Bagno Vignoni: why you will love this unique thermal town in Tuscany, Italy
All you need to know to visit Bagno Vignoni, a charming thermal village in Tuscany with a unique water features and stunning views
Sometimes, the smallest town in Italy are those that pack the biggest punch in terms of charm and this is very much the case when it comes to the village of Bagno Vignoni, Tuscany.
Bagno Vignoni is a thermal spring town in the province of Siena and precisely within the municipality of San Quirico d’Orcia, in the heart of rural Tuscany.
The village is on top of a hill and offers sweeping views over the Tuscany countryside, so beautiful here to have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, Bagno Vignoni has something special that sets it apart: at its center, it has a piazza entirely occupied by a pool of natural hot spring water!
The piazza is wonderful and unique.
The pool is enclosed by small ancient walls and overlooked by a historical portico and several buildings frame the water, giving this piazza a typical Tuscan look but with the most unexpected water twist.
Outside the piazza, the village develops over a couple more streets and it is a lovely place for a walk and a meal.
You can visit the town in a matter of minutes (it has 30 inhabitants, it truly is small!).
I like to spend here a few hours, bating at the hot pools and then having a meal in one of the many food places in the village.
Here are the best things to do in Bagno Vignoni and the reasons why I consider it one of the prettiest destinations to add to your Tuscany itinerary.
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Table of Contents
What to do in Bagno Vignoni
Admire the central ‘piazza d’acqua’, Bagno Vignoni’s main square
Bagno Vignoni’s jewel in the crown is the main village piazza, entirely occupied by the unique hot water pool that made Bagno Vignoni famous.
The pool is contained by low, stone walls and it overlooked by a pretty loggia with a small chapel inside.
Medieval and Renaissance buildings reflect their stone facades in the water, making the town look like a painting of earth colors, green shutters and blue waters.
Pilgrims walking the Via Francigena often used the square as a resting place.
It is said to have been particularly dear to Santa Caterina da Siena and also Pope Pius II, who had his summer residence in Bagno Vignoni.
Good to know: Pius II is an important figure for this part of Italy. He was born in what is now Pienza, a short drive from Bagno Vignoni, and is responsible for turning his small birthplace into the ‘Renaissance Ideal city’. You can learn about him and Pienza here.
Bathing in the pool is strictly forbidden, but the square is magical to see.
On a summer evening, you can see the blue sky reflecting in the water and the place gets even more magical in winter, when you can see the hot vapor lifting from the water like a magical mist!
You may also like: fun and interesting facts about Tuscany.
Taste the local food and wine
Bagno Vignoni is in an area of Tuscany famous for food and wine, and has several places where you can taste the local specialties, in particular cheese and cured meats and good reds (Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino are from here as well as Morellino di Scansano).
If you like Italian food, you may like our article with fun facts about Italian food here.
The cafes/restaurants are one the main square but also on the small piazza just beside it, which in summer fills with pretty tables for al fresco dinining.
This small piazza is a delight and has a pretty well and corners with flower pots and cascading climbers that add to this town’s distinctive Bohemian Chic atmosphere.
We usually stop at Osteria Leone for a platter and a glass of Rosso.
Go to a hotel spa
Bagno Vignoni is a thermal town and has lovely hotels where to soak in these pleasant hot waters.
Our favorite place here is the hotel right in the center of town, Albergo Posta Marcucci, which has pools at several temperatures overlooking the most beautiful hills of Val D’Orcia.
Nearby you also have the Adler Thermal Resort, a fabulous 5 star spa resort immediately outside Bagno Vignoni, with sweeping views.
Explore Parco dei Mulini
Bagno Vignoni’s thermal waters are now a big tourist attraction, however, they had a big importance in the history of this town also far in the past.
The water temperature made Bagno Vignoni an important center for grinding grains already in ancient times.
It is still possible to see the town’s complex netwok of mills, now called Parco del Mulini.
You can still easily see their structures and canals beside the main parking area. You can also walk downhill along a dedicated path to see how the whole system used to develop.
Good to know! Parco de’ Mulini is not the same as cascade del Mulino! These are very beautiful and very popular hot spring too but they are not here but rather in Saturnia, also in Tuscany by farther South. You can learn about Saturnia hot springs here.
The walk down is really steep but the views are stunning.
Even if you don’t want to climb all the way down, a short walk is worth is as will reward you with gorgeous views over the hills surrounding Bagno Vignoni!
Good to know: the area of Parco dei Mulini is often recommended as an area for free bathing. However, bathing is forbidden here since 2010: please do check local signage and abide regulations at the time of your visit.
Bagno Vignoni Hotels
As mentioned above, it is possible to visit Bagno Vignoni in a matter of minutes.
However, you can also stay the night and make the most of the special quiet that this charming town experiences once the sun goes down.
Several good hotels and B&Bs are in Bagno Vignoni, some immediately in the town and some just outside.
Good hotels to consider are:
- Hotel Posta Marcucci, 3 star hotel
- La Locanda del Loggiato, 3 star hotel
- Adler Resort, 5 star spa resort
- B&B Orto delle Terme
- Albergo delle Terme, 4 star hotel
Bagno Vignoni with kids
Bagno Vignoni is easy to visit with kids: cars park outside of the village area so there are areas for them to run freely and the town center is pretty and scenic at all ages.
The baths are kid-friendly and great fun for them: we recommend bathing in the thermal baths of Bagno Vignoni as one of the best things to do in Italy with children (do check with your practitioner first, should you be visiting with babies or toddlers).
That said, unless you go the baths, there is little to do here for kids: our suggestion is to come here at lunchtime/ aperitivo time and make this a food stop.
The restaurant/ bookshop is pretty for older kids to explore as is has some books for kids too.
How to visit Bagno Vignoni: practical tips
The best way to get to Bagno Vignoni is by car.
The town is a short drive from Siena, Montalcino and San Quirico and has a large, pay and display parking space just outside.
The main area is flat however, if you intend to climb down and explore the Parco dei Mulini, good shoes are recommended.
You can visit the town in a matter of minutes but it is also worth staying the night to make the most of the food and wine of this area without having to drive.
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This post was written in 2020 and has now been fully updated in 2023 with recommendations from our latest trip to the area. This article is based on our personal experience of Bagno Vignoni.
