tuscany travel tips

Experience the best of Tuscany with this regional guide

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Apr 7, 2024 • 10 min read

Have the most memorable trip to Tuscany with this comprehensive guide to the best of the region © Gavin Hellier / Stocksy United

Tuscany escapes easy definition. The Apennines – Italy’s mountainous spine – slope into vineyard-covered rolling hills, which in turn fade into the Mediterranean coast. This blend of diverse landscapes is home to the remains of millennia-old Etruscan settlements, isolated hamlets whose stone-built bell towers date back to the Middle Ages, and grand art cities whose heritage is invaluable.

With sarcasm being the local language, Tuscans may not seem to take such wealth too seriously. Understanding the many different facets of this rich Central Italian region can feel overwhelming. Florence tends to grab most of the attention, but it's worth exploring beyond the Renaissance city to discover more unexpected treasures.

Whether you are planning an art-filled tour of medieval cities, a road trip through the twisting countryside roads of Val d’Orcia, or a multi-day hike along the Via Francigena pilgrim route, here is how to figure it all out.

When should I go to Tuscany?

Late spring to early autumn is when most people visit Tuscany. It’s easy to understand why – days get longer and warmer, the countryside comes to life, outdoor dining opportunities abound, and festivals happen all around. Florence runs its Calcio Storico tournament and the region’s largest music festival, Firenze Rocks ; Siena has its traditional Palio horse race; Pistoia hosts its Blues Festival ; and Cortona its International Photography Festival (and there’s more).

July and August are peak holiday season. It’s when most Italians go on holiday and temperatures get scorching – days surpassing 35ºC (95ºF) have become the norm at this time of the year. Visiting in the middle of summer (especially in August) means finding beaches clogged and cities empty. Prices are significantly higher in popular destinations and booking accommodation in advance is well advised.

The two shoulder seasons – either between late April and June, or in September and October – typically offer the best compromise between good weather, flows of people, and prices.

Come in spring and you’ll see the countryside in full bloom; visit in autumn to catch the wine harvest – and related events like the Expo del Chianti Classico in September – and truffle fairs such as San Miniato’s White Truffle Exhibition in November.

Tourism slows down during winter, especially after the Christmas holidays. The coast goes into hibernation, and many countryside hotels shut down until spring. Cities offer the chance to visit famous museums without crowds – often at reduced prices, as is the case for the Uffizi in Florence – and deals on accommodation are more easily found.

How much time do I need to visit Tuscany?

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed in Tuscany. There is no perfect length of stay when it comes to exploring the region – whether you feel drawn to art, food, or the outdoors, you’ll likely leave looking forward to a second trip.

With walkable cities well-connected by public transport, five days will allow you time to tour Florence’s main sights and then jump on the train for a day trip in Siena , Lucca , or Arezzo . If you’d rather drive yourself, you can explore Val d’Orcia in about three days or plan a week-long road trip starting from Pisa which will take you through the rural towns that dot the hilly interior.

Slow travelers can also walk the path of the Tuscan section of the ancient Via Francigena – the pilgrim route that connected the Canterbury with Rome during the Middle Ages – crossing 38 municipalities over the course of 16 (or more) days.

Basing yourself in Rome? Here's how to plan a day trip to Tuscany

Is it easy to get in and around Tuscany?

Tuscany has two international airports, Florence and Pisa. Pisa's Galileo Galilei (PSA) airport is serviced by many low-cost airlines and has twice the passenger traffic of Firenze's Amerigo Vespucci (FLR) airport. The two cities are connected with a direct railway, which takes just over an hour to travel.

If you're not flying in from abroad, it is possible to reach Florence with high-speed trains departing from many major Italian cities, including Rome , Naples , Milan , Bologna and Venice .

Tuscany's rail network spans across 181 stations, providing an affordable means of exploring the region. You can buy regional train tickets conveniently through trenitalia.com, or at any station. Remember to validate paper tickets purchased at the station before boarding the train.

Trains do not run to many of the smaller towns and while buses are available, the best way of moving around rural areas is by car. Major rental companies, such as Budget, Sixt, Hertz, operate around Tuscany, with the largest offer available in Florence and Pisa.

Link your trip with these other great destinations in Italy

Where are the best places to go in Tuscany?

Tuscany is divided into ten provinces and people are famously proud of the defining characteristics of each. The days of warring city states are long gone, but by speaking to locals you will learn that food, dialects, and traditions can still differ widely from city to city – here is what to expect.

Renowned for its incomparable Renaissance heritage, Florence often feels like an open-air museum. The Tuscan capital is far from large, but its compact historic core packs grandiose cathedrals – such as Santa Maria del Fiore topped by Brunelleschi’s cupola, Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella – opulent palaces, and some of the region’s best art museums.

The Galleria degli Uffizi , one of Italy’s most visited museums, tends to be high on everyone’s list, but there are plenty more options for art lovers including Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Cappelle Medicee and the Galleria dell’Accademia , and the Medici’s heritage at Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio .

Outside the thick stone walls of its captivating galleries, Florence boasts a cosmopolitan character and a vibrant culinary scene. Roam its markets in San Lorenzo or Santo Spirito , explore crafts and design workshops in the Oltrarno, and then fuel up with a stuffed schiacciata (Tuscan flatbread) at Forno Becagli or Sapori Toscani. Before dinner, get a negroni then hit one of the city’s many trattorias .

Traveling on a budget? Here are our tips for saving your euros in Florence

The Chianti region

The core of Tuscany’s most famous wine region stretches between Florence and Siena, offering as many tasting opportunities as you can imagine. The Strada Statale 222, better known as Via Chiantigiana, runs through the whole of the Chianti region north to south, twisting among vineyard-covered hills and medieval castles, making for an ideal road trip.

Antinori nel Chianti Classico , on the outskirts of Florence, is perhaps the region’s best-known winery – its futuristic headquarters in were completed in 2012, but the Antinori family has been in the wine business for over six hundred years, since Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri (Florentine Winemakers' Guild) in 1385. Many other wineries are found along the way, including the excellent boutique winery Capanelle and the imposing Castello di Brolio of the Ricasoli winery.

One of Tuscany’s most beautiful squares – Piazza del Campo – marks the center of Siena, Florence’s eternal rival that emerged during the Middle Ages as a progressive city-state where art and architecture flourished. Each year, the semi-circular piazza commonly known as “Il Campo” hosts the Palio, one of the most heartfelt events of the year in which Siena’s neighborhoods compete in a horse race with thousands of people watching.

Siena is worth spending a few days in, but if you are short on time make sure to enter its Duomo – Giovanni and Nicola Pisano, Pinturicchio, Michelangelo, Donatello and Gian Lorenzo Bernini all contributed to making the cathedral an unchallenged masterpiece. Don’t miss the floor, a composition of 56 marble panels forming a mosaic with scenes from the Old Testament, created by various artists between the 14th and the 19th centuries.

Val d’Orcia

The postcard image of Tuscany you have in mind likely comes from Val d’Orcia, the UNESCO-inscribed region where cypress-lined roads lead to dreamy farmhouses surrounded by hay bales that look like they are just about to roll down the hills. Films such as Anthony Minghella’s The English Patient and Ridley Scott’s The Gladiator have used Val d’Orcia as their backdrop and road tripping this region guarantees exceptional views all around.

Many charming towns dot this rural area. The construction of Pienza was commissioned to architect Bernardo Rossellino, a student of Leon Battista Alberti, by Enea Silvio Piccolomini, a humanist born who would become Pope Pius II in 1458, as the “ideal Renaissance city” and still stands as one of the main settlements in the Val d’Orcia. Nearby you can find the thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni and the fortress of Montalcino , globally revered for its prized Brunello wine.

The 12m tall walls surrounding Lucca’s historic center, built between 1513 and 1650 and stretching for four kilometers across eleven bastions, are among Europe’s best preserved fortifications and function as the city’s green lung with large parks and tree-lined paths offering great views over Lucca’s heart.

This charming city makes for an ideal day trip from Florence – inside the fortress walls, you’ll find Lucca’s Cattedrale di San Martino , where Gothic and Romanesque elements blend to form the structure housing one of Tuscany’s most precious artifacts, the celebrated Volto Santo (holy face) crucifix, believed to be one of the oldest wooden sculptures in Europe.

In summer the city hosts its Lucca Summer Festival , held in Piazza Napoleone. Over the years, artists such as Elton John, The Scorpions, Green Day, and Sting have played in the city. Another important event is the Lucca Comics & Games , one of Europe’s largest comics festivals held each year in autumn.

Pisa is often reduced to its leaning tower but there is much more to see, both inside and outside the UNESCO-listed Piazza dei Miracoli. In the Middle Ages Pisa was one of Italy’s most powerful maritime republics, and signs of its wealth are still part of this city which is now home of one of Tuscany's most important universities.

The monumental cemetery of Piazza dei Miracoli, established in 1277 to house the remains of the city’s elite, houses one of the city’s most important frescoes, the recently restored Il Trionfo della Morte (The Triumph of Death) by Buonamico Buffalmacco. Beyond Piazza dei Miracoli you find the new Navi di Pisa Museum which traces the history of the city’s relationship with the sea and features parts of over 800 ships excavated in Pisa’s surroundings.

The islands

Distant from the museums and the cathedrals of the region's art cities are the seven islands of the Tuscan archipelago, ideally positioned for a Mediterranean escape after an overload of culture. The islands – Elba, Giglio, Montecristo, Capraia, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona – come to life during summer and it’s worth booking accommodation well in advance if you plan to visit in the high season. Elba is the largest of the seven, offering both great beaches and hiking opportunities along its Grande Traversata Elbana (GTE, Elba’s Great Crossing) trail.

The Apuan Alps

The Parco Naturale delle Alpi Apuane stretches across two areas of northeastern Tuscany that few people take the time to visit, Lunigiana and Garfagnana. The rugged Apuan Alps take their name from their resemblance to the actual Alps, although they are much smaller in size with peaks under 2,000 meters.

Historically these mountains have been the main source of Carrara marble, extracted since Roman times in the quarries surrounding the city of Carrara. Today, much of the area is a protected nature reserve marked by a vast network of hiking trails. The hamlets of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and Barga are good spots to start your exploration of the region – either by relaxing around the Lago di Vagli or committing to a multi-day hike along the Via Vandelli, connecting Massa to Modena.

How much money do I need in Tuscany?

Costs in Tuscany can vary widely depending on where and when you go. Prices tend to be inflated in areas that attract large tourism flows like central Florence and Siena and skyrocket along the coast during summer months. Still, it is possible to visit on a budget by relying on public transport and looking for accommodation deals outside peak summer months.

Find out what one visitor spent on a weekend trip to Florence

A guide to daily costs in Tuscany

Basic double room: €80

Espresso coffee: €1.20

Car rental: €65

A stuffed schiacciata sandwich: €5

Dinner for two with a bottle of local wine: €70

Museum ticket: €10€to €20

Petrol: €1.80/liter

City parking: €2/hour

Aperitivo cocktail: €7

Glass of wine: €5

Train ticket from Florence to Pisa: €8.90

This article was first published Aug 4, 2023 and updated Apr 7, 2024.

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tuscany TRAVEL GUIDE

Do picturesque Medieval towns, rolling green hills covered in vines, cypress-lined roads, and some of the most delicious food in Italy sound like your idea of paradise? Then you need to visit Tuscany.

Home to the Renaissance capital, Florence, the region is renowned for its art history, Chianti wine, beautiful cities, and charming small towns that have inspired films like Under The Tuscan Sun and a whole suite of dreamy literature. Considered by many to be ‘quintessential Italy’, Tuscany is one of Italy’s biggest regions and it offers visitors many diverse experiences from city to countryside as well as the seaside along the Mediterranean coast. 

Whether you’re dreaming about a trip to visit the Leaning Tower, sipping a glass or two at a Chianti winery, or eating the famous Florentine steak, travel in Tuscany is truly a dream come true for many. Keep reading to find out how to make the most of your time there with our Tuscany travel guide. 

Where is Tuscany

Tuscany is nestled in the middle of Italy and on its western border are the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas. including an archipelago of 7 islands off the coast. The region borders Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Le Marche, Umbria and Lazio.

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and is easily reached from Rome in an hour and a half on the fast train; from Milan in two hours; and Venice in just over two hours. When visiting Tuscany by car, it is remarkably quick to enter into the countryside from Florence – the Chianti region is just 35km away. 

Map of Tuscany

Main cities and towns in tuscany.

Tuscany is the fifth largest region in Italy and is divided into different areas that each offer something new to discover from art and local traditions to wine, olive oil and the seaside. Some of our favorite Tuscan towns to visit include: 

• Florence: A trip to Tuscany is not complete without passing through Florence considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. Art and history lovers will delight as they stroll the streets once home to Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli, and visit the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries as well as the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. 
• Lucca : Encircled by Renaissance-era walls, Lucca is one of the most charming towns to visit in Tuscany (and beyond!) A trip to this gorgeous small city could include a bike ride along the walls, visiting the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro (built over an ancient Roman amphitheater), stunning villas like Villa Garzoni and Palazzo Pfanner, as well as Casa di Puccini – home to the great opera composer. 

Chianti / Siena Area

• Siena : Long time rival of Florence, this medieval city is stunning in her own right. Siena is a place where traditions run deep, best embodied by the continuation of the Palio horse race that has been running since 1232! Explore the UNESCO Heritage-listed old town, 12th-century Cathedral, and of course, the Piazza del Campo where the Palio is held every year. 
• Greve in Chianti : In the heart of the Chianti wine region, Greve is a gorgeous town famed for wine, extra virgin olive oil, and the truffles that grow in the surrounding countryside. Wine shopping is on the cards here, as well as a delicious lunch in one of the town’s many excellent restaurants. 
• San Gimignano : Considered the ‘Medieval Manhattan’ thanks to its dozen towers still standing, San Gimignano is one of the most picturesque and atmospheric towns in Tuscany. Don’t miss climbing up one for a fabulous view! While you’re there, feast on their famous saffron, ham, with a glass of local wine – Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Val D’Orcia

• Pienza : Cheese lovers will want to visit Pienza to try their incredible Pecorino sheep’s milk cheese! Redesigned by Pope Pius II to be a ‘utopia’, the town is full of charming cobblestoned lanes, romantic street names, and the scent of fresh cheese wafting through the air at every turn. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Val D’Orcia countryside from the Piccolomini Palace gardens.
• Montepulciano : In the heart of Tuscany’s southern wine country, Montepulciano is said to be one of the most beautiful Tuscan Medieval hilltop towns. Indulge in wine tasting of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and feasting of cheese, pork, thick hand-rolled pasta, honey, and lentils here. 
• Montalcino : To enjoy some of the most stunning views over the Arbia, Asso, and Ombrone valleys, you can’t miss a stop in Montalcino. Covered with olive orchards and vineyards, Montalcino is known for its Brunello di Montalcino wine so plenty of tasting is recommended here.

READ: Our full guide to visiting the glorious Val d’Orcia .

Arezzo Province

• Arezzo : The setting for Academy Award winning film La Vita e’ Bella (Life is Beautiful), Arezzo is a total gem. Settled by Etruscans, it is full of fascinating history and architecture that also spans across Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, and Romanesque periods. Visit to enjoy quiet piazzas, long lazy lunches and the monthly antiques fair.
• Cortona : Made forever famous thanks to Frances Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun , Cortona is a sweet Medieval town with Etruscan roots and incredible hillside views across the Valdichiana valley and Lake Trasimeno. Wander its narrow streets, admire the Medieval architecture, and pay a visit to the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca to learn more about its past.

Province of Pisa

• Pisa : Made forever famous thanks to the Leaning Tower , you can’t miss the main attraction of this city. However, you should linger a little longer in Pisa. A trip to this university city will uncover beautiful historic churches, Medieval castles, and ancient bridges across the River Arno. Strolling through the beautiful old town pre or post ‘tower-selfie’ is something many visitors miss out on in their rush to see the main attraction.
• Volterra : We think it’s impossible to visit too many pretty hilltop towns, and Volterra is a highlight. A walled town perched atop a mountain, Volterra has a long and fascinating history that dates back to before 8BC. Explore along the ancient walls and fortresses and go shopping at one of the many artisan shops in town.  

Tuscan Coast

• Grosseto : The capital of Tuscany’s ‘ Maremma ’ coast, Grosetto is an interesting town rebuilt by the Medici family in the 16th century. Visit the Archeological Museum, Dante Alighieri Square, and Cathedral of San Lorenzo. 
• Porto Ercole : Don’t miss this pretty seaside town in the Maremma along the Monte Argentario peninsula. Enjoy swimming and boat trips, exploring Spanish forts and indulging in the delicious seafood-focused cuisine. 
• Capalbio : A charming town on the border of Tuscany and Lazio, Capalbio is also known as the city of artists. Don’t miss the Tarot Garden full of gigantic, grotesque statues created by Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle.  It’s also particularly famous for its wild boar sagra (food festival) in September.
• Elba Island : Enjoy sparkling blue waters, and nature on this little piece of Tuscan paradise. Devoid of the crowds that flock to the more well-known coastal areas of Italy, you can enjoy some tranquility and gorgeous beaches here. 

Top things to do in Tuscany

Whether you are a foodie, wine connoisseur, history buff, art lover, beach goer, or nature enthusiast, there is truly something for everyone in Tuscany. Here are some of the best things to do when traveling in Tuscany: 

Taste the celebrated local wines

Home to some of the best known wine in Italy, wine tasting is one of the best things to do in Tuscany. Visit the Chianti region to try the famous Chianti Classico wines made with Sangiovese grapes or head to the Val d’Orcia to try Brunello di Montalcino or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Enjoy a stroll along the vines, and pay a visit to the cantina (cellar) to see how wine is made, before sampling the wine. Be sure to make an appointment to visit a winery in advance as you can generally not just turn up unannounced in Italy. An exception to this is Marchesi Antinori where you can drop in for a tasting at their futuristic wine room. Or, better yet, relax while everything is taken care of and consider joining this popular small group wine tour from Florence .

