As fall draws closer, we have been thinking about ways to get cosy and really slow things down and relax on holiday in Tuscany. For those who book one of our villas in Tuscany, we recommend not only enjoying the harvest delights of delicious food and wine, hiking the gorgeous landscapes and exploring the beautiful towns and villages while the temperatures turn pleasantly mild and perfect for such excursions, and making the most of the smaller tourist crowds and queues at famous attractions but also heading to a spa town. Tuscany abounds in gorgeous spa towns and destinations with natural thermal springs and we have listed many examples in the past but today’s pick is Terme di Petriolo, an easy spot to add into an itinerary if you are staying in a vacation rental in Siena.
While not quite as picturesque as some of the thermal bath destinations in Tuscany (Saturnia’s good looks and impressively carved out pools and cascades are hard to compete with) nor necessarily as well developed (you won’t find changing rooms, bathrooms, or showers), the untouched nature of the public and natural thermal pools of Terme di Petriolo means that they are free to use and accessible 24/7. Located along the banks of the Farma River, in the wooded Ombrone valley, which is dotted with hiking trails, it is also certainly still a scenic and charming part of the Tuscan countryside.
The waters at Terme di Petriolo have the distinction of being the hottest thermal springs in Italy as the Maremma’s extinct volcano lends a latent heat that brings the hottest pools up to 43 degrees Celsius. There are, however, a few pools at slightly different temperatures, allowing you to find the right one for you. The cool river running alongside it also affords another wellness experience, allowing visitors to variously soak in the hot waters and then go for a plunge in the cold.
Immediately noticeable at Terme di Petriolo’s thermal springs is the smell. As with all thermal waters of this kind, sulphur is present and at Terme di Petriolo, the smell of it is even more pronounced than many other locations in the region, with 21mg present per litre of water. This, plus the other minerals found in the waters, however, does lend the springs therapeutic and especially relaxing properties. So, if you’re looking to enjoy a soak or seek relief for various respiratory and skin conditions as well as to boost circulation and relieve muscle and joint pain, then this is a great place to head for a few hours! You might also spot that many other visitors will cover their faces or bodies with mud from the waters, which is another free treatment that you can avail of while soaking in the pools and is great for acne and softening the skin. This same mud is used by nearby spas and resorts in their own skincare treatments but you’ll be able to enjoy it for free here, rather than as part of a costly treatment.
While getting all this for free is, indeed, great, those after more luxury and who don’t feel like roughing it can use the same waters by paying to access the thermal baths facility nearby or by heading to a spa or resort in the area. At these businesses, there will be man-made pools using the natural thermal waters, changing rooms, showers, and various therapeutic and beauty treatments that you can also choose from so it really depends on what you are after from a day at the thermal springs!
Known since Roman times, mentioned in a speech by Cicero and in an epigram by Martial, built up during the Renaissance and used by the Medici, the thermal springs of Terme di Petriolo have a long and lauded history and it is a great place to go and relax once you book your holiday rental in Siena.
Tip: Try and go during the week if you can as you’ll avoid the crowds and find the relatively tricky parking easier to navigate!