📷 Photo by Leo_Visions on UnsplashMaremma: cypresses, hot springs and tuff towns
The cypress avenue of Bolgheri, Etruscan tombs by the sea, a wild coastal park, free hot springs and towns carved out of volcanic rock.
- Distance
- 191 km (118 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 38 min
- Suggested days
- 5
- Stops
- 7
- Countries
- Italy
- Updated
- September 6, 2026
At a glance: 5-day road trip of about 191 km (118 mi) with 7 stops, from Bolgheri cypress avenue to Pitigliano. About 2 h 38 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Italy · More road trips from San Miniato
Route description
Leave the Aurelia at San Guido and drive the five-kilometre cypress avenue to the village of Bolgheri, heart of a famous red-wine area. Continue south to the Gulf of Baratti, where Etruscan tombs lie among the pines behind the beach and the walled hamlet of Populonia watches from above.
Head inland to Massa Marittima, an old mining town with a Romanesque cathedral on a sloping piazza, then return to the SS1 Aurelia (E80), a dual carriageway, towards Grosseto. At Alberese, the Maremma Regional Park protects wild coast and hills; in summer part of it is reached only by park bus.
From Grosseto roads cross the rolling countryside to Saturnia, where the hot water of the Cascate del Mulino pours over travertine terraces. It is free and open at all hours, but very busy on summer weekends.
The last stretch reaches the tuff country: Sovana with its Etruscan tombs and the deep sunken roads called vie cave, then Pitigliano, built on the edge of a cliff. The area is quiet in spring and autumn, and motorhome parking areas are common in the towns.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Bolgheri cypress avenue
ViewsCastagneto Carducci, ItalyA dead-straight avenue lined with some 2,500 cypresses running five kilometres from the Aurelia to the village of Bolgheri, famous for its red wines.
- 235 km
Baratti and Populonia
HistoryPiombino, ItalyEtruscan tombs beside a curving bay of pine woods, below the hilltop village of Populonia. The archaeological park has short walking trails.
- 339 km
Massa Marittima
Italy - 457 km
Maremma Regional Park
NatureAlberese, ItalyWild coast, pine woods and the Uccellina hills, grazed by long-horned cattle. Tickets and trail maps at the Alberese visitor centre; a bus runs to the beach in summer.
- 542 km
Cascate del Mulino, Saturnia
NatureManciano, ItalyFree hot springs tumbling over white travertine terraces at about 37 °C. Come early morning or out of season; there is a paid car park beside the pools.
- 614 km
Sovana
Italy - 74 km
Pitigliano
Italy
Suggested stages and overnight stops
5 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Bolgheri cypress avenue → Baratti and Populonia · 35 km · 0 h 29 minOvernight nearby, for example: Agricampeggio Podere Etrusco (1 km); Agricampeggio La Piaggia (2 km).
- Day 2: Baratti and Populonia → Massa Marittima · 39 km · 0 h 32 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Village il Fontino (16 km); L'Orticillo (18 km).
- Day 3: Massa Marittima → Maremma Regional Park · 57 km · 0 h 48 minOvernight nearby, for example: Area Parking Canova (14 km); Alberese Camper Park (< 1 km).
- Day 4: Maremma Regional Park → Cascate del Mulino, Saturnia · 42 km · 0 h 34 minOvernight nearby, for example: Alveare dei Pinzi (1 km); Agricampeggio Gli Olmi (16 km).
- Day 5: Cascate del Mulino, Saturnia → Pitigliano · 17 km · 0 h 14 minOn the way: Sovana.Overnight nearby, for example: La Grata (18 km); La Perla del Lago (20 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Maremma: cypresses, hot springs and tuff towns?
5-day road trip of about 191 km (118 mi) with 7 stops, from Bolgheri cypress avenue to Pitigliano. About 2 h 38 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Maremma: cypresses, hot springs and tuff towns?
We suggest 5 days: about 2 h 38 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Maremma: cypresses, hot springs and tuff towns start and end?
It starts in Bolgheri cypress avenue and ends in Pitigliano.
Which countries does Maremma: cypresses, hot springs and tuff towns pass through?
Italy.
Where can you camp along Maremma: cypresses, hot springs and tuff towns?
OpenStreetMap lists 124 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Le Capanne, Il Gineprino and Il Capannino.
When is the best time for Maremma: cypresses, hot springs and tuff towns?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