Explore Tuscany’s many Medieval towns

There are endless beautiful Medieval towns to visit in Tuscany so be sure to add some to your itinerary. Sweeping views over vineyards and olive groves are guaranteed, as is delightful meandering along cobblestoned paths, fantastic local food and popping into artisan workshops. If you’re not planning to drive, consider joining a day tour like this day trip from Florence to explore some of the top towns in Tuscany plus have lunch at a winery.

Relax at a thermal spa

Did you know Tuscany is famous for its healing thermal spas? The most famous to visit is Saturnia where thermal warm water cascades down the slope of a hill into gorgeous pools of 37°C water for you to bathe in. Besides the free baths, you can also visit many luxury thermal spa hotels in and close to the Val d’Orcia area like the Terme di Saturnia Resort .

Explore the best art galleries in Florence

If you’re a lover of art, then you really cannot miss a trip to Florence. Start with the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”, statues by Michelangelo and more. Next, you’ll want to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia where you’ll find Michelangelo’s original and magnificent statue of David. Get the most out of your trip with a guided tour with LivTours .

Go truffle hunting

Try your luck finding the elusive white or black truffle when in Tuscany! The best area in Tuscany for truffle hunting is near the town of San Miniato. Try this tour that includes a delicious  truffle- laden  lunch after your hunt in the area.  In fact, the town hosts a spectacular truffle sagra (festival) every weekend in November which is well worth the trip. 

Bike around Lucca’s Renaissance city walls

Lucca is a jewel of the region and easily reached from Florence by car or train. Do as the locals do whilst there and hire a bike for the day to ride around the city walls and take in the gorgeous views with the wind in your hair. Try this bike tour that includes some stops to sample typical cuisine too!

What to eat and drink in Tuscany

Tuscany is home to many delicious specialties, but some favorites you can’t miss include: 

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Perhaps the most famous food in Tuscany is Florentine steak. This cut of beef comes only from the white Chianina cows found in Val di Chiana, is served on the bone and is dry-aged for between 15 to 20 days. Florentine steak must be served rare for the ultimate mouth-watering experience.
• Lampredotto : Florence’s favorite street food is a panino filled with the fourth stomach of a cow and a zesty salsa verde
• Cinghiale pasta : wild boar pasta served with long pappardelle noodles.
• Ribollita : a hearty Tuscan bread and vegetable soup, including locally grown cavolo nero (black kale)
• Finocchiona Salami: Tuscany is known for its spectacular cured meats, but perhaps the best is the finocchiona – a pork salami flavored with fennel. 
• Schiacciata di Uva: Look out for this treat during the harvest season (September-October). It’s a fluffy bread made with focaccia dough and small, sweet, black grapes called uva fragola . 
• Castagnaccio : A Fall/Autumn favorite, this chestnut flour cake is made with new olive oil, raisins, and pine nuts and is both gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Peppery Tuscan EVOO is revered throughout Italy. If you are lucky enough to travel to Tuscany in Fall/Autumn, look out for ‘olio nuovo’ or new oil that has just been pressed for the best olive oil tasting of your life.
• Chianti Classico: Tuscany is known for many wines, however, Chianti Classico is the most quintessential. Don’t miss tasting some on your trip. 

LISTEN: Our episodes on the mouthwashing dishes of Tuscany in Spring and Winter .

Where to stay in Tuscany

There are many different accommodation options available in the region including hotels, apartments, B&Bs, and agriturismi (farmhouses). Tuscany is no stranger to tourism, which means that there are well-established facilities built up in the region to suit a range of group sizes, budgets, and accommodation needs. 

Florence makes for a great base to explore Renaissance art as well as day trips into the Chianti countryside. Whether you’re driving, going with a tour group, or taking public transport, you can also easily visit Siena, the Val d’Orcia, Pisa, Lucca, and Arezzo for the day from here.

We like the St Regis Hote l for 5-star luxury or try a more budget-friendly option that’s extremely well located like Hotel Perseo . Take a read of our article on where to stay in Florence for more ideas.

If you’d like to immerse yourself in the countryside for a few days, then consider staying in the Chianti or Val d’Orcia areas. Castellina in Chianti, Pienza, and Montepulciano all make wonderful bases for exploring wineries, and hilltop towns. Consider staying at a winery like Querceto di Castellina or an agriturismo like Merigge Montepulciano for a more immersive experience. 

Lucca is another excellent base to escape the crowds with easy access on the train to Florence. From here, you can explore the Garfagnana area too with a car. Find our recommendations in our guide on Where to stay in Lucca .

Siena is perfectly placed for visiting the southern part of Tuscany, the Val d’Orcia, if you prefer to have city accommodation and are prepared to drive as this area is not well serviced by efficient public transportation.

For those looking to soak in what life in a real Tuscan town is like, consider basing yourself in beautiful Arezzo instead. It’s well connected by train and lacks the crowds of Florence and Siena. 

When to go to Tuscany

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Tuscany as the countryside turns green and temperatures are pleasant for exploring (46-66°F or 8-19°C). Enjoy new season artichokes, fresh fava beans, fresh cheese and plenty of food festivals like the cherry sagra or the frog festival.

Summer in Tuscany can get very hot with temperatures easily reaching 86F(30C) and beyond. Florence gets particularly hot and humid during this time, so staying outside the city and having access to a swimming pool or the beach is a good idea. 

Fall/Autumn is a wonderful time to visit as the region comes to life with the harvest season . If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy truffles, porcini mushrooms, saffron, new wine and extra virgin olive oil as well as a suite of sagre or food festivals. Look out for the sagre (food festivals) in Panzano and Greve where the towns are decorated with flags and colorful decorations, as well as the Pecorino di Pienza festival dedicated to the delicious sheep cheese. 

The wintertime in the region can get very cold and even snow with temperatures around 38-42°F (3.5°C – 5.5°C). During the festive season, there are wonderful Christmas markets held all over the region, particularly in Florence, Siena, and Arezzo. Prices are a little cheaper and crowds a little thinner too after the new year. 

How to get to Tuscany

It might surprise you to learn that the main airport in Tuscany is Pisa and not Florence. Florence is a very small airport that doesn’t have great connections so consider flying into Pisa instead from abroad or other major Italian cities. 

Traveling by train to Tuscany is easy from the major Italian cities. Take the high speed rail services and you can be in Florence in 90 minutes from Rome, 2.5 hours from Venice, under 2 hours from Milan and around 40 minutes from Bologna.

If you’re driving, you can reach Florence from Rome along the A1/E35. The average travel time ranges between 2 hours and 30 minutes and 3 hours and 15 minutes depending on traffic. From Milan, you’ll travel south along the A1 with travel time around 4 hours. From Venice, the trip is a little shorter around 3 hours along the A13.

How to get around Tuscany

Florence is best explored by foot and a car will only frustrate so it’s best to leave this parked during your stay in the Renaissance city.

There are reliable and fast regional train routes to Lucca, Arezzo, and Pisa. Florence to Lucca takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes, whilst Pisa and Arezzo are quicker and take less than an hour by train. Getting to Siena however, takes about two hours so is much slower via train. Book your train tickets in advance online with Omio . 

It’s best to hire a car to explore the countryside including the Chianti, Val d’Orcia, and Maremma regions. We recommend renting your car with Autoeurope or Car Rental by booking.com from the airport (Pisa or Florence) to avoid navigating through sometimes stressful driving in the city centers. Read our driving tips for Italy for more information.

For those not wanting to drive, consider hiring a private driver or joining a tour to experience the best of the countryside. 

Let’s go to Tuscany!

Are you inspired to visit after reading our travel guide to Tuscany? If you would like to learn more about this gorgeous region of Italy, have a listen to our podcast episode about the Chianti region , exploring Florence , visiting favorites like Pienza , as well as going off the beaten track to the Garfagnana area , the coast of the Maremma , enchanting Arezzo and other secret towns under the Tuscan sun .

We have a wealth of further information available on our site to read including articles on best agriturismi in Tuscany , hidden gems in Florence , best museums in Florence , and Florence highlights . And on visiting the popular historic cities like Lucca and Siena . 

Want to discover Tuscany with us? For a deeper local connection, why not join one of our Tuscany small group tours .

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How to Plan an Incredible 7 Day Tuscany Itinerary

Want to plan an incredible trip to Tuscany, but not sure where to start, what to include, or how much time you need? In this guide, we’re going to cover exactly how to spend 7 days in Tuscany. 

Tuscany is an incredible – albeit very popular – slice of Italy. Within its borders, which stretch almost coast to coast in Central Italy, you’ll find world-class wine (several of Italy’s most prestigious reds come from Tuscany), picturesque landscapes (that are surprisingly diverse), amazing food, and countless charming hilltop towns with commanding views over said landscapes. 

Before my (Matt here!) last trip to Italy, I had never explored much of Tuscany outside of Florence. While Florence is great, especially if you’re into history and art, the real magic of Tuscany happens out in the countryside. 

If it’s your first time in Tuscany, you should plan on balancing your trip between the hustle and bustle of cities like Florence and Siena, and the slower life found in the Val d’Orcia and Volterra. 

In this guide, we’re going to cover everything you need to know to plan an incredible Tuscany road trip (spoiler: you’re probably going to want to rent a car).

We’ll start with some important logistics to help you structure your itinerary, then dive into the best things to do and see in Tuscany based on our experience. 

The intention here is to give you the information you need to plan your own trip to Tuscany. 

Keep in mind that we’re assuming you have one week in Tuscany in the main itinerary. If you have more or less time than that, we’ve got a section below the main itinerary with suggestions on what to do with more and less time (3-5 days, or 10+ days). 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

A Quick Tuscany Geography Overview

Before we get into the meat of the itinerary, it makes sense to take a second to talk about the geography of Italy’s most famous region. 

Tuscany is in central Italy and is a land of olive trees as far as the eye can see, rolling hills, winding roads, and cypress trees.

The capital of Tuscany is Florence, which is well worth a couple of days exploring (our recommendation would be to do it at the end of your trip), but cities like Pisa and Siena are also within Tuscany’s boundaries. 

In order to talk about what to focus your time on when you visit Tuscany, we’re going to break up the region into four distinct areas. This is just our way of breaking things down into more digestible pieces, it’s not an official designation or anything like that. 

Here are those four regions: 

• Florence & Around (including Chianti)
• Siena & Around
• Southern Tuscany & The Val d’Orcia (Pienza and Montepulciano)
• San Gimignano and Volterra

Now, there are other places in Tuscany – like Pisa and Lucca up north, and the Tuscan coast out to the west – but if you have limited time and you’re looking for the quintessential Tuscan countryside, these are the four areas we think you want to focus on if you have 10 days or less (which is going to be most people reading this). 

With that brief and incomplete overview out of the way, let’s get into the information you’ll need to actually plan your trip to Tuscany. 

Do You Need a Car for This Itinerary?

While we’re big fans of train travel in Italy, Tuscany is one of the places (along with Sicily ) where you really need a car to fully experience it. 

You’ll need to rent a car, and we’d strongly recommend you avoid having a car for your time in Florence (if you decide to include the biggest city in Tuscany in your itinerary). Parking in Florence will be expensive and unnecessary – you really don’t need a car. 

To pull this off, we’d put Florence at the end of your time in Tuscany. 

You’ll want to rent a car from the airport when you arrive and head straight down to Siena, and then drop it off on the day you ARRIVE back in Florence (day 6, if you follow our itinerary below).

Then take the bus from the Florence Airport into the city, and spend a couple of days exploring before you head home!

That way, you don’t have to deal with traffic or parking in Florence, which can be a nightmare. 

Here are a few things to know about renting a car in Italy (keep in mind that we’re American).

You Need an International Drivers License if You’re Coming From the US

You can get them at AAA in the US. While they might not ask you for it at the rental car counter, the police will ask you for it if you get into an accident or get pulled over. Best not to risk it. 

Know Your Toll Roads

Toll roads in Italy – called Autostrade – are essentially equivalent to Interstates here in the United States. 

They have anywhere from two to four lanes, high speed limits, and are more or less a straight shot between destinations. You can only enter and exit them at fixed points, but there are gas stations and casual restaurants at rest stops along the way. 

Unlike here in the US, you have to pay to use the highways, which are toll roads. 

You do this by either renting a transponder from your car rental company, or by stopping at one of the entrance stations and getting a ticket, which you pay when you exit the toll road. You can almost always pay with a credit card these days (in our experience, anyway). 

Here’s a guide to help you understand toll roads in Italy .

What If You Don’t Want to Drive in Tuscany?

Look, we totally understand the hesitance to drive in a foreign country. Especially in a country like Italy, which doesn’t exactly have a reputation for having friendly, patient drivers. 

If you don’t want to drive in Italy (or can’t drive in Italy), you can still make this itinerary work using a combination of public transportation and guided tours. 

You’ll want to base yourself in Florence and Siena – which are connected by train and bus, so they’re relatively easy to get between – and use them as a home base to do day trips out into the wider Tuscan countryside. 

Unfortunately, that means you’re going to be paying more for guided tours to the Val d’Orcia and San Gimignano, and you’ll have less flexibility to explore at your own pace without a car. 

Where to Start and End Your Road Trip

Without a doubt, the best place to start and end this road trip is going to be Florence. There are three main reasons why we think that’s the case. 

First, if you’re flying in from outside of Italy, Florence is your best bet in terms of finding flights. You’ll want to fly into Florence Airport (FLR), NOT PISA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, which as you might expect, is actually in Pisa (about 45 minutes west of Florence). 

Second, you’ll have the best selection of rental cars in Florence.

Third, Florence is the closest major city (with a solid airport) to the main regions of Tuscany we touched on above. It’ll take about an hour and 15 minutes to get from Florence to Siena, your first stop on this itinerary. 

Another airport to look at – and this is actually the airport we flew into – is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) . It’s about 45 minutes north of Florence (which means 2 hours to Siena), but it’s a good alternative and you might be able to find slightly cheaper rental cars and flights. 

Plus, we adore Bologna, and it’s worth a day or two of your time (here’s our guide to spending one day in Bologna). 

Plan on doing a big loop through Tuscany, and returning your car to (and flying out of, if applicable) the same airport you came in to. 

Is One Week Enough Time?

While you could technically do Tuscany in a couple of days, you’re not going to have much time to experience the dolce vita that makes this part of Italy special if you do it that way. 

We think you need at least one week to do all four of the regions of Tuscany we mentioned above.

That will give you enough time to get beyond the surface level in each place. That’s why we chose to write this guide for 7 days in Tuscany. 

A good example of why this is important is Siena. Siena is a madhouse during the day when buses full of tourists get dropped off to wander through Piazza del Campo and the Duomo. 

However, when those tour buses leave, Siena transforms into a much more serene destination – the narrow alleys go from packed wall-to-wall with people to being nearly deserted. 

If you only have a couple of days in Tuscany, you won’t have the time to experience Siena either in the early morning or evening, when it’s a completely different – and much more pleasant – place. 

What should you do if you only have 3-5 days or so? Pick one or two of the regions above, and focus on those rather than trying to do it all.

We have suggestions on how to plan a shorter itinerary below the main itinerary, which includes day-by-day itinerary options for 3 and 5 days.  

More time? Great! We also have suggestions on what to do with your extra time in a section below the main itinerary. 

Where to Stay in Tuscany

When it comes to where to stay, there are essentially three approaches you could take: stay in one place for your entire trip, and use it as a base for exploring the entire region, stay in a different place each night, or a find a home base in each micro-region and stay there for a couple of nights each. 

As you might imagine, we like the last approach, which is a hybrid that gives you the benefits of staying in each of the parts of Tuscany that you’re visiting (which cuts down on drive time) and not having to move around every single night. 

If you follow our itinerary below as written, you’ll stay in Florence, Siena, and the Val d’Orcia for 2-3 nights each. 

By the way, we have an entire guide dedicated to helping you find the perfect place to stay in Tuscany . If you want more detail, head over and read that.

Hotels in the City Center vs. Agriturismos?

The next decision you’ll need to make is what kind of stay you’re looking for. Do you want to stay right in the middle of all the action in a hotel right in the city center, or would you rather have a tranquil stay in the Tuscan countryside?

Our (strong) bias is the latter – we stayed exclusively at Agriturismos in Tuscany, and loved every second of it . 

You won’t have to worry about (or pay for) overnight parking, you’ll have a little more space (if you’re lucky, a patio with some nice views), and you’ll be awash in the warm glow of the dolce vita as you sip your morning coffee on the outdoor patio with a view of Cypress Trees and hilltop towns. 

The upside of staying in the center of a city is, obviously, convenience. However, parking and navigating ZTL (the car-free zones in the city center of most of Tuscany’s towns and cities) make staying in a city with a car less appealing, at least in our estimation. 

Our recommendation would be to spend your two nights in Florence in the city center (you won’t have a car at this point, so parking isn’t as much of an issue), and stay in the countryside around Siena and in the Val d’Orcia . 

Where to Stay in Florence, Siena, and the Val d’Orcia

Let’s quickly cover some of our specific recommendations on where to stay based on our own experience and research. 

In Siena, we stayed at Il Palazzetto just outside of town for a few nights and loved enjoying our coffee in the morning with a view of Tuscany from our front porch.

It’s a farmhouse in the countryside surrounded by olive trees, rolling hills, and Cypress trees, and they have a few beautiful rooms and apartments on the property. Very friendly staff, and helpful recommendations for what to do, see, and eat in Siena. 

In the Val d’Orcia, we stayed at Agriturismo Il Casalino , a cute little farmhouse in the valley below Pienza with a spectacular view of Pienza up on the hill. Very friendly owner, and the location is truly excellent. Cypress trees and rolling hills as far as the eye can see!

In Florence, you’re going to want to stay in the city center. We’ve stayed at Pietrapiana Boutique Apartments , which are in a great central location about ten minutes from the Duomo di Firenze. They’re compact, but they have a little more space to spread out and relax.

Here’s our guide to where to stay in Florence for more detail. 

