The Hot Springs of Tuscany
During your stay in Tuscany, consider exploring one of its many hot springs, all within driving distance of Locanda of Tuscany.
October is a great time to soak in these natural healing springs to feel refreshed and rejuvenated outside of the busy season. Avoid the crowds and the heat!
This one-of-a-kind experience is one we encourage you to consider during your stay.
We’ve listed below a 4 FREE hot springs we think are worth checking out based on our research.
Tuscany’s Hot Springs
The natural hot springs scattered throughout Tuscany are of volcanic origin. Monte Amiata in the province of Siena faces the rolling landscape of the Val d'Orcia to the northeast and the Maremma on the eastern side.
Don’t worry! It’s dormant. It’s also the highest in Italy at 1,736 meters (5,695 feet).
In fact, the province of Siena, which is where you’ll be staying, is the most robust area in Tuscany for volcanic hot springs.
While you can choose a luxury spa for your thermal hot spring experience, listed below are 4 hot springs where you can experience a wild and FREE soak while surrounded by the natural beauty of Tuscany.
Bagno Vignoni
While you cannot take a bath directly in the main pool, you can choose to take a break for a whole day and enjoy the many spa treatments in the luxurious spa centers and hotels that are set up all over the town.
For a free soak, follow the springs down behind the square and over the cliff past the remains of the old mills and head down to the Parco dei Mulini (Park of the Mills) where you can enjoy the pools of naturally hot water for free!
Distance from Locanda in Tuscany: 10km, 14 minutes
Health Benefits of Hot Springs
Hot springs can help boost your blood circulation. Back to those minerals! Hot spring water is flowing with calcium and sodium bicarbonate, which can boost overall oxygen flow and circulation once absorbed into the body.
A soothing soak can aid in natural pain reduction and rehabilitation. Buoyant, warm, mineral-rich waters that allow ease of movement and slight resistance are a favorite therapeutic tool. They can also help increase flexibility and circulate lactic acid out of sore muscles.
Healing hot spring waters can also improve skin irritations and conditions. The elevated levels of sulfur in hot spring waters offer antifungal and antibacterial properties that can soothe and even help heal the skin.
Soakers enjoy reduced stress levels. The many minerals in hot spring waters can help decrease daily stress.
Detoxify, naturally. Warm hot springs cause your body to sweat, helping to clear clogged pores and increase healthy circulation.
Bagni San Filippo
Located just outside the small town of Bagni San Filippo, the springs at San Filippo are known for their calciferous formations, waterfalls, and small pools of hot water surrounded by the woods.
Follow the easy path along the river past the first, shallow pool further into the woods to reach the massive formation of calcium and waterfall that has earned the nickname of the "White Whale".
Here, the hot water of the springs meets the cold water of the river, giving the water a white-blue color that contrasts deeply with the green surrounding forest.
If you keep walking further, you'll reach the rest of the pools that form the full Fosso Bianco right by the paid spa where their pool releases water down into the outdoor pools, increasing the water's temperature.
Distance from Locanda in Tuscany: 10.9km, 13 minutes
How long to soak in a hot spring?
It’s really dependent on how hot the water is, which varies widely from pool to pool and from one location to the next.
Dip a toe or foot in first to test the waters before submerging your entire body. For water temps that exceed 104° (the common temperature for a manufactured hot tub, for your body’s reference), try not to exceed a soak time of 15 to 20 minutes.
A trip to the hot springs is often a full- or multi-day endeavor, so temper your soaking with small breaks, nearby hikes, or even a roll in the snow or plunge in the cold pool to help cool down.
With any hot spring session, make sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
Bagni di Petriolo
Between Siena and Grosseto, there is probably the most popular natural free spa in Tuscany, Petriolo. The thermal springs of Bagni di Petriolo gush at a temperature of 43°C (109°F) making it one of Tuscany’s warmest hot springs.
These waters have a high concentration of limestone and sulfur. Thanks to these two elements, natural pools that collect the flow of water have formed over time. The nice thing about this place is that you can switch from the hot water of the pools to the fresh and clean water of the Farma River in a quick jump!
Distance from Locanda in Tuscany: 70.9km, 1 hr. 22 min.
What should I bring to a hot spring?
Unlike a typical trip to the nearby indoor pool or backyard hot tub, getting to hot springs often requires at least a little bit of a walk, and once you’re there, you’ll be subject to nature’s elements.
Pack accordingly for inclement and seasonal weather and make sure to wear proper footwear for getting to the springs and then back to the car.
Pack a swimsuit, towel, plenty of water, some sunscreen if you’ll be outside, and maybe a hat or beanie if you’re soaking in the winter, spring, or fall when air temperatures are cooler.
Terme di Saturnia
The most famous hot spring of Tuscany, Saturnia, gushes up in the middle of nowhere in one of the wildest parts of Tuscany. If you have ever seen a photo of Tuscan spas, you have most likely seen a picture of the “Cascate del Mulino” (Mill Falls) where the 37°C (97°F) water fills its natural limestone pools.
The Saturnia Hot Springs are a group of natural, free, and open-air hot springs located near the town of Saturnia in Tuscany, Italy. The hot water flows over a series of limestone terraces, creating shallow pools and cascades. Visitors can sit or soak in these pools while enjoying the soothing warmth of the thermal water.
