Val d'Orcia, what to see in southern Tuscany

Val d’Orcia is a valley crossed by the Orcia river, which gives it its name and extends to the lands of Siena. It is full of rolling hills and wide expanses covered with wheat. This beautiful valley, which has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is characterized by many fascinating villages such as Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, Montalcino, Castiglione d’Orcia. In fact, it offers a lot of attractions and is a destination for thousands of tourists every year. Attracted by the beauty of nature, art and history of the area, tourists can choose where to stop, among the many farmhouses, hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area. No less exceptional is the importance of the thermal waters that flow naturally from the ground and that have made the spas present in the villages of Bagno Vignoni and Bagni San Filippo famous. We would also like to mention the typical products of this land, such as Brunello di Montalcino wine and Pienza pecorino cheese, the Cinta Senese meat, which you can taste in the excellent local restaurants.

Val d’Orcia begins on the slopes of Mount Amiata, a 1738 m high mountain, a ski resort in winter and covered with greenery to the peak in summer. In the valley and in the mountains, in summer, the numerous nature reserves encourage to long walks in the woods and in the guided trails. On the other hand, in autumn you can enjoy the numerous festivals dedicated to chestnuts, grapes, olives, which offer days full of events and dishes to taste. The warm thermal waters of which the valley is very rich owe their presence precisely to this mountain, an ancient volcano that still today supplies its heat to the surrounding lands.

Val d'Orcia and the "via Francigena"

Visiting the Val d’Orcia and southern Tuscany is a unique and unforgettable experience. It is a territory rich in natural beauty, small towns with ancient history, and monumental riches of inestimable value.

A territory for all seasons! From the green woods to the hills covered with wheat in summer, to the countless shades of autumn colours, to the white landscape of the Amiata covered with snow, up to the freshness of the spring colours.

Do you want to relax? You can find numerous thermal centres and spas that use the natural thermal waters produced by the ancient volcano, itineraries in the woods, walks in the open countryside. If you decide to stay, there are farm holidays surrounded by greenery, hotels and bed and breakfasts in the local villages.

Let’s not forget the path of the Via Francigena that crosses all our territories, a destination for thousands of hikers every year.