Road Trip From Florence To Siena and Saturnia

Road Trip From Florence To Siena and Saturnia

A Day Trip From Florence To Siena And Saturnia

I saw photos of Saturnia, a town with hot springs in the Tuscan countryside, and I knew it was one of the places I wanted to visit. So when I was planning a trip to Florence, Italy I added it to the itinerary of a one-day road trip around Tuscany.

Florence is a great homebase to see the rest of Tuscany. It is easy to hop on a train and see other surrounding towns, but for this trip, we decided to rent a car to do something different, which was perfect since the only way to get to Saturnia is to drive. 

So on an early Sunday morning, we got our rental car and started our journey. We decided to go to Saturnia first since it is further away than Siena. The town is about three hours away from Florence, and it was an easy drive on the highway. 

Visiting Saturnia Hot Springs

Saturnia Hot Springs, also known as Cascate del Mulino or Terme di Saturnia, is a natural spa located in the Maremma region of Tuscany. It boasts a unique natural phenomenon—a series of cascading thermal waterfalls formed by the flow of underground hot springs. The thermal waters are rich in sulfur, minerals, and other beneficial properties, making them popular for their therapeutic and relaxing qualities. The water maintains a constant temperature of around 37.5°C (99.5°F), creating a soothing and rejuvenating experience.

The hot springs at Saturnia form a series of cascading pools, creating a visually stunning sight. The water flows over natural limestone formations, creating terraces and small basins that visitors can immerse themselves in. But, I must say, it doesn't look quite like the photos on the internet and social media. The water isn't a milky blue in real life! So if you want to go there for a perfect IG post, you'll be disappointed.

But, if you go there to try the natural hot spring, then you are in for a treat. It is a true Italian experience where locals go to relax. It can get crowded on weekends but there are numerous pools so you should be able to find a spot to soak in.

There are changing and shower facilities on-site along with a small cafe for snacks. The parking lot was about a 10-minute walk away. 

The town proper was about 20 minutes away, and we headed there for lunch. Luckily, there were some restaurants open and we got to try some dishes with truffles. And boy they did not skimp on the truffles which they shaved onto the plate tableside.

If you want to do something off the beaten path, then this is one of the best day trips to do. 

Visiting Siena

After lunch, we headed to Siena. The drive was through winding roads that were a bit of a challenge to navigate, but I enjoyed it! The first sight of Sienna was amazing! The medieval town was glistening under the afternoon sun. The parking facilities are outside the historic center and about a 15-minute walk.

In the plaza was a small market with tons of vendors selling chocolates. It was a bit chilly so we opted for a glass of mulled wine and walked around to see the sites.

What To See In Siena 

Siena, located in the heart of Tuscany, is a captivating city that exudes history, charm, and architectural beauty. Here are the top sites to visit while on a day tour of the ancient city:

Believe it or not, we were hungry by six o clock and decided to get pizza. Even though we had been in Italy for five days we hadn't had a proper Italian pizza. The spicy sausage and four-cheese pizza did not disappoint! 

We then headed back to Florence and returned the rental car. 

Other Day Trips From Florence 

Florence is a fantastic starting point for road trips that allow you to explore the beautiful landscapes and charming towns of Tuscany and beyond. These were the other places I considered visiting while planning the trip: 

It was a tiring full day of touring, but it was great to go on a road trip and be able to see Saturnia and Siena. We wouldn't have been able to do that if we had taken the train. It also made the whole trip unique and different, so I definitely would recommend it!