Discover the Val d'Orcia

Villages to visit

La Val d'Orcia It is a very large territory located in southern Tuscany, in the province of Siena; it extends from Monte Amiata almost to the border with Umbria.
Among the hills and valleys, there are many villages to explore and visit, each rich in history and tradition. You've surely heard of some of them. Do the names Pienza, Montalcino, and Bagno Vignoni mean anything to you? This is exactly what the Val d'Orcia is all about.

Let's take a journey together to discover the Val d'Orcia and its most beautiful villages.

A trip to Val d'Orcia

Pienza

We begin our journey in one of the most famous places: Pienza, the Ideal City commissioned by Pope Enea Silvio Piccolomini – Pius II. Here, history, art, and culture are one, and you can feel their power with every step as you walk through the historic center.
This Tuscan town is also known for a typical product, Pecorino di Pienza, commonly known as “Pienza cheese,” the fruit of an ancient tradition proudly passed down.

Montalcino

Montalcino stands out among the rich surrounding vineyards and dominates the Val d'Orcia with its imposing medieval fortress; naturally, it is world-famous for its excellent Brunello wine.

Bagno Vignoni

Bagno Vignoni always strikes with its unusual beauty. It is one of the many villages nestled in the most beautiful and characteristic Tuscan countryside, tiny and tidy, but it stands out for one characteristic: in the center of the village, instead of the usual piazza, there is a large pool of hot thermal water that reflects all the surrounding buildings.
In this regard, you should know that the Val d'Orcia, a mine of natural treasures, is also very rich in thermal springs and Bagno Vignoni is not the only fortunate place in this regard.

Bagni San Filippo

At this point we mention the nearby Bagni San Filippo: the name itself tells us that we are once again dealing with precious thermal waters.
Here, the Fosso Bianco is a must-see: in the middle of a forest, there are magical waterfalls of hot water that flow and cascade between pure white rocks, alternating with pools where you can bathe.

Monticchiello

Monticchiello is a tiny village, a hamlet of Pienza, from which it is just a few kilometers away.
Its name may not be new to you: this is where the Teatro Povero di Monticchiello is based, whose events, which involve the entire population, from the writing of the plays to the performances in the central square, have a national resonance.

radicofani

At the southernmost edge of the Val d'Orcia lies Radicofani, a small village perched on a hill 900 meters above sea level. It's easy to spot from afar: its historic fortress, once home to a famous local Robin Hood, Ghino di Tacco, stands out on the hill.

San Quirico d'Orcia

In the heart of the Val d'Orcia, about an hour from Siena, lies this charming town, known since ancient times as an essential stop for pilgrims traveling the Via Francigena towards Rome.
The historic center and the magnificent Vitaleta Chapel, a small architectural masterpiece truly lost in the countryside and reachable only on foot, are definitely worth seeing.