Best Places to Visit in TUSCANY (ITALY)
Planning a trip to Tuscany, and wondering what are the best places to visit in Tuscany?
Tuscany is a region in Central Italy. It is known for its postcard-perfect landscapes, olive groves, rolling hills, vineyards, high culture and history stretching back a few hundreds of years. Also, Tuscany is considered to be the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. According to some guidebooks, Tuscany is Italy’s most romanticised region.
Sounds wonderful? Do you want to come and explore?
But what exactly to visit during your Tuscany trip? What you shouldn’t miss?
Read our article to find out!
7 Best Places to Visit in Tuscany
Florence
Being the regional capital, Florence is one of the best places to visit in Tuscany.
This iconic city is the cradle of the Renaissance, and one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. One of Florence’s most iconic sights is Santa Maria del Fiore — a 13th-century cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome. Other very popular sights include the Church of Santa Croce, the Uffizi Gallery and The Palazzo Pitti.
Florence is also known for its impressive art collections. According to UNESCO, the city holds “the greatest concentration of universally renowned works of art in the world”.
The famed Uffizi Gallery is home to many iconic artworks, such as Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.” And The Galleria dell’Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture.
Due to its “Outstanding Universal Value”, the Historic Centre of Florence was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It’s no surprise, Florence is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Italy.
Pisa
Pisa is another well-known city in the Tuscany region.
It is best known for its iconic Leaning Tower which features a nearly four-degree lean — a result of an unstable foundation. The tower is located in Pisa’s Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), besides the Pisa Cathedral and the Pisa Baptistry.
There are other wonderful landmarks to visit in Pisa besides Piazza del Duomo. Do not miss Santa Maria della Spina, a tiny, picture-perfect church that dates back to the 13th century. Explore Palazzo della Carovana and marvel at its intricate façade. Enjoy a relaxing walk along the River Arno.
Siena
Siena is one of the most charming cities in Tuscany.
It was one of the most important cities in Mediaeval Europe. Now Siena is a very popular tourist destination.
Filled with Gothic architecture, Siena has a different vibe than Florence. Spend a couple of days exploring its wonderful architecture: the gothic Siena Cathedral, the main square of Siena, Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico with its slender tower, Torre del Mangia. Do not miss the majestic Piccolomini Library which is located in Siena Cathedral. It is famous for its wonderful frescoes.
Siena is also known for the Palio di Siena, a traditional horse race that is held twice a year.
The Apuan Alps
The Apuan Alps are a mountain range in northern Tuscany.
It is known for its harsh yet breathtaking landscapes. Karst caves, high-altitude lakes and towering peaks dot the area. With an altitude of 1946 metres above sea level, Monte Pisanino is the highest point in the Apuan Alps.
The Apuan Alps is a great destination for hikers, as the region features well-developed hiking trails with vistas to die for. Grotta all’Onda, Marble Quarries, Monte Forato, Monte Piglione and Pania della Croce are among the most popular hiking destinations in the area.
San Gimignano
Do you want to feel like you’ve travelled back to the past?
Head to San Gimignano, a hill town that dates back to the Middle Ages. Surrounded by 13th-century walls, it boasts a picturesque old town with numerous Mediaeval stone towers. These towers are what the town is famous for.
The old town boasts a unique triangular square (Piazza della Cisterna) lined with Mediaeval houses. The most iconic tower, Torre Grossa, is located nearby. Do not miss the Duomo di San Gimignano — an impressive church with frescoes dating back to the 12th-century.
San Gimignano is surrounded by hills and vineyards, making the town even prettier.
Truffle hunting and wine tours from San Gimignano are among the best day trips in Tuscany. Truffles are a rare and expensive delicacy, and truffle hunting in the truffle areas around San Gimignano is one of the best things to do in Tuscany.
Lucca
Lucca is another historical city in Tuscany.
Known for its Mediaeval walls and a well-preserved old town with narrow cobblestone streets, Lucca is one of the best places to visit in Tuscany.
Just like Florence and Siena, Lucca’s highlights are the city’s Mediaeval architecture. Its views of terracotta-tiled roofs are among the best in Tuscany.
Chianti
Chianti is a very popular wine region in Tuscany.
Its rolling hills and old stone houses attract tourists from all over the world. The peaceful little villages of Chianti are perfect for a short getaway away from a bustling city full of tourists.
Rent a room in a renovated traditional Tuscan house and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of rural Tuscany.
Going on a wine tour is one of the best things to do in Tuscany.
Tuscany Travel Tips
- It’s very easy to travel around Tuscany. Tuscany, just like the rest of Italy, has a good transport system. Bus and train networks are great.
- You can easily get from Florence to Lucca, Pisa and Siena, as there are direct trains. You can go on a wine tour by train, too.
- Trenitalia, Italy’s national company, is the most popular rail company. Download the Trenitalia app. So, with this app, you can purchase train tickets on your phone, and save mobile boarding passes to your phone. You don’t need to validate digital train tickets, only printed tickets. Italo Treno – high-speed train in Italy. Use the Italo promo code to get great fares.
- Like in the rest of Italy, you can’t purchase local bus tickets from bus drivers. Instead, you must buy tickets at local tobacco stores (Tabacchi). Do not forget to validate once on board. Most Tabacci stores aren’t open on Sundays.
- Renting a car also is a great way to travel around Tuscany. If you plan to rent a car, get a small car. Parking spaces and roads in Italy are small. It’s easier to drive a small car, and you’ll see that almost everybody has a small car.
- Tuscany is known for its delicious wine! Definitely try it during your trip to Tuscany!
- Restaurants don’t stay open all day. Also, Italians eat their dinner late. So, don’t expect restaurants to open for dinner earlier than 7 PM. They fill up around 8 PM.
- The best time to visit Tuscany is late spring and early autumn.
