Saturnia Hot Springs: Natural Baths of Tuscany!
Saturnia in Italy is world-famous for its natural hot springs, a true highlight of southern Tuscany. These thermal waters have been bubbling from the earth for over 3,000 years and are celebrated for their soothing and healing properties. The most iconic spot is the Cascate del Mulino, a stunning natural waterfall that flows into a series of turquoise blue pools framed by white limestone terraces. This magical setting creates one of the most photographed natural wonders in Italy, attracting visitors from all around the world who come to relax and unwind in its warm, mineral-rich waters. Just a short distance away, you’ll find the Terme di Saturnia, a beautiful thermal spa with luxurious facilities and an elegant hotel for those who prefer a more exclusive experience.
In this travel guide, you’ll find all the essential information about the Saturnia hot springs in Italy. We share beautiful photos of the Cascate del Mulino, tips on where to stay, and everything you can do to make the most of your visit to this unforgettable natural paradise.
Good to know!
In addition to the luxurious Thermal Hotel, there are some agritourism accommodations around Saturnia. Truely recommendable is the Agriturismo D’ Epoca La Marianella!
The entrance to the Saturnia Hot Spring, the river and the famous waterfall is completely free of charge. You will only have to pay for the large parking lots right next to it.
The Saturnia Hot Springs are really worth a visit! And, you should definitely plan to stay a few days in this region and explore further highlights like Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana!
You can visit Saturnia all year round. The best time to enjoy the thermal springs without the crowds is in the early morning, during the week and outside the vacations.
General information about the Saturnia Springs
The Saturnia hot springs are located in the Maremma region of southern Tuscany, in the province of Grosseto, near the town of Pitigliano. From the small village of Saturnia, which has about 600 inhabitants, it is roughly five kilometers to the famous thermal baths. These natural sulfur springs maintain a pleasant temperature of around 37.5°C (99.5°F), offering a soothing bathing experience all year round. Every second, about 800 liters of mineral-rich water gush from the earth, originating from the slopes of Monte Amiata, some 30 kilometers away. Both locals and visitors love the healing properties of the Saturnia springs and the unique feeling of bathing outdoors in warm, steaming water surrounded by nature.
Since the rise of Instagram, Saturnia has become one of the most photographed and iconic sights in Tuscany, thanks to its turquoise, steaming limestone pools. The Cascate del Mulino, or “Mill Waterfalls,” are a true natural wonder, where the shimmering blue thermal water cascades over a series of terraced basins. This breathtaking setting has made Saturnia one of the most famous attractions in Tuscany and a must-visit destination for travelers from around the world.
Saturnia – Bathing in Nature
Saturnia is especially famous for the Cascate del Mulino, the wild and romantic waterfall next to the restored mill. Here you will find the world-famous thermal terraces, whose blue pools invite you to take a bath in this picturesque natural thermal bath. But the thermal baths of Saturnia are no longer an insider tip, and they are no secret anymore! Since this natural beauty is really famous, you have to expect a relatively large number of visitors during the day. Nevertheless, you will always find a place to swim along the river. Bathing shoes are definitely an advantage here, as the pools of the thermal springs are slippery and the ground is quite rocky.
When bathing in Saturnia Hot Springs, you might notice small red worms. Don’t worry; these worms are, completely harmless mosquito larvae that share their natural habitat with you here in the cascades.
The Healing Effects of Saturnia Hot Springs
The thermal springs of Saturnia have been proven to have a healing effect due to the large quantities of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iodine, and bromine. Even the Italian poet and philosopher Dante raved about the Terme di Saturnia in ancient times. The water is good for the skin, but, above all, it is healthy for the joints. The cures offered at the nearby thermal center are mainly for diseases, such as rheumatism and arthrosis.
In addition, the thermal water is said to have an antioxidant and vitalizing effect, which contributes to a certain anti-aging effect and to skin smoothing. Of course, such a pleasant, relaxed warm bath also has a very positive effect on the general well-being.
Tip: In a sulfur bath, you should not stay in the water for more than 15 minutes and the bath should not be repeated more than 4 times a day.
Opening Hours & Admission
Bathing in the natural waterfall, the so-called Cascate del Mulino, is completely free of charge and accessible to everyone, at any time. Therefore, there are no opening hours! Parking costs €2.5 per hour, and the parking spaces are just a short walk away.
You only pay admission if you want to visit the nearby Parco Thermale, the big bath with pools.
Best time to visit Saturnia
Thanks to the warm water temperature, you can visit this natural highlight all year round. Even in winter, when the thermal springs are really steaming, a trip there is worthwhile!
The best time to visit these sulfur springs of Saturnia is definitely, early in the morning at sunrise or towards evening. Some tourists even equip themselves with headlamps and enjoy their relaxing bath at night!
The Saturnia Spa & Thermal Hotel
About 2 kilometers from the waterfall is a thermal bath house and spa hotel called Terme di Saturnia – Parco Termale. This thermal bath can be visited by non-hotel guests for an entrance fee of about 27 Euros. There are 5 different thermal pools where the water is filtered but still rich in minerals. Various treatments and massages are also offered on site in the spa house.
Those who wish to stay at the 5-star Hotel Terme di Saturnia Natural Spa & Golf Resort will also enjoy an excellent breakfast, a private spa area, reserved sunbeds and the possibility of using the adjacent golf course at a reduced price.
Things to do around Saturnia
When you travel to Saturnia, you can go on some really recommendable excursions in the surroundings. Here are the best attractions and things to see of the region, summarized at a glance:
About 26 kilometers from Saturnia is the famous little town of Pitigliano. Beautifully situated on a rock, the old town also spreads a lot of historical charm.
A trip to Sovana is also recommended, which has a small historical center and many Etruscan archeological sites. Also Sorano near Sovana, enchants with a wild romantic old town.
Where to Stay in Saturnia
In Saturnia, but also around the hot springs, you will find a small but nice selection of beautiful accommodations. From the well-kept agritourism to the cozy B&B and 5-star thermal hotel, everything is represented here. Here are our tips for the best accommodations in Saturnia…It’s worth a look!
- Thermal Hotel: The Terme di Saturnia Natural Spa & Golf Resort is the 5-star hotel of the Saturnia Spa. Here the ingenious location with the spa and the delicious breakfast inspire.
- 3-Star Hotel: Highly recommend is also the Hotel Villa Clodia, a charming 3-star hotel located in a historical building with a beautiful garden and a great pool.
- Agritourism: The Agriturismo D’ Epoca La Marianella is a cozy B&B with a panoramic view. They offer delightful rooms as well as great apartments at a reasonable price!
- Vacation Home: The Villaflair is a spacious, pretty vacation home with 3 bedrooms. Perfect especially for larger families and small groups.
Find the best accommodation in Saturnia:
More Highlights in Tuscany:
-
San Gimignano, Italy: Visit the City of Towers
-
Lucca, Italy: Most Charming City in Tuscany
-
Top 15 Amazing Things to Do in Florence
-
Top 15 Amazing Things to Do in Pisa
-
Siena, Italy: The Heart of the Tuscany
-
Val d’Orcia: Top 15 Most Amazing Places to Visit
Keep Exploring
Read more about Italy
Rome | Verona | Bologna | Padua | Lucca | Vicenza | Brescia | Arezzo
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Meaning that if you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Comments are closed.