This historic spa town in Tuscany has therapeutic thermal springs dating to the 14th century. Its Art Nouveau buildings and grand hotels line the streets near Tettuccio Terme.
Montecatini Terme, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tuscany, welcomes visitors with its elegant Art Nouveau thermal spas like Terme Tettuccio and Terme Leopoldine. The town's mineral springs maintain temperatures between 24 and 33.4 degrees Celsius, drawing wellness seekers since the 1700s. Above the main town, a medieval funicular climbs to Montecatini Alto, where stone buildings and narrow lanes overlook the Tuscan countryside.
Exploring the Thermal Spas
The town's thermal establishments spread across gardens and parks, with Terme Tettuccio as its grandest facility. Six of the eleven springs serve therapeutic purposes, drawing water from an aquifer 60-80 meters underground. The waters contain calcium, iodine, lithium and phosphorus, which help treat metabolic and digestive conditions. You can take guided tours of the spa facilities or book treatments ranging from mud baths to mineral water therapies.
Walking Through Viale Verdi
Viale Verdi, the main boulevard, leads you past the town's key buildings. The Municipal Palace (1913-1919) contains the Montecatini Contemporary Art space, where you can see Joan Miró's "Woman Encircled by the Flight of a Bird." Along the street, you'll find the Palazzina Regia, where the Medici family spent their summers, and fountains celebrating the town's water. The pavement's Walk of Fame marks visits from past celebrities and royalty.
Exploring Montecatini Alto
The funicular railway takes you to Montecatini Alto, 300 meters above sea level. This medieval village still has sections of its walls, though Florentine forces destroyed much of them in 1554. In the central square, you'll find restaurants and wine bars, while the side streets lead to the Church of St. Peter with its Romanesque design and frescoes. Climb the Clock Tower, the last remaining piece of Castelnuovo fortress, for views across Tuscany.
Local Culinary Traditions
Try Cialde di Montecatini, light round cookies that pair well with tea or dessert wine. Local bakeries like Bargilli have made these wafer biscuits since 1936, following family recipes. You can sample these specialties with Italian coffee at the cafes around Piazza del Popolo.
Transportation and Day Trips
Two train stations serve Montecatini Terme. Trains run regularly to Florence (one hour away), Pisa, and Lucca, making it easy to explore northern Tuscany. Use Montecatini Centro station for local trips and the main station for regional connections.
