Sorano
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Latest page update: 24 May 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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Where to Stay
Where to Stay in Sorano
Sorano has a good range of established hotels and historic residences, reflecting its position among the tufa towns of southern Tuscany. Most accommodation is set within or just outside the medieval centre, combining traditional architecture with modern facilities and consistently positive guest feedback.
Villaggio Le Querce is one of the top-rated options, offering spacious apartments with access to a pool, spa and gardens, praised for its comfort, cleanliness and value (€€). Hotel della Fortezza, located within the town’s historic fortress, provides a unique stay with atmospheric rooms and panoramic views, well regarded for its charm and setting (€€€). Another strong choice is Terme di Sorano, a resort complex featuring natural thermal pools, wellness facilities and on-site dining, earning excellent reviews for relaxation and service (€€€).
Villaggio Le Querce is one of the top-rated options, offering spacious apartments with access to a pool, spa and gardens, praised for its comfort, cleanliness and value (€€). Hotel della Fortezza, located within the town’s historic fortress, provides a unique stay with atmospheric rooms and panoramic views, well regarded for its charm and setting (€€€). Another strong choice is Terme di Sorano, a resort complex featuring natural thermal pools, wellness facilities and on-site dining, earning excellent reviews for relaxation and service (€€€).
Where is
Where is Sorano?
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The historic town of Sorano is situated within the Province of Grosseto and has a population of around 3,000 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 379 metres above sea level, it's located a distance of 178 kilometres south east of Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany. Places of interest nearby include Sovana, Pitigliano, Saturnia, Montemerano and Capalbio. |
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Comune di Sorano
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Province: Grosseto
Region: Tuscany Population: 3,021 (in 2024 - source) Size: 175 km² Elevation: 379 metres Close by: Sovana, Pitigliano, Saturnia, Montemerano, Capalbio Recommended accommodation: Hotel della Fortezza |
What People Ask About Sorano
Is Sorano worth visiting?
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Discover
Discover Sorano
Sorano is a hill town in southern Tuscany, built on a tufa cliff overlooking the Lente River valley. Its houses and fortifications appear to grow out of the volcanic rock, creating a dramatic skyline surrounded by forested hills and ravines. The town’s medieval centre is a labyrinth of narrow lanes, stairways and arches that wind through ancient stone dwellings and fortified walls.
The Orsini Fortress dominates the upper part of Sorano, reflecting its long history under the Aldobrandeschi and Orsini families. The Masso Leopoldino offers panoramic views over the valley, while the Collegiate Church of San Niccolò and the nearby Etruscan necropolis of Sovana highlight the area’s deep historical roots. Together with Pitigliano and Sovana, Sorano forms part of the Tufa Towns, a group of settlements linked by scenic roads through the Maremma and known for their striking architecture and archaeological heritage.
The Orsini Fortress dominates the upper part of Sorano, reflecting its long history under the Aldobrandeschi and Orsini families. The Masso Leopoldino offers panoramic views over the valley, while the Collegiate Church of San Niccolò and the nearby Etruscan necropolis of Sovana highlight the area’s deep historical roots. Together with Pitigliano and Sovana, Sorano forms part of the Tufa Towns, a group of settlements linked by scenic roads through the Maremma and known for their striking architecture and archaeological heritage.
Things to Do
Things to Do in Sorano
- Centro Storico di Sorano is a dramatic medieval town where narrow stone streets wind through houses carved into tufa cliffs, ancient walls, and terracotta rooftops. Arched passages, stairways, and hidden courtyards add mystery and charm to the architecture. The town sits perched above the Lente River valley in southern Tuscany’s Maremma region, surrounded by rugged hills and deep gorges. Its atmosphere blends quiet medieval allure with a sense of timeless wonder.
- Chiesa di San Nicola stands modestly in Sorano, with a simple stone façade and an intimate, peaceful interior. Inside are baroque altars, delicate frescoes, and wooden details reflecting local craftsmanship. The church remains central to religious life and village gatherings. It’s a serene place to visit while exploring Sorano’s winding alleys.
