Home to architectural gems such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Renaissance masterpieces including Michelangelo’s “David,” and some of the world’s finest wine, Tuscany is one of the world’s most visited regions—for good reason. The capital of Florence, also known as the Cradle of the Renaissance, boasts two of the world’s most significant (and busiest) art museums: Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia). You can spend hours lining up outside, but in-the-know travelers get ahead of the crowd with skip-the-line tickets and early-access or after-hour tours. In Pisa, beat the timed-entry system for the Leaning Tower of Pisa with a tour, or see beyond the sights of Piazza dei Miracoli on a guided bike ride. Head to San Gimignano and Siena, both popular stops on day trips from Florence, and lose yourself in the charming historic centers for which they are famed. For a true taste of Tuscany, head for the region’s top gastronomic destinations and enjoy a cooking class in Lucca or Arezzo, paired with wine tasting in Chianti, Montepulciano, or Montalcino. Tuscany wine tours include samples of local vintages and allow you to hop from winery to winery without worrying about transportation or choosing where to go.
Sweltering in the summer (in particular Florence), Tuscany shows its best sides in the spring and fall. Fall is a great time to visit the slow food-obsessed region, when the cucina contadina (farm cuisine) comes to life with festivals dedicated to seasonal produce, local game, and foraged truffles. In June the Tuscans don medieval colors and compete in Roman-style horse races, Renaissance-era “football” games, and traditional boat races. Siena’s world-famous Palio horse race is held later, in July and August.
The Trenitalia national rail network connects Tuscany’s major cities with fast, affordable, and reliable public transportation; though some cities, like Siena, require transfers to slower regional trains. Further afield, smaller villages can only be reached via buses, which don’t always have convenient schedules. Much of the countryside is best seen on indulgent drives along single-lane roads—which also happen to be perfect for cycling.
To really learn the lay of the land on a “slow-travel” experience, visitors can discover Tuscany on foot. The Via Francigena is an old pilgrimage route that meanders through Tuscany on its way from Canterbury to Rome. With some advance planning, travelers in decent physical shape can easily tackle the sections—called tappe in Italian—from the medieval hill towns of San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, and Siena in three to four days, with lunch at local farms along the way.
That iconic photo of Italy you’ve seen—the one of a cypress-lined country lane zigzagging its way toward a hilltop villa through vineyards, olive trees, and sunflower fields—was snapped in Tuscany. This region is known for its postcard-perfect landscapes sprinkled with medieval villages, storied wineries, and Renaissance estates.
...MoreTuscany is a sprawling region, home to both Florence and Pisa. Spend at least three days to touch on the most famous towns and villages of Chianti and Val d’Orcia. To take in Florence’s Renaissance treasures and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you’ll need at least two more days.
...MoreVineyards cover much of Tuscany, and the region produces a number of Italy’s most prestigious wines. Headliners include Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, nobile di Montepulciano, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano produced in the hills of Chianti and the Val d’Orcia, as well as the coastal Bolgheri reds.
...MoreNot necessarily. Agriturismo (farm holiday) stays, casual trattoria meals, and tours of the smaller hill towns are ideal for budget travelers who are keeping their eye on the bottom line. Those looking to splurge can choose luxury wine estates, Michelin-starred restaurants, and the elegant city of Florence for sightseeing.
...MoreTuscany has a collection of delightful hilltop towns to visit, all of which offer historic cityscapes and scenic views. Top options include San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, Pitigliano, Arezzo, and Cortona; the larger towns of Siena and Lucca are also known for their elegant historic centers.
...MoreSiena is the best option for a small town that offers A-list sights, dining, and shopping—plus convenient train connections. For a village atmosphere, Pienza is a great choice, though its lack of a train station makes getting around a challenge. City slickers should opt for Florence, Tuscany’s capital and transport hub.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 123 |
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Number of Tours | 3,902 |
Number of Reviews | 110,686 |
Currency | EUR |
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