Welcome to the Saturnia Hot Springs, one of the most relaxing and scenic places you can visit in the southern Tuscan countryside.
It’s time to start brushing up on your Italian and take a trip to the Terme di Saturnia. These thermal baths are famous across the peninsula. People from all over the country flock to visit and soak up that sulfurous turquoise water.
More times than not, many think of the Spa and Wellness centres in the nearby area when they think of Saturnia Hot Springs. But that’s not the whole truth. You can have a luxury experience at the baths for FREE!
In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about this amazing place.
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What are the Saturnia Hot Springs?
Also known as the Mill Falls (“Cascate del Mulino” in Italian), 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.
Where does the water come from? The water gushes from the foothills of Mount Amiata, some 30 kilometres away. It’s believed it takes around 40 YEARS for the water to flow and fill the craters.
The landscape of this famous attraction is not flat. The bubbling hot water flows from the waterfall filling the craters as it trickles down. The pools are about a half meter deep, which makes this place perfect and safe for families with kids as well.
The thermal waters of Saturnia hot springs have been flowing for millennia from a natural crater, at a constant temperature of 37.5°C (100°F), all year round. That’s right – hot enough to relax those body muscles and rejuvenate that skin! We recommend staying in for about two hours, then taking a break. If you’re more sensitive to heated water, you may consider shorter dips.
If you visit on a cold morning, you will be able to see the whole site covered in steam from the water, creating a majestic fog that envelops the area. It’s no wonder why so many are fascinated by these hot springs.
Are you looking for more Free Hot Springs in Tuscany? Check out Bagni di San Filippo, just 1h drive from Saturnia!
How to get to Saturnia Hot Springs
First things first! When you start looking for directions on how to get to this beautiful spot, you should know the actual name is Cascate del Mulino, meaning the waterfalls of the mill. This quaint name comes from the fact that there used to be a mill next to the waterfall. Today, you can see a small stone building next to the waterfall that’s empty.
Why you might ask? Well, Saturnia is the name of the town near the hot springs. The area itself has several complexes of hot springs, spas and wellness centres.
If you want to visit the free natural pools, be sure to look up Cascate del Mulino.
🚗 BY CAR:
The easiest way to get to the Saturnia Hot Springs is by car. Since it’s located in Tuscany’s southern countryside, having your own car can definitely save you some time when going around.
Visiting the Saturnia Hot Springs is a perfect day trip from Grosseto, Rome, Florence, Pisa, and many other places. The Cascate is 2h45min hours from Florence and roughly 2h15min hours from Rome.
TIP: Consider renting a car for the day – or even for a few days – to get the most out of your trip to Tuscany. The area with the hot springs is known primarily for the baths which is why you may consider finding accommodation in a nearby town like Grosseto that’s well linked to public transport to get around and visit other areas.
🚌 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Saturnia Hot Springs is also reachable by bus or with a combination of train and bus if you’re coming from a larger city. Like many towns in southern Tuscany, public transport is available but oftentimes the transport from a larger city is not direct. You would need to take a train (or more than one) and then take a bus.
Overall, public transit can be a bit less convenient, but it is more affordable and it’s not impossible!
GET TO SATURNIA FROM GROSSETO
Grosseto is the main city near Saturnia. It is about 57km from Saturnia and the journey by bus takes about 1h45min. These are the buses you need to take from Grosseto. Take the bus n°8/G (Grosseto – Scansano – Montemerano), which you can check here.
Check the following map for the exact route!
GET TO SATURNIA FROM ROME
From Rome, take any trains that goes to Pisa, making sure it also stops in Albinia. The journey takes 1h50min.
Once you get to Albinia, take bus n°41P to Manciano. From here, bus n°17P will take you to Saturnia.
Where to stay
Luxury: Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort. This five-star resort features an 18-hole golf course and is 5 km from the old city centre of the medieval village of Saturnia. Built out of Travertine marble, its elegant thermal spa features Roman baths and natural swimming pools.
Prices start at €310 EUR/night ($329 USD/night).
Mid-budget: Agriturismo Le Cascatelle. Located only 500m away, this place is the best option for those who want to visit the springs. It offers rustic-style rooms and apartments with wood-beamed ceilings and hand-painted furniture.
Prices start at €87 EUR/night ($92 USD/night).
Budget: Casale Fontani. The Fontani farmhouse is located in a unique spot immersed in the uncontaminated nature of the Tuscan Maremma, it is an ideal base for hiking in the Albegna valley, but also to visit the many archaeological and cultural sites nearby, such as Sovana, Pitigliano and Sorana. It’s about 30 minutes by car from the springs.
Prices start at €14 EUR/night ($15 USD/night).
Entrance fee
There is no entrance fee. Yes, as of 2023 the Saturnia Hot Springs remain completely FREE and open to the public.
Parking
Parking is free but limited. Keep in mind that it could be challenging to find a parking spot during high season or long weekends. It’s also ideal to head there in the morning to beat the crowds and get parking.
The parking area is for cars and motorbikes, campervans are not allowed (maximum height: 2.20m).
