October 2021, the second day of an amazing road trip in Italy and following an overnight stay in Pitigliano, a beautiful town located in the Tuscany region, we took our rental car and headed very early in the morning to Cascade del Mulino, thermal waterfalls located just a few kilometers from the village of Saturnia. Looks amazing doesn’t it? The entrance to the springs of sulfuric water is free and that is exactly why you have to go very early in the morning as soon it will get packed with locals and tourists. The temperature of the water is 37.5° C, creating open-air thermal pools. The experience is amazing and relaxing once you get the chance to secure a comfortable spot and the best part is Cascate del Mulino is open all year round 24/7.
What to bring
1. Your swimsuit
2. Water shoes (to protect your feet from the rocks as they can get slippery)
3. Towel / Bath rope
4. Dry clothes
5. An underwater sports camera (if you have one)
How to get there and where to park
We got there by car from Pitigliano, about a 30 min drive (23km away). There is a car park right outside the thermal waterfall which is easily accessible. It is strongly recommended to rent a car if you are keen to explore the Tuscany region in Italy. It’s worth it! You will be able to take your time at every stop and enjoy your adventures abroad. If your trip abroad is approaching, hurry up. Due to the pandemic lately a rental car is the preferred means of transportation.
Just download a navigation app like Waze. It’s absolutely amazing, helps you navigate and warns you about speed cameras or hazards in the road.
Where to stay
As previously mentioned we stayed at a near by town, Pitigliano, an absolutely stunning ancient town built on tuff rock. Also known for as “Little Jerusalem” for the historical presence of a Jewish community, Pitigliano is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. We rented an earth house via AirBnB for the night, La Grotta, which means cave in English. Surprisingly enough it looked exactly like a cave inside, with an amazing panoramic view of the town. It is by far the most unique accommodation I’ve stayed in the past decade.
Arial view
La Grotta
Pitigliano
Stay tuned, there’s more to read and explore!
Note that Cascate del Mulino is different to the Terme di Saturnia – the latter is a luxurious spa resort so don’t get confused when you get to Saturnia.