7 Days in Tuscany: How to Plan an Amazing Tuscany Road Trip

With a week, we’d strongly recommend limiting your trip to Florence, Siena, the Val d’Orcia, and San Gimignano (plus a side trip to Volterra) to avoid driving for hours a day and, most importantly, missing out on the slow life that makes this part of Italy special.

We’ve structured this itinerary as a loop that begins and ends in Florence, like we mentioned above. 

Now, let’s get into the itinerary itself! Here’s a day-by-day itinerary, and a map to visualize what it looks like. 

• Day 1: Siena
• Day 2: Siena
• Day 3: Val d’Orcia
• Day 4: Val d’Orcia
• Day 5: San Gimignano and Volterra (end in Florence)
• Day 6: Florence
• Day 7: Florence

Now that you’ve got a good overview of the geography and logistics, let’s get into exactly how to spend one week exploring the best of Tuscany!

Days 1 & 2: Siena

Drive Time and Distance from Florence to Siena: 1 hour 15 minutes / 78 km 

On your first day, pick up your car and head straight to Siena. Chances are, you’re either taking the train to Florence, or you’re flying into the airport in Florence.

Either way, skip Florence for now (you’ll be back!) and head straight down to Siena, which will take you about 90 minutes, depending on traffic. 

There’s really no place to soak up Tuscany’s medieval charm quite like the hilltop city of Siena, one of the best preserved medieval villages in all of Italy.

The striking city is characterized by its red clay brick houses, grand Gothic churches and palaces, and soaring medieval towers. It’s home to some of the finest art and architecture in the country thanks to its great wealth and power during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Siena is also famous for its historic Palio horse race, which takes place on July 2nd and August 16th each year. The event has been taking place in the city since the 15th century and features 10 riders from different districts racing bareback around central Piazza del Campo. 

This is one of the most exciting – albeit extremely busy and expensive – times to visit.

Things to Do in Siena

Siena’s distinctive medieval architecture and unique charm have earned the city the recognition of UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it is now one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany.

This does, however, mean that it gets pretty busy all throughout the year, with crowds that rival even the bigger cities of Florence and Pisa.

There’s one implication of Siena’s popularity that you should consider. 

Many people visit Siena on a day trip from Florence , which means it’s at its busiest in the middle of the day.

To see the city at its most peaceful, head out early in the morning or late in the evening and enjoy having space to yourself. This is why we’ve recommended spending two days in Siena.

• A Walking Tour of Siena. We did this walking tour on our first day and it was an excellent introduction to the history and culture of Siena. It even included a visit to the cathedral, which is a fascinating place to explore with a knowledgeable local guide who can point things out that you wouldn’t otherwise notice (though, it does not include a ticket to the viewpoint of the cathedral – more on that in a second). 
• Piazza Del Campo. Siena’s impressive main square is surrounded by stunning Medieval palaces and historic buildings. Today, it’s a hub of social life in the city and a great place to take a stroll or stop for a drink on the terrace of one of the charming cafes.
• The Duomo di Siena (and the view from Facciatone). Siena’s 13th-century cathedral is one of the finest Gothic churches in all of Italy, with an intricate marble façade and lavishly decorated interiors. The colorful stained-glass window and amazing mosaic floors were particular highlights for us. Plus the Panorama dal Facciatone – located at the top of the incomplete expansion of the church in the now museum – offers breathtaking views over the historic city. The extra cost (you have to buy a special ticket) to get up to the viewpoint is well worth it, we think. 
• Eating and Drinking in Siena. Siena is a great foodie destination, with plenty of delicious things to try. Places we’d recommend eating and drinking in Siena are Bakery Il Magnifico (for Siena’s famous chewy almond cookies, Ricciarelli), Caffetteria Torrefazione Fiorella (for coffee at the counter), Du’ Cose Da Berna (recommended by the host at our agriturismo), and La Prosciutteria Crudi e Bollicine Siena (for cured meats).

Days 3 & 4: The Val d’Orcia (Montalcino, Montepulciano, & Pienza)

Drive Time and Distance from Siena to Val d’Orcia: 1 hour 15 minutes / 55 km

Next, it’s time to journey through the beautiful Val d’Orcia in southern Tuscany. This is one of our absolute favorite parts of the region. 

If you’re like us, the things you associate with Tuscany from popular culture are rolling hills, cypress trees, and red wines. Which, spoiler alert, is exactly what you’re going to find in Tuscany (along with some other gems). 

The journey from Siena to the Val d’Orcia can take anywhere between 1 hour and 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on the route and traffic.

The Val d’Orcia is quintessential Tuscany, with rolling green hills (at least in the spring and early summer before they turn brown) dotted with cypress trees, vineyards, historic farmhouses, and picturesque hilltop towns.

The valley’s gorgeous landscapes and unmatched beauty inspired many Renaissance painters during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Two days is a good amount of time to spend on a little road trip around the Val d’Orcia. We’d suggest focusing your visit on three main towns; Montepulciano, Montalcino, and Pienza. 

Things to Do in the Val d’Orcia

Pienza is situated in the middle of the two other towns. We’d recommend starting at Montepulciano or Montalcino on your first day and moving east or west with Pienza as the second stop to minimize travel time. 

There are also tons of great places to stay in and around Pienza (for what it’s worth, we chose Agriturismo Il Casalino and loved it) so it makes a good base in the region.

The other thing to know is that each of the towns are fairly small, so you’ll only need a couple of hours to explore the town itself. You can spend the rest of your time enjoying a long leisurely lunch, sipping local wine with a view, and driving the winding roads through the countryside.

Montepulciano

This quaint little town sits on the edge of a volcanic rock cliff face with sweeping views over the surrounding valley.

Make sure to go wine tasting at De’ Ricci (Vino Nobile is the local red wine), climb the tower of Comune di Montepulciano for excellent views of the valley sprawling out to the west, and take a stroll along the winding Via di Gracciano nel Corso, the main street in town.

Sitting in the heart of Tuscany’s famous Brunello wine region, Montalcino is a must-visit for red wine lovers.

You can sample local Brunello wine at Ciacci Piccolomini D’Aragona (or any of the other wineries south of Montalcino) where we got a crash course in Brunello, which is largely made with the same grape varietals as Chianti, but is processed differently.

You should also take the time to walk the historic walls of Fortezza di Montalcino, the town’s medieval fortress, and visit the Romanesque monastery Abbazia di Sant’Antimo (which is conveniently right next to the winery we recommended above, which makes it an easy stop). 

A romantic Renaissance town with spectacular panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. This viewpoint was our favorite.

The town is also famous for its local Pecorino di Pienza cheese, which you can try at La Taverna del Pecorino (if you can find it, get it baked with honey on top – pecorino con miele).

And don’t miss coffee with a view at the lovely Bar il Casello .

Day 5: San Gimignano, Volterra, & Drive to Florence

Drive Time and Distance from Val d’Orcia to San Gimignano: 1 hour 45 minutes / 95 km

On day five, you’ll want to gradually make your way back from the Val d’Orcia towards Florence, taking a slight detour to visit the towns of San Gimignano and Volterra along the way.

Both towns sit on the western end of Tuscany towards the sea. They are located around 30km from each other and can take anywhere between 40 minutes to 1 hour to drive between. So be sure to factor this into your day if you do want to visit both.

San Gimignano is a lovely medieval town and another of Tuscany’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. The small town once had over 70 soaring medieval towers making up its skyline, gaining it the unique title of the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages”. 

Today only a handful of these towers remain, but the town is still known as Italy’s “City of Towers”. 

Nearby Volterra is slightly less well-known than its famous neighbor (unless you’re a Twilight fan, in which case you probably know it). 

The less popular walled hilltop town is still a great place to explore and is worth the drive, with several important historic and archeological sites including a world-class Etruscan museum and a couple of Roman archaeological sites. 

You’ll also find considerably smaller crowds than San Gimignano, so it’s a good place to escape the chaos for a couple of hours.

Things to Do in San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a relatively compact town, and it is one of the most popular places to visit in Tuscany.

Wandering the narrow streets, you’ll likely find yourself packed wall-to-wall with other visitors if you’re here in the summer between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm (especially on a weekend).

However, it’s easy to see why so many visitors flock here – the towers of San Gimignano are an iconic piece of Tuscany’s landscape.

• Eating in San Gimignano. San Gimignano is a lovely spot to make the most of Tuscany’s world-class cuisine. Enjoy lunch on the terrace at Le Vecchie Mura for great food and even better views. And don’t forget to grab some tasty gelato from Gelateria Dondoli (they also have gelato making classes). 
• Drink Vernaccia Di San Gimignano. Produced in the vineyards surrounding the town, Vernaccia is Tuscany’s most famous white wine. You can sample Vernaccia in most restaurants and bars around town, or head to the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience to learn more.
• Climb the Torre Grossa. The bell tower of the Palazzo Communale (town hall) is the tallest remaining tower in San Gimignano, sitting at 177 feet. You can climb 218 steps to reach the tower’s summit and enjoy beautiful views over the town. And while you’re there, spend 15 minutes admiring the artwork in the attached Palazzo Comunale – there’s not much but it’s definitely worth a quick visit.
• Parco della Rocca. This lovely hilltop park is the highest point in San Gimignano and is home to the ruins of a medieval fortress. Today it’s a great place to take a walk or stop for a relaxing picnic with amazing views over the town (the best view is from here ).

Things to Do in Volterra

Volterra is also a small town at the top of a rocky outcropping (are you seeing the pattern here yet?) with great views out over Tuscany (and even out to the sea, on a clear day).

There’s not a whole lot to do in town, and we found it to be pretty sleepy on a random weekday afternoon in mid-October. 

However, it’s gorgeous and is an important piece of history on the Italian Peninsula. It’s worth visiting for the walking tour and Etruscan Museum alone. 

An afternoon in Volterra is well worth the drive from San Gimignano, we think. You only need about a half a day to see the highlights. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Volterra.

• The Etruscan Museum. Volterra has been home to many different inhabitants over the years (it has been consistently inhabited since the 8th Century B.C.), including the Etruscans, who left their mark on the city. The Etruscan Museum in town is well worth a couple of hours of your time – it has one of the most extensive collections of Etruscan artifacts in the world. 
• Walking Tour. This twilight walking tour of Volterra (NOT THAT TWILIGHT) was one of our favorite experiences in all of Tuscany. It covered the history of the city in just one hour. The time of the tour varies each day, and it is well worth the small donation (only cash) to hear about Volterra’s history from a local, including the feat of saving the main gate into town from destruction during World War 2. 
• Roman Ruins. One of the other fascinating elements at play here is related to another of the town’s inhabitants over the millenia, the Romans. There are several sites around town where excavations have uncovered extensive Roman ruins, and the best example is the Roman Theater on the northern side of town ( here is the best view). There is another, more recently uncovered Roman amphitheater further north outside of town, which was uncovered in the 2000’s (which is the most recent archaeological discovery I personally had ever heard of). 

Days 6 & 7: Florence

Drive Time and Distance from Volterra to Florence: 1 hour 30 minutes / 85 km

Finally, spend the last two days of your trip exploring the regional capital and one of Italy’s most famous cities, Florence.

The city was one of the richest and most powerful in all of Europe (if not the world) during the 15th century, explaining its unmatched elegance and grandeur today.

Known as the ‘Birthplace of Renaissance’, Florence is a hub of world-class art and architecture.

Its two impressive art galleries are home to more masterpieces than you can possibly fathom, while the city itself is one giant open-air museum, with exquisite churches and grand Renaissance palaces on every corner.

It’s difficult not to fall in love with Florence, despite the huge tourist crowds that descend on the Italian city all year round.

Things to Do in Florence

Florence may be relatively small as far as Italian cities go, but it certainly still packs a good punch when it comes to things to see and do.

Two days is just about enough time to experience the city’s top sites and visit the two main galleries.

However, try to avoid visiting the Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell’Accademia on the same day. Even for the biggest art lover, it’s simply too much information to digest all at once.

• Piazza del Duomo & Climbing the Dome. Sitting at the heart of the city, Piazza del Duomo is home to many of Florence’s most important landmarks, including the 13th-century Cathedral and its famous dome, the Baptistery, and Giotto’s Bell Tower. With only two days, we’d prioritize Brunelleschi’s Dome. By climbing 463 steps to the top of the iconic dome, you can admire the striking frescoes up close and experience amazing views over the church’s beautiful interior. Try to do it first thing in the morning for the fewest people, and book in advance here . 
• The Uffizi Gallery. This world-class gallery has a whopping 101 rooms that hold an unparalleled collection of Renaissance and European art. Many of the artworks were assembled by the powerful Medici family between the 15th-18th centuries. We’d highly recommend visiting on a guided tour to add context and richness to your visit – it can be a little overwhelming otherwise. We did this tour and absolutely loved our experience!
• The Galleria dell’Accademia and the David. Florence’s second major gallery is best known for one particular piece, Michaelangelo’s Statue of David, which is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. It’s worth visiting the gallery on a guided tour ( this is the one I did on my latest visit to Florence with my mom, who had never seen David in person before) to learn more about the famous statue and other artworks in the gallery.
• Explore Oltrarno. Just across Ponte Vecchio, which crosses over the Arno River that runs through Florence’s historic center, is one of our favorite parts of the city, Oltrarno. The neighborhood is full of charming little piazzas, traditional restaurants, and cozy bars. It’s a great place for a peaceful stroll or an afternoon aperitif. Check out Le Volpi e l’Uva for the best Italian wine selection, and Gelateria Della Passera for Alysha’s favorite gelato in Florence.
• Eating and Drinking in Florence. Tuscany is a region that’s known for its fantastic cuisine, and you can sample the best of it in its capital city of Florence. Start your mornings with coffee from Coffee Mantra , indulge in delicious pizza from award-winning Ciro and Sons , and don’t miss the Pappardelle al Cinghiale (pasta and wild boar ragu) at Da Garibardi . The city also has two food markets, Centrale and Sant’Ambrogio, which are must-visits for foodies.

More Time? Here’s What We’d Add to Your Itinerary

There are two places that we really liked that you’re missing if you follow the itinerary above as written. They are Chianti and Lucca, which are west of the majority of this itinerary. 

With a few extra days, we’d spend a day or two in each place. Both areas can easily be covered in a day for each, but two gives you the opportunity to do things at a more leisurely pace. You can absolutely do Chianti as a half day trip, either from Siena or Florence. 

You’ll notice that we haven’t included Pisa here, which is in the same vicinity as Lucca. We MUCH prefer Lucca to Pisa, both because it’s a more interesting city in general, and because it sees a fraction of the tourists that Pisa does. 

If you absolutely must see the leaning tower of Pisa, then we’d add it as a day trip from Lucca (but we wouldn’t stay the night in Pisa, if you can avoid it). 

Lucca is one of our favorite discoveries from our six week Italy trip in 2021, and the highlight here is the intact city walls that date back to the Renaissance. You can circumnavigate the city by walking along the walls, which is absolutely something you should plan on doing. 

The city is in a narrow valley, surrounded by mountains on the south and north sides. One thing you should absolutely do in Lucca is climb one of the many towers in the center of town.

We climbed the Torre Guinigi , and the view from the top with the towers and churches of Lucca and the surrounding mountainous landscape was sublime. 

Another thing not to miss is Piazza dell’Anfiteatro , which is a piazza built on the site of a former Roman amphitheater. The piazza keeps the same oval shape today, though the restaurants on it leave a bit to be desired.  

Chianti is a wine region just south of the city of Florence that is known for its red wines, specifically the Chianti Classico, which is one of the main wine exports of Tuscany. 

Similar to other Italian D.O.C.G. wines like Prosecco and Brunello, Chianti Classico is a red wine that is made in a specific way with primarily Sangiovese grapes from the Chianti region.

It is one of the most famous wines that comes out of Italy. If you don’t like red wine, I have some bad news for you – Tuscany is all about the red wines (except for vernaccia, which is a white wine that comes from San Gimignano!). 

As you might imagine, Chianti is all about the wine tasting. Now, on the itinerary above, you’ve covered a few different famous red wines from Tuscany like Brunello and Rosso di Montepulciano, and Chianti is somewhere in between the two in terms of prestige and price. 

The best way to experience the wines of Chianti is on a wine tour. In terms of guided tours, you have two options. You can either choose a tour that goes deep on a single winery , usually including a cellar tour and detailed tasting (but you’ll have to make your way out to the winery), or a tour that takes you around to multiple wineries . 

Since you have a car, we’d recommend the first option, which gives you a deeper, more intimate experience. We did this wine tour of a tiny organic winery in Chianti and absolutely loved it. 

If you have the time, we’d also recommend a stop at the lovely town of Badia a Passignano, a charming little town in the heart of Chianti. 

Pro tip: If you’re buying Chianti Classico at home or somewhere else in Italy, make sure it says “Chianti Classico” (versus just “Chianti”, which we learned can be made elsewhere in Tuscany) and has a rooster logo somewhere on the bottle, which is how you know it’s legit. 

Planning a Shorter Itinerary (3-5 Days)

If you have fewer than 7 days in Tuscany, our recommendation would be to focus your time on specific regions within Tuscany (see the geography overview above for how we’d break it up) rather than trying to see it all. 

The first thing to consider is whether or not you want to include Florence in your itinerary. You might have already been there, or you might be more interested in the charming hilltop towns in the south of Tuscany. 

If you want to include Florence in your itinerary AND you have limited time , we’d recommend basing yourself in Florence, and doing a day trip to Siena, Lucca, or Chianti from there. In this scenario, we’d strongly recommend that you don’t rent a car! 

We actually have a 3 day Florence itinerary for you to basically steal, which includes a day trip on the third day out into broader Tuscany. 

If you have three days and you don’t want to include Florence , then we’d focus on one region (and we’d make it either Siena or the Val d’Orcia).

If you have five days or so , focus on two regions – Siena and the Val d’Orcia. 

You could also structure your own itinerary based on your particular interests by using the information in the main itinerary above!

