Tuscany is one in every of Italy’s most stunning areas. Centered across the capital of Florence, Tuscany is dwelling to rolling hills, Renaissance structure, and conventional Italian hospitality. It is an iconic place to go to in Italy, and everybody ought to expertise Tuscan dwelling. While Florence is actually essentially the most well-known metropolis in Tuscany, there are stunning villages and cities in Tuscany that you have to set to discover as nicely.
Best cities in Tuscany
When we traveled to Tuscany, we rented a automobile to discover and located it to be one of the simplest ways to essentially discover the much less frequented Tuscany villages and sights. You can examine automobile rental costs right here. Make certain to e-book a room in an genuine Tuscan villa to essentially expertise the wonder and tradition of Tuscany to the fullest. You can learn extra about our expertise right here.
Tuscany can be dwelling to a few of Italy’s most stunning cities. You’ll discover fantastically positioned small cities in Tuscany surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards lined with Cypress timber. Many medieval cities nonetheless have previous Roman partitions and buildings relationship again to the Middle Ages. Exploring Tuscany is dreamy; Tuscany villages are each romantic and photogenic. You may additionally like 15 Most Beautiful Cities in Italy for Travelers
So, which Tuscan cities must you go to? This information will cowl all one of the best cities in Tuscany. From tiny cities with slender cobbled streets and medieval buildings to scenic spots in the Chianti wine area, these are one of the best small cities to go to.
Florence
Chances are you’ll make a base in Florence when visiting Tuscany. We have a number of articles devoted to Florence you could learn listed beneath. We are going to concentrate on the lesser recognized cities and villages however no journey to Tuscany can be full with no cease in Florence.
Make certain to plan your go to to the #1 attraction in Tuscany and e-book your timed entrance to see David
1. San Gimignano
San Gimignano is on our checklist due to its dashing attractiveness. The city is enclosed in medieval partitions that date again to the Thirteenth century and is filled with medieval structure. Nicknamed the ‘Town of Fine Towers” this town is a brilliant choice. The town is so impressive that it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can book day trips from Florence to San Gimignano. This highly rated tour includes highlights to some of the best towns including Pisa, Siena, and tasting wine in the Chianti Region.
This medieval town can be visited in half a day, although a longer visit is always better if you have more time. San Gimignano has two main squares, the central piazza, Piazza del Duomo, which is surrounded by the towers that give San Gimignano its namesake.
You can grab a coffee (or a gelato if you have a sweet tooth) and sit al fresco at one of the little cafes around the square. Piazza Della Cisterna is the second main square in San Gimignano and is an unusual triangle shape surrounded by 13th-century buildings.
So, what should you do in San Gimignano?
The other main highlights include sampling Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a white Italian wine produced in and around its surrounding valley. Wine lovers can easily organize a visit to one of the local wineries when visiting San Gimignano. You can also visit the Etruscan Academy Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the history of the Etruscan civilization.
San Gimignano is the perfect destination for those wanting a beautiful, historical destination. And for wine lovers, it is one of the best wine towns in Tuscany, thanks to its Vernaccia di San Gimignano vineyards.
2. Cortona
Cortona is one of the best hill towns in Tuscany. Cortona has found a place in this guide because of its medieval architecture and scenic hilltop locale, which provides sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside below and some impressive sunsets. For those wanting a quiet countryside experience, Cortona is a fantastic option.
It’s additionally value mentioning that Cortona was the setting for the film ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ – so it’s fairly sufficient to be a focus for film administrators.
If you might be staying in Florence, you’ll be able to e-book a day tour to Cortona that features a cease in Assisi as nicely. Besides exploring Cortona, you’ll see the place Under The Tuscan Sun was set, and expertise one in every of Umbria’s most stunning cities, Assisi. Watch the film on Prime or hire it right here.
The stunning hilltop city is surrounded by Roman partitions. Cortona is small, but it surely is filled with museums. Allow just a few hours if you wish to discover and admire the city on foot, pausing to understand any countryside views. But if you wish to go to all of the museums, plan to spend a day in Cortona.
Things to do in Cortona
Cortona’s principal highlights are the Girifalco Fortress, Santa Margherita Sanctuary, and Diocesan Museum. Girifalco Fortress is an historic Etruscan fortification you could tour and be taught extra about Cortona’s historic historical past. Santa Margherita Sanctuary is a neo-gothic Roman Catholic church with putting structure. Finally, Diocesan Museum is an artwork museum that features works by Luca Signorelli, a famend native artist.
Cortona is a reasonably hill city in Tuscany and very best if you wish to expertise one of many area’s countryside cities. The city is filled with museums and delightful pure views.
Set the temper to your Tuscany go to by studying the e-book Under the Tuscan Sun
3. Suvereto
Suvereto could be a bit too small to be thought-about a city, however it’s so stunning that it simply needed to have a spot on our checklist. Suvereto is considerably of a hidden gem, sandwiched between the Etruscan Coast and Tuscan hills.
The village has an idyllic ambiance, surrounded by olive groves, coastal woodland, and stuffed with medieval homes linked by a community of cobbled streets. The seaside location implies that Suvereto is a peaceable spot, by no means removed from an ocean view or the scent of Mediterranean shrubs.
