Bagno Vignoni is one of my favorite stops in Southern Tuscany. Nestled on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Val d’Orcia (Orcia Valley), this tiny village is home to thermal baths and hot springs from Roman times!
Sounds great, right? But, are you wondering if it’s a family-friendly stop?
I’m a mamma of three, living in Tuscany, and I’ve visited Bagno Vignoni many times – as a tour guide, solo traveler, and with friends and family. It’s one of my top places to visit in the Val d’Orcia, and I want you to discover with your family – in a stress free, fun, and memorable way.
So, let’s take a look at Bagno Vignoni and:
- Why you and your family should visit (or skip it)
- When to visit Bagno Vignoni and how much time you should spend in the village
- Kid-friendly things to see and do in Bagno Vignoni
- Where to eat and sleep in the village
- How to get to Bagno Vignoni
- What to see and do nearby with your family
Andiamo – Let’s go!
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Table of Contents
Why Visit Bagno Vignoni with Kids (and Why Not)
The things that make Bagno Vignoni kid-friendly are:
- It’s car-free and tiny – You can park your car in the lot on the edge of the village and walk around. Even my 3-year-old can walk around on his own (I leave the stroller in the car).
- It’s interesting – Elementary-age kids (and older) will appreciate that they’re visiting hot springs and thermal baths used by the Romans! And how cool is the fact that the main piazza is actually a huge thermal pool (but off-limits to swimming, unfortunately)?
- There are multiple options for enjoying the thermal waters – Little ones who aren’t keen to enter the pools can dip their feet in small thermal stream that leads from town. Or, your kids can use the free public springs below town, or relax in the thermal pools or baths at one of the hotels in the village.
But Bagno Vignoni isn’t for everyone:
- The free thermal pools below town can be warm, not hot. This isn’t a big deal in the summer, but if you’re visiting during cooler months, kids probably won’t want to get in (it’s happened to us). Why not – the thermal water in the free hot springs can be just warm in the winter, so they end up being too cold.
- No all kids enjoy or can go in hot springs. It’s up to you (and your pediatrician) to decide if your child(ren) can enter the hot springs (because of the high temperature of the water).
- It’s a small, quiet village. There aren’t a ton of shops or restaurants or events. Come here for the hot springs, not entertainment.
Helpful Tip: Bagno Vignoni is car-free and tiny, but there are cars going up and down the road and around the parking lot – so make sure your kids don’t wander too far.
When to Visit How Much Time to Spend in Bagno Vignoni with Kids
You can visit Bagno Vignoni with kids year-round. It can be busy in the summer with tourists and the rest of the year with locals. I like to visit in the late fall through early spring – the thermal baths feel great in the cooler weather. But I’ve also visited with my kids in the summer and enjoyed it because it feels a little more lively.
I think Bagno Vignoni is best seen on a day trip (or even a couple of hours) when traveling with kids. It’s a tiny village, and you can see it all and enjoy it in a brief amount of time.
You could also base yourself in town or nearby for exploring the Val d’Orcia and it’s other villages.
Read more about visiting Tuscany in the Spring – Summer – Fall – Winter
Best Things to See and Do in Bagno Vignoni with Kids
Main Piazza – The Piazza delle Sorgenti is one of the most unique piazzas you’ll find in Italy. It’s a thermal pool! You can’t enter it, but it’s fun to check it out, walk around it, and view it from the Loggia of St. Catherine of Siena. The Piazza is huge – at almost 50 meters by 29 meters, and kids can walk (or run) around it (all under the watchful eye of mom and dad).
Thermal Baths and Springs – As I mentioned above, you have options for thermal water dips in Bagno Vignoni.
- The first is dipping your toes in the tiny thermal streams that lead from town. This is a great option when you’re traveling with kids because it’s easy! You don’t need swimsuits or towels, and you can walk straight from the parking lot.
- Or, walk down to the free thermal pools below town. You have to walk down a path that’s steps and dirt, so you can’t bring a stroller. It takes around 5-10 minutes to walk down it with kids. This is the most dramatic setting and it’s fun to be in natural pools as a family. Keep in mind you’ll need to bring your own towels and that there aren’t any toilets or services at the pools. It can also get really muddy (but it’s fun and you’re creating memories!).
- Finally, you can use the thermal baths at one of the hotels in town, as either a guest of the hotel or by purchasing a day pass. I would only recommend this with older kids. If you do decide to get a day pass, reserve it in advance as the daily numbers are limited (I’ve made this mistake before and been out of luck!). Good To Know: There aren’t any toilets at the free pools below town.
Playground – Sometimes little ones just need to run around and Bagno Vignoni’s got you covered! The playground at the edge of town is tiny, but there’s plenty of green space (bring a ball) and there are picnic tables where you can have lunch or a snack.
Librorcia Bagno Vignoni – Step into this beautiful bookshop just off the main piazza (Piazza delle Sorgenti). There are a few kids books available.
Where to Eat in Bagno Vignoni with Kids
Enoteca Ristorante La Terrazza (Piazza delle Sorgenti, 13) – Family-friendly restaurant right on the main piazza / thermal pool. Sit outside and dine on Tuscan classics. I like this place with kids because there are a ton of options on the menu (pasta, salads, affettati) and if my boys get restless they can walk around the piazza and we can see them.
