Directory of secret places in Tuscany

Maremma occupies the southwest of Tuscany, along the Tyrrhenian coast, between Livorno and the border with Lazio, north of Rome. It stretches from the inland hills (Massa Marittima, Scansano, Pitigliano) down to the sea, passing through the Maremma park and the Orbetello lagoons. To orient yourself, think of three major landmarks: Mount Amiata to the northeast, the Val d'Orcia further north, and Lazio to the south, where Tuscia begins.

To choose your area, start with what you want to do. If you're after nature and beaches, look at the coast around Grosseto and the park, with places like the Maremma Park or the Collelungo beach. If you're interested in Etruscan history, the tuff villages of the south, such as Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana.

One limit to keep in mind: Maremma is vast and distances between the interior and the coast are often covered by car. So plan to stay in one or two areas rather than trying to see everything.

For nature and beach, choose theArgentario and the Orbetello lagoon if you want the greatest choice: it is the richest area of the hub with 54 places listed, including beaches, natural parks and the lagoon itself. The Orbetello lagoon remains one of the best-rated places in the Natural Park category, with a landscape of wetlands and birds that changes with the seasons.

If you prefer a more urban base from which to explore the Maremma Park, look at Grosseto and the Maremma Park (26 places). L'Alberese and the beaches of Collelungo or Cala di Forno are well rated there, but the beach offering is shorter and more scattered, so plan for more car trips.

Honest limit: our ratings are based on the analysis of reviews and available information, not on visits by the editorial team, and beach crowds in high season can quickly turn a beautiful day into a queue.

The sagre are the most direct way to taste popular Tuscany: the catalogue counts 63 fêtes spread across the entire region, it is the most represented category on the site. To choose, first look at the season: a mushroom or chestnut sagra only makes sense in autumn, whereas a village festival in summer often takes place in a square in the evening.

If you want to combine festivities and scenery, focus on areas rich in local produce such as the Argentario coastline and the Orbetello lagoon, where eel holds a central place on local tables. In the Etruscan villages, the festivals are more modest but more authentic. An honest limit: the dates change every year, so check the municipality's calendar before planning your trip.

For a first stay, favor Pitigliano if you want the most spectacular village that is easiest to take in at a glance: its tuff houses cling to the cliff, and the central square (Piazza della Repubblica) is the best entry point to the whole. Choose Sorano if you want a calmer, more compact village where you can stroll without crowds. Sovana is aimed more at those who come for archaeology: its necropolis is one of the most evocative Etruscan sites in the area.

The simplest approach is not to choose just one village: the tuff area can be explored in a loop, in a few days, and all three are only a few minutes' drive from each other. For a wilder dimension, add Vitozza, an abandoned troglodyte town, but bring good shoes, the ground is uneven. All these places are well rated in our catalog, but the rating does not replace your own preference: if you like lively squares, go to Pitigliano; if you prefer quiet, stay in Sorano.

For the thermal baths, choose Saturnia if you want an open-air, free and spectacular bath among the travertine terraces, and the Val d'Orcia (Bagni San Filippo) if you want calmer, developed hot water set in a hilly landscape. Saturnia and the Cascate del Mulino are in the same area (Saturnia and Manciano), with the same sulfurous water; the difference lies mainly in atmosphere and comfort. Bagni San Filippo, in the Val d'Orcia, is farther from the main roads but offers a more intimate experience, with natural pools of white limestone.

To decide, look at each address's rating: 8.2 for Saturnia, 8.2 for the Cascate del Mulino, 8.0 for Bagni San Filippo. These gaps are small: the rating should not decide on its own. If you travel in winter or with children, favor the developed pools; if you want the wild side, the natural springs of the Saturnia area remain the best choice.

Natural thermal baths attract crowds in high season, and access to free springs may be subject to local rules. So check access conditions and opening hours before you go, and be careful with water temperatures, which can be high.

For a first trip, prioritize Massa Marittima, Pitigliano and Sorano, qui figurent parmi les adresses les mieux notées de Toscane Cachée (Massa Marittima note 8.1 sur 10, Pitigliano 8.0, Sorano 8.0). Notre note est volontairement exigeante : sur les 311 lieux du site, la moyenne n'est que de 6.9, et seuls 37 lieux sont des coups de cœur.

To choose, look at what makes the difference: Massa Marittima and its central square are enough for half a day, while Pitigliano and Sorano, built on tuff, combine well with the Etruscan necropolises of Sovana. If you want Etruscan sites, filter by Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana ; if you prefer medieval heritage and mines, go instead for Massa Marittima and the metalliferous hills.

Honest limit: these villages are very popular in high season, and our ranking is based on analyzing reviews and available information, not on visits by the editorial team. Check opening hours before you go.