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Relaxing in the Saturnia Hot Springs in Tuscany was the highlight of our trip to Italy. In this blog we’ll cover everything you need to know to visit these enchanting thermal baths. Trust us, this place needs to be on your Italian bucket list!
Disclosure: Some of the links we use in this article are affiliate links. This means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn compensation if you click on them and make a purchase. Please trust that any recommendation we do make is our own opinion, based on what we like and think could be helpful to you.
Saturnia Hot Springs
The magical Saturnia thermal baths are just a drive away from Rome or Florence, and are certainly the most enchanting and incredible things we’ve ever experienced. We loved them so much, we went back twice!
In the midst of the rolling hills of Manciano, intensely blue water flows down layers and layers of thermal pools that have formed over centuries. And, as one legend legend has it, the baths were formed when mythological deity Jupiter threw lightening bolts at Saturn in a heated argument – how cool is that!
The hot springs are a constant temperature of 37.5C/99F and thought to have therapeutic and healing properties, yet another reason this place is an absolute must do in Italy!
Where is Saturnia, Italy?
Saturnia is part of the Tuscany region, and is located in north-central Italy. It’s part of the Grosseto province and is 160 km from Rome, 185 km from Florence. The town has a very small population of ~280 people, and has been inhabited since ancient times.
Tip: to go directly to the hot springs instead of the center of the town of Saturnia, put Terme di Saturnia into Google Maps and not “Saturnia”!
Tips for visiting Saturnia Thermal Baths
- These hot springs in Tuscany are completely FREE to visit
- Because the thermal baths are open 24/7 every day of the year, you can enjoy them whenever you want!
- To get to the thermal baths, put in Terme di Saturnia into Google maps or use the coordinates (42.658210, 11.516326).
- There is free parking on-site. As you pull up to the springs, just take a right into the parking lot. It can get very busy, though, so if you’re staying at a hotel near by we’d recommend walking.
- Be warned, due to the high sulfur content of the springs they have a noteworthy “rotten eggs” smell. Because of this, you’ll want to bring an older swimsuit and towel.
- There is no changing room on site, so either come already in your bathing suit or change in the car.
- There are no lifeguards on duty, so you’re swimming at your own risk. However, the current isn’t very strong and the water is very shallow most places, so there’s nothing to worry about.
- There will be crowds. Because this place is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, it tends to be crowded. Don’t let that deter you, though, as these thermal baths are amazing to enjoy solo, as a couple, or with the family. Disclaimer: our photos were taken at 4:50 am and even then we had some company.
- Bring minimal items to the springs, since you won’t have a secure place to put them while you’re enjoying the water. See our full list on what to bring to the springs below!
What to bring to hot springs
As we said above, it’s important to pack light when you visit the hot springs in Tuscany. Note that whatever you bring you’ll just have to lay on the sand surrounding the springs, so minimize valuables.
Here’s our list on what you should bring with you to the thermal baths:
- An old swimsuit that you don’t mind getting in Sulfur water with, because the smell will last through many washes. Note: come already dressed in your swimsuit because there are not changing rooms on site.
- Similarly, you’ll want to bring an older towel that you don’t mind the smell rubbing off on.
- Bring water shoes, or at the very least some sort of flip flops, since both the area around the springs and the surface of the springs are rocky.
- If you’re planning to stay a while, pack some snacks. There is a place to eat on site and a pizza vending machine (we can’t make this stuff up haha), however bringing your own is probably better in both taste and price.
- Bring plenty of water, since spending time in the hot springs can deydrate you.
- Of course, don’t forget sunscreen if you’re visiting during the day.
- We’d only recommend bringing your phone, GoPro or camera if you have waterproof casing and want to swim with them. If not, take a few pictures then go lock it in your car for safe keeping!
- You may want to pack a waterproof dry bag to hold all of your things while you enjoy the baths.
Best time to visit the hot springs in Tuscany
The best time to visit these hot springs in Tuscany is in the Spring. Though it is still a bit chilly outside, the baths will keep you warm and the crowds will be much more manageable. We went in May both in the morning and late evening, and it was absolutely perfect!
Fall and winter are also great times to visit as the water can be therapeutic and keep you warm in those months. And while the summer months are definitely still a good time to visit, the thermal baths can get pretty crowded and the warm water may not be as enticing with the summer heat.