5 Days in Tuscany: Siena and the Val d’Orcia

These two regions are quintessential Tuscany, at least for us. Tuscany is famous for many things, but somewhere near the top of the list has to be cypress trees and hilltop towns perched atop rolling hills as far as the eye can see. 

That’s what you’ll find between Siena and the Val d’Orcia. If you only have five days, we’d split it between these two regions and completely skip Florence and San Gimignano. 

Here’s what that itinerary looks like: 

• Day 1: Drive to Siena
• Day 2: Siena + Monteriggioni
• Day 3: Val d’Orcia (Montalcino)
• Day 4: Val d’Orcia (Pienza & Montepulciano)
• Day 5: Val d’Orcia & Drive to Florence

3 Days in Tuscany: Siena & Around

Siena is a great city, and like we mentioned above is probably the best example of a charming hill town in Tuscany. It’s a bigger city than the vast majority of the other smaller towns on this itinerary, and it’s just beautiful vista after beautiful vista around every corner. 

If you have three days in Tuscany, Siena makes for a great home base because it’s central to both San Gimignano and the Val d’Orcia, which makes a day trip more feasible. 

One idea for a shorter itinerary like this that is based in Siena would be to hop on a day trip from Siena to reach either San Gimignano or the Val d’Orcia.

The tradeoff of seeing one of those places is that it gives you less time to explore Siena (you really only need about a day and a half, we think). 

• Day 1: Arrive in Siena
• Day 2: Day Trip from Siena
• Day 3: Siena + Drive to Florence

In terms of the day trips, we’d definitely recommend going with the company behind the walking tour we did in Siena, which we enjoyed. They have a small group tour to the Val d’Orcia (Montepulciano and Pienza) and one that goes west to San Gimignano and Volterra . 

3 Days in Tuscany: The Val d’Orcia

As we have already covered multiple times, we love the Val d’Orcia. 

The only issue with the Val d’Orcia is that it’s a little far from Florence, which means you’re going to spend a lot of time in the car between the two (roughly 90 minutes each way) for just a couple of days spent there. 

Still, we think it’s worth it. This is by far our favorite part of Tuscany.  

• Day 1: Drive to the Val d’Orcia + Montalcino
• Day 2: Pienza & Montepulciano)
• Day 3: Morning Scenic Drive + Drive Back

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

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25 Terrific Things to Do in Tuscany (+ Travel Guide!)

It is downright impossible to run out of magnificent things to do in Tuscany.

This deservedly popular Italian region has captured our hearts (and the hearts of many generations worth of travelers!) for years, and it’s a place we’ll return to again and again.

From meandering down medieval streets to admiring the way the golden light clings to the hills, and from sipping some of the best wine in the world to soaking in beautiful hot springs, figuring out what to do in Tuscany is less about finding things to do than narrowing down your Tuscany bucket list!

After a cumulative many months spent traveling Tuscany over a period of years, we’ve ticked many, many things off of our personal couples bucket list for the region–and yet, we expect to spend a lifetime continuing to enjoy the beauty and discover the secrets of Tuscany.

Whether you’re planning your first trip to Tuscany or your 50th, this travel guide to the best experiences in Tuscany is for you!

Table of Contents

Ready to Narrow Down Your Tuscany Bucket List?

The best things to do in tuscany, how to get around tuscany.

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Odds are, you won’t be able to fit all of the best things to do in Tuscany into one trip–which is all the more reason to dream of coming back one day!

Even with only a few days in Tuscany , though, you can absolutely have a wonderful experience in the region.

Once you’re ready to narrow down your wish list further, we have plenty of additional Tuscany blog posts here on Our Escape Clause to help you out.

We recommend starting with our Tuscany road trip guide , as well as our detailed 2-day Florence itinerary (we also have a 1-day version ), and our guide to the best day trips from Florence .

This guide to hidden gems in Florence is lots of fun, and if you’re looking for the most romantic things to do in Tuscany, this Tuscany honeymoon guide is for you.

Other Tuscan cities featured on Our Escape Clause include Volterra , Siena , Arezzo , and more!

To find other destinations across Italy, Europe, and beyond, use the search bar found in the top-righthand corner of your desktop (or on mobile, as part of the drop-down menu).

Ride a Vespa through the countryside.

We partnered with Walkabout Florence to ride our first-ever Vespa: Jeremy did the bulk of the driving, and I was quite happy to ride on the back.

After finishing our day, we easily consider a Vespa ride to be one of the best–and most romantic–things to do in Tuscany.

The weather was perfect the day we set out–around 75 degrees and sunny–and before long, we were leaving our starting point of Florence behind and climbing high into the hills of Tuscany, winding our way past epic views of the city, through tiny towns with stone houses, and among vineyards.

Our tour included 3 fantastic stops–one at a beautiful church with panoramic views of Florence, one at a vineyard to admire the views, and one for lunch (including wine, of course) at a picturesque Tuscan farmhouse.

While all three were memorable and beautiful in their own right, it was hard to top the romance of riding a Vespa together through the beautiful countryside.

Book your Vespa tour of Tuscany today!

Take a food tour (or six).

As one of the best foodie destinations in the world, no bucket list for Tuscany would be complete without mentioning a food tour!

Indulge in the best of what Tuscany has to offer, learn your way around the food scene, and get prepared for an entire trip worth of delicious food.

We always recommend taking a food tour toward the beginning of your Tuscany trip, rather than the end–that way you’ll have a list of favorite dishes to order for the rest of your time in the region!

Several years after first writing this blog post, I can say that we’ve now taken several Tuscany food tours throughout our trips there, and this Dine Around Florence tour remains not only one of our favorite food tours in Italy, but one of our favorite food tours that we’ve taken in the world!

Book your food tour through Florence’s more offbeat Oltranto area today!

Enjoy the views from Tuscany’s hilltop towns.

Whether you’re visiting Volterra, San Gimignano, Siena, or beyond, staring out over the views of the rolling Tuscan countryside (perhaps with a nice lunch and a glass of wine?) is easily among the best things to do in Tuscany.

Want to enjoy a particularly relaxing view of the Tuscan countryside?

Consider staying in an agriturismo–a Tuscan farmhouse turned bed-and-breakfast of sorts–for part of your stay!

Indulge in some beach time.

Tuscany’s wine country, olive groves, food scene, hilltop towns, and famous cities like Florence tend to get all the press (and it’s not hard to see why–they’re amazing!), so it can sometimes be hard to remember that Tuscany is home to its own sizable stretch of Mediterranean coastline–and even some islands!

The island of Elba is a great place to chill out on a Tuscan beach, go sailing or scuba diving, eat delicious seafood, and learn a bit of history.

Elba is also the island that Napoleon was originally exiled to (though he did escape back to France about 300 days later).

Take a road trip through the Val d’Orcia.

There are tons of amazing places for road trips in Tuscany (read: basically anywhere that isn’t a major city like Florence or a walled old town), but none are quite as impeccable as the Val d’Orcia.

If you’ve seen pictures of Tuscany, you’ve probably seen the Val d’Orcia: it’s the Tuscany of everything from Renaissance paintings to modern photography, and it is the perfect place to hit the open road with your partner.

You might want to consider indulging in a fun Italian car rental for your trip–perhaps a Fiat 500, or for the luxury seekers among us, even a Ferrari–and definitely make sure to read up on driving in Tuscany before you get started.

Don’t forget to visit Montepulciano (one of our personal favorite small towns in Tuscany) while you’re in the area!

Take a dip in the hot springs.

Did you know that Tuscany is home to several natural hot springs–and that many of them are free to visit?

The best known hot spring is Saturnia , and it can be a fantastic way to relax in nature with your loved one, perhaps with a glass of local wine!

There is one decidedly unromantic thing about the hot springs that bears mentioning, though: the sulfur smell is strong!

Bring old bathing suits that you don’t mind getting stinky (and ideally, ones you’re ready to part with when you’re done).

Still worth a visit, though, and definitely something to add to your list when planning an Italy road trip !

Go horseback riding through vineyards in the Tuscan countryside.

The long rows of grapes, the sound of the horses’ feet on the farm, and endless countryside visible in all directions–when it comes to excellent ways to appreciate the beauty of Tuscany’s countryside, it’s hard to beat horseback riding through the vineyards!

We were invited out by Fun in Tuscany to have an incredible day in Tuscany including a wine tasting with a meal, a visit to San Gimignano, and, of course… horseback riding.

Jeremy and I love to go horseback riding together (we’ve ridden together in six countries so far!), and it’s hard to imagine a more romantic place for it than Tuscany.

We started our day with Fun in Tuscany by riding through never-ending vineyards, soaking in the sweeping views and beautiful villas that we passed along the way.

Our group was tiny–just us, one other person, a guide, and an adorable farm dog name Pepe (“pepper” in Italian) who followed along with us whenever he didn’t get distracted and dart into the woods for a moment or two.

It was a very peaceful morning, and our time horseback riding was the perfect start to a fabulous day.

Say hello to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

I’ll be honest: many travelers, us included, find Pisa, Italy to be a bit of a letdown.

Sure, the tower itself is intricate and beautiful (more than I expected before seeing it for the first time–that aspect of the experience more than lives up to expectations), but the city doesn’t have much to do away from the tower area and the crowds are ridiculously heavy.

But, there’s no denying that it is one of the most iconic Tuscany attractions, so feel free to head out for a couple of adorable photos in front of one of the most famous towers in the world.

To make it worth your time, be sure to arrange to climb to the top of the tower, and if you’re traveling independently, consider combining your visit to Pisa with one to nearby Lucca (more details on that in our guide to day trips from Florence ).

Don’t waste any of your precious time in Tuscany battling the crowds. Book your visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa now!

Explore Florence, the capital of Tuscany.

Florence belongs on any list of the world’s most beautiful cities, and this guide to what to do in Tuscany could easily be overtaken by incredible places to see in Florence alone ( our guide to the best things to do in Florence is where to find those!).

It is absolutely beautiful, home to world-class art, stunning architecture, and some of the world’s best food.

Every other spot in Florence, from the Piazza della Repubblica to the Ponte Vecchio to the Piazzale Michelangelo, looks like the background to an epic proposal (just maybe opt for a very early morning proposal before the crowds arrive).

Of all the best things to do in Tuscany, wandering the back streets of Florence, ducking into shops and churches and piazzas and trattorias, listening to buskers, and admiring the bustle of the city life, is among our favorites.

Take a Tuscan cooking class.

Tuscan wine, delicious food, a new skill, and a great meal: what could be a better Tuscany travel experience than that?

Pizza, pasta, sauce, tiramisu, gelato… there’s a Tuscan cooking class for every taste, though we believe the best ones are those that cover a whole day’s worth of eating!

We’ve taken many cooking classes in Tuscany over the years, ranging from those held with a group in beautiful Tuscan farmhouses to intimate affairs where an instructor came to the villa we were renting with my family, and so far, this one has been our absolute favorite.

Covering all the classic cooking class dishes, from ragu to tiramisu, you’re bound to leave this class both incredibly stuffed and quite possibly a bit tipsy–the wine and snacks flow heavily throughout the day!

Book your cooking class in Tuscany today!

Go truffle hunting.

Among the more unique things to do in Tuscany is truffle hunting: you, a dog, and the forest on a quest to find truffles–what a perfect way to spend an afternoon in Tuscany!

Truffles are not only delicious and expensive but they also can’t be farmed.

They merely grow of their own free will, and you can set off to find them each fall.

And of course, the best way to follow up a truffle hunt is with a romantic truffle-themed meal!

Book an unforgettable truffle hunting experience in Tuscany today!

Indulge in a wine tasting (or three).

Tuscany is all about the wine, and at least once when there, be sure to sit down and enjoy the experience of learning more about Tuscan wines–all while indulging in them, of course!

While you can certainly find plenty of places to go wine tasting in Tuscan towns and cities, there’s nothing quite like the romance of heading out for a wine tasting at a vineyard.

We loved tasting eight different wines at Tenuta Torciano as part of our day spent with Fun in Tuscany –and the meal served with the wine made it even better.

Salami, bread, cheeses, balsamic vinegar, homemade lasagna with truffle sauce, cantucci cookies… I’m getting hungry even remembering it!

Before and after the meal we had a chance to wander around parts of the gorgeous vineyard property, enjoying each other’s company and taking in views of vines and gazebos, and meeting several friendly chickens and one adorable basset hound.

Visit some castles.

Tuscany is dotted with castles dating back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and while most of these castles are off the beaten path for most first-time visitors, they’re perfect Tuscan attractions for adding a bit of fairytale magic to a trip.

A few castles to consider adding to your list: Castello di Vincigliata in Fiesole (easily accessible from Florence), Castello Banfi in Montalcino (near Siena), Aghinolfi Castle in Montignoso, and Castello di Vicchiomaggio in Greve (located in the heart of the Chianti wine region).

Enjoy a gelato (or several) in the city that it was invented in.

Did you know that gelato was invented in Florence?

Sure, there are some who dispute the claim–but the Florentines sure don’t!

Regardless, enjoying a delicious gelato in Tuscany with a beautiful view is absolutely a must-have travel experience!

Take a hike in the Apuan Alps.

Mountains and Tuscany may not sound like two things to go together–but they do!

Tuscany is full of outdoor hiking opportunities, and if your idea of a dynamic Tuscan vacation is time spent outdoors, the Apuan Alps are the destination for you.

Climb to the top of the world.

… or at the least the top of a Tuscan tower.

Climbing historic towers and buildings in Tuscany is an incredibly memorable experience, and despite the fact that we’ve climbed plenty of towers in plenty of Tuscan towns, we never get tired of it.

Whether you want to admire the classic view from the top of Florence’s Duomo, head to the top of one of San Gimignano’s famous towers, see what Siena looks like from above, or something else entirely, it’s well worth exchanging burning thighs for beautiful views at least once during your trip!

Indulge in an olive oil tasting.

Oh, olive oil: as one of the most iconic foods in Tuscany, an olive oil tasting belongs right alongside food tours and wine tastings on any list of things to do in Tuscany.

If you’ve never had true Tuscan olive oil before, you’re in for a treat (hint: it tastes nothing like what you get in the grocery store).

The olive oil harvest in Tuscany generally starts in late October or early November and continues into December.

If your trip to Tuscany coincides with the harvest, consider yourself very lucky: olive oil is at its best when it’s served fresh–ideally, the same day it’s pressed!

Explore some canyons.

Tuscany is full of surprises–surprises like Orrido di Botri, the canyon near Lucca that allows you to hike through the river and admire the landscape (during the summer when the water is low, anyway).

Soar above the vineyards in a hot air balloon.

What better way to admire the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside than from above?

Consider splurging on a Tuscany travel experience you’ll never forget, and add riding in a hot air balloon to your list of things to do in Tuscany.

Book your balloon flight over the Tuscan countryside today!

Spend a night (or a week) in a Tuscan villa.

Tuscany’s cities and towns are absolutely divine, but if you’re looking for a little isolation on your trip to Tuscany, consider renting a Tuscan farmhouse!

You can even look for one that’s still on the property of a functioning vineyard or olive farm to create the perfect atmosphere for a Tuscan getaway.

While agriturismos, or Tuscan farmhouses turned bed-and-breakfasts, are perfect for solo travelers or couples looking for Tuscan romance, larger groups can rent entire villas out to enjoy.

Stroll along the medieval walls in Lucca.

Not many places in Tuscany can still claim to be completely surrounded by their defensive walls–but Lucca can!

Since they clearly aren’t needed for defense purposes these days, Lucca’s beautiful walls have been turned into a public park.

While you’re there, be sure to bike or stroll across them, soaking in beautiful views of the city along the way.

Attend the Palio di Siena.

Stand in Siena’s beautiful, oval-shaped Piazza del Campo on an average day, and it’s hard to imagine the thunderous sound of racing hooves and a roaring crowd crammed into such a (relatively speaking) small space, but twice a year, that’s exactly what happens.

Siena’s bi-annual horse races are held on July 2 and August 16 each year–just as they have been since the 17th century!

Additional events are held in the few days leading up to the race, so if you’re going to be in Tuscany during those weeks and don’t get scared off by crowds, make arrangements to see Il Palio in action!

Watch the sunset over Tuscany.

Tuscany is world-renowned for its golden light that clings to the landscape, and it’s never more magical than when the sun sets.

Each night that you’re in Tuscany, be sure to grab a glass of wine, find a peaceful corner, and settle in to admire Tuscany’s best natural show.

Whether you’re watching from the Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence or the porch of a remote Tuscan farmhouse, there’s no doubt that watching the sunset is one of the simplest ways to enjoy the beauty and romance of Tuscany.

Be spontaneous and wander.

Tuscany is the perfect place to be aimless: whether it’s wandering the cobblestone streets of Florence, choosing a random small town on a map and hopping on a train to visit it, or ducking into small churches and out-of-the-way museums because you happen to be passing by, Tuscany is ideal for meandering.

This is the kind of place where the word savor comes to mind.

S avor the views, the food, the wine, the time with your travel companions… nothing can be rushed in Tuscany, and that’s the beauty of it.

Trains continue to be one of our favorite ways to travel around the more connected parts of Tuscany. They’re plentiful, they’re easy to use, they’re affordable, and they are (in our biased opinion) one of the most romantic ways to travel.

For many of these fun things to do in Tuscany, a train is all you need!

Consider basing yourselves in Florence, Siena, or perhaps Lucca to ensure you have plenty of routes and connections to allow you to explore Tuscany to the fullest.

However, as much as we love them, trains and buses will only get you so far.

If you’d like to explore Tuscany off the beaten path or to visit some of the more rural regions–namely some of the hiking, enjoying the hot springs, and visiting the canyon–you’ll want to have a car to get around.

Not a problem, since as listed above, a Tuscan road trip definitely qualifies as one of the best travel experiences in Tuscany!

If you do choose to rent a car, keep in mind that Italy requires you to have an International Driving Permit, which you’ll need to obtain before your trip, to rent a car in the country.