For those travelling in a van or who are just interested in camping in the area, you can find a camping site about 800m from the hot springs. Check out this location for Camping grounds. Little note – there is no camping at the hot springs.
Best Time to visit Saturnia Hot Springs
The best time of the year to visit Saturnia Hot Springs is during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). The pools are not so crowded during these seasons and the air temperature is not too warm, which is best to enjoy the hot water of Saturnia.
Summer is probably the worst time to visit it. This place isn’t a secret anymore and it will be packed and feel a bit less relaxing.
We visited the springs in February and we can say winter is also a great time of the year to be there. The water is warm all year round so, if you can deal with a little thermal shock while entering and exiting the water, you will be fine.
The only downside of visiting the hot springs in winter is that the weather can be more unpredictable and being at the hot springs in the rain is not as much fun. In fact, harsh weather conditions like big storms really impact the landscape of the natural pools.
To give you an idea, this is how dirty and muddy the hot springs looked in November 2019 after a big thunderstorm…
Best time of the day to go
The best time of the day to visit Saturnia’s hot springs is early in the morning. Not only will you have the place for yourself, but you will be also welcomed by the incredible amount of steam that is generated by the thermal heat, especially in winter.
TIP: Mid-day is also a great time to visit it, because whenever the sun is high in the sky the water becomes turquoise, and it’s so, so beautiful. At the same time, you may have to deal with lots of people.
We were there from 7:00 am to 10.30 am and enjoyed both scenarios.
NOTE: There were quite a lot of tourists at 10:00 am also in low season.
Facilities at Saturnia
Do not expect to find much else besides the hot springs in the area. There are no lockers so don’t bring valuables, no changing rooms, and no showers.
Most people leave their belongings on the ground near the pools. You can do the same, just keep a close eye on them.
There is small restaurant bar near the hot springs so bring some cash if you want a snack or drink. Here, you can use the washroom if you buy something but we found it to be a bit overpriced.
What to pack to the Saturnia Hot Springs
All you need is a swimsuit, a towel and flip-flops. If you are going in summertime, you want to pack sunscreen as the rays can be quite strong and there is no shade.
Consider also bringing your own drinks and snacks to save some money; the on-site bar is not the best representation of the yummy local delicacies of Tuscan cuisine.
Photography tips at Saturnia Hot Springs
There are 2 times of the day which are just perfect for photography: sunrise and mid-day.
The water becomes an incredible turquoise colour when the sun is high in the sky, and the whole place lights up and feels magical. All the photos you see in this article are taken by drone. Flying didn’t seem to be prohibited, but it might be a problem in high season.
There is also a viewpoint in front of the hot springs that is ideal for capturing some stunning shots. Discover the location here.
What to do in the area
If you’re not sure where to visit after your trip to the Saturnia Hot Springs, check out our tailored itinerary!
Your next stop should definitely be Borghi del Tufo. Pitigliano, Sorano, and Sovana are 3 historic medieval towns in Tuscany located about 1 hour from the hot springs.
But we can’t write a list of must-see places near Saturnia hot springs without mentioning another Tuscan jewel: Val d’Orcia, one of the most beautiful places in Italy. From here you should visit Monticchiello, Pienza, Torrenieri, and all of the other little towns and spots you can find on the infographic below.
If you’re looking to explore some towns in Tuscany’s neighbouring regions, we recommend heading to Orvieto in the region of Umbria and Civita di Bagnoregio in Lazio.
Check out our Umbria detailed guide for more information on how to travel central Italy. More amazing places in this region include the Caves of Monte Cucco and the Marmore Falls.
If ever you’re looking to take more trips in Italy, check out our full guide to backpacking in the Dolomites and guide to one of Turin’s craziest and fun Battle of the Oranges!
Other Spa & Wellness Centres near Saturnia Hot Springs
For those looking for a more secluded experience with full services and amenities, there are several places in Saturnia to choose from.
Some popular spa and wellness centers near Saturnia Hot Springs include:
- Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort:
- This is one of the most well-known spa resorts in the area, offering various wellness treatments, thermal pools, and a golf course.
- Prices can range from €50 to €150 or more for treatments, with additional fees for access to the thermal pools.
- Adler Thermae Spa & Relax Resort:
- A luxurious spa resort with a wide range of wellness programs, including massages, thermal baths, and beauty treatments.
- Prices vary, but expect to pay between €70 and €200 or more for treatments, with access to the spa facilities included.
[…] Tuscany, near the town of Bagni San Filippo, in the province of Siena. Just like the more popular hot springs of Saturnia, it is a sulphur-rich natural spring creating several ponds where visitors can swim and […]
Hi, what would be the best way to get to the hot springs from Puglia?
Thanks
Hi there, Puglia is quite far from Tuscany. If you want to include the Hot Springs of Saturnia on an itinerary that also includes Puglia, you may want to consider taking an internal flight from the airport of Bari to either Florence, Pisa or Rome. In case, I’d recommend spending at least 3-4 days there and explore nearby attractions such as Val d’Orcia, Siena and more. Safe travels!