This list of places to see in Tuscany It will help you prepare a trip through one of the most beautiful regions of Italy in the world in which cities with an enormous artistic and cultural heritage such as Florence or Siena, towns frozen in time such as San Gimignano or Volterra, beautiful landscapes of vineyards and Olive trees in the Orcia Valley as well as delicious cuisine and famous wines that will make this trip an unforgettable memory.
Based on the experience of our trip through Tuscany in 4 days by rental car, we have made a list of what we believe are the essential places to visit in Tuscany. We start!
1. Florence
Florence, a city with a unique historical center, which looks like an open-air museum, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to see in Tuscany. Although there is a lot of tourism in recent times, you should keep in mind that Florence is always a safe bet that in this case will also serve as a gateway to discover the region of Tuscany.
Although there are many places to visit in Florence, as essential, we recommend you not to miss the Piazza del Duomo, located in the heart of the city and with three spectacular buildings such as the Cathedral, the Campanile and the Battistero.
Walking through the streets of the old town, from Piazza del Duomo, you will reach Piazza della Signoria with its unmistakable Palazzo Vecchio, where you can enjoy sculptures of great masters. Another square that is very worthwhile is San Croce, with a magnificent church known as the Pantheon of Italian glories.
Do not forget to visit the museums of the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, which has the most famous sculpture in the world, David by Michelangelo, both of which are among the most important in the world.
To finish a tour of the city, nothing better than crossing the magnificent Ponte Vecchio and climbing at sunset to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the sunset over Florence.
A good option to learn more about the history of the city and its monuments is to book this guided tour in Spanish that includes the skip-the-line entrance to the Uffizi Gallery and the Academy.
Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo
2. San Gimignano
San Gimignano, known as "The City of a Thousand Towers" or the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages", is one of the most beautiful towns in Italy and one of the places to visit in Tuscany more essential
Located on top of a hill, between Siena and Florence, this city is one of the icons of the region, thanks to the 14 stone towers that are still preserved from the 72 that it had in medieval times. Strolling through the cobbled streets of its historic center, closed to traffic, will transfer you centuries ago when the nobles and knights dominated the region, making this visit unforgettable.
Among the essential places to see in San Gimignano, there are 54 meters high Torre Grossa, with magnificent views of the surroundings, the Duomo and the Piazza della Cisterna, where it is practically a must to buy an ice cream in the Dondoli gelateria, considered the best ice cream shop in the world.
If you come from Volterra by car, as we did, we recommend you stop before arriving in San Gimignano in one of the natural viewpoints, to have the best views of the city and its towers.
The best way to explore Tuscany is by renting a car in Siena or Florence, to make a circular route and have the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want.
Although if you do not want to drive a good option to go from Florence to San Gimignano it is to take a bus at the Busitalia SITA Nord station, which takes about two hours to make this journey. Another alternative that allows you to visit more villages in one day is to book this excursion that includes Pisa and Siena or this one that includes Siena and the Chianti vineyard area. Both excursions are done by bus and with a guide in Spanish.
San Gimignano
3. Volterra
One of the surprises of our trip through Tuscany was Volterra, a medieval city located on top of a hill, with magnificent views of its surroundings, which in recent times has become another of the essential places to see in Tuscany.
Its historic center full of stone buildings and steep streets, surrounded by a great medieval wall, is perfect for strolling through its streets to the Palazzo dei Priori and the Assumption Cathedral, where you can see the Roman theater of the 1st century BC and cross the old city gates.
Before leaving, do not forget to buy some alabaster figure in addition to trying their culinary specialties, two typical things to do in this jewel of Tuscany.
To get to Volterra from Florence, if you don't have a car, you can take the bus at Santa Maria Novella Station to Colle di Val d'Elsa, and from there another bus to Volterra.
Volterra
4. Orcia Valley
The Orcia Valley or Val d'Orcia, located south of Siena bordering with Umbria, is a true paradise where the landscapes of Tuscany reach their maximum splendor. The hills with medieval stone villages, the large houses that are reached by a cypress road, the fields of vineyards, wheat and sunflowers, form a palette of colors that, we are sure, will leave you speechless, starring colors that change to yellows and browns with the arrival of summer, while in spring an intense green dominates.
The best way to explore this undulating landscape is by renting a car and stepping on the brake to take photos or simply contemplate the landscape.
And although in Italy we eat great, we have to confess that nowhere in the world have we eaten better than in the Orcia Valley, where pecorino, mushrooms and truffles, oil, honey, sausages and wine from Montalcino, are some of their specialties, which mixed with their delicious homemade pasta, form an unsurpassed gastronomic combination.
Orcia Valley
5. Siena, one of the places to see in Tuscany
Little Siena, always in the shadow of its neighboring Florence, is another of the essential cities to visit in Tuscany.
Without suffering the burdens of the crowded Florence, in Siena you can travel peacefully through a city with an enormous cultural and architectural heritage, in which it stands out and is known especially on July 2 and August 16, these days being his big day, with the celebration of Palio, an old UNESCO World Heritage party celebrated in Piazza del Campo.
In addition, in this square, the most important in the city, is the great Torre de Mangia of more than 100 meters high, the Public Palace and the Gaia fountain, places to see in Siena that we recommend you not to miss along with the Duomo , built entirely of white and dark green marble, which is worth entering just to see the impressive Piccolomini Library.
Although the best of Siena is to wander aimlessly through its streets and squares full of palaces and climb to some viewpoint like the Panorama with stunning views of the city and Piazza del Campo.