We have many more tips for driving in Tuscany on our Tuscan road trip guide , and if you’re new to driving in Italy, we highly recommend checking it out before getting behind the wheel to explore some of the best things to do in Tuscany!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

22 thoughts on “25 Terrific Things to Do in Tuscany (+ Travel Guide!)”

Tuscany should definitely get more attention than what it gets now. Of all the activities listed by you visiting the small villages appeal the most to me. I think small towns and villages are where the true soul of a country can be experienced.

There’s nothing like small Italian towns! They are definitely something special.

Horseback riding through the Tuscan streets is very romantic! I love Tuscany and it’s great you found a better spot to watch the sunset in Firenze! Who can say no to some Tusacn wine tasting? Not me, that’s for sure!

Haha, us either! Definitely an experience worth having.

Not just Tuscany, whole of Italy is gorgeous, isn’t it? I’m just reminded of the movie ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’!!! I I stayed at hostels both in Florence Town & Pisa… Unfortunately I didn’t get to visit the smaller towns…

Believe it or not, we STILL haven’t seen or read Under the Tuscan Sun. Need to fix that!

Riding a Vespa through the hills of Tuscany really is a dream come true. I can only imagine how much fun you newlyweds (yes, you can still call yourself that!) had together- what a beautiful place to share time together.

It was definitely one of our most memorable moments of the month–having perfect weather for it was the cherry on top!

I was not knowing that Tuscany is so romantic. Strolling along Arno river, typical scooter ride and visiting vineyards looks very dreamy. I went to Florence but missed Tuscan countrysides and now I am regretting after reading your post.

All the more reason to go back! There’s no such thing as too many trips to Florence.

Oh my! Tuscany truly seems to romantic – how I would love to experience riding a vespa through the countryside….and wow watching the sunset over Florence, that’s a proposal waiting to be had! And wine tasting sounds absolutely delectable! Italian wine is amazing, so I am sure visiting the wineries in this region would be such a beautiful experience.

Definitely the perfect place for a proposal! Tuscany is one of the most romantic places we’ve ever been for sure.

Ah, Tuscany! Such a romantic place overall. If you want a romantic destination, Italy is the answer. Good food, multiple fun activities to choose from, etc. But my favorite activity is the vespa ride in the countryside – such beautiful backdrop to go with your special someone! Thanks for sharing. :) – Ella

I agree, the Vespa ride is unforgettable–and Italy is the perfect romantic destination! Easy to see why it’s at the top of so many honeymoon lists.

I’m in Florence now and was really looking forward to getting that reflection shot of Ponte Veccio. It’s been raining a lot though so there is no reflection, I’m so jealous of your Instagram shot! The sunset you witnessed from the bell tower sounds very romantic.

Ohh, I hope you get it! At night they light it up a little bit to help the reflections along–if you have a tripod and a dry night, you might try that!

Tuscany is my favourite region in Italy, and you’ve really captured the romance and beauty! I love the food especially and the wine here is exquisite. I think my favourite thing that you’ve mentioned is the art in Florence. You can’t help but fall in love with it.

The art definitely is amazing! We loved walking around and soaking it all in.

Thanks for this great article! Florence is just a romantic city indeed. I am glad you mentioned the art, I believe this is what makes this city so special. You can take art history courses in Florence even if you are there for a short stay, I think it could also be something romantic to do with your partner! Thanks again for sharing your tips with us!

It definitely would be! I hear there are drawing and art classes too, which would also be great. Jeremy and I are terrible artists, but we may still consider trying our hand at one of those!

Do you have any recommendations for Tuscany villas?

Yes! I need to do a whole guide on these eventually. :-) A big part of Tuscany villas is choosing a location, so that depends on your taste. We love Villa Stefania near Lucca (our family has rented it twice!), as well as Il Colombaio near Siena. Both are beautiful villas, but they’re in very different parts of Tuscany!

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Tuscany Itinerary: See the Best Places in One Week (+Map & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: July 4, 2023

Planning a trip to Tuscany and not sure where to start and what’s the best Tuscany itinerary?

In our previous post, you could read about some of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany . In this article, you can read how to combine all those beautiful places (and some more) and create the perfect Tuscany trip itinerary that allows you to experience the very best of this picturesque region in one week.

How many days do you need in Tuscany

While you can see the main cities in 3-4 days, I recommend at least one week for Tuscany . This will allow you to see not just all the highlights of the best towns of Tuscany, but also to get a glimpse of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Below, you can find our suggested Tuscany itinerary that shows you where to go and what to see if you have one week in Tuscany. Read on!

How to see the best of Tuscany in one week

This Tuscany itinerary starts and ends in Florence. However, you can start and end in other towns and combine this trip with a visit to the other regions (e.g. Cinque Terre or Bologna ). This is really just meant to show you what’s possible and how to plan your time in Tuscany.

In order to see the very best of Tuscany and to experience some of its stunning landscapes, it’s best to visit the region by car. On the other hand, you don’t really need a car in the cities. Train connections between major towns in Italy are really good. So if you want to, you can visit some of the most beautiful towns using public transport only.

While this Tuscany itinerary is made assuming that you have a car, you can easily adapt it to your needs and your way of traveling. Just use this itinerary as a guide to the best places in Tuscany, how much time you need at each place, and how to best plan your trip.

At the bottom of the article, you can also find a map indicating all the places mentioned in this Tuscan itinerary. Read on!

One Week Tuscany Itinerary

Day 1 – florence.

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and is not to be missed in any Tuscany itinerary.

One full day is the minimum that you need in order to see the main highlights of Florence . You can find more information, tips, and advice for visiting Florence in some of the more detailed guides to the city on our blog.

Not to be missed in Florence is the Cathedral (you can climb the dome of the Duomo as well), Ponte Vecchio, Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Vecchio. If you have just one day in Florence, stroll the old town, check out the market, and walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for the best sunset view in Florence. Alternatively, have a drink at one of the best rooftop bars in Florence .

Stay in Florence for at least one night, in order to take full advantage of your time here. If you are traveling by train, I recommend a hotel close to the railway station. We recently stayed at Hotel Croce di Malta , an excellent mid-budget 4*hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace. If traveling by car, keep in mind that parking in the city is very expensive.

TIP: If you only have limited time and want to see the best of Florence in one day, be sure to book priority tickets for ALL the places you absolutely want to visit inside.

LEARN MORE: One Day in Florence

Day 2 – Florence to Siena

Leave Florence early in the morning and drive to Siena. Via Chiantigiana road SR 222 from Florence to Siena is very scenic, so you may want to take this road rather than a highway.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful town of Siena. Must-see in Siena is Piazza del Campo with its Palazzo Pubblico and the Mangia Tower, Siena Duomo (Cathedral), and the picturesque streets of the Old Town. 

TIP: Stay in Siena for 1 or 2 nights. Albergo Chiusarelli is one of the best picks in towns in terms of price/location/quality.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Siena

Day 3 – Val d’Orcia – Tuscan countryside

Here is a scenic road trip suggestion through the picture-perfect Tuscan countryside – Val d’Orcia – that you can take as a day trip from Siena.

If you have the time, you may want to spend a couple of days in this area, but one day is sufficient to drive through the scenic Tuscan countryside.

From Siena take the road SR2 to San Quirico d’Orcia. From here continue East along the SR146 in the direction of Montepulciano. This is the most scenic road in Tuscany – the one with the typical Tuscan landscapes you see in travel magazines and on postcards. 

Take your time to explore Val d’Orcia and visit at least a couple of charming little towns in the area: Pienza , Montepulciano , San Quirico d’Orcia , Monticchiello , Montalcino … Also the Abbey of Sant’Antimo is worth a visit.

With just one day in this region, I think I’d focus on Montepulciano, Pienza, and the countryside of Val d’Orcia.

TIP: If you are in Siena without a car, the best way to explore the Tuscan countryside is by taking an organized tour, e.g. this wine tour that brings you to Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano from Siena .

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Montepulciano

Day 4 – San Gimignano and Volterra

San Gimignano and Volterra are both relatively small towns and their proximity to each other means that you can easily visit them in one day. 

San Gimignano , famous for its fourteen medieval towers has a tiny but very picturesque Old Town. It can get extremely busy during the day, so I recommend going there first thing in the morning.

One of the main places to see is Piazza della Cisterna. You can also climb to the top of the Torre Grossa.

Volterra has a great atmosphere in the evening, so it’s best to visit it later in the day. It’s a charming medieval town and it’s nice to just stroll the streets, check out some souvenir shops, and have a nice Tuscan dinner.

In my previous post, you can read more about what to see and do in San Gimignano and in Volterra .

TIP: One of the nicest and good price/quality hotels in Volterra is Hotel La Locanda . If you are on a tighter budget but want something really special, stay in Chiostro Delle Monache Hostel Volterra . It’s located in the 15th-century Franciscan monastery, has a great location, and free parking.

Day 5 – Pisa

Take your time to explore Pisa . Don’t limit your visit to the leaning tower of Pisa only! In fact, the leaning tower of Pisa is just one of the many monuments of Miracle’s Square. The Cathedral and the Baptistery are very impressive as well.

Pisa town center has no crowds and is very picturesque as well. Stroll the Arno River promenade and check out the Borgo Stretto, an old shopping arcade with many restaurants, cafés, and shops.

TIP: If you are touring around Tuscany by car, I’d advise not to stay in Pisa. Instead, drive to Lucca after you visited Pisa and stay there for two nights. Lucca has such a great atmosphere and several really nice hotels. They are located inside the city walls and so parking is not free (but possible). Check out  Hotel Palazzo Alexander or  Hotel Alla Corte degli Angeli .

Day 6 – Lucca

Lucca is our favorite town in Tuscany. You can see the main highlights in just one day, but you definitely won’t regret it if you choose to stay a bit longer. 

The main landmark is the city walls of Lucca which you can explore on foot or by bike. In fact, the best way to see Lucca is by taking a self-guided bike tour .

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is another must-see in Lucca. Make sure also to climb at least one of the towers -Torre Guinigi or Torre Delle Ore for the best views in town. Here you can read more about what to see and do in Lucca .

TIP:  Take a food tour in Lucca – it’s a great way to explore the town and taste some of the typical local specialties.

Day 7 – Collodi, Pistoia, Prato, or the outskirts of Florence

There are several nice towns that you could visit between Lucca and Florence. Collodi, Pistoia, and Prato are all worth a detour.

We liked exploring the outskirts of Florence as well. You’re hardly out of the city, but the scenery is amazing. Take a road from Florence to Fiesole for stunning views and a beautiful Tuscan landscape.

Alternatively, you could easily visit Bologna. It’s located in the nearby Emilia Romagna region (so not in Tuscany), but is more than worth a visit if you find yourself in this part of Italy.

READ ALSO: Florence to Bologna Travel Info & Itinerary + Best Things to Do in Bologna

Where to stay for this Tuscany itinerary

Many people ask what’s the best area to stay in Tuscany . The answer really depends on what kind of trip you are planning.

If you are thinking of making a road trip in Tuscany , you can find my suggestions for hotels in each town in the day-to-day Tuscany itinerary above.

If, however, you don’t like changing hotels and packing your bags every day, you can also stay at one central location in the Tuscan countryside and take day trips from there. Sometimes you’ll need to drive an hour, sometimes two, so it’s not perfect, but it might still be easier and more relaxing, especially if you are traveling with kids.

TIP: If you want to stay in just one place for sightseeing, the best place to stay for exploring Tuscany would be the area close to Volterra or San Gimignano. It is very centrally located in Tuscany and is therefore ideal if you are looking to stay at just one hotel and explore the region by taking day trips. Here you can find the best deals for accommodation in Volterra and hotels in the San Gimignano area .

In fact, a few years ago we did just that when we were visiting Tuscany with our kids. We stayed at just one hotel in the Montaione area for 12 days and combined relaxing days by the pool with sightseeing. It worked well for us. You can read more in our best of Tuscany – itinerary from one central location post.

On our most recent trip to Tuscany, we were focusing on the area around Siena and Val d’Orcia, plus a few other places in Umbria too. For that, we opted to stay at this beautiful country house in Bettole.

There’s really not one ‘best’ spot to stay- Tuscany is way too big for that. So it all depends on which places you decide to visit.

Without a car: If you are not renting a car, the best places to stay for exploring Tuscany are either Florence or Siena. They both have good railway connections to the bigger towns and also a big choice of organized tours to the smaller villages in the countryside.

One week Tuscany trip itinerary map

Below, you can see an overview of this suggested Tuscany itinerary on the map.

Start in Florence, drive down to Siena, then on to San Gimignano and Volterra. Continue your trip towards Pisa and Lucca, and end in Florence.

Alternatively, continue to Cinque Terre, which is just a short ride from Pisa. Here you can find more information about how to see the best of Cinque Terre in one day .

Best Time to Visit Tuscany

Tuscany is a beautiful destination that has something to offer at any time of the year. That being said, the best time to visit Tuscany is in late spring or in early autumn. The very best months for sightseeing in Tuscany are May and September.

In the summer months, it’s very hot here. So if you are visiting in July or August, you may want to concentrate on the Tuscan countryside. A popular thing to do is rent a villa with a pool and make an occasional day trip to one of the smaller towns in the area.

Whereas the weather in late fall, in winter, and in early spring is more suitable for visiting the big cities rather than touring the countryside.

READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe

So, this is our suggested Tuscany itinerary for up to one week. If you are planning a trip to Italy, make sure to check our Italy travel guide for more tips and travel advice for a big variety of popular destinations in Italy.

Alternatively, check our selection of articles below for more tips for a variety of destinations in Italy.

More tips for some of the most visited destinations in Italy:

• Best Things to Do in Rome
• Best Things to Do in Venice
• Best Things to Do in Milan
• Best Things to Do in Naples
• 2 days in Rome
• 1 day in Milan
• 1 day in Venice
• 1 day in Cinque Terre
• Tips for Visiting Rome
• Best Things to Do at Lake Como
• Bellagio, Lake Como
• Best of Lake Garda
• Best of the Italian Dolomites
• Emilia Romagna Region
• Hiking in the Dolomites
• Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre
• Amalfi Coast Itinerary
• Italian Riviera
• Best Day Trips from Naples

READ ALSO: Best Places to Visit in Italy

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Sunday 15th of September 2024

Your blog has been so helpful to me thank you! Traveling to Tuscany in May 2025 for 6 nights with my 2 older teen daughter. We plan to fly in from Paris (into Florence, Milan or Verona) and then back to Denver from Florence. I want to see as much as possible (including Cinque Terre) but won't have a car and prefer to stay in no more than two hotels. Assume Florence for the last 3 nights since we'll fly out from there. What other town should be our base? And which towns make the most sense for day trips? Thank you!!

Tuesday 17th of September 2024

@Jurga, thank you for the feedback and recommendations. Will look at Bologna and day trips. And will make Florence our base.

Hi Andrea, without a car, Florence is by far the best town to base yourself for a longer time. You can do some day trips by train and some smaller towns by taking tours. You could easily spend 6 nights in Florence and find plenty to do. Take a day trip to Siena. A tour that visits Sam Gimignano and Pisa, a tour that visits Montepulcuano and some wineries… We book all our tours via GetYourGuide. Just search ‘from Florence’ or similar and you will see tons of options. For example this tour and there are many more. That said, if you want to add an extra place, did you consider Bologna? It’s amazing and you can also take some nice day trips from there. Otherwise you can also stay in Siena for a few days. But I would do Florence at least 4 nights. Good luck with the planning and have a great trip!

Kathy Stern

Sunday 28th of July 2024

Hi Jurga, I'm a bit overwhelmed trying to map out or visit to Italy We have seen the main cities in Italy. We have rented a villa in Crotona for 6 night and plan to rent a car from where ever we should fly into from the united States. Cortona will be our base in Tuscany. We would love to see the Chanti area ,Seina, Pienza, Montepulciano and Florence all returning to each day. We also would like to go to Cinque Terre and The Amalfi Coast with Capri. How would you lay out this itinerary? The order and what mode of transportation would be preferred? We do not plan to have a car on the Amalfi coast as I hear it is difficult to drive. We plan to use ferries to get around there. Would Lake Como be out of the way or could we incorporate it in. We could spend 2-3 weeks. Thank you for you help, Kathy

Monday 29th of July 2024

Hi Kathy, you can visit many places in Tuscany from Cortona, but if you also want to go to e.g. Cinque Terre, I would do that separately since it's a bit too much of a drive for a day. The same with Lake Como, which is even further away. One of the options would be to fly to Milan, visit Lake Como for a few days, then drive down to the Cinque Terre area and spend a few days on the Ligurian Coast, and then on to Cortona. After that, return your rental car either in Rome or Naples or so and explore the Amalfi Coast and Capri using boats and transfers or public transport. Depending on where you drop off your car, you can take a train e.g. from Florence or Rome to Naples. You can then fly out of Naples or take a train to Rome and fly from there. If you absolutely have to start in Cortona, then you could drive to Cinque Terre for a few days after that, followed by Lake Como. Then drop off the car in Milan and travel by train from there to the south. We have tons of articles covering all these areas and even transportation options from Naples to the Amalfi Coast etc., just use the search function on the blog. Good luck with the planning.

Tynes Quarles

Friday 21st of June 2024

Jurga, Just read your Tuscan itinerary and it's almost exactly like what I was looking to plan for next year. I was thinking of leaving Florence in the morning and taking the Via Chiantigiano geting to Siena that evening. The next day is exploring Siena and spending another night there. The next day is the Val d'Orcia to Montepilcino and spending a night down that way somewhere. The next day is spending a little more time in that area before heading up to San Gimignano/Volterra. One day there before heading to Lucca via Pisa. After a day or so there, I think heading over to Cinque Terre and doing your one day hike and 2nd day exploration of Portovenere sounds perfect. Leaving Cinque Terre, I'll head back to Florence arriving a day early so I can spend time up in the hills around Fiesole. I plan to rent a car, so we'll then turn it back in at the airport and regretfully head home. Any additions/subtractions/suggestions you can make would be much appreciated.

