to visit Saturnia Hot Springs
- 2. How to get to Saturnia in Tuscany
- 3. How to plan your visit to Saturnia Hot Springs in Italy
- 4. Accommodation options near Saturnia Hot Springs in Tuscany
- 5. Must-knows for Visiting the Saturnia Hot Springs in Italy
- 6. Tips for visiting Saturnia Hot Springs
1. What is the best time to visit Saturnia Hot Springs
Saturnia Hot Springs can be enjoyed year-round as the temperature of the water remains the same, but the best time to visit depends on your preferences.
If you prefer milder temperatures and fewer crowds, consider visiting during the spring (April–June) or fall (September–November).
During the summer months, the hot springs can get crowded, but the warm weather makes them ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Visiting early in the morning around sunrise can help avoid the crowd.
2. How to get to Saturnia in Tuscany
The little town of Saturnia is located in the province of Grosseto, in the southern part of Tuscany, Italy. You can get to Saturnia Hot Springs from Rome (146 km or a 2-hour drive) or from Florence (197 km or a 3-hour drive) by car
Alternatively, you can also take a train from Rome to Grosseto and then a bus or taxi to Saturnia. However, this may turn out to be more expensive and inconvenient.
In my opinion, renting a car is the best and only way to go here. You can check out the car rental prices on RentalCars.com or Discover Cars and choose the best deal. Both of these companies are our go-to platforms for renting a car, and we’ve always had a good experience with them.
Tips for Renting a Car and Driving in Tuscany, Italy
- You will need an international driving permit (IDP) to rent a car in Italy if you’re not from the EU. We rented cars twice from two different companies in Italy and were asked to produce an IDP by both of these rental companies. We got our IDP from the International Driver’s Association in 8 minutes, which was so convenient. The hard copy took a week to reach us.
- Remember that anything can happen to your rented car, so when booking a car from RentalCars.com or DiscoverCars, opt for their insurance policy. We had to claim insurance during our trip to Morocco because our wind shield got chipped by a stone. The claim process was so smooth and easy, we were impressed.
- The Tuscan countryside is fairly easy to drive in. We never had any issues. You might encounter some gravel roads, which is just how Tuscany is! You can take the car on such roads.
- Do not drive the car in the city centres of Rome and Florence. It will be very stressful as there are many Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL) and designated lanes for utility vehicles, etc. You do not want to be fined. I suggest renting a car from the airport in either city and returning the car at the airport itself.
3. How to plan your visit to Saturnia Hot Springs in Italy
There are two ways you can visit Saturnia Hot Springs:
Day Trip: Saturnia Hot Springs from Rome
Days Needed: 1
Kilometres: 288 km, approx
Drive Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes, approx
If you’re looking to make a day trip out of it, then there is only one way to do it: visit Saturnia Hot Springs from Rome—an easy addition to your Rome itinerary. The journey from Florence is an hour longer than from Rome and simply not worth it as a day trip.
This is how you can do it from Rome:
- Leave as early as possible in the morning
- Rent a car from one of the airports in Rome (this may take time, depending on the season)
- Drive to Saturnia. This will take about 2 hours
- Enjoy the Saturnia Hot Springs for 1-2 hours
- Shower or change by paying a minimal amount at the area just outside the hot spring
- Have a leisurely lunch at Trattoria Ristorante Enoteca La Cascia in Montemarno. The food is absolutely delicious.
- Drive back, taking in the beautiful vistas of the Tuscan countryside.
- Return your car in the evening
However, in this case, since you’re not reaching early in the morning, you might have a bit of a crowd at the hot springs, depending on the season. Set your expectations while keeping this in mind.
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2-Day Road Trip: Saturnia Hot Springs from Florence
Days needed: 2
Distance: 446 km (Day 1: 229 km, Day 2: 217 km)
Drive Time: 7 hours 30 minutes ( Day 1: 3 hours 40 minutes, Day 2: 3 hours 50 minutes)
The preferred way to visit requires that you have at least two days to spare. I swear it will be worth it! The road trip starts in Florence so you can maximise your time visiting a few charming and well-known towns and cities that are closer to Florence. You can simply do this road trip before or after spending a few days in Florence. You’ll have to stay two nights in Tuscany, one in Saturnia and another in any town/region of your choice, like Val d’Orcia, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti.
It is also possible to start the two-day trip in Rome and end it in Florence, but you may have to skip either San Gimignano or Siena.
- Rent a car from Florence Airport
- Spend the morning and early afternoon in San Gimignano: walk around the town and enjoy a delicious meal at Ristorante Bel Soggiorno; this was the best meal we had in our 3 weeks in Italy.
