The Spa Traveller Review · Tuscany
Chantal Borciani discovers two very different expressions of Tuscan thermal wellness: the elemental cave experience at Grotta Giusti and the palazzo elegance of Bagni di Pisa.
Editor’s Picks
- Choose Grotta Giusti for: an extraordinary natural thermal grotto and a spa experience shaped by geology.
- Choose Bagni di Pisa for: historic architecture, thermal pools and easy pairing with Pisa or Lucca.
- Best itinerary: two nights at each property, or choose one according to whether cave bathing or cultural touring matters more.
- Know before you go: thermal heat is not suitable for everyone; check access rules and discuss health concerns before booking.
Two sides of thermal Tuscany
Warm water laps around my ears as I look up at the lunar-like walls of the grotto. Suspended in the water, I feel the scale of a cave formed long before anyone thought of destination spas. Tuscany’s thermal tradition is ancient, but these two stays make it feel strikingly contemporary.
“At Grotta Giusti the landscape becomes the spa; at Bagni di Pisa, thermal water flows through the rooms of a Grand Ducal retreat.”
Grotta Giusti: the elemental choice
Grotta Giusti sits near Monsummano Terme. Its defining feature is a natural thermal cave extending for more than 200 metres beneath the resort. The chambers are traditionally named Paradise, Purgatory and Hell, with temperatures rising from approximately 28°C to 34°C; a warm underground lake lies deeper within the grotto.
The experience feels less like entering a conventional hotel spa and more like stepping into the landscape itself. Current options extend beyond the natural steam bath to thermal pools, treatments, movement and guided cave experiences. Availability, supervision and suitability vary, so check the current programme before travelling.
Bagni di Pisa: the palazzo choice
At San Giuliano Terme, Bagni di Pisa occupies the historic thermal residence associated with the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Its appeal is more architectural: indoor and outdoor thermal water, an eighteenth-century cave, period rooms and views towards the Pisan landscape.
This is the easier choice for travellers who want spa time to sit alongside art, food and day trips. Pisa is close; Lucca and the wider Tuscan coast can also be folded into a longer stay.
Which should you choose?
| Priority | Best fit |
|---|---|
| A rare natural setting | Grotta Giusti |
| Historic hotel atmosphere | Bagni di Pisa |
| Cave-led thermal experience | Grotta Giusti |
| Pisa and Lucca touring | Bagni di Pisa |
| A two-centre thermal journey | Combine both |
Questions to ask before booking
- Which thermal pools and grotto experiences are included with the room?
- Do cave activities require advance booking or medical screening?
- Are day-spa guests and hotel residents given different access times?
- Which treatments are genuinely thermal, rather than simply offered at a thermal hotel?
Compare current Tuscany spa stays on Expedia
Check Grotta Giusti’s current grotto programme · Check Bagni di Pisa’s current spa information
The verdict
Grotta Giusti is the more elemental experience; Bagni di Pisa is the more classically Tuscan stay. Together they show why thermal travel here is not one proposition but a choice between geology, history and the pleasure of taking both slowly.
Our editors independently select all products featured. Some links may be affiliate links, through which we may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.
Independent booking notice: Accommodation, travel, thermal experiences and treatments are booked independently with third-party providers under their own terms and protections. Facilities, access rules, prices and availability can change. Thermal bathing is not medical treatment; seek professional advice where appropriate.