Montecatini Terme, one of the main seaside resorts in Tuscany, is located in the heart of Tuscany, near Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Viareggio, on the coast. It is a pleasant and quiet city that reminds us of days gone by with a large park in the center, three thermal establishments, an elegant wellness center, high-quality shops and pleasant bars and restaurants.
With its many reasonably priced hotels and its convenient location on the railway line, Montecatini Terme is an excellent base for exploring Tuscany.
How to get there
Montecatini Terme is on the railway line between Lucca and Florence, both less than an hour by train. Two trains per hour run between the two cities stopping at both Montecatini stations and one train per hour continues towards Viareggio on the coast. Both stations are right in town.
The closest airports are Florence and Pisa. By car, take the A11 until the Montecatini exit and follow the signs. Most of the parking lots in the city are metered.
Where to stay
Grand Hotel and La Pace, a historic 5-star Liberty-style hotel, is one of the most elegant hotels in Montecatini Terme. Explore more top rated Montecatini hotels, from 2 to 4 stars.
Things to do
- Terme Tettuccio is a historic spa famous for its hot springs. It is a luxurious Liberty style building with a park and nice places to sit outside. Most days there is an orchestra in the mornings and a pianist in the afternoons. The spa is open every day from May to September and is worth visiting just to see the beautiful interior.
- Spa Treatments : A wide range of classic spa and wellness treatments are available in wellness centers, spas, and 5-star hotels. Excelsior Spa has a large wellness center with a variety of treatments including beauty, mud, massages, and baths. Terme Redi has bathrooms and many modern equipment. Terme Leopoldine, another historic spa, was recently restored.
- Viale Verdi : the main street that runs through the city leads from Piazza Popolo to the spas and borders one side of the park. Viale Verde is full of shops, cafes and restaurants. In this street there are two theaters, the tourist office and the historic Gran Café Gambrinus, which remains a lively meeting place.
- Music and theater : a wide range of musical performances take place at the Teatro Verdi, Terme Tettuccio and outdoors in summer. The summer music festival, Estate Regina, runs from late May to early October.
- Relax – The spa towns of yesteryear were designed with a relaxing vacation in mind. In addition to the spas, the park, shopping streets, and cafes are pleasant places to stroll or sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Day trips : Many places of interest in Tuscany can be easily reached within an hour. The best places to visit by train are Florence, Lucca and Viareggio.
Montecatini Alto
A historic funicular, over 100 years old, runs from Montecatini Terme uphill to the picturesque town of Montecatini Alto, where there is a small castle, three churches, a large square with outdoor restaurants and cafes, some tourist shops, and excellent views over the field.
