Last updated on June 22nd, 2024
At first glance, San Casciano dei Bagni seems too small for more than a half day visit but after living in the area for over ten years, I have come to discover all the marvelous activities and tours the small village of San Casciano dei Bagni has to offer.
Apart from the world famous thermal baths and hot springs in San Casciano dei Bagno, there is more than enough to keep you busy for two full days.
In this two day guide and itinerary in San Casciano dei Bagni, I will walk you through the town’s best activities. Whether you like biking, hiking, spa treatments, history, archaeology or thermal baths, there is something for you!
I will also include my personal favorite places to eat and to drink in San Casciano dei Bagni and my top tips for making the best of your time here.
Only in San Casciano dei Bagni for one day? Read One Day in San Casciano dei Bagni. And for a complete village guide, read San Casciano dei Bagni.
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Day One In San Casciano Dei Bagni
Morning Bike Through The Val d’Orcia
Located in San Casciano dei Bagni is a locally run e-bike rental shop, Val D’Orcia EBike, offering various tours from 3-7 hours depending on what route you choose, your level and what you would like to see.
All of Nicolò’s routes are well planned out and easy to book online. Each tour factors in leisurely time at various viewpoints to take pictures and water or coffee breaks along the way. Whether you prefer to stay local and tour the neighboring towns of Radicofani and Celle su Rigo or you prefer a mountain route, Nicolò has a tour for you.
You can also opt to bike one of the many trails created by the municipality of San Casciano dei Bagni as described in the detailed maps, San Casciano Active, which you can pick up at the tourist office.
Lunch At Ferdinando Ristorante At Fonteverde
Book a lunch at the Mediterranean restaurant/bar inside the spa at Fonteverde. Be sure to call ahead to book a table. From here, you can either stay at the thermal baths and spa for the remainder of the afternoon or opt for the San Casciano dei Bagni hot springs just down the road.
Afternoon At San Casciano dei Bagno Thermal Baths Or Hot Springs
Spend the afternoon at either the free San Casciano dei Bagno hot springs located just below the village or at the luxury resort spa Fonteverde. Read more about Fonteverde.
The free public thermal baths are very easy to access, just a short walk from town. There are three smaller parking lots down Via della Fontaccia closer to the thermal baths.
If I am with my kids we like to hit the free thermal baths but if I am with my husband, we prefer to splurge for a single day entry to Fonteverde or afternoon entrance. If you want to include a message or other spa treatment in the afternoon, I recommend the spa.
Aperitivo at Bar Centrale
San Casciano dei Bagni is best known for its grand pizza with panoramic view over the Val d’Orcia rolling hills. There is no better way to enjoy these views than with an aperitivo in hand.
Grab a spritz, cocktail or artisan beer at Bar Centrale before dinner. Either sit down at one of the tables or bring your drink to the wall and hang out on the benches across the piazza.
I recommend the beer at bar centrale. They have a much larger selection than other bars in the area with plenty of local brewers.
Good To Know: If you are at Fonteverde on Saturday and Sunday, the afternoon entrance ticket includes an aperitivo within the spa. If you opt for Fonteverde instead of the external free hot springs, skip the aperitivo in town and book your table at Daniels outdoors to enjoy the terrace view overlooking the countryside.
Dinner At Ristorante Daniela
Make your way next door to Ristorante Daniela and enjoy typical Tuscan cuisine either on the terrace overlooking the square or indoors. Always pre-book your table.
The best dishes at Daniels are local foods such as pici, wild boar, Tuscan steak, cheese and charcuterie boards.
Day Two In San Casciano Dei Bagni
Morning Hike
The best way to see San Casciano dei Bagni is to take the time to hike one of their four trails leaving from Piazzale del Ponte, the large parking lot across from the village.
Choose from four walks suggested by the town, all of which can either be biked, walked or done on horseback. I suggest walking them as you have biked the previous day.
- We have only ever done the hike up to Fighine (n.02). The other routes all leave from the same “Piazzale del Ponte”.
- “Le Sorgenti” route (n.01) takes you through the historic center of San Casciano dei Bagni, lasting about 1 hour with stops at the free hot springs along the way.
- “Affacciatoio” route (n. 04) takes you through fields and olive groves just under Mount Cetona with stunning views of Radicofani and San Casciano dei Bagni. This walk is just over 2 hours.
- “I Poggi” route (n. 08), about 1 hour, 30 minutes, takes you entirely off the main roads through the rolling hills of Southern Tuscany just outside of San Casciano dei Bagni.
- Read more about the the hiking routes
Choose based on how much time you want to spend outdoors and if you are interested in visiting the public thermal baths (or if you chose to visit Fonteverde the first day and would now like to see the ancient pools).
Tip: Pick up an actual paper map of all their trails with descriptions and details in the tourist office. There are more than four on this map, starting from other locations in San Casciano dei Bagni.
Lunch at La Fontanella
Relax with a well-deserved lunch just outside of San Casciano dei Bagni at La Fontanella. Nila makes some of the best homemade pasta in the area and her stewed secondi or second courses are some of the best.
My favorite is the duck but you will only find that seasonally.
Afternoon Wine Tasting In The Countryside Of San Casciano Dei Bagni
The surrounding hillsides of San Casciano dei Bagni have several wineries to choose from. Pre-book a tasting and tour and be sure to pick up a couple of bottles to bring home with you as souvenirs and gifts.
San Casciano dei Bagni wineries are also located in Palazzone, a smaller town under the municipality of San Casciano Dei Bagni about 15 minutes down the road.
Tuscan Wines: Read all about Wines to Try in Tuscany.
| Winery | Description | Best For | Important Information |
| Ravazzi | Family run for three generations with attention to detail at this small, intimate winery | Families or those looking to connect with locals. | Free electric charge for your car with tasting. |
| Podernuovo | The Bulgari family’s most luxurious wine experience with a variety of wines, including reds, whites and an excellent rose. | A luxury wine tasting | Must pre-book tasting online prior to your visit. |
| Cantina Giacomo Mori | Small yet committed to only the best quality with several DOCG, DOP and IGT wines | Classic Tuscan wine lovers. | Difficult to visit the actual winery (email for best bet) but if you see their wine for sale locally, it’s worth the purchase. |
| Giacomo Baraldo | After years of studying how wine was made in New Zealand, Giacomo Baraldo, a local, produced small batch local wines. | Niche, small production winery | Tastings at Ristorante Daniela |
Learn More: Read more about Where to Drink Wine in Italy and Where to Buy Wine in Italy.
Dinner At Fighine
End your day with an elegant evening at the one star Michelin San Casciano dei Bagni restaurant at the Fighine Castle, just above the village.
I have eaten here twice and both times it was excellent. I suggest going for either the five or seven (includes fish in seven course) course tasting menu, which will give you the opportunity to try a variety of dishes.
Like in most Michelin star restaurants, the seven courses is actually more like 9 or 10 as you get several little things in between the main courses to cleanse your palate including a bonus pallet opener and closer.
Be sure to pre-book your table and notify the restaurant of any allergies you may have before your dinner.
Two Days In San Casciano Dei Bagni FAQ
As of October 2023, the statues are on exhibition in Rome. They are planned to return in December of 2024 and be displayed in the new museum in San Casciano dei Bagni that is currently being renovated.
