Monsummano Terme Guide and Spa Information

Monsummano Terme, a 17th century town in an area known for thermal baths near Montacatini Terme, also famous for thermal spas, was once a center of shoe production. People come here for the healing waters, of course, especially those at the highly rated Grotta Giusti (more below). But there's another part of Monsummano that may be of interest to the tourist. It's the older part of Monsummano up on a hill scarred by a rather large stone quarry, called Monsummano Alto.

Monsummano Alto was once home to a castle which surrounded the hilltop with 2km of walls. Two gates and a tower still remain. The interesting thing about Monsummano Alto is that you can stay there. The views over the valley, Valdinievole, are stupendous. There's also a highly regarded restaurant on the promises, as well as an 11th century church, the Church of San Nicolao.

Monsummano Terme is accessed from the A11 Autostrada (Firenze-Mare), which is just north of the lower town. It is about 9km from Pistoia to the northeast, and 26 km from Lucca to the west. Parco di Pinocchio in Collodi is 12 km away. Montacatini Terme is just on the other side of the A11 Autostrada.

How to see Monsummano Terme

You can see Monsummano Terme on a day trip easily enough, then head up to the high town for lunch at La Foresteria, with a spectacular view over the old town. After, take a look at the Church of San Nicolao with a pine tree growing from its facade. If you want a spa treatment, head down to the valley and visit Grotta Giusti, which offers to swathe you in a robe for an hour in the steamy underground caves for €40 at time of writing (check the site for current prices). If you make arrangements, Grotta Giusts's shuttle bus will pick you up at Montecatini Terme-Monsummano train station.

It's easy to combine a visit to Monsummano with similar short visits to the interesting castle at Serrevalle Pistoiese and a walk around Montecatini Terme and Montecatini Alto.

You can also choose to wallow luxuriously in the car-free tranquility of Monsummano Alto with on overnight stay at Villa San Bastiano.

If you are on the road between Monsummano Terme and Serravalle Pistoiese, be sure to stop at the Antica Trattoria Da Marino (and don't skip dessert!) at via Prov. Lucchese 102 (tel. 0573 51042)

Frommers recommends La Cantina (da Caino) near the Grotta Guisti as a fine place to have a rustic, locally sourced meal with Monsummano locals.

If you have a car and are looking for a longer stay in a hotel without spa services, you might try the reasonable and recently restored Hotel La Residenza del Granduca (book direct)

Monsummano gets 3.5 stars from me. It's not a major stop on the tourist beaten track, and Montecatini is quite a bit more popular. You should definitely see the major cities first.

That said, I happen to like Monsummano Alto quite a lot. It's evocative of the medieval era, quiet, tiny--and still has tourist services. The views are spectacular, even though we weren't there on a sunny, clear day. You can take some nice, quiet walks from the top of the hill. All in all, I like Monsummano much better than Montecatini Terme or Alto, unless you're really into shopping--a category in which Montacatini shines.