- Piazza Busatti serves as the social and cultural heart of Sorano, edged with stone buildings, small shops, and local cafés. Locals and visitors gather here for markets, festivals, and conversation. Outdoor seating offers views of medieval façades and the dramatic cliffs nearby. The square reflects the lively yet gentle rhythm of life in this cliffside town.
- Fortezza Orsini rises imposingly above Sorano, a vast fortress with massive walls, towers, and underground passages. Inside are exhibitions about local history, military architecture, and the noble Orsini family. Walking through the fortress offers sweeping views over Sorano and the surrounding valley. It’s a highlight for history lovers and photographers alike.
- Guided Etruscan and medieval tours in Sorano take visitors through hidden vie cave—ancient Etruscan roads carved into the rock—medieval streets, and panoramic paths. Local guides share stories about Etruscan settlements, noble families, and regional traditions. Tours often include tastings of local wines, olive oil, and Maremma specialities. It’s an exceptional way to connect with the cultural depth and dramatic landscapes of southern Tuscany.
Tours and Activities
Sorano Tours and Activities
Photo Gallery
Sorano Photo Gallery
Tuscany Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Tuscany
1. Florence
2. Siena
3. Val d'Orcia
4. Pisa
5. Lucca
6. San Gimignano
7. Giglio
8. Volterra
9. Pienza
10. Elba
👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Tuscany
1. Florence
2. Siena
3. Val d'Orcia
4. Pisa
5. Lucca
6. San Gimignano
7. Giglio
8. Volterra
9. Pienza
10. Elba
👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Tuscany
How to Get to [Place Name]
How to Get to Sorano
By Rail: Sorano does not have its own railway station. The nearest stations are in Albinia (about 55 kilometres away) and Orvieto (around 60 kilometres away), both operated by Trenitalia. Trains from Albinia connect to Grosseto in about 35 minutes and to Rome in approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, while Orvieto offers connections to Florence and Rome in roughly 2 hours or less. From either station, Sorano can be reached by car, taxi, or local bus via the SR74 road.
By Road: The town is located in southern Tuscany, near the border with Lazio and Umbria, within the tufa hill area of the Maremma. From Grosseto, the distance is around 90 kilometres, with a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes via the SP159 and SR74 roads. From Rome, the journey is about 150 kilometres and takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes, while from Florence it is roughly 190 kilometres, with a drive of about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Parking is available below the old town and near the main access roads.
Nearest International Airports:
By Road: The town is located in southern Tuscany, near the border with Lazio and Umbria, within the tufa hill area of the Maremma. From Grosseto, the distance is around 90 kilometres, with a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes via the SP159 and SR74 roads. From Rome, the journey is about 150 kilometres and takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes, while from Florence it is roughly 190 kilometres, with a drive of about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Parking is available below the old town and near the main access roads.
Nearest International Airports:
- Rome Fiumicino Airport: Located about 150 kilometres from Sorano, with a driving time of around 2 hours and 15 minutes. It offers extensive domestic, European, and intercontinental flight connections.
- Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport: Approximately 200 kilometres away, the journey takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. It provides numerous European and some long-haul services.
- Florence Peretola Airport: Roughly 190 kilometres from Sorano, with a driving time of about 2 hours and 40 minutes. It serves a range of European and national destinations.
Private Transfers
Sorano Private Transfers
A private transfer offers a comfortable and reliable way to reach Sorano or continue your journey to other destinations in southern Tuscany and neighbouring regions. You’ll be collected from your chosen location and driven directly to your destination by a professional driver, without the need to manage public transport connections or drive along winding rural roads yourself.
From Sorano, transfers can connect you with Rome Fiumicino Airport and Pisa International Airport, with longer routes also available to Florence Airport and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. They are also convenient for shorter trips to nearby towns such as Sovana, Pitigliano, and Manciano, or for travelling further across the Maremma region and the southern Tuscan countryside.
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.
From Sorano, transfers can connect you with Rome Fiumicino Airport and Pisa International Airport, with longer routes also available to Florence Airport and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. They are also convenient for shorter trips to nearby towns such as Sovana, Pitigliano, and Manciano, or for travelling further across the Maremma region and the southern Tuscan countryside.
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.