- Check into your hotel in Saturnia
- Have dinner at Trattoria Ristorante Enoteca La Cascia in Montemarno. The food is absolutely delicious.
- Visit the Saturnia Hot Springs early in the morning, around sunrise. The earlier, the better.
- Head back to your hotel to shower, have breakfast and check-out
- Roam around the charming area of Val’d’Orcia and see the town of Siena. Don’t miss going inside the Cathedral of Siena.
- Spend the night in Siena or any other town close by and return the car the next morning. Or return the car in the evening and spend the night in Florence.
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4. Accommodation options near Saturnia Hot Springs in Tuscany
There are a few accommodation options available near Saturnia Hot Springs, ranging from luxury resorts to cosy bed and breakfasts. Consider booking your stay in advance, especially during peak season (summer months of July and August), to secure your preferred accommodation. I’m giving one or two options in each category, as hotels may be booked for your dates.
Luxury: Terme di Saturnia Natural Spa & Golf Resort : The resort has its own private thermal pool and a range of treatments and massages. Perfect for some indulgence.
Mid-Range: Agriturismo Le Cascatelle and Hotel La Fonte Del Cerro: Both of these are located very close to the hot springs, have air conditioning and breakfast, and are very well rated.
Budget: Casale Terre Rosse – Located just 3.6 km away from hot springs, this stay has a really good rating, splendid views, decently sized rooms, and a superb breakfast included. We had considered this place for ourselves, but it was sold out on our dates.
Budget: B&B 8380 Saturnia Terme– This is where we stayed. Located just 500 metres from the thermal pools, it is one of the closest accommodations to the pools. Perfect for getting to the pools quickly in the morning and later coming back and washing up. The room was small but clean, and it had everything we needed for a one-night stay. The breakfast spread in the morning was absolutely delicious and much needed after a soak in the thermal pool.
5. Must-knows for Visiting the Saturnia Hot Springs in Italy
What is the exact location of Saturnia Hot Springs?
To get to the hot spring, type ‘Cascate del Molino’ on Google Maps and not Saturnia Hot Springs. Do not end up going to Saturnia Terme as that is a luxury hotel!
Where to park for visiting Saturnia Hot Springs?
There is a large parking lot just 400 metres from the entrance to the hot spring. It is a paid and guarded parking lot for which you have to pay Euro 2 per hour if you’re arriving by bike or car. Here is a Google Maps link for the parking lot
What are the timings of Saturnia Hot Springs?
It is open 24/7, so you can visit whenever you want.
How much is the entrance fee for Saturnia Hot Springs?
There is no entrance fee. It is completely free to enter.
What is the experience like?
Upon arriving at Saturnia Hot Springs, you’ll be greeted by a natural oasis of beauty, tranquility, and a bit of a sulfuric smell. You’ll get used to the smell in no time. When we arrived early in the morning during the month of July, we were greeted with the sight of mist rising over cascading thermal pools. It was a beautiful sight. This will be even more pronounced if you visit outside of the summer months.
As you get into the hot spring, you’ll notice that the water is warm, not hot. It is still very relaxing.The temperature of the springs remains constant throughout the year, making them a perfect destination regardless of the season.
You may also notice red worms in the water. These are mosquito larvae, and they’re harmless. Just ignore them, and yes, it is obviously best to not put your face underneath the water to avoid ingesting these worms.
6. Tips for visiting Saturnia Hot Springs
Before heading to Saturnia Hot Springs, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.
- The changing and showering facilities at Saturnia Hot Springs are limited. There is a nominal charge for using this facility at the cafe (Euro 2 for 2 minutes). I would suggest changing and showering at your hotel if you’ve opted to stay there.
- Bring your own towels. A microfiber towel will be perfect for your travels.
- If you’re not used to walking on rough surfaces, you can also bring water shoes, sandals, or flip-flops into the water.
- Do not wet your hair in the hot spring. If you do, your hair will feel super dry and brittle even after washing.
- Your swimsuit and towel will smell of sulphur even after one wash; however, it’ll go away after a few more washes.
- There are no lockers on site, so it is best to leave your valuables in the car. You can bring your drone or GoPro to shoot photos and video.
We took our drone and GoPro for shots and left them in a corner in our bag after we were done. We are thankful that no one walked away with them.
Saturnia Hot Springs offers a unique and unforgettable experience for those who love relaxation in a charming setting. The healing waters, set against the stunning backdrop of Tuscany’s rolling hills, create a truly magical atmosphere that will leave you in awe. Your journey to healing waters and heavenly views awaits.
Other Reads from Italy
10 days in Italy: The Perfect Itinerary for First Timers
3-day Rome Itinerary
2-day Florence Itinerary
A Day Trip to Lake Como from Milan
Cinque Terre in One Day
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