Tuscany is scattered with thermal springs but perhaps the most famous and most photographed is the Cascate del Mulino just outside the town of Saturnia. The spring is named after the mill that used to inhabit the small house that sits in the middle of the spring itself. The sulphur rich water gushes out at comfortable 37,5 Celsius and has during the millennia created terraced pools where you can lounge and feel the health in every drop of water that surrounds you. The best thing of all: it is free!

Parking

A few hundred metres up the road from the spring there is a large parking area, and this is a pay and display thing, you pay at the machine and display the ticket in the car window. In October 2023 it cost around 3 euros for the first hour. We changed to swimming gear at the car, like many others.

Valuables

Do not leave valuables in the car. You can put your bag at the side of the spring but there is a real possibility that someone could steal your bag if you do not have a designated bag minder. There were heaps of people at the spring, even in low season when we visited. The most secure option is to rent a locker from the café/bar at the spring, we rented a big locker for 5 euros and they have smaller lockers as well. Just go to the bar and ask to rent a locker. It was the easiest option, and we could bask in the warm waters without thinking about some lowlife stealing our stuff.

The spring

It used to be a well kept secret but not so much anymore thanks to countless influencers. I can only imagine the crowds in high season, we had pretty big crowds in late October on a weekday. If you want the social media influencer photo where you sit by yourself dreaming about nothing, you must visit extremely early or on a winters day with frost in the air. The springs are very cool, the terraces can be climbed and different pools can be tested for hotness and water flow. Find you own slice of heaven and relax! We brought our beach shoes, and it made it a bit simpler to walk and climb on rocks.

Will it smell?

Yes it will and yes it does! Sulphur rich water smells like rotten eggs but you will get used to the smell after a while. Another side effect is that both you and your swimwear will smell like rotten eggs after the swim as well, and be aware that all silver will taint black after only a few seconds in the water. To get rid of some of the smell, the café/bar has showers, it cost 2 Euros for a 5 minute warm shower, and it helped rinse away some of the worst smell on us and our swimwear before we headed back to the car.

It is cool?

Yes! Absolutely, it was a very cool spot to visit, we spent about an hour in the lukewarm water of the spring, just enjoying the breathtaking Tuscan countryside from the comfort of our own small “bathtub”. An absolute must stop on any Tuscan road trip!