Like most Tuscany cities, the village is protected by medieval partitions, and Suvereto can be full of gorgeous church buildings and historic buildings. Suvereto’s measurement makes it a breeze to discover on foot. It has a extra distant, laidback ambiance than the remainder of the cities and villages in this information – greatest suited to these desirous to get off the overwhelmed observe.
So, what must you do in Suvereto?
The greatest issues to do in Suvereto embody visiting Rocca Aldobrandesca, a shocking viewpoint positioned on a hilltop outdoors the town partitions. It provides a picturesque view of the village and its previous medieval structure. Visiting Suvereto’s church buildings can be a should.
From Florence, you’ll be able to e-book this dreamy non-public day tour that takes you again in time as you experience a horse carriage between the vines, for a personal wine tasting adopted by strolling the historic streets of Suvereto.
The Romanesque Church of San Giusto and the Church of the Madonna di Spora la Porta are the preferred. You also can use Suvereto as a base to discover the close by Montioni Natural Park, the place you’ll discover wildlife like wild boar and roe deer.
4. Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni is likely one of the most stunning cities in Tuscany and is positioned in its Chianti area. The fortified Tuscan small city is ready on barely larger floor overlooking the encompassing valley and vineyards. Monteriggioni is likely one of the extra well-known cities in Tuscany. The medieval city even functioned because the setting for the Assassin Creed saga.
Monteriggioni is a superb place to take pleasure in strolling historic medieval streets and visiting small museums and historic sights just like the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. If you go to originally of July, there’s additionally the Monteriggioni Medieval Festival.
During the pageant, the city steps again in time, with locals carrying medieval costumes and carrying conventional video games. Out of all of the cities, Monteriggioni is one of the best city to have an immersive expertise of medievalism.
So, what must you do in Monteriggioni?
Not visiting in July? No downside. There remains to be lots to do in Monteriggioni. You can drop by the Armory Museum for a historical past lesson on Medieval and Renaissance weaponry and armor. Walking the partitions is at all times enjoyable; at only a few euros, additionally it is a budget-friendly exercise. If you’re a wine lover, Monteriggioni can be an important base to go wine tasting in the wine-renowned Chianti area.
Monteriggioni is a wonderful alternative in order for you a basic style of a Tuscan city and a tried-and-tested vacationer vacation spot.
This extremely rated tour from Tuscany contains a few of the high stops in the area. You’ll style wines in favorite area in Tuscany, Chianti.
5. Montepulciano
Montepulciano is one other one in every of Tuscany’s unbelievable hill cities. The quaint city is attractive with elegant palaces and dramatic structure to admire. Pack your digicam; Montepulciano is thought for the fantastic thing about its historic city middle. That isn’t all, although, as Montepulciano has a number of strings to its belts.
Montepulciano can be the most effective wine cities in Tuscany. Its surrounding countryside is filled with wineries – most notably producing Nobile. For vineyards, valley views, and chic environment, Montepulciano is a implausible place to go to.
The city is centered round Piazza Grande, a monumental sq. neglected by the large clock tower of the city corridor. Piazza Grande has a stately ambiance. Visit in August, although, and also you’ll discover festivities in full move. In August, Montepulciano hosts the barrel-racing Bravio Delle Botti competitors. Bravio Delle Botti includes groups of two runners trying to be the primary to roll an 80kg wine barrel by way of the city’s streets. Piazza Grande acts because the all-important end line.
So, what must you do in Montepulciano?
Apart from its annual barrel race, there are many issues to do all yr spherical in Montepulciano. You can take a guided strolling tour, go to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, climb the tower of the City Hall, and cease by the Fortress of Montepulciano.
Make certain to depart time to go on a wine tour as nicely, because the regional vino nobile crimson wine is scrumptious. You can cease by one of many wine bars in the town, comparable to Contucci Winery or La Dolce Vita – a few of which have an underground wine cellar. Alternatively, tour one of many vineyards simply outdoors the town to pattern native wine.
Montepulciano is a superb city to combine wine and historical past. You can go to a Thirteenth-century fortress in the morning and pattern velvety crimson wines in the afternoon, all inside strolling distance. If you need a wine break with loads of further issues to do, Montepulciano is implausible.
6. Collodi
Collodi is one other of Tuscany’s greatest small cities. The city has a singular structure, with buildings working in a slender line down a steep hill, virtually obscured by woodland. Collodi was constructed on the stays of an historic medieval citadel. However, it lacks the normal walled structure of most cities in Tuscany. Collodi is an thrilling, uncommon spot to go to – very best for these wanting a extra distinctive expertise of a Tuscan city.
At the bottom of the hill, Collodi has an enormous fortress. Collodi additionally has an ‘old town’, the place the buildings date again to the tip of the twelfth century. If you want historic structure and historical past, it’s an thrilling spot to discover on foot and be taught extra about. Collodi’s distinctive structure is linked to its historical past. It acted as a tactical place the place locals would flock to the highest of the hill when attacked, leaving the attackers susceptible on the backside.
