Terme di Saturnia Hot Springs: The Gorgeous Thermal Baths in Tuscany, Italy

terme di saturnia hot springs

Terme di Saturnia: the Ultimate Guide to the perfect holiday!
Prices, what to see, what to eat, and where to sleep.

Tuscany is probably the most famous Italian region for Hot Springs. Not only because it has the highest number of hot springs in comparison with other Italian regions, 1/4 of the total present on the national territory, but also for the quality of its thermal waters and for the presence of many thermal baths still free and usable by all.

All you have to do is decide which type of spa you want to be pampered by. Of course, an important factor of choice is the budget you have available.

In this article we will talk about what, in our opinion, are among the Best Thermal Baths in Tuscany: the Terme di Saturnia, what are the prices, the services offered, where to sleep, what to eat and what to see in the surroundings of Saturnia. So you can organize a relaxing holiday or weekend in every aspect.

Terme di Saturnia has the advantage of offering solutions for all budgets, which can be combined with each other.

You can choose, in fact, to stay in the luxury of the Hotel Terme di Saturnia, to sleep elsewhere and go to the spa as day visitors or to camp and go to the free spa.

To get an overview of the best spas in Tuscany and then explore them individually you can read this article, if you want to know more about Terme di Saturnia, keep reading.

Disclosure: Some of our articles contain affiliate links (as an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases).

The Wrath of Saturn and the Creation of the Terme di Saturnia

The Terme di Saturnia are certainly one of the most famous spas in Italy, they are located in the homonymous town, in the area of ​​the beautiful town of Manciano, in Tuscany.

The water that feeds the wellness center and the free hots springs below, the Cascate del Mulino, comes from the same source and flows at a constant temperature of 37.5 degrees, with a flow rate of 500 liters per second.

Saturnia was already a tourist center, if it can be defined as such, in Roman times. Legend has it that it was the god Saturn who created them in a moment of anger; tired of the constant wars unleashed by man, he hurl lightning bolts on the earth, giving birth to the thermal spring.

Since then, the thermal baths of Saturnia have been used to relax, take care of one’s health and regenerate in general, both physically and mentally.

In short, it seems that Saturn has really helped men not to go to war, at least for a weekend…

Terme di Saturnia: Prices

If you decide not to stay at the Hotel Terme di Saturnia, there are many economic solutions in the surrounding area.

If, on the other hand, you are only doing a day trip and are not interested in the SPA treatment packages, you can choose between 3 different entrance tickets, which offer different services:

  • Terme di Saturnia entrance ticket at 23 euros, 26 if purchased on site. This basic ticket includes access to the Thermal Park, hot and cold water whirlpools and waterfalls, parking, and free use of Wi-Fi. You can also stay half a day, entering in the afternoon, at a cost of 21 euros, 18 online. Daily admission on holidays is 31 euros. Each online offers vary according to availability and season so costs may be slightly different than at the time of writing.
  • Terme di Saturnia entrance ticket at 60 euros, 65 if purchased on site. In this case, in addition to access to the Thermal Park and the services mentioned above, you will have a sunbed and umbrella in a reserved area in the internal courtyard of the Club, changing room and locker, Turkish bath, sauna, air-conditioned relaxation areas, bathrobe, towel and slippers, drinks and fruit.
  • Terme di Saturnia entrance ticket at 105 euros, 110 if purchased on site. This last possibility called the “Relais formula”, adds to the services of the previous solution Drink on board Source Use of the fitness area Car Valet service from the Resort Solarium area Privacy island Relaxation area with herbal tea in the exclusive The Ultimate Spa.

The various services listed above, such as the cot rental or bathrobe can be paid for individually upon entering the facility.

Children under 12 years of age enter for free but bear in mind that one child enters free for each paying adult so if you are a single adult with two children under 12 years of age one of the two will pay the reduced admission ticket of 13 euros.


Check Hotel Terme di Saturnia Spa Offers and Availability


terme di saturnia hot springs

Terme di Saturnia: Timetable

Winter from 1st November to 31st March
Afternoon entrance from 13.00 to 17.00

Summer opening hours from 1st April to 31st October
From 9.30 to 19.00
Afternoon entrance from 14.00 to 19.00

For those who stay inside the tree, the entrance to the Thermal Park is obviously free.

Inside the hotel of the Terme di Saturnia, there is also a golf course, a tennis court, and a fitness area, plus numerous services offered by the Spa.

You can book wellness packages or choose them individually, they are also an excellent idea to make a gift that will be certainly appreciated.

You can take advantage of the advice of the doctors always present in the structure, and keep in mind that some types of treatment are affiliated with the national health service.

Free Natural Terme di Saturnia: Cascate del Mulino

free thermal baths tuscany
Le Cascate del Mulino: Free Thermal Bath of Saturnia

The free natural hot spring of Saturnia is called “ Cascate del Mulino “, being free thermal baths they are naturally devoid of any type of service so get ready for a more spartan experience.

Bring a bathrobe to dry in the car but consider that you will smell of sulfur for at least a week (personal experience).

Right next to the free hot spring you’ll find a bar that offers drinks and simple food to be enjoyed near the brazier if the outside temperature is too cold. The free thermal baths of Saturnia are located on the SP10, a few minutes from the Spa.

Where to sleep near the Spa: Hotel in Saturnia

tuscany saturnia hot spring

Of course, Hotel Terme di Saturnia is not one of the cheapest hotels around but there are many solutions to check out for those on a budget.

For example, you could decide to sleep in one of the structures, hotels, or b&bs, which are located near the Terme di Saturnia and pay only the daily entrance to the spa.

