Visiting Montemerano: The Town in Italy Shaped Like a Heart
Montemerano is a charming town that is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. You can easily see why when you walk the cute picturesque streets, all adorned with hearts!
The town is even shaped like an actual heart! I was so surprised when I flew my drone up to see the aerial view of the town. I truly loved this place because I have an obsession with hearts, and it was so darn cute!
Plus, the views are super unreal with rolling Tuscan hills and vineyards all around. Read on for a guide to visiting Montemerano, a must-visit during your Tuscany road trip, especially if you’re visiting the Saturnia Hot Springs, which is only a 10-minute drive away.
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About Montemerano
Montemerano is a medieval village located in Tuscany, Italy, specifically in the Maremma area. It’s situated on a hilltop and offers picturesque views of the surrounding countryside.
The village dates back to the 13th century and was originally a strategic stronghold, surrounded by defensive walls that still stand today.
Over the centuries, Montemerano has preserved its historical charm, with narrow cobblestone streets, ancient stone buildings, and the beautiful Church of San Giorgio, which houses impressive Renaissance artworks.
Montemerano is also recognized as one of the “Borghi più Belli d’Italia,” which translates to Italy’s most beautiful villages.
As mentioned earlier, the town from above is shaped like a heart!
How to Get To Montemerano
You will need to fly into the Rome (2 hour drive) or Florence airport (a 2.5-hour drive), which is the closest airport to Montemerano. From there, I’d recommend renting a car as it will give you more flexibility in visiting the smaller towns in Tuscany, like Montemerano.
If you fly into Florence, I have a little 1-day guide to Florence for you!
| Town/City | Distance | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Manciano | 7 km (4.3 miles) | 10 minutes |
| Saturnia | 6 km (3.7 miles) | 10 minutes |
| Pitigliano | 18 km (11 miles) | 25 minutes |
| Montalcino | 75 km (47 miles) | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Rome | 150 km (93 miles) | 2 hours |
| Florence | 180 km (112 miles) | 2 hours 30 minutes |
How Long to Spend in Montemerano
3-4 hours should be plenty of time to explore Montemerano and also enjoy lunch here too. It’s a small village so you don’t need a lot of time to see it.
Where to Stay in Montemerano
I personally stayed just a few minutes’ drive to Montemerano, just outside the town. It was called 8380 Il Tiglio Verde and is family-owned. There are cute kittens all around too, which I loved! The apartment was spacious and very affordable.
If you’re visiting Saturnia Hot Springs staying in Montemerano is a good idea as you’ll definitely need to shower straight after to get the sulphur smell off you. You can find hotels in Montemerano here!
Things to do in Montemerano
You don’t need a huge agenda for Montemerano as it can be explored in just a couple hours. Just wander and enjoy the pretty village. Here’s some pointers for your day here.
Wander the Narrow Streets Full of Hearts
As you enter the walls of the town, you’ll stroll through the small village and want to take photos at every charming corner. No agenda is necessary for this one!
Piazza del Castello
After walking up a steep pathway, you’ll reach this picturesque piazza through an arched walkway known as Porta San Giorgio. There are many stone buildings adorned with flowers which is really pretty. I loved wandering through here and there were also hearts hanging down through the streets.
Lunch with a View
For lunch, I was able to see views of these Tuscan hills and enjoy the yummiest ever aubergine and sun-dried tomato pasta from Osteria Passaparola Nell’Antico Frantoio.
Church of San Giorgio
This church dates back to the 12th century and is Montemerano’s most important historical landmark. It features Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements and holds important artworks, including frescoes and the “Madonna della Gattaiola.”
Do a Wine Tasting
The region around Montemerano is known for its wines. Visit local vineyards and wineries to taste some of the best Tuscan wines, including Morellino di Scansano.
This full-day guided trip will start in Montemerano where you will taste local wines!
Relax at Saturnia Hot Springs
Saturnia Hot Springs or “Cascate del Mulino” is just a 10 minute drive from Montemerano so you’re likely coming here anyway!
This thermal bath is one of the most unique places to visit in Italy! The healing waters are as hot as 37°C (98.6F). The pools are layered so pick your little nook and relax here as long as you desire. Just note that the water smells like sulfur and there’s tiny red worms swimming around. They are harmless but it’s a bit surprising at first to see.
Pro-tip: As you head back to explore places like Pienza in Southern Tuscany, don’t miss another sulfur bath called Bagni San Filippo! It’s much lesser known!
Where to Eat in Montemerano
- Osteria Passaparola Nell’antico Frantoio
- Osteria e pizzeria Dal Moro
- La Solina
- Cacio e vino
- Da Caino (Michelin *)
Where to Park in Montemerano
This little town is car-free so you’ll need to park right outside the town and walk in through the arched entrance on either side of the village.
You can park here for free.
