Weekend in Maremma: beaches, gorges and horses in 2026

For an authentic and wild experience at the Saturnia hot springs on a limited budget, your best option is undoubtedly the Cascate del Mulino. These natural waterfalls, located in Follonata, just 5 km from the village of Saturnia, are entirely free and accessible all year round, 24/7. That is where you will find the most natural atmosphere, with these limestone pools carved by the sulphurous water at around 37.5 °C. The sulphur smell, quite noticeable, is the sign that you are in the right place to enjoy its benefits for the skin.

To avoid the crowds and have a more serene experience, I strongly recommend arriving at the Cascate del Mulino very early in the morning, ideally before 8 am or at sunrise. It is the moment when the light is magnificent and the number of visitors is at its lowest, allowing you to settle quietly into one of the pools and enjoy the calm. If you can only go during the day, favor weekdays rather than weekends. Remember to bring 7. des chaussures d'eau fermées (such as aquashoes) as the bottom of the pools can be slippery and sharp due to the limestone. A little tip: after your swim, rinse off quickly with fresh water to remove the sulphur smell from your swimsuit. The paid thermal park, although very pleasant, is a more expensive option (around €30 per adult for park access, and €65 if you include the hotel) and offers a less ‘wild’ experience than the free waterfalls.

It is true that the car is generally considered essential for exploring Maremma in depth, because the region is rural, the secondary roads are sometimes winding, and public transport is limited. For a weekend in Maremma, especially if you want to connect sites as varied as the tufa gorges, the Saturnia hot springs and the beaches, a personal vehicle offers the necessary flexibility. However, to reduce your dependence on the car once there, especially for specific areas like the Feniglia beach or the Maremma Natural Park (Uccellina), there are very pleasant alternatives.

For the Feniglia, the best option is to rent a bike in Orbetello as soon as the rental shops open (for example, at The House of the Bicycle or Girobike). The cycle path that crosses the nature reserve will take you directly to the most remote and peaceful sections of the beach, far from the parking lots. It is a gentle, ecological means of transport that allows you to observe wildlife (fallow deer, migratory birds) in peace. As for the Uccellina Park, if you want to avoid the car, you can opt for a horse-drawn carriage departing from La Spergolaia, which is an excellent alternative for discovering the wildlife effortlessly. For other trips, plan your routes and group your visits by geographical area. If you arrive by train at Grosseto or Orbetello, you can rent a car on site for the duration of your stay, which can be more practical than driving from Florence or Rome. Keep in mind that the villages often have limited traffic zone systems (ZTL) that favor walking and cycling, making local exploration more pleasant and safer.

For a nature photography enthusiast like you, Maremma is a true paradise, offering a diversity of landscapes and rich wildlife to capture. For flamingos and migratory birds, the must-see spot is the Orbetello lagoon. I advise you to be there at dawn. It is the moment when the flamingos are most active and when the low light offers an incredible spectacle, with magnificent reflections on the calm water. A good telephoto lens will be your best ally for capturing these scenes without disturbing the animals. The Diaccia Botrona reserve is also a major site for local biodiversity and an excellent spot for birdwatching, be sure to pay it a visit.

For land wildlife, especially fallow deer, the Feniglia beach et la Maremma Natural Park (Uccellina) are prime locations. By cycling on the Feniglia cycle path early in the morning or in the late afternoon, you will increase your chances of coming across fallow deer strolling in the pine forest. In the Uccellina park, horseback rides or carriage rides can bring you closer to the Maremmana cattle and wild horses, offering unique opportunities for cultural and nature shots. Finally, for the iconic tufa landscapes, such as the walls of Pitigliano or Sovana, dusk is the ideal moment. The golden light of the setting sun brings out the orange hues of the rock and creates deep shadows that beautifully highlight the architectural and geological details. Don’t forget your hiking shoes to explore the mystical Etruscan Vie Cave, where the filtered light offers a very special atmosphere to photograph.

Your concern about heat and crowds is perfectly legitimate for Maremma, especially if you want to fully enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, beaches and thermal baths. To avoid the sweltering heat and excessive tourist crowds, I recommend favoring the months of May, early June or September. These periods are ideal for an agriturismo stay in Maremma because the climate is mild and pleasant, with temperatures suitable for walking without suffering, and the thermal water remains warm. The landscapes are magnificent, with blossoming in spring and the grape harvest in September, offering picturesque scenes for your discoveries.

In May and early June, nature is lush, temperatures are mild and tourist attendance is far lower than in mid-summer. It is perfect for exploring the Fiora gorges in peace or enjoying the Feniglia beaches without the summer crowds. In September, the sea is still warm, temperatures are very pleasant, and Maremma regains a certain tranquility after the high season. It is also an excellent time to taste freshly harvested local products. One specific thing to know is that even though the Cascate del Mulino are accessible 24/7 all year round, they will be busier on weekends, whatever the season. So, even in May or September, favor weekdays or very early in the morning for a more intimate experience. By respecting these periods, you will enjoy an authentic and peaceful Maremma, far from the summer hustle and bustle.

For a weekend in Maremma, budget is an important consideration, because the region offers an authentic experience that can be very affordable if you manage your expenses well. It is realistic to plan a budget of around €250 per person for a two-day weekend. This amount generally includes accommodation in an agriturismo, meals (often local and fresh products), and activities such as horseback riding or access to sites. Of course, this can vary depending on your restaurant choices and the type of accommodation. Agriturismo can offer rates ranging from €80 to €150 per night, depending on the standard and the period.

Regarding payment methods, it is absolutely crucial to plan for cash. Maremma is a rural region and many small shops, village trattorias, or even some agriturismo, still shun credit cards. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, withdraw a sufficient amount of cash in Grosseto, which is a larger and better-equipped city. Once you go deep into the countryside, ATMs become rare. For transport, the car is indeed essential for this type of itinerary, as buses are infrequent. Plan for a vehicle as soon as you arrive. Travel times are around 3 hours from Florence and 2 hours from Rome, but these are winding country roads, so plan ahead and don't be in too much of a hurry. Good management of your budget and payment methods will guarantee you a smooth and hassle-free weekend in this magnificent region.

The tufa villages of Maremma, such as Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano, are true gems and offer a unique cultural and historical experience. These hilltop towns are literally carved into the volcanic rock, tufa, which gives them breathtaking architecture and an almost mystical medieval atmosphere. In Pitigliano, nicknamed the ‘little Jerusalem’ for its Jewish history, you will be amazed by its houses that seem to hang in mid-air, clinging to the cliff. The labyrinthine medieval center is perfect for strolling, with its narrow alleys and local craft shops often set in former caves.

The most fascinating particularity of these villages lies in the Vie Cave. These are ancient Etruscan paths, cut directly into the tufa rock, forming true vegetated canyons. Walking in a Vie Cave is a unique experience in the world: the temperature is always cool there, even in the middle of summer, and the atmosphere is imbued with an ancestral mystery. To explore them, comfortable, treaded hiking shoes are absolutely mandatory, as the terrain can be slippery. I recommend visiting the Vie Cave of the Città del Tufo Archaeological Park, especially those connecting Pitigliano to Sovana and Sorano. These paths allow you to discover the region in a totally different way, by taking the routes used by the Etruscans thousands of years ago. It is a deep immersion in the history and geology of Maremma, far from the hustle and bustle of Tuscany's better-known cities.