All the best,

Saturday 22nd of June 2024

Hi Tynes, your plan sounds good. It's just that you don't absolutely have to make a road trip and change hotels every day. You could also stay somewhere close to Siena/San Gimignano for a few days before moving toward Luca/Pisa/Cinque Terre area for a few days. But if you don't mind changing hotels, your plan sounds just fine. As for additional suggestions, unfortunately, I really have no time to help our readers with more detailed itineraries. There's so much to see and do in Tuscany. Here are some nice places you may want to add to your plan since you will be nearby: Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Cipressi di San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino, Crete Senesi (on the road between Asciano and Taverne d'Arbia near Siena). Good luck with the planning and don't forget to spend some time in Florence itself! You can easily fill 3 days there too.

Monday 26th of February 2024

What a fantastic blog! This has really inspired me! I am thinking to visit Florence and Tuscany for a week in mid-June.

After 2 nights in Florence, and having a car, what town would you recommend to stay as a base and then do day trips? In terms of day trips, a must visit for us are Sienna, Lucca and Volterra. And definitely a winery but without driving to it. Advice very welcome!

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Hi Teddy, if you want to visit Sienna, Lucca, and Voltera, you could stay somewhere in the middle between all these towns and make sure there's a winery nearby. I quickly checked something for you in the San Gimignano area which is very central and fits your criteria. There are several wineries that you can visit in that region and many accommodations, so you can find places to stay within walking distance to one or the other winery if you like. For example, this agriturismo (Capanna 1826) is just near this vineayrd. From what I read in the reviews of this accommodation, they even include a visit to their vineyard for free if you stay there. But there are many more options. You just have to do a bit more research and see what's available for your travel dates. If you don't mind taking a taxi to one or the other vineyard, then it will be easier. Just pick a hotel you like and then see what wineries there are nearby. Also, the San Gimignano area is just one of the many, so it's just a suggestion based on the info you gave. If you are traveling in June, I'd book your accommodations asap.

Ann Marie Pugliese

Friday 6th of October 2023

Hello, this blog seems very helpful. I am traveling to Italy for the first time with 9 family members for 2 weeks in June. We were trying to fit in so much, but don't think it's feasible with so many people. Was hoping to visit Venice, Tuscany, Rome and The Amalfi Coast. Also, we are planning to stay in Air bnb's along the way. Just not sure if we should travel to each area and stay for 3 days or find 2 central hubs and take day trips? Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Monday 9th of October 2023

@Jurga, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Greatly appreciate the information!!

Sunday 8th of October 2023

Hi Ann Marie, since these areas are located quite far from each other and each has so much to offer, I think that staying in each place for a few nights is indeed better than looking for two base locations. You could start with 4-5 days in Sorrento (from where you can easily visit Amalfi Coast, Capri Island, Naples, Pompeii, etc.), then move on to Rome for 3-4 days. From there, take a train to Florence which is a good base for Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and also Bologna. Depending on what you want to see, you could stay here for 4-5 days. And finally, take a train to Venice and stay there for 2-3 nights. You can find lots of information for all these destinations on our blog. See an overview of all articles on our Italy travel page. This 2-week Italy itinerary might also be helpful - just to see what's possible and how you could structure your time at some places. For Amalfi Coast, take a look at this guide. Good luck with the planning!

With its hilltop medieval towns and rolling landscapes, art-filled cities and vineyard-set villas, Tuscany epitomizes Italy for many travelers. After all, this is the birthplace of Italian icons like Leonardo da Vinci and poet Dante Alighieri, considered the father of the Italian language, and of signature flavors like bisteca Fiorentina and Chianti wine. Bordered on the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea, Tuscany’s position in the heart of the Italian boot is particularly apt. There’s a lot of history (including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites) to soak up here, starting from the days of the ancient Etruscans, after whom the region is named, through the era of the powerful Medici clan, makers of Popes and patrons of the Renaissance. Explore cities like Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca, each filled with plenty of cultural, dining, and retail distractions, then spend some time in the countryside, taking in historic towns, legendary wineries, and nearly 250 miles of coastline.

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When’s the best time to go to Tuscany?

Tuscany is one of Italy’s top tourist destinations, so it’s never really out of season—but there are times when it’s quieter. Though it can be humid, July and August draw the most tourists, both to cities like Florence and to the coast, as many Italians head to the sea for their August holidays. April to early June, September, and October are idyllic, with the sun shining well into the fall months. Foodies should stop by during the October and November harvest season to take in festivals celebrating things like wine, truffles, and chestnuts. Locals love February: The New Year’s Day crowds have thinned, the weather is crisp, and you might be the only ones exploring the sites.

How to get around Tuscany

International flights land in Florence’s Aeroporto di Firenze (FLR), located about 2.5 miles west of the city center, and Pisa International Airport (PSR), also known as Galileo Galilei Airport and set less than a mile from town. No direct flights are available from the United States, but North American travelers can connect through an array of European hubs, including London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Taxis and bus services are available at both airports. Once in town, buses are the easiest way to get around, but note that many of the historic centers are pedestrian-only. Trains are also a dependable option, with regular services available between Florence and major spots like Pisa, Lucca, and Arezzo. The bus is more convenient between Florence and Siena, and to reach hilltop towns like San Gimignano and Volterra. But to really explore Tuscany, renting a car is best; many of the international rental companies, including Hertz, Avis, and Dollar, have offices at the airports and in town, but make sure to request automatic transmissions in advance.

Can’t miss things to do in Tuscany

Where to start? - In Florence , don’t miss the Uffizi for the paintings, the Accademia for Michelangelo’s David, and fresco-laden churches like Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella, capped off by a stroll along the Arno and across the Ponte Vecchio bridge. - In Pisa , the Leaning Tower (or simply, “The Tower”) is a must for the photo ops, while Siena’s central Piazza del Campo—home to the Gothic Palazzo Pubblico and a 14th-century tower, and surrounded by the brick-faced historic center—is a visitor favorite. - Day trips to medieval hill towns like San Gimignano, Volterra , and Montalcino add plenty of charm and authentic flavor—especially in Pienza, famous for cheese, and Montalcino , home of Brunello wine. - Don’t leave without a visit to a vineyard and, if the sun’s out, a stroll along the beach at Forte dei Marmi or Viareggio.

Food and drink to try in Tuscany

All of today’s foodie buzzwords—“local,” “seasonal,” “farm-to-table”—have long been the norm in Tuscany, where the rolling hills are home to farms, vineyards, olive groves, and dairies, and the forests are filled with edible fungi and wild boar. Traditional Tuscan cuisine was born of the idea of cucina povera (poor cooking), which means rustic, unfussy meals made with just a few fresh ingredients (and using olive oil over butter), designed to be shared family-style. Many dishes are based on hearty ingredients like meats and beans, the latter earning Tuscans the nickname mangiafagioli , or “bean eaters.” As with much of Italy, each Tuscan town has its signature products and dishes, from Pistola’s chestnut cake and Pienza’s pecorino to Carmignano’s figs. But general regional signatures include ribolita (a vegetable and bread soup), panzanella (a bread-based salad), grilled vegetables topped with olive oil, and bisteca Fiorentina, the famously thick Florentine T-bone steak. Pasta favorites include tagliatelle al tartufo (a truffle sauce, complemented with fresh truffles in season), and pappardelle with ragu of wild boar ( cinghiale ) or wild hare ( lepre ). Top it all off with some cantucci cookies, and wash it down with Tuscan wines from Chianti, Montalcino (Brunello), Montepulciano, or one of the many other local varietals.

Culture in Tuscany

Some powerful forces have called Tuscany home, from the days of the ancient Etruscans, who left a significant artistic and cultural legacy, to the era of the House of Medici, a wealthy banking family whose influences were felt in everything from politics and religion to art and architecture. In the 13th century, Florentine poet Dante Alighieri developed what many consider the basis of the modern Italian language, while in the 15th century, the Renaissance ideals that took root in Florence soon spread to the rest of Italy, heralding an era that celebrated artists, craftsmen, and progressive thinking. Meanwhile, a multi-century rivalry between the regions of Florence and Siena resulted in ode-inspiring epic battles and patriotic traditions that are still honored today. With all this in its history, it’s no surprise that Tuscany is a hotbed of museums, cultural attractions, traditional festivals, and historic sites. Every town has something of note, whether an ancient fresco discovered on a palazzo floor, a monument to a native saint, a world-renowned tilted tower, or a work by a famous artist hanging casually in a church. Florence is the main cultural hub, where you can spend days wandering through museums, palazzos, and gardens, while Siena delivers with a roster of notable art and religious sites, and the thrilling, biannual Palio horse racing festival. The smaller towns are worth a visit for their medieval charm and religious and harvest festivals, the latter offering a great look at Tuscan traditions.

For Families

Family is at the soul of Italian culture, and kids are welcomed, accommodated, and cooed over pretty much everywhere you go. In Tuscany, there’s plenty to attract and distract them, too, from beach fun along the coast to exploring castles, dungeons, and tombs in medieval hill towns like Monteriggioni. Several towns, including Siena, Volterra, and San Gimignano, have a Museum of Medieval Torture that will fascinate kids of all ages (as long as they aren’t prone to nightmares), while the town of Collodi honors native “son” Pinocchio with a statue-filled children’s park. Bike rides are another great family activity, particularly in Lucca, where you can ride on wide, relatively flat paths along the ancient city walls. Of course, Florence is a treasure trove of fun, where you can taste your way through the food markets and gelato shops, take kid-focused museum tours, and try your hand at a painting or ceramics class. With its wealth of rentable villas and private homes, Tuscany has also become a favorite for multi-generational getaways and family reunions, offering something for every age to enjoy.

Local travel tips for Tuscany

When it comes to wine and olive oil, a bigger price tag doesn’t necessarily mean better: with so much of both produced in Tuscany, you’ll often find that the house wine—served straight-up in a jug or unlabeled bottle—is more than good. If you’re visiting in November or soon after, ask for the “new” olive oil in restaurants, to enjoy the latest post-harvest releases. Skip eating in the main piazzas, which are generally lined with overpriced tourist traps. And if you’re in one of the smaller towns before dinner, join locals for la passiagata , or the evening stroll, when everyone is out to see and be seen.

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Sandra Ramani

Tuscany, Italy

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The idea of Tuscany as an idyll of olive groves, vineyards, hill-towns and frescoed churches may be clichéd, but it is largely true. Late medieval Tuscany was the birthplace of Italian culture and in many ways remains the essence of what travellers imagine Italy to be, a place where art and landscape are fused in the kind of harmony familiar from Renaissance paintings. The national language evolved from the Tuscan dialect, a supremacy ensured by Tuscan writers such as Petrarch, Boccaccio and, most influential of all, Dante – who all wrote in the Tuscan vernacular.

The best travel tips for visiting Tuscany

What to do in tuscany, best places to stay in tuscany, how to get around, how many days do you need in tuscany, what is the best time to visit tuscany, how to get here, travel ideas for italy.

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Indeed the era we know as the Renaissance, which played so large a role in forming the culture not just of Italy but of Europe as a whole, is associated more strongly with this part of the country than with anywhere else.

Florence was the most active centre of the Renaissance, flourishing principally through the all-powerful patronage of the Medici dynasty.

Every eminent artistic figure from Giotto onwards – Masaccio, Brunelleschi, Alberti, Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo – is represented here, in an unrivalled gathering of churches, galleries and museums.

Siena, one of the great medieval cities of Europe, remains almost perfectly preserved, and holds superb works of art in its religious and secular buildings.

In addition, its beautiful Campo – the central, scallop-shaped market square – is the scene of the Palio, when bareback horseriders career around the cobbles amid an extravagant display of pageantry.

The cities of Pisa and Lucca have their own fair share of attractions and provide convenient entry points to the region, either by air or along the coastal rail route from Genoa .

Arezzo and Cortona serve as fine introductions to Tuscany if you’re approaching from the south ( Rome ) or east ( Perugia ).

RoughGuides tip: Planning a trip to Italy? Check our itineraries and perhaps our local experts in Italy can help you!

San Miniato town panoramic view © Shutterstock

Asciano with Val d'Orcia © Shutterstock

From falling in love with Florence to truffle hunting in the Tuscan hills, there’s plenty to do in Tuscany. These are the highlights.

#1 Climb the dome of Brunelleschi’s Duomo in Florence

Stepping out for the first time in Florence , it’s almost impossible not to gravitate straight towards the square in the centre, the beating heart of Florence, Piazza del Duomo.

You’ll be beckoned by the iconic form of Brunelleschi’s extraordinary dome, which dominates the cityscape in a way unmatched by any architectural creation in any other Italian city.

Yet even though the magnitude of the Duomo is apparent from a distance, and even though you may have seen it in a thousand photos, the first full sight of the church and adjacent Baptistry still comes as a jolt.

The colours of their patterned exteriors are a startling contrast to the dun-coloured buildings around them.

#2 Spend at least half a day exploring The Uffizi, Florence

Attracting well over two million visitors a year, the Galleria degli Uffizi is the most visited museum in Florence and even in all of Italy. In housed in what were once government offices (uffizi) built by Vasari for Cosimo I in 1560.

After Vasari’s death, work on the building was continued by Buontalenti, who was asked by Francesco I to glaze the upper storey so that it could house his art collection.

Each of the succeeding Medici added to the family’s trove of art treasures, which was preserved for public inspection by the last member of the family, Anna Maria Lodovica.

Her will specified that it should be left to the people of Florence and never be allowed to leave the city.

Considered to be the finest art collection in Italy, the three-floor gallery also contains the world's greatest collection of Italian Renaissance art.

Uffizi art gallery in Florence, Tuscany, Italy © Shutterstock

#3 Tour the wineries of Chianti

Drinking local wine is one of the best things to do in Italy, and the Chianti vineyards between Siena and Florence produce some of the country's finest wines thanks to a mild climate year-round.

Chianti scenery is stunning too so it's also the perfect place to gaze at typically romantic Tuscan views.

Hotels in Chianti are rarely inexpensive, but this is prime agriturismo territory, with scores of farms offering rooms or apartments (or even self-contained mini-villas).

The venue for Chianti’s biggest wine fair (the Rassegna del Chianti Classico, usually held in early September), Greve in Chianti is a thriving mercantile town where there’s wine for sale on every street.

​​Well-heeled Castellina in Chianti formerly stood on the front line of the continual wars between Florence and Siena, and its walls and fortress bear testimony to an embattled past.

The best of Chianti lies east of Castellina and the Chiantigiana, in the less domesticated terrain of the Monti del Chianti.

Vineyard in Chianti © Shutterstock

#4 Take that photo at the Leaning Tower, Pisa

For many tourists, Pisa means just one thing – the Leaning Tower, which serves around the world as a shorthand image for Italy.

It is indeed a freakishly beautiful building, a sight whose impact no amount of prior knowledge can blunt.

Yet it is just a single component of Pisa’s breathtaking Campo dei Miracoli, or Field of Miracles, where the Duomo, Baptistry and Camposanto complete a dazzling architectural ensemble.

These amazing buildings belong to Pisa’s Golden Age, from the 11th to the 13th centuries, when the city was one of the maritime powers of the Mediterranean.

It has to be said that visiting the Campo dei Miracoli in high season is not a calming experience – the tourist maelstrom here can be fierce.

Within a short radius, however, Pisa takes on a quite different character, because very few tourists bother to venture far from the shadow of the Leaning Tower.

Visiting the leaning tower in Pisa Italy is one best things to do in Tuscany © Shutterstock

#5 Ride a bike along Lucca’s city walls

Lucca has some of Europe's finest Romanesque buildings and it's an easy city to explore.

While the focus of Lucca’s compact centro storico is the vast Piazza Napoleone, its social heart is Piazza San Michele just to the north.

Once the site of the Roman forum, these days this lively square is fringed with shops and cafés.

The “long thread”, Via Fillungo, heads northeast, cutting through Lucca’s shopping district to reach the extraordinary circular Piazza Anfiteatro.

Further east, beyond the Fosso (“ditch”), lies San Francesco and Lucca’s major art museum, housed in the Villa Guinigi.

Whatever else you do, be sure to walk – or cycle – at least some of the city walls, which are crested by a broad, tree-lined promenade.

The entire circuit is four kilometres round and lined with trees. If you want to avoid crowds, visit in the mid-afternoon.

View over Italian town Lucca with typical terracotta roofs © Shutterstock

#6 Get swept up in the thrilling Siena Palio

The Siena Palio is a twice-yearly bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo in Siena .

One of Italy’s most spectacular events, it is preceded by weeks of preparation, medieval pageantry and chicanery.

Only 10 of the 17 contrade (neighbourhoods), chosen by lot, take part in any one race; horses, too, are assigned at random.

The only rule is that riders cannot interfere with each other’s reins.

Otherwise, anything goes. Each contrada has a traditional rival, and ensuring that it loses is as important as winning oneself.

Jockeys may be bribed to throw the race or whip a rival or a rival’s horse; contrade have been known to drug horses and even to ambush a jockey on his way to the race.

Held since at least the 13th century, the race originally followed a circuit through the town.

Since the 16th century it has consisted of three laps of the Campo, around a track covered with sand and padded with mattresses to minimise injuries.

Siena Palio in Tuscany © Shutterstock

#7 Hunt for truffles in the countryside

Tuscany is well known for truffles and truffle hunting.

But one of the best things to do in Tuscany if you want to hunt down the biggest variety of the much-prized fungi is to go to San Miniato.

You'll find this famous truffle town strategically placed on top of three small hills overlooking the lower Arno Valley, between Pisa and Florence.

#8 Eat your way through the Tuscan menu

Tuscan cooking is all about the freshest ingredients, cooked simply, and has had a seminal influence on Italian cuisine.

Classic antipasti are peasant fare: bruschetta is stale bread, toasted and dressed with oil and garlic; crostini is toast and pâté.

Tuscan menus always include soup, often ribollita, a hearty stew of vegetables, beans and bread, or zuppa di farro, a thick soup with spelt.

Tuscany is not known for pasta, but many towns in the south serve pici, thick, hand-rolled spaghetti with toasted breadcrumbs.

