Italy is home to a vast amount of naturally occurring hot springs that are dotted all over the country and Tuscany, in particular, boasts quite a number of them. There is no better way to relax on your holidays than to head to a quiet and pretty spa town for a day and spend some time soaking your worries away in the restorative and therapeutic waters of a hot spring. It is better, still, if it is free to do so and you don't have to worry about budgeting for the day. Luckily, some of the hot springs in Tuscany are free and open and can be visited without purchasing a ticket or planning in advance, whenever you want throughout the day (or night) or year. We have compiled a list of some of the best of the best of these for you to browse. Just get planning your relaxing getaway to Tuscany!
1. Bagno Vignoni
Bagno Vignoni seems to make it on to all of our lists about spas and pretty, little-known corners of Tuscany!
1. Bagno Vignoni
Bagno Vignoni seems to make it on to all of our lists about spas and pretty, little-known corners of Tuscany!
This is for a good reason: it is quite possibly the most beautiful spa town in the world, with a town square that prominently features a large stone pool, from the bottom of which a number of hot springs bubble up. While this huge thermal pool is the most iconic part of the town, it is not permitted to enter it. However, the nearby Parco dei Mulini has a free hot spring that can be visited. As the town is one of Tuscany's oldest tourist destinations and is a historic spa town that has always attracted visitors, it really is one of the must-see spa destinations in the region. Just find a luxury villa in the Val D'Orcia and relax in the town's hot springs for free!
2. Petriolo
Petriolo is another historic spa town that is located halfway between Siena and Grosseto and has been proven to have been a spa destination since Roman times.
2. Petriolo
Petriolo is another historic spa town that is located halfway between Siena and Grosseto and has been proven to have been a spa destination since Roman times.
It has very warm waters (around 43°C) that are known for having a high concentration of hydrogen sulphide. It is water that is rich in salts and hyperthermic, with multiple therapeutic properties. While the smell is not necessarily pleasant because of the high sulphur content of the water, this is an earthy and natural spa experience. For the best possible experience, go in the dead of winter, when the contrast between the air and water temperatures is striking, and run from pool to pool.
If you're really looking to immerse yourself in the experience, don't forget to make a mask from the mud on site, which is good for acne and used in local spas, where they will charge a lot of money for something you can get for free. If you have found a vacation rental in Siena, this is a good way to pass a few hours but not the same kind of tourist-friendly town as others in the area that will have a lot else to offer visitors.
There are other great hot springs that you can access for free in Tuscany so be sure to read on to the rest of this series!
If you're really looking to immerse yourself in the experience, don't forget to make a mask from the mud on site, which is good for acne and used in local spas, where they will charge a lot of money for something you can get for free. If you have found a vacation rental in Siena, this is a good way to pass a few hours but not the same kind of tourist-friendly town as others in the area that will have a lot else to offer visitors.
There are other great hot springs that you can access for free in Tuscany so be sure to read on to the rest of this series!
Photo credits
picture 1:Giulio Bernardi / CC BY 2.0;
picture 1:Giulio Bernardi / CC BY 2.0;