La Bottega del Cacio (Piazza del Moretto, 31) – This is a great spot to get a platter of cured meats and cheese, breads and jams, and let your kids sample the local products. There’s also a really nice selection of sott’oli (‘under oil’ products like sundried tomatoes and grilled vegetables). You can also have panini made (to eat there or take away). I like this place with kids because you can sit out on the terrace (in a little piazza) and kids can play (but be careful – there’s a small road on the other edge of the piazza).
Make a Picnic – You can get some food to go at La Bottega del Cacio (or from a grocery store in a nearby village) and have a picnic down by the free pools or even better, at the kids playground on the edge of town. The playground is shaded and has picnic tables. Heads up: The playground is tiny, so don’t have high expectations.
Where to Stay in Bagno Vignoni with Kids
Albergo Le Terme – Small family-run hotel right on the main square. Kids of all ages are welcome. There’s an indoor thermal pool area and the attached restaurant is family-friendly.
Albergo Posta Marcucci – A sister hotel to one of my favorite hotels in the Dolomites (Hotel La Perla in Corvara in Badia). It’s in a quiet location on the edge of Bagno Vignoni with a beautiful outdoor pool. Posta Marcucci is best for older or calm kids (the place has a very tranquil vibe) – I would bring my 9-year old to stay here but not my 6 or 3 year old. You can also visit on a day pass – well worth it.
Adler Spa Resort Thermae – Kids ages 4 and up are welcome and there’s even a dedicated kids club. It’s definitely luxurious (and pricey). It’s not in Bagno Vignoni, but you can walk to the village.
Relais Osteria dell’Orcia – This is a good pick if your kids would love to swim in a pool (and you don’t want to pay the hefty room rate at Adler Spa Resort Thermae). It’s just below Bagno Vignoni, but there’s a path and you can walk up into town (with a stroller if you have small kids as part of it’s on the road). Nice garden area so little ones can let out some energy!
Agriturismo La Poderina – Next to Relais Osteria dell’Orcia, perfect if you’ll be in the area with your family for multiple days because the apartments have kitchens, so you can cook on your own instead of going out for every meal. There’s also a small pool and mini kids play structure.
Alternatively – Visit on a day trip. You can stay a little further away in the Val d’Orcia countryside or in towns like Pienza or Montepulciano. Our family even visits on day trips from Florence (less than 2 hours drive from Florence).
How to Get to Bagno Vignoni with Kids
If you have kids with you, you’ll want to arrive by car. That could mean you rent a car and drive to Bagno Vignoni. Or, you could arrange a taxi or private driver. Keep in mind that if you book a ride, you’ll need to also reserve your return trip (taxis don’t hang out in Bagno Vignoni).
If you arrive from Florence, you can take the Autostrada, exit at Valdichiana, and then take small roads to Bagno Vignoni.
If you’re coming from Siena, hop on the SR2.
The smaller roads around Bagno Vignoni can be winding, so if your kids tend to get car sick, take it slowly and take breaks as needed. Allow extra time for the journey.
What to See and Do Near Bagno Vignoni with Kids
Pienza – Little playground outside the town walls; car-free town; walk along the walls and check out the panoramic view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Val d’Orcia; eat the local cheese – pecorino di Pienza. Read about How to Spend One Day in Pienza.
San Quirico d’Orcia – One of our favorite local playgrounds just outside the town walls; ‘real’ village that doesn’t rely on tourists; nice for a stroll and meal
Montepulciano – Kid-friendly town with two playgrounds; underground tunnels to explore; Piazza Grande was a filming location for Twilight; mom and dad can sample the local Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Read my guides to Montepulciano with Kids and Visiting Montepulciano.
Montefioralle – Another tiny village to visit with little ones; small playground; walk along the old walls of the village; watch the teatro povero in the summer. Read my guide to Montefioralle.
Other Tuscan Hot Springs – If you enjoyed the hot springs and thermal pools with your kids, you can visit some of the other Tuscan hot springs. Nearby-ish, you’ll find: Bagni San Filippo (small-ish, can be tough with small kids because you have to walk down/up sometimes slippery paths, only 20 minutes away), San Casciano dei Bagni (super kid-friendly, 45 min), Bagni di Petriolo (small but very relaxed, kids can also play in river in summer, 1 hr), and Instagram-famous Saturnia (Cascate del Mulino hot springs, 1.5 hrs).
Looking for more things to do with your kids while you’re here?
Check out 70 Things To Do With Kids In Tuscany!
Bagno Vignoni with Kids – FAQ
Honestly, having been up to the top of Monte Amiata multiple times, I think kids would find it disappointing. There’s not much to do up top and it’s wooded, so you don’t get the epic views. It could be fun in the late fall during chestnut season (if you’re staying in an agriturismo and have somewhere to cook them).
No – Bagno Vignoni is tiny and doesn’t have a supermarket or pharmacy. If you want to stock up, head a few kilometers north (San Quirico d’Orcia) or south (Castiglione d’Orcia) to the Coop grocery store or the pharmacy.
