Tuscany’s Maremma Showcases Natural Thermal Baths and Rare Free Beaches

The Maremma area of Tuscany is promoted for its natural thermal baths, especially the famous Saturnia Cascades where warm water emerges from the ground and forms open‑air pools. Visitors can choose between organized thermal resorts and free‑access sites, and the season considered best for a relaxed visit is spring. The region’s landscape also includes historic villages such as Pitigliano, Sorano and Sovana, offering a combined experience of wellness, nature and culture.

At the same time, free beaches along the Tuscan coast are becoming increasingly scarce. According to Federico Gasperini, regional director of the environmental group Legambiente, roughly half of the shoreline is occupied by private beach resorts, leaving only limited stretches of un‑managed sand. Remaining free spots include the Green Beach of Cinquale, the Lecciona near Viareggio, and the protected beach of Marina di Alberese in the Maremma park. Gasperini stresses that the loss of free coastal space is linked to tourism development, climate change and human impact, and calls for dune preservation and sustainable beach management.