5 Of The Most Beautiful Spa Towns In Tuscany

1. Saturnia

Without a doubt the most famous and iconic spa town and spa destination in Tuscany, the incredible town of Saturnia is well-known for the picturesque, distinctive, and memorable steaming cascades of naturally-occurring thermal pools and waterfalls of the Cascate del Mulino, which is located a little under 6km outside the town. This is one of the most photogenic and photographed attractions in the Tuscan countryside and is the perfect place to unwind and soak away all of your stress and worries in Tuscany. Recorded since 60BC, during the time of the Ancient Greeks, this natural phenomenon is rooted in myths about the gods Jupiter and Saturn and was named after the latter deity. Made up of a series of waterfalls, with natural pools of warm thermal water between each fall that are at a constant temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius and rich in mineral deposits, the thermal springs boast both therapeutic and relaxing properties. In addition to the naturally-occurring springs of the Cascate del Mulino and the Cascate del Gorello, a whole spa industry has developed in the town and various wellness and spa centres have popped up in the area. Saturnia is an ideal destination for those who want to try out both the naturally-occurring and the luxuriously man-made spa experiences,

2. Montecatini Terme

Located in the Valdinievole area, near Pistoia and Florence, Montecatini Terme is one of the biggest spa towns in Italy. Like Saturnia, it boasts both natural hot springs and man-made spa facilities but in addition to having all of the kinds of spa experiences that you might be interested in, the town of Montecatini Terme itself is simply remarkably beautiful. It is full of lush and leafy green parks, extraordinary Art Nouveau buildings, and charming shops, bars, restaurants and hotels and is the perfect place to well and truly get away from it all and relax and unwind. The elegant appearance of the town can be attributed to the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, when the town became the international centre of a, “new style,” and it remains a magical architectural beauty today that makes one feel as though they have somehow found themselves in the Belle Époque. However, while the town is undeniably lovely, most importantly it boasts a whopping nine thermal centres located in the extensive thermal park that is Montecatini Terme: including the Terme Leopoldine, the Terme Torretta and the Terme Tamerici, all of which offer state-of-the-art technological facilities set within incredible and historic Art Nouveau buildings.

3. Chianciano Terme

Chianciano Terme is home to the Silene springs, which have made the town a tourist destination and an attraction for the medicinal properties of their waters since Roman times. Horace himself is known to have bathed in, and imbibed, the waters. The thermal springs of Chianciano Terme continued to draw visitors to the town throughout the centuries and, in the 20th century, developers descended and turned it into a proper resort town. Then, in the sixties, the town was rearranged and rebuilt with an Old Town and New Town full of various spas and facilities.The New Town is considered among the finest health resorts in Italy and is one of the most famous thermal bath cities in Europe. Nestled between the Val d’Orcia and the Valdichiana and surrounded by lush greenery and full of leafy parks, this pretty green gem is particularly celebrated for its therapeutic water that is especially recommended for cleansing the liver. The most notable springs and spas in town are Acqua Santa, Acqua Fucoli, Acqua Sillene, Acqua Santissima, and Acqua Sant'Elena, with each having different therapeutic treatments for various ailments. There are also plenty of salons, spas, and other types of facilities that offer more cosmetic procedures such as facials and other beauty treatments.

4. Bagno Vignoni

Another spa town located in the beautiful Val D'Orcia area of Tuscany, Bagno Vignoni is also another iconic gem among the spa towns of the region. It is immediately recognisable for. and characterised by, its pretty town square, which is home to a thermal pool measuring 49 metres in length and 29 metres in width that is framed by historic buildings. This medieval pool has been off-limits to bathers for decades now but there are plenty of other alternative bathing sites nearby that can still be readily accessed today. One of Tuscany's oldest tourist destinations, Bagno Vignoni has drawn visitors to her thermal baths since Roman times and was especially popular during the Middle Ages as it is not far from the Via Francigena pilgrimage route. For treatments today, just head the short distance from town to the Parco dei Mulini thermal park, which offers a wide range of therapies, including thermal waters, mud baths, reflexology, Shiatsu, and many different types of massages.

5. Bagni San Filippo

For a more rugged thermal bath experience and the option to access natural hot springs completely free of charge, you can head the the town of Bagni San Filippo, which is also located in the Orcia Valley, near San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza. This is where you will find the Fosso Bianco, an area in the woods above the village of Bagni San Filippo where there are several hot springs in a series of pools. Swim here all year long, whenever you please, among the incredible limestone formations that surround the springs and are named the White Whale, the Glacier, and other evocative titles that come from the diverse and extraordinary shapes that they make. The first of these pools and limestone formations are quite close to the town but, in order to to see the famous waterfall and swim in the renowned white sulphurous waters, you will have to venture further, along a picturesque path through the forest. The town is also home to the resort of Terme San Filippo, a paid, private facility, which boasts a restaurant, swimming pool, hotel, spa, and wellness centre all in one place. So, whether you're looking to go rustic or luxurious, free or paid, adventurous or relaxed, natural or man-made, you'll find it all in Bagni San Filippo.

There are plenty of other excellent spa towns in Tuscany for you to explore but these five are among the most beautiful and interesting that we've seen or heard tale of in all of the world. If you're thinking of booking a spa holiday in the future, consider what incredible choice Tuscany offers.