In the Valdinievole valley of northern Tuscany, between Florence and Lucca, lies Montecatini Terme—a spa town that has embraced the art of wellness for over two thousand years. Celebrated since Roman times for its healing mineral waters, this UNESCO-recognized destination unites thermal therapy, Belle Époque elegance, and the beauty of Tuscan culture. For travelers seeking hidden gems in Italy, Montecatini Terme inspires a journey of rejuvenation and discovery.
Montecatini Terme, nestled in the province of Pistoia, is a remarkable place blessed with four primary springs: Leopoldina, Regina, Tettuccio, and Rinfresco. These springs draw from an aquifer located 60 to 80 meters beneath the surface. As the water flows through layers of limestone, jasper, and clay, it absorbs essential minerals like sodium, magnesium, and calcium, enhancing digestion, circulation, and joint health.
Harnessed by the Etruscans and further developed by the Romans, these springs continue to thrive on geothermal energy. This natural warmth creates an extraordinary environment for balneotherapy, mud therapy, and other rejuvenating spa rituals, making Montecatini a premier destination for wellness in Tuscany.
In Parco delle Terme, Terme Tettuccio emerges as a neoclassical marvel, a testament to architectural design by Gaspero Maria Paoletti in 1779, later renovated in 1928 by Ugo Giovannozzi. This extraordinary “drinking spa” invites guests to experience its marble taps, which dispense mineral waters uniquely crafted to support healing from diabetes to chronic digestive ailments. Visitors sip rejuvenating waters beneath majestic colonnades, surrounded by stunning Carrara marble statues, vibrant gardens, and intricate fountains, evoking a sense of serenity and wellness.
Although no longer operating as a spa, Terme Excelsior remains an architectural icon of Montecatini’s golden age, when European high society flocked here for mineral treatments, concerts, and social gatherings.
Constructed in the 1960s, the Terme Redi Thermal Complex combines medical innovation with Tuscan hot springs spa traditions. Some of the Treatments include:
The spa’s cosmetic line—creams, serums, and bath salts made from the same waters—allows guests to experience Montecatini Terme’s wellness at home. Products include nourishing olive oil, hydrating mallow, exfoliant marine salts, purifying Thermal Algae, regenerating Olive Stones and Poppy seeds, toning Chestnut Extract, rebalancing oligoelements of health-based minerals and antioxidant Grape Seeds.
On Thursdays, Via di Maratona transforms into the Montecatini Terme Market, a lively display of Tuscan abundance. Stalls brim with regional cheeses such as Reviggiolo, pecorino aged in walnut leaves, and Caciotta Toscana, alongside fresh produce, olive oils, truffle spreads, and spices. For those planning a relaxing Tuscany spa getaway, this market offers the perfect taste of local life before or after your spa treatments.
A quick ride on the Funicolare di Montecatini—in service since 1898—takes visitors to Montecatini Alto, a fortified medieval village with panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside. Piazza Giuseppe Giusti is lined with trattorias and artisan shops, while landmarks like the Rocca di Castello Vecchio, Torre dell’Orologio, and Church of San Pietro showcase centuries of history.
Montecatini’s activities—from the Montecatini Opera Festival to Saturdays with the Master Papermaker—add cultural depth to any visit. Shoppers can choose between high-end boutiques like Gucci and Prada, or local ateliers offering unique, sensibly priced Italian fashion.
Here, thermal wellness is woven into daily life. You might begin your morning with a prescribed sip of mineral water, browse a bustling market in the afternoon, and end your day watching the sun dip over Tuscany from a medieval tower.
For travelers searching for hidden gems in Italy, Montecatini Terme offers something rare: a place where ancient geology, natural wellness, and Tuscan beauty traditions converge—inviting you to slow down and immerse yourself in one of the best thermal baths in Tuscany.
"Terme Tettuccio, Montecatini” by Richard Barrett-Small, CC BY 2.0
Thumbnail image License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en
Thumbnail image link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/richbs/5971110496