Meat is kept plain, often grilled, and Florentines profess to liking nothing better than a good bistecca alla fiorentina (chargrilled steak), or the rustic dish of arista (roast pork loin stuffed with rosemary and garlic).

Spinach is often married with ricotta and gnocchi, and used as a pasta filling, in crespoline (pancakes) or on focaccia.

Sheep’s milk pecorino is the most widespread cheese, but Chianti’s marzolino is the most famous.

Panino and wine, I Fratellini, Via dei Cimatori, Florence, Tuscany © Shutterstock

# 9 Explore Elba, Napoleon’s island of exile

Elba has exceptionally clear water, fine sand beaches, and a wooded interior that’s superb for walking.

Almost everyone comes for the beach resorts, so the inland villages remain largely quiet even in high season.

The principal town, Portoferraio, makes a worthwhile day-trip from the mainland. At the highest point of the old quarter sits Napoleon’s residence-in-exile, the Villa dei Mulini.

The isolated village of Marciana is the oldest settlement and most alluring spot on Elba.

Its steep old quarter is a delight of alleys, arches, belvederes and stone stairs festooned with flowers.

Marciana’s main draw is 500m south – a cable car that climbs to the summit of Monte Capanne, Elba’s highest point.

No fewer than 156 beaches dot Elba’s coast, from little-visited shingly coves to broad white sand stretches.

If you don’t mind negotiating the ranks of baking bodies in summer, they offer all the facilities you could wish for.

View of Portoferraio on Elba Island, Italy © Shutterstock

# 10 Hike and swim along Italy’s last protected coastline

The Tuscan shoreline is at its best in the Maremma region, most notably in hilly Monti dell’Uccellina, 12km south of Grosseto.

Monti dell’Uccellina is recognised as the last virgin coastal landscape to survive on the Italian peninsula, and is therefore protected as the Parco Regionale della Maremma.

This breathtaking piece of countryside combines cliffs, coastal marsh, macchia, forest-covered hills, pristine beaches and beautiful stands of umbrella pine, and remains devoid of the bars, marinas, hotels and half-finished houses that have destroyed much of the Italian littoral.

The best beach here (20 minutes from Pratini, along the Strada degli Olivi) is a beautifully unspoilt, curved bay, backed by lush greenery.

The park authorities have defined half a dozen different walking itineraries; some set off from Alberese – home to the visitor centre – with the remainder leaving from Pratini, 10km into the hills, reached via hourly shuttle bus from the visitor centre.

A wild beach in the south of Tuscany © Shutterstock

With its captivating landscapes, rich history, and world-class cuisine, Tuscany beckons travelers to explore its picturesque wonders and indulge in unforgettable experiences. From charming agriturismos nestled amidst vineyards to luxurious villas perched atop rolling hills, the region offers a diverse array of best places to stay that perfectly complement the enchanting essence of Tuscany.

Florence (Firenze)

Florence has many hotels but demand is almost limitless, which means that prices are high and the tourist inundation has few slack spots.

“Low season” is defined by most hotels as meaning mid-July to the end of August (the weeks during which nearly all Italians head for the beaches or the mountains), and from mid-Nov to mid-March, except for the Christmas and New Year period.

Between March and October, booking ahead is in effect obligatory.

Boutique hotels and B&Bs have sprung up all over the city, operating under several different labels: places calling themselves relais or a residenza d’epoca are generally smart B&Bs, often located in historic palazzi.

From handsome old townhouses to reasonably-priced hotels (you'll pay more for accommodation closer to the Campo), Pisa has a range of hotels , even if most people visit on a day trip.

Siena is small enough that every hotel within the old walls is within a 15min walk of the main sights.

Anyone visiting in summer should reserve accommodation as far in advance as possible; hotels are specially booked up at Palio time (early July & mid-August) when they charge higher prices.

You’ll also be glad of air conditioning in the summer heat.

• San Gimignano

San Gimignano has too many visitors and too few locals. Hotels can be hit or miss. From tasteful mid-range hotels to lovely eighteenth-century farmhouses, there's enough to go around . Camping is also an option.

The choice is limited here , but there is a youth hostel housed in a converted monastery, a couple of smart hotels, plus camping options too.

Browse the places to stay in Tuscany.

City postcard view and towers of San Gimignano © Shutterstock

Navigating the idyllic landscapes of Tuscany is a seamless delight, as this enchanting region provides an array of convenient and delightful transportation options to traverse its picturesque countryside and historic towns.

Much of Tuscany's remarkable countryside requires a car as it allows you the flexibility to explore the region at your own pace.

Note that many historic centres have a Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL), a limited traffic zone which won't allow you to drive through.

The buses in Tuscany are affordable and extensive. The region offers a reasonably comprehensive bus service, including the corse rapide (express) service between Florence and Siena.

Validate your ticket as you get on the bus to avoid the risk of an on-the-spot fine.

Tuscany's rail network provides convenient connections to several captivating cities. High-speed trains link Florence, Arezzo, Cortona, Grosseto, Livorno, and Pisa. Slower regionale (regional) trains can be useful and cheap too.

To really get to know Tuscany, allocate at least five to seven days in the region. That gives you a couple of days to explore Florence, plus day trips to Siena and Pisa.

There will also be time to venture to a charming hill town or two, such as San Gimignano, Volterra, or Montepulciano.

Aim for 10 days if you want to indulge in a wine-tasting experience in the renowned Chianti region, or embark on scenic drives through the rolling Tuscan countryside.

Looking for inspiration for your trip? Check our Italy itineraries or talk to our Italy travel experts .

Midsummer in central Italy is not as pleasant an experience as you might imagine: the heat in the summer months can be stifling. From May to September the big tourist hotspots of Florence, Siena and San Gimingnano are too crowded to be really enjoyable.

If it’s at all possible, avoid August, when the majority of Italians take their holidays. This means that some restaurants and hotels close, and the beaches are jam packed.

The best time to visit Tuscany is before Easter or in the late autumn. The main towns are quieter then and the countryside is blossoming or going into harvest season.

The best time to see the fields of sunflowers bloom in Tuscany is in June or July. Winter is often quite rainy, and temperatures can drop, particularly in the hill-towns. This does, however, make it a good time to visit all the cities and major art trails.

Tuscany is perfect in August but don't miss our tips about the best time to visit Italy.

Landscape vineyard fog in Tuscany © Shutterstock

Tuscany beckons travelers from across Europe with its two main gateways: Pisa International Airport and Florence Airport. Both airports are well-connected to the wider region.

For those arriving in northern Italy, Milan is the major rail hub. The city serves as a gateway to Tuscany, welcoming European services from various destinations.

From Milan, you can easily catch onward connections to Florence and Pisa.

Buses offer an affordable overland option to Italy but are less frequent and notably slower than the train.

Find out the best ways to get to Italy .

Discover more places in Italy

• Montepulciano
• Pisa, Italy
• Siena, Italy

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• San Miniato
• Portoferraio
• Porto Azzuro

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 17.07.2023

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Our Eight Best Tuscany Travel Tips

Categories Destination Tips , Destinations , Italy , Italy , On a shoestring , Travel Tips

Last Updated on May 15, 2023

Table of Contents

The Eight Best Tuscany Travel Tips

1. fly into cheaper european hubs.

If you travel to Tuscany from the U.S. or from Northern Europe, avoid the temptation to fly right in to Florence. Airlines do not run as many deals to Florence airports as they do to major traffic hubs like Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, three hours form Florence or Milan’s airports which can be reached in under four hours. Car rentals are considerably cheaper from  outlets in major Italian cities than in Florence as well.

You might even consider looking into flights further afield by flying into airport hubs in neighboring countries and then hopping over to Florence, or better still, Pisa with one of Europe’s great no frills airlines. Check flights with Ryanair , Easyjet or Euro Wings .

2. Team up!

3. What about public transportation?

There is plenty of public transportation, and certainly an option, but renting a car affords you the freedom to tour through the various Tuscan villages at your leisure and is easier for day trips. If you can share costs as we recommend above, even bette Since prices at the big car rental companies like Hertz, Budget or Avis looked too high, I checked out different car hire comparison sites. In the end, I booked through Carrentals.com . This is the way we found the best rental car deal through a site we had never used before, Argusrentals.com, for a low-priced Avis rental car.

Public transport definitely has its own set of advantages, however, the first being the cost. Public transport is cheaper than renting a car, and a good majority of Tuscan cities and towns are connected by trains and buses, which leave regularly from main stations and cost only a few Euros for short distances. If you are a solo traveler, or making mostly one way trips through the region, train travel is definitely the cheaper option. If you don’t want to take the train, no worries: there are plenty of organized tours available in Tuscany, for example:

Train travel is very cheap in Italy, if you book in advance online. Book your tickets through the Omio website which has a user-friendly English-language booking system and compares train prices for you. The other option is to buy your ticket at one of the easy ticket machines in the train station, which also have an English speaking menu and discounted tickets for purchases made 2-3 days in advance. Trains from Pisa to Lucca cost €4, from Pisa to Florence €8.90, and from Florence to Poggibonsi (for San Gimignano) are €8.50.

4. Rent a villa –  seriously.

Far from a bling budget-breaker reserved for rappers or movie stars, renting a villa in Tuscany is simply a smart travel choice. Hostels in Italy are expensive, and even a bed in a dorm room will cost €20 – €30 per night. If you are traveling in a group, booking a villa or holiday apartment will work out cheaper every time. Whether you rent a villa or a holiday apartment – your group will have a private, economical stay for as little as €15 per person per night in the low season. In the high season, visitors to Tuscany will have to be ready to shell out more cash, but if you book a villa far enough in advance, you will still pay less than in hotels or even hostels unless you are traveling entirely alone.

Tip: In addition to Airbnb, check out lesser known vacation rental websites, such as Plumguide . You may find a better deal there.

5. Stay away in the summer

6. Drink wine!

That’s right. You can drink bucket-loads of the best Italian wines like Chianti, Montepulciano and Pinot Grigio. These wines are produced locally and are ridiculously affordable, available in stores for between €2-€5 per bottle. So pack your corkscrew and get ready to enjoy inexpensive wines at the beach, on a picnic, or in your villa. Even when eating in a restaurant, a half bottle of house wine costs as little as €2.50, while a full bottle, at up to €6, costs the same as two glasses of beer – so why not!

A great Tuscany travel tip for wine lovers: If you have a car, stop at the wineries around Tuscany, where you can fill up your own containers for €0.50 to €0.75 per liter – larger than the average bottle of wine! For olive oil fans, the same cheap fill-ups can be found in olive orchards throughout Tuscany as well.

7. Cook your meals

Much of the tourism in Tuscany is food-related, and with a bit of hunting you can eat on the cheap, but if you’ve got a kitchen where you are staying, cooking will save you cash. Stop in at the market and pick up great pasta, sauce  and fresh Italian bread (and a lot of that wine we mentioned) and whip up a homemade meal for the whole group for under €10.

8. Find where the locals eat in Tuscany

This advice goes for travel anywhere, but especially in Italy. We had been packing in pizza nearly everyday and had no complaints, regardless where we picked it up. However, when we were exploring Siena, we walked past a hole-in-the-wall with no sign and a line of at least twenty locals – school children in uniform and office workers on their lunch breaks. We snuck in line and picked up two giant slices of the best pizza ever and a drink for $3.50. The same goes for gelato. If you develop a gelato vice like we did, you’ll want to find deals, as it can be a pricey addiction. A cone of gelato near the famous Ponte Vecchio in Florence runs at €3.20, but just a few streets further west, the same portion of creamy gelato goodness costs less than €2 for the same size portion.

9. Drink Espresso, preferably standing up

Known for its coffee culture, Italy has over 110,000 espresso bars and Italians drink over 70 million espressos each year. So immerse yourself in true Italian culture by ordering an espresso, which normally costs €0.55 and is never more than €0.90. You pay the same price for a ‘Macchiato’, an espresso topped with foamed milk, while a cappuccino is usually between €0.90 and €1.10. When you travel to Tuscany, you’ll notice that many espresso bars charge less when you drink your coffee standing at the bar, like the locals do, so forgo table service while you recharge your caffeine levels.

10. Take your time on the road in Tuscany

Unless you are in a major hurry, smart travelers to Tuscany should avoid the Italian highways, called ‘autostradas’. The roads are incredibly well-maintained and efficient, but that comes at a premium. Highway tolls can add up quickly. The one-hour ride between Florence and Lucca costs more than €7, and the four hour trip between Lucca and Milan up to €25 one way! The country roads, on the other hand, are free of charge and many run roughly parallel to the highways. When the roads do twist and turn, you’ll get the chance to pass through lesser known Tuscan villages, and you can stop wherever you want rather than speeding past on the highway.

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Thursday 31st of December 2015

Hi Dani. I plan to travel to Italy alone I am a women.. is it safe for me to do that. I don't have anyone at the moment who wants to go with me. Coming from South-Africa

Tuesday 5th of January 2016

Hi Esmeralda, yes it's very safe! You might get cat calls from some men... the Italians are very fond of women ;-) I was reminded of that on a recent trip to Venice. But they would never harass you. Just beware of pickpockets in larger cities like Florence and Rome. Enjoy Italy!

Saturday 17th of August 2013

Hello ladies! Love your blog! What an awesome adventure you are living. :)

I am planning a girls trip to Tuscany for this fall. Do you have any recommendations for sites to find a good B&B? I've heard that you can stay in farm houses. That would be very cool.

Thanks for any advice you can provide. :)

Friday 23rd of August 2013

Hi Kristy, great to hear from you. Tuscany - yes! Can we come? ;-) We usually use Booking.com for good deal on B&Bs - you can filter and have them just show you B&Bs for the destination of your choice. Hostelbookers.com also has B&Bs in their listings, not only hostels (you can also filter your search by accommodation category and pick 'guesthouse') BedandBreakfast.com is probably the best-known site for B&Bs, we used it a few times in England and I think they also have lots of properties in Italy. You might also want to try Agriturismo.it, a site for all the agriturismos (vacationing in farm house resorts) - there are some quite good deals for them in the off-season and they are usually in fantastic countryside locations (considering you have a rental car), and since you mention you'd like to stay in farm houses, that might be the right site for you :) Enjoy your trip to Italy!

Wednesday 27th of March 2013

Love your tips! I've ever been told that as budget traveller, think and act most like locals. Stay with locals, eat like locals, use transportation like locals. Thanks for sharing!

Regards. http://www.jakpost.travel/

Tuesday 2nd of October 2012

Hi! I am planning to celebrate my 50th birthday, this time next year, by traveling on a shoestring to Rome and Tuscany. It will be my first trip to Italy and I am highly inclined to do it as a solo adventure. I'd be grateful for any tips, especially regarding lodging.

Wednesday 3rd of October 2012

Hi Denise, thanks a lot for getting in touch! Well, these tips here in this post are good start for Tuscany, and for the cheapest options for lodging we recommend looking into B&Bs. There are some really cute Bed & Breakfasts in all of the pretty Tuscan towns which are usually much cheaper than hotels. We also use websites like Bookingbuddy.com to find cheap hotels - the site basically compares all the major hotel booking websites for you and finds the best deals for your dates - and most hotels always run promotions on Expedia, Booking.com, etc, which they don't offer on their own website. If you are planning to see Italy on public transport, we recommend booking tickets directly on http://www.trenitalia.com/ (they have an English site) and in advance - it'll save you a lot of money. If you plan to rent a car (which makes traveling around Tuscany MUCH easier) we usually also use BookingBuddy for car rentals and let them compare all the different providers, but last time we were in Italy we found ArgusCarHire.com to have the cheapest offers. I hope this helps a bit and please feel free to get in touch again if you have more questions - enjoy your big Italy adventure next year!

Sally Stretton

Saturday 1st of September 2012

I would love to visit Tuscany one day. I appreciate the advice about which airports offer the cheapest flights. I think I am going to try to get a group of friends at work together for a trip during our fall or spring break. Perhaps if I get enough people on board and find a great deal, my portion might be little or nothing!!

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Share Your Love of Tuscany

lovefromtuscany

Your inspiring travel guide to #Florence & #Tuscany, #Italy 🏘🌳🍇🍷 Tag your pics #lovefromtuscany to be featured! ↪ 📩 Email for collaboration

About Love From Tuscany

We love Tuscany , and we want to share that love with everyone. That’s why we’ve started this website.

It’s a complete online travel guide to Tuscany , one of Italy’s most enchanting regions. The idea is to give useful and interesting information to independent travellers planning a holiday in Tuscany, Italy . But it’s also more than that. We like to think that by reading our guide you’ll get inspiration for your trip and discover unexpected destinations and hidden corners of this beautiful region.

Your free online Tuscany travel guide

There’s a lot to Tuscany. The ever-inspiring cities of Florence and Siena , unforgettable landscapes, sculptures by Michelangelo , paintings by Botticelli , and hilltop towns that seem to have jumped off a postcard. There’s inspiring architecture that can take you on a journey from the Gothic to the Renaissance down a single street. And some of the finest food and wine in the world. We try to reflect all this in our guide. We’ve taken all the things that we think are special about Tuscany and divided them into easy to navigate areas of interest.

It’s taken a lot of research. But we like to think of it as a labour of love.

The up-to-date information and useful tips  in this online travel guide to Tuscany will help you to better plan your trip. And get the most from each area. We also try to suggest places that you might not have thought of visiting. Our advice is to mix the most obvious sights, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Uffizi Gallery , with some of the less visited attractions.

Of course, part of the pleasure of travelling to this part of the world is adapting to the slower rhythm of life, connected to the seasons. Tuscan people make time to enjoy life and invite the travellers to do the same.

Why travel to Tuscany, Italy?

Part of the beauty of a trip to this region is discovering some authentic and less well-known destinations along with the world-famous attractions . Tuscany has got 7 UNESCO sites , amongst them the delightful towns of Pienza and San Gimignano , some of the finest red wines in the world, like the famous Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. And a dreamlike countryside that has featured in countless films and photographs.