Alternatively you can sleep in a hotel in Saturnia and go to the nearby free spas, although it would be better to try both.

Or you can take a look at the list of the Hotels of Saturnia and its surroundings in the link below:


The Most Beautiful Hotels around Saturnia, Manciano


Saturnia and Surroundings: What to See?

The territory surrounding Saturnia has a very high density of architectural and landscape beauties to visit at least once in a lifetime.

1. Etruscan necropolis of Puntone

The Necropolis of Puntone is located very close to Saturnia, in Pian di Cataverna. Once here you will have to follow the signs for Usi and for the necropolis of Pian di Palma and Puntone. It’s not that easy to find but it will pay off.

You will find yourself wandering among about twenty Etruscan tombs dating back to the period from the 7th to the 5th century. B.C. immersed in a very fascinating oak and sycamore wood.

It is not a place besieged by tourists, which makes it very quiet, immersed in an almost unreal atmosphere.

2. Sovana, Sorano e Pitigliano: the Via del Tufo

saturnia tuscany hot spring
Panoramic view of the village of Pitigliano

These are the three villages that you definitely shouldn’t miss during a visit to Tuscany; Pitigliano and Sorano are probably the most beautiful of the three but of course, it depends on your tastes and we recommend visiting them all.

What to see in Pitigliano

Coming from the street you will see it appear in all its magnificence, there seems to be no separation between the houses and the tuff cliff below.

The historic center is known as little Jerusalem, with its Jewish ghetto and synagogue carved into the tuff.

A few years ago the beautiful Luigi Faccini’s film bread of memory traces this history of integration and its dramatic epilogue.

In March the arrival of spring is celebrated with a characteristic bonfire in the square in which the winter is burned. Do not miss the Medici aqueduct and the Palazzo Fortezza Orsini.

In the surroundings, The Vie Cave di Pitigliano , also called “tagliate” or “cavoni”, the suggestive roads dug by the Etruscans in the tufa rock to connect the settlements of Pitigliano, Sorano, and Sovana.

Some of these have walls up to 20 meters high , are up to 1 km long, up to 3 meters wide and often intersect with Etruscan necropolises.


terme di saturnia hot springs
Il borgo di Sorano

Sorano

Not far away the beautiful village of Sorano, also dug into the tuff. You should not miss a nice walk through the streets of the historic center. A few kilometers from the town are the homonymous thermal baths: the Terme di Sorano.

Il Giardino dei Tarocchi

Saturnia Hot Springs

The Tarot Garden is an artistic park located in Garavicchio, in the municipality of Capalbio, in the province of Grosseto.

It is located not far from the Terme di Saturnia and is a must-see destination for spending a different day visiting something not so common in Italy.

The Tarot Garden was designed by the French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. As the name suggests, it is a tarot theme park, more specifically the creation of the statues was inspired by the 22 major arcana of the tarot.

The statues, up to 15 meters high, are made of different and original materials; ceramics, glass, mirrors, steel, and concrete. A place as artistic as it is a fairytale.

The Tarot Garden: price and opening hours

The Tarot Garden is open from 1 April to 15 October from 14:30 to 19:30, while from 16 October to 31 March from 8.00 to 16.00.

It is possible to book guided tours only in the winter period but not during the Christmas period, from December 23 to January 7.

During the months of November, December, January, February and March, every first Saturday of the month the entrance to the Tarot Garden is free.

Costs: entrance ticket to the Tarot Garden

Full: € 12
Reduced: € 7
(children aged 7 to 16, students, over 65 and groups)
Reduced: € 3 (for elementary schools)
Free: children under 7 and people with disabilities.

Isola del Giglio

Tuscany hot springs what to see around
Image by ildirettoreCC 03

The Isola del Giglio needs no introduction, it is one of the pearls of the Tuscan Archipelago , facing the Monte Argentario . Despite being small in size and very touristy, most of the island is still unspoiled.

In summer it offers beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, especially popular with diving enthusiasts.

But during the colder months, the charm of Giglio is even more pronounced, with fewer people around, almost only the few inhabitants of the island (about 1400 people scattered throughout the island) you will have the many panoramic pedestrian paths available just for you.

Arrive by ferry at Giglio Porto, the only port on Giglio Island, and reach Giglio Castello, a medieval village located at the highest point of the island.

Other municipalities around Saturnia are Porto Ercole and Montemerano. Montemerano is a small fraction of the municipality of Manciano, about 10 kilometers from Saturnia. Porto Ercole, on the other hand, is a typical maritime port with its characteristic smells and sounds.


Restaurants in Saturnia and surroundings: what to taste

Tuscany Saturnia Maremma food

The culinary tradition of this area is based on simple and peasant ingredients. Among the typical dishes that you have to taste in Saturnia and its surroundings are wild boar bread gnocchi, crostini with cauliflower.

Try the Milleccia di Pitigliano, a focaccia with ricotta and vin santo, sweet fried or baked tortelli (puff pastry stuffed with ricotta and cinnamon, soaked with alchermes), the tozzetti, biscuits with hazelnut flavor and candied fruit.

The area around Saturnia, in particular the village of Pitigliano, has been inhabited for centuries by a large Jewish community that has greatly influenced the local cuisine.

Among the typical dishes, in fact, there is Esau’s soup with lentils and meatballs; calzonicchi (brain tortelli); tegamata, a dish based on beef left to soak in wine and potatoes, and much more.


Read the Reviews of the Best Restaurant Around Saturnia


This article is part of our series about The Best Thermal Baths in Tuscany, Italy. Read also:

The Best Hot Springs Around the World



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