The city of Siena is a good option as an accommodation base to explore Tuscany by car without making a circular route. We stayed at the Albergo Chiusarelli hotel with a good location, parking and great value for money.
To get to Siena from Florence you can take a train at the Santa Maria Novella Station that takes an hour and a half to arrive. Right next to the train station you also have the bus station that will take you to Siena in just over an hour.
Another alternative is to book this excursion that includes Pisa and San Gimignano or this one that includes San Gimignano and Chianti region.
Siena, one of the places to see in Tuscany
6. Lucca
Lucca, known as the city of "the 100 towers and the 100 churches", is a jewel that preserves the authenticity of the medieval era and another of the most beautiful places to see in Tuscany.
The walls of the fifteenth century that surround the city have remained intact, which allows you to take a small walk above seeing the many towers and churches. In its historic center, a World Heritage Site, the Oval-shaped Amphitheater Square stands out, considered a unique place throughout Italy as it has an ancient Roman amphitheater from the 1st century.
Another amazing place in Lucca is the Guidini Tower that is preserved from the Middle Ages and has several trees on the top that will shade you while you enjoy the views and your walk through Lucca.
The route can continue walking along the Via Fillungo, the busiest in the city, to visit the Duomo and climb the Tower of the Hours, the highest in the city, and then approach other places that deserve to be included in the Visit the Church of San Miguel in Foro and the Basilica of San Frediano with a golden mosaic on its facade,
You can get to Lucca from Florence by train or by bus in just over an hour. Another more comfortable option is to book this bus tour that includes Pisa with a guide in Spanish.
Lucca
7. Pisa
Pisa, although everyone relates it to its leaning tower, has other attractions that place it among the best places to see in Tuscany. In the Piazza dei Miracoli, in addition to hundreds of tourists taking the picture holding the leaning tower, you can enjoy other wonders such as the Duomo, the Baptistery and the Monumental Cemetery, in addition to enjoying the incredible views of the square that are achieved by climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
A good option to avoid queues at the entrance of the tower and in the cathedral is to book this ticket in advance.
After completing the visits to the Piazza dei Miracoli you can walk down to the historic center, passing through the Piazza dei Cavalieri with its magnificent Palazzo della Carovana, before reaching the Arno river approach the Borgo Stretto alley, one of the streets with more charm of the city.
Finally nothing better than a walk along the bank of the Arno river where you will find the beautiful Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina.
A good way to learn about the history of the city and the tower is by booking this guided tour in Spanish that includes the entrance to the leaning tower.
To get to Pisa from Florence the best option is to take a train at the Santa Maria Novella Station that takes an hour to complete this journey. Another more comfortable option is to book this bus tour with a guide in Spanish where you will be picked up at your hotel.
Pisa
8. Pienza
Pienza, surrounded by the typically Tuscan landscapes of the Orcia Valley, is one of the most beautiful villages to see in Tuscany. In the fifteenth century, this medieval town called Corsignano changed its name and became a Renaissance architectural marvel thanks to the patronage of Pius II, Pope born in the city.
Entering through its medieval Porta Prato door you can cross the entire city along Corso Rossellino street, where the most important churches, palaces and squares are located, until you reach the other entrance door, Porta al Ciglio.
And as an extra we will tell you that before leaving Piece, do not forget to buy pecorino cheese typical of this town and eat in one of its restaurants, where we tried one of the best pasta dishes of our lives.
To get to these villages of the Orcia Valley it is better to stay in Siena than in Florence, being closer and having a better connection by public transport.
Pienza, one of the places to visit in Tuscany
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Montepulciano
Located on top of a hill overlooking the fields of vineyards and olive trees is the town of Montepulciano, another of the places to visit in Tuscany. Famous for its exquisite red wines, it has in the Piazza Grande its most important place, although before reaching it and to the highest point of the city, where it is located, we recommend you to stroll between beautiful palaces and ancient Renaissance residences of noblemen of the century XIV and XV to enjoy some of its most interesting places such as the Torre del Pulcinella, the Palazzo Cocconi and the Bucelli, and the Church of Sant 'Agostino, which make Montepulciano, another of the places to see in Tuscany more impressive.
Upon reaching the Piazza Grande you will see a monumental complex with the Palazzo Comunale and its great tower, the fountain of the taps and the lions, the Duomo and the buildings of the Palazzo Nobili-Tarugi and Palazzo Contucci.
To get to Montepulciano the best option, if you do not want to rent a car, is by bus from Siena. Another more comfortable option that also allows you to visit the villages of Pienza and Montalcino in one day, is booking this tour with a guide in Spanish.
Montepulciano
10. Bagno Vignoni
The small thermal town of Bagno Vignoni, located between the vineyards and olive trees of the Orcia Valley, was one of the great surprises of our trip and is our last recommendation of places to see in Tuscany.
The heart of the town is formed by a square with a large Roman-era pool in the center, where the medieval buildings that surround it are reflected, forming a picture for the memory, which seems taken from a story and stands out for being warm to consequence of the volcanic subsoil.
In addition to a free access pool, the town has two thermal centers in the form of hotels. In one of them, the Hotel La Posta, you will have access to its magnificent swimming pools overlooking the landscapes of Tuscany for about 10 euros.
Bagno Vignoni
Other beautiful villages that could perfectly enter the list of places to see in Tuscany They are Montalcino, Monteriggioni, Cortona, Montefioralle, Pitigliano and Anghiari.
If you want to help us complete the list of 10 essential places to see in Tuscany, add yours in the comments.