There are world-class museums like the Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery where you can admire the statue of David . Not to mention architectural wonders like the Cathedrals of Florence and Siena, and the Square of Miracles in Pisa. It also has plenty of small hilltop towns , ancient churches, and countless hidden corners for you to explore.

If you love Tuscany as much as we do, we hope you’ll find this guide informative and inspirational.

Love from Tuscany.

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Tuscany travel blog — the fullest tuscany travel guide for first-timers.

Those who have been to Florence, definitely must have heard of the poetic countrysides of Tuscany (Toscana in Italian), Italy. Cycling around Chianti, enjoying premium wine, or visit the vast countrysides of Siena. But actually, the most beautiful countrysides in Italy are located quite deep below, they are Val d’Orcia and San Quirico d’Orcia which are always covered with a endless green color of meadows, vineyards and beautiful farms on highlands and in valleys. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to the dreamland and paradise of Tuscany for the first-time? Let’s check out our Tuscany travel blog (Tuscany blog) with the fullest Tuscany travel guide (Tuscany guide, Tuscany tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

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I never intended to go to Tuscany when knowing this is just the central Italian countryside, until I accidentally came to Florence and got lost in the scenes of villages, medieval towns, vineyards, olives groves with wineries, lush green vegetation. Tuscany instantly captivated me so that the first days of summer were surprisingly beautiful.

Tuscany travel blog: Overview of Tuscany

I have known Tuscany since I was a landscape photographer. That’s when I got to see the amazing photos of Val D’Orcia and San Quirico D’Orcia. If the natural beauty of Switzerland with mountains and rivers, then in Tuscany, it is majestic, poetic countryside, immense grasslands. The natural picture here is green in one color, gentle, tranquil and liberal, enough to inspire any lover or dreamer when coming here.

Tuscany blog: When to visit?

There are two beautiful times to consider for a roadtrip in Tuscany, which is from late April to mid-May, and autumn in Europe. In spring, flowers bloom everywhere in Tuscany, which is perfect for visiting the farms or large gardens. If you go in the fall and want to see the vast green prairies, you should go in early August, because at this time, local people will start cutting the grass and harvesting grapes. Then the hills will appear with a dry yellow color and not smooth.

• If you want to see sunflower fields, you must go after June and before September. From early September onwards farmers have already harvested seeds to make oil.
• The most beautiful time with green fields is around June and July. From August onwards, it has started to dry. From September onwards, the scenery have turned to yellow but romantic. However, July and August are the hottest months in Italy. You must bring sunglasses, hat and sunscreen. In the summer, even though it’s really hot, it will get colder in the evening. Especially if you go higher areas.
• In addition to summer, traveling to Tuscany from March to May is also okay, very green. However, it is still cold and there are no flowers at all.

Tuscany travel blog: Where to go, what to do?

To start exploring Tuscany, Florence is a must-visit destination. The capital of Tuscany in central Italy, Florence owns everything to be voted by many prestigious travel magazines as the most wonderful city in Europe. The whole city is a giant architectural style with pastel colors of walls and terracotta roof tiles of houses, each street corner seems to be a museum with untold stories. Florence deserves many fine words. If you’ve been here, you can’t help but visit the Florence Cathedral Duomo(Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), the legendary Ponte di Vecchio, the Galleria dell’Accademia, and the Piazzale Michelangelo square.

From Florence, you can travel by train to many ancient cities and towns in Tuscany, or just 30 minutes by car, you can visit a nearest olive grove and vineyard. If your time is tight to make an itinerary, as Tuscany’s most developed tourist city, Florence offers you everything with countless day tours to pick and explore all of Tuscany.

Siena used to be a large city in the Middle Ages, so the architecture of Siena is still keep intact. In the middle of the city is the town hall with the horse racing square, every year the small districts in the city will bring their horses here to race to win glory for themself. If you go to Siena on Saint Catherine’s Day on April 29 every year, or the horse racing day, the districts of the city will hang their own flags. I was lucky enough to come to Siena on the occasion of St. Catherine’s day, so I saw countless flags hanging along streets, alleys, feeling like I was watching Game of Thrones.

Things to do in Siena include tasting the region’s famous Chianti wine, visiting Piazza di Campo square, Siena’s church which made entirely of marble and don’t forget to go inside the church to explore the Piccolomini library which is built by Pope Pius II. The architecture inside is overwhelming and for me this is the most beautiful church I’ve been visited in Europe.

San Gimignano

A medieval town with 14 towering stone towers. In medieval times, San Gimignano was likened to today’s Manhattan in terms of prosperity. San Gimignano is quite small so you can explore in an afternoon. But don’t forget to climb a tower for a panoramic view of Tuscany to the horizon.

To explore Siena & San Gimignano, you can book a tour in Florence, or book a tour through KLOOK , I found that when buying from KLOOK the price is cheaper, so just book it and the service is very good.

Located in Umbria, Assisi is a beautiful hill town. When hearing about a place that has existed since the Middle Ages, surely many tourists will think of a town forgotten by time, not very developed with narrow winding streets, narrow alleys, houses with stone walls and old painted wooden doors. However, unlike the imagination above, Assisi is one of the largest Christian centers in the world with beautiful churches. In which Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi (Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi) is the most famous cathedral in Assisi.

This ancient city is also known as a student city because there are many universities and colleges with many different disciplines. The most prominent is the University of Perugia, built in 1308, the University for Foreigners of Perugia and many other colleges such as the Academy of Fine Arts Pietro Vannucci.

Perugia is also famous as a cultural and artistic center of Italy with many festivals taking place all year round such as EuroChocolate festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, International Journalism Festival, …

Lake Trasimeno

When you come to Trasimeno, you can rent a house on a farm and experience the feeling of waking up in the sunrise of the Italian countryside. Make yourself a cup of hot coffee and make a delicious and light breakfast while enjoying the poetic beauty of Lake Trasimeno.

After that, you’ll have a full day of exploring and boating on the lake. If you go in a large group, you can also organize a picnic with dishes made from fresh ingredients at the farm.

Montepulciano

Although Montepulciano is a small town, the scenery here is extremely poetic and beautiful with brilliant sunflower fields. In addition, wine is also a famous specialty here. If you have stopped by Montepulciano, then come and enjoy wine at the bars here.

Like the Italian style itself, Lucca has a beauty that blends the modern and the antiquity of the time with fashion boutiques interspersed between immaculate ancient structures.

Lucca is also home to many famous composers such as Giacomo Puccini (with famous works of La Bohème and Madama Butterfly), Nicalao Dorati, Francesco Geminiani, Gioseffo Guami. With such a history, it is not surprising that the annual Lucca Summer festival is one of the most popular musical events in Tuscany.

In addition, Lucca is also the host city for the Lucca Comics & Games Festival, the biggest festival for comics, movies and games in Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands of fans to attend each year.

Pisa is a port city in the lower reaches of the Arno River. In Renaissance Period, Pisa was the second richest city after Florence. Today Pisa is a small city but has a unique artistic style and owns a unique architectural symbol in the world: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. From Florence, you take the 50-minutes train to get to Pisa. Then follow the flow of people to the Leaning tower of Pisa to visit.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa itself is so famous but it is only part of Pisa’s Central square. Visitors come here mainly just to take hundreds of pictures from the simple to the weird with the Leaning Tower. Personally, I like architecture, so I wandered around to see this small, sparsely populated city to understand more about the most important port city in Tuscany.

Not all of Tuscany’s hills and vineyards have the stunning coastline below. But Punta Ala is a great stop on the coastal area known as La Maremma.

Island of Elba

Elba Island (Isola d’Elba) is a romantic tourist island, located off the coast of Tirreno Sea, in the famous Tuscany country. Looking at Elba from above, you will have the feeling that the island looks like a small goldfish swimming in the sea.

Portoferraio – the main port town and also the capital of Elba – looks cute and gentle with its small houses painted in soothing pastel colors. The streets here are narrow, on both sides of the roads there are many colorful flower pots swaying in the wind, only the slopes are more pleasant than other central Italian cities such as Perugia, Siena, Assisi or Spoleto.

Enjoy Tuscan wine and olives

The Tuscan countryside can be seen from car, but to get a real taste of it, visit a winery and sample its fine wines. I stopped by Tenuta Torciano Winery and not only enjoyed more than 7 types of red to white wines but also used delicious vinegar and olive oil. These farms are not open to a single tourist, so you can book a tour in Florence to visit during the day, definitely a true Italian experience. There are two famous and savory Tuscan wines you should try called Sangiovese and Super Tuscan.

To experience this, you can buy a day tour in Florence, or book online through KLOOK to explore both San Gimignano and Siena.

Buonconvento

Buonconvento is a small town, just about 2-2.5 hours drive from Florence, this town is extremely peaceful, few people but has a lot of interesting things. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from Silvia’s farm (where I stayed) to the town center. Everything here is as peaceful as countrysides around it.

Another interesting thing not to be missed in this beautiful little town of Buonconvento is the delicious Gelato ice cream that we discovered located right next to Da Mario restaurant. Not only has delicious ice cream, but the salesman is also very cute, giving customers a lot of ice cream, the best Gelato I have ever tasted in Europe, the price is also cheaper than in other regions.

More things to do in Tuscany

In addition to visiting the Tuscany lush green prairies, there are many other places here that you cannot miss. It could be touring the small towns of the region, or going to the vineyards to enjoy fine wines.

Another route that you should refer to when traveling from Siena to Buonconvento is going through Asciano (please see on the map). On this road, the scenery on both sides is also extremely beautiful. The day I went, the grass here was almost cut, so the color could not be as beautiful as in the southern region. Alternatively, on the way from Buonconvento to Asciano, you can visit the Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore monastery. This is a monastery located on a high mountain with a beautiful view.

Another very beautiful place that you might consider visiting is La Foce garden located in Val D’Orcia. Entering this garden, you will feel like walking in a large royal garden of a palace, like a mix of Versailles palace and Tuileries Garden. In La Foce, the owner also has villas for rent, but the price will be quite high and require a minimum stay of 2 nights for each booking.

In general, with a travel time of only 2-3 days, it is difficult to fully enjoy the vast Tuscany region. If given the opportunity and conditions, I would love to stay longer than about 1 week. This place is extremely suitable for those who come with family, a fresh air and spacious space for everyone to experience together. Simply rent a large enough SUV, free to explore each road, small villages but hidden full of interesting things in this Tuscany region.

Tuscany travel blog: What and where to eat?

Enjoying pasta, pizza and wine as well as Tuscan cuisine is a fascinating experience you can’t miss! Like Italian cuisine in general, Tuscan cuisine is based on the use of the freshest and simplest ingredients of season including a variety of beans, cheeses, vegetables and fruits. And here are some suggestions for you:

• Crostini Toscani: The word crostini literally means bread, similar to a baguette, served with chopped chicken liver sauce.
• Panzanella (Tuscan-Style Tomato and Bread Salad) is a cold bread salad with the main ingredients including unsalted bread, tomatoes, red onion, basil, olive oil, vinegar, and salt.
• Lardo di Colonnata: This dish is actually pork lard produced in the town of Colonnata.
• Ribollita: Ribollita soup is one of the most popular winter dishes in Tuscany containing different types of cabbage, beans, onions, and carrots.
• Castagnaccio: It is a traditional Tuscan chestnut cake made with chestnut flour, very popular in the Apennine mountain region of Tuscany.

Tuscany blog: Suggested 2-day Tuscany roadtrip and how to get from Florence

As mentioned above, you can take the train to the countryside in Tuscany, but it will be quite inconvenient and take a long time. The most convenient is to rent a car in Florence and then self-drive to the south, through Siena and visit its beautiful countrysides. Rentingg a private car to drive can both be proactive in the schedule while you can go and admire the scenery on the roadside, stop whenever you like.

Details of my 2 day Tuscany itinerary:

Day 1: Took the car from Florence and drove down to Buonconvento, where I booked an overnight stay at a local farm. The itinerary will have to go through Siena so you can choose to go straight on the highway to Buonconvento because my main purpose is to visit Val D’Orcia. If you have time, you may not choose the highway but follow the SR222 road to visit more Panzano or Chianti. Dinner in town and overnight in Buonconvento.

Day 2: Early morning drive to visit two regions Val D’Orcia and San Quirico D’Orcia, which have the most beautiful scenery in Tuscany (in my opinion). Then come back, resting and exploring the farm Podere Salicotto that I chose as a place to stay. On the drive back to Florence I took the route from Buonconvento through Asciano and back to Siena to access the highway to return to Florence.

The route from Florence to Buonconvento has many stops to admire the beautiful scenery on both sides of the road. If your time is tight, you should choose the highway to go for faster, the traveling time for a 150km distance is only about 2.5 hours, the highway is very beautiful and the speed is stable.

After picking up my car from Locauto rental company I started driving out from the center of Florence. The street was not too crowded and easy to go, so you can rest assured, just go according to the law. Follow Google Maps and get out of the city to access the highway. From here running straight to Siena and continue to Buonconvento. One thing to note is that if you want to be fast, you should only take the highway, and you need to pay attention to the road because it is easy to go wrong on roads in town, make the speed will be slow a lot because these roads have many traffic lights, many cars make you cannot go as fast as on the highway.

Tuscany blog: Where to stay in Tuscany?

However, coming to Tuscany, you must stay at a beautiful farm in this region.

Along the romantic swath of Tuscany are vast countrysides known for its rolling hills, cypress trees, charming old towns, stone castles and along with numerous private farms. Each farm with hectare area with quite similar architecture. Houses are built of red bricks or can be called separate villas. It took me a whole week to choose for myself the best place to stay, which is Podere Salicotto’s farm.

I had a very detailed review of this property here , it’s very wonderful, you can also refer to and book via Agoda.com or Booking.com .

The capital of Tuscany is Florence, so it has the largest number of rooms of all types and vary prices as well as making it easy for you to travel to many cities, towns nearby, choose the right day tours to explore beautiful Tuscany. Plus, if you want to try the local experience, it’s also easier to rent an Airbnb in Florence when you’re sharing a house with a local.

But if you like the feeling of waking up in the countryside, Siena is the better choice because the city is small and located among the vast fields of Tuscany.

You can find more, check rates, availability & book for hotels in this city on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Tuscany travel guide: Getting to Tuscany

You should go to Florence first because it offers many choices of hotel rooms and also convenient to travel to its surrounding areas. Florence’s services are also easy to find and relatively inexpensive. Buses can be booked at GoEuro.com and train tickets can be purchased at booths at the central station, choose Treinitali or Italo train.

Take a day tour from Florence

I recommend taking a tour to Siena because the cost is quite cheap but there are many interesting experiences for only 44 euros. In addition, you can book a tour to Cinque Terre to explore the equally wonderful Liguria region.

Tuscany blog: What to buy as a gift in Tuscany?

Florence is very famous for its leather goods, you just go to the ancient bridge, there are many leather goods shop with hundreds of years old to buy. In addition, Chianti red wine is also a popular choice.

Souvenirs such as statue of David or the leaning tower of Pisa are also things that tourists often buy as gifts.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Florence you can refer to

• Duomo Monumental Complex Direct Access Ticket in Florence with Guided Visit
• Florence Duomo, Baptistery, and Museum Tour
• Small Guided Tour with Fast Track Entry to Duomo and the Secret Terraces
• Florence Duomo Skip-the-Line Tour with Balcony & Dome Access
• Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour with Fast Track Entry
• Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line Ticket in Florence
• Val d’Orcia Tour from Florence
• Pisa Half Day Tour from Florence
• Florence Bike Tour with Food Tasting Experience
• Florence City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (Open Top) and Leonardo da Vinci Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
• Tuscany Day Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting from Florence
• Rome to Florence Day Tour
• Chianti Afternoon Tour from Florence
• Excursion to Pisa through the Tuscan Countryside from Florence
• Florence Dome Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket + Free Souvenir Old Polaroid Photo
• Florence Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line Ticket with Tour

Are you looking for more top things to do in Florence: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And Italy travel guide here .

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Tuscany Travel Guide

Since 1998, we at To Tuscany have been working hard to become experts in our field. In writing this travel guide, we intend to serve as the best possible online resource for anyone wishing to discover this extraordinary place. Tuscany is found in central Italy, and is beloved around the world for its magnificent landscapes, medieval hilltop towns, and exquisite food and wine. As well as its outstanding natural beauty and internationally renowned cuisine, the region is also the home of Renaissance art and the ancient Etruscan civilisation. Whether you’re feeling lazy or active, thrifty or extravagant, we’ve got you covered. We’ll also provide advice on navigating between the towns, villages and villas, and recommend the best transport and culinary services according to our team of specialists. Come and discover a new way of life.

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Tuscany, like a fine wine, has been some time in the making...

From the Etruscans to the Romans to the Renaissance, Tuscany is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, from extraordinary paintings and sculpture to frescoes and architectural masterpieces.

Visitors to Tuscany come for many reasons. Many come in search of fine art , others to explore the extraordinary countryside . Gourmets and wine buffs descend on Tuscany to enjoy the simple yet wonderful cuisine and wine . Walkers enjoy the mountain paths , cyclists the rolling hills , summer vacationers the sea coast and islands . Students come to learn the beautiful Italian language and culture .

There is a lot to see and do in Tuscany, the difficulty is really where to start. Certainly most should start with Florence , then continue on to  Siena and Pisa . The roll call of città di arte , cities of art, is daunting: Arezzo , Cortona ,  San Gimignano and  Lucca are all striking. The more you come to know the region, the more extraordinary Tuscany appears. Enjoy your visit!

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$899—Visit Rome & Tuscany incl. flights

Let your history books come to life in Rome, then have a toast in Tuscany.

Why We Love This Deal

Your Italian vacation begins in Rome, where stunning architecture and delectable food will surely impress. Tuscan dishes and wine are next, and they pair well with Montecatini thermal springs. Fall sets Roman ruins against an autumnal backdrop and welcomes harvest season in Tuscany.

What's in cluded in this  $899-per-person offer:

• International roundtrip airfare from the U.S. to Rome
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