How to get to Terme di Saturnia
Saturnia Hot Springs from Florence
Getting to the Saturnia Hot Springs from Florence is very simple if you rent a car. The drive takes a little under 3 hours to travel 180 km. Since the route takes you through the most gorgeous rolling hills of Tuscany, the drive is just as amazing as the destination!
For details on renting a car in Florence, driving in Italy & other day trips along the way, check out our Day Trips from Florence blog!
Saturnia Hot Springs from Rome
Similar to the trip from Florence, getting to the Saturnia Hot Springs from Rome is just an easy drive. Since Rome is actually closer to Saturnia, the drive is only 163 km and takes a little over 2 hours. This drive is more coastal, though, instead of through the Tuscan countryside.
Hotels in Saturnia, Italy
While it’s definitely possible to do a day trip from Rome or Florence, we’d highly recommend grabbing a hotel for at least one night. We loved being able to drive to Saturnia leisurely and enjoy all of the sites of Tuscany along the way, then check out the springs in the evening and visit them again the next morning.
Another draw of booking a hotel is that you can shower after visiting the springs. The one downside to the thermal baths is that they smell like sulfur (i.e. rotten eggs), so having a hotel to wash up right away and clean your swimsuit is great!
Here are a few great accommodation options in the area:
- B&B 8380 – Pian del Molino – we’d highly recommend booking here, as we certainly had a lovely stay! It’s reasonably priced, walking distance to the hot springs, includes breakfast, provides parking and is an overall great accommodation for the night!
- B&B 8380 Saturnia Terme – this bed & breakfast is just down the road from the sister property (above) and is similarly a great option!
- Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort – if you’re looking for a luxury accommodation or a relaxing wellness holiday, this place is calling your name! They have an 18 hole golf course and tons of spa treatments available, making it the perfect getaway to combo with a trip to the hot springs.
To search all accommodations in Saturnia on booking.com, click here!
Photographing the Saturnia Hot Springs in Tuscany
Photographing the hot springs can be a bit tricky to navigate so here are a few tips!
- For the best chance of getting shots without other folks in them, arrive at least a half hour before sunrise. In May we arrived at 4:50 am and still had 5 people show up while we were shooting!
- The aerial vantage of this place is with a drone, but if there are people around when you are flying be sure to be respectful!
- Our drone had a hard time with all of the fog, so make sure you bring it home to wipe it down in between recording. It would be helpful to have filters for your drone – we wish we would have brought some!
- If you don’t have a drone, don’t worry! You can certainly get amazing shots that capture the essence of this place without one. We took some shots with our FujiFilm X-T20 and our iPhones and we love how all of them turned out!
- We’d highly recommend bringing a phone or GoPro in a waterproof case with you to capture the beauty of the springs!
- Generally just be prepared to change the shots you want depending on the conditions that day. From our experience, no two days look the same here! While we were slightly annoyed with the fog, it created a great moodiness in our videos that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.
For details on all of the photography gear we use as full-time travel bloggers & Instagrammers, check out our Travel Photography Gearblog!
While you’re in Tuscany
We hope this blog has provided you with everything you need to know before visiting the hot springs in Tuscany. Saturnia is the perfect stop on an epic Tuscany Road Trip!
Also while you’re in Tuscany, head into the incredible city of Florence. Check out our Things to do in Florence and Best photo spots in Florence blogs!
For other Italy inspo make sure to check out all of our Italy Blogs here!
- 2 week Italy Itinerary
- 11 Can’t Miss Places in Italy
- Best things to do in Cinque Terre
- 12 BEST things to do in Positano, Amalfi Coast
- Most photo-worthy spots on the Amalfi Coast
- Top 8 Things to Do in the Dolomites
- Lago di Braies: everything you need to know!
Happy Traveling!
Kylie & Scott
(Want to know more? Comment below! And make sure to follow along on Instagram @LoveHardTravelOften)
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Love your blog. I was there myself recently and I have to say that the Thermea SPA & Golf resort that you mention is as much worth visiting as the cascade. The resort owns the origin of the spring as they have built the swimming pool around it. The swimming pool has the natural bottom and is 3,5m deep. You can float there undisturbed 🙂
Oh wow that sounds incredible! We will be sure to book a stay there next time. Thanks for the recommendation! <3