So, what must you do in Collodi?
The highlights of a go to to Collodi are the citadel, the view from the Church of San Bartolomeo, colourful wildlife on the Butterfly House, and Villa Garzoni and its Italian Garden. Villa Garzoni is most famously recognized for its magnificence, but it surely was additionally the office of the creator of Pinocchio’s father. It is claimed that Carlo Collodi took inspiration from Collodi whereas creating the novel.
Collodi is a stand-out vacation spot in Tuscany and an excellent place to embrace a extra uncommon instance of Italian historical past.
7. Certaldo
Certaldo is a phenomenal medieval village in Tuscany. It is filled with character and one of many prettiest Tuscan villages to go to. Certaldo is most well-known for being the birthplace of the well-known author Giovanni Boccaccio, thought-about one of many fathers of literature and the creator of the Decameron. Apart from its magnificence, Certaldo is filled with tradition, and it is a wonderful vacation spot for any lovers of Italian literature.
Certaldo’s cultural draw booms throughout July, when the Mercantia Festival is in full move. The Mercantia Festival is a phenomenal road artwork pageant, with dwell artwork performances and shows that whir into motion at dusk. As you admire the paintings, performers in costumes wander the road – often carrying stilts and dressed as clouds.
So, what must you do in Certaldo?
Must-do actions in Certaldo embody visiting the Giovanni Boccaccio Museum, which is located in his previous home and homes uncommon artifacts that after belonged to the author. The Palazzo Pretorio is one other sensible attraction, and the previous palace dates again to the twelfth century. Finally, artwork fans will love the Museum of Sacred Art, which shows numerous artwork varieties.
Certaldo is the place to go to for tradition – whether or not you wish to find out about literary historical past or attend the Mercantia Festival. The village is a superb spot to understand conventional medieval structure and the tradition and humanities that accompany it.
8. Anghiari
Anghiari is one other stunning Tuscan city bursting with tradition. However, Anghiari is famed for its artisan studios and vintage outlets as a substitute of literature. The city has been recognized for its merchants and artisans for hundreds of years. You’ll discover all kinds of merchandise created from wooden, textiles, and even ceramics.
The slender, cobbled streets are lined by store after store – excellent for window buying and enjoyable wandering. Forget about memento buying; Anghiari is someplace you’ll be able to supply every little thing to redecorate a home.
So, what must you do in Anghiari?
When you aren’t buying, you’ll be able to go to the completely different palaces in Anghiari. As a Renaissance city, the structure is putting, and the gothic particulars on the palaces are stunning to admire. Of course, artwork fans may also want to go to the city’s artwork museum, the Popular Tradition Museum. The museum homes all paintings, from frescos taken from native church buildings to sculptures and secular monuments.
Anghiari is the place to go to if you wish to buy groceries and love searching artisan merchandise. It is a buying haven for retail fans and a cultural scorching spot for artwork and structure. Not to say that it’s beautiful and straightforward to discover on foot as nicely.
9. Pienza
Looking for a historic previous city with loads of appeal? Pienza is an enthralling city, and its historic city middle is a chosen UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pienza is nicknamed by many the best metropolis of the Renaissance, and it was additionally the birthplace of Pope Pius II.
Pope Pius II turned a notable humanist and aided with the transformation of Pienza in the Renaissance interval. He wished a Utopian metropolis, and now, guests flock to see the city centuries later.
So, what must you do in Pienza?
Pienza is likely one of the most stunning cities in Tuscany for its structure. Palazzo Piccolomini was even used for scenes in Romeo and Juliet. When it involves discovering issues to do, you actually received’t be caught for choices. You can go to the Romanesque church Pieve di Corsignano. You also can pattern the city’s specialty Pecorino cheese and admire the Cathedral of Assunta.
If you have an interest in the Catholic church’s historical past, Pienza’s hyperlinks to a previous pope are very intriguing. Pienza is atmospheric sufficient to warrant a go to and a spot on our checklist.
10. Casale Marittimo
File courtesy Wikimedia
Get prepared so as to add one other hilltop city to your checklist. Casale Marittimo is scenically perched on a small hill overlooking the Cecina River Valley and Etruscan Coast. It is greatest recognized for its historic citadel ruins and is one other previous city overflowing with historical past.
Casale Marittimo’s unique citadel nonetheless peeps out of the trendy metropolis in fragmented sections. The city is enclosed by simply half a remaining metropolis wall. Casale Marittimo’s medieval structure is dilapidated but preserved sufficient to make wandering the city really feel like visiting an immersive museum.
So, what must you do in Casale Marittimo?
The greatest issues to do in and round Casale Marittimo are to discover the citadel ruins, go to the Church of Sant’Andrea, and take a day journey to the necropolis of Casa Nocera. Of course, you may be located proper in the center of the Tuscan countryside, too, so that you’ll have climbing and images alternatives galore.
Casale Marittimo is greatest for these with an curiosity in archaeology. Walking across the half-modern city, half-ancient ruins feels a bit like a huge puzzle – which archaeology and historical past lovers will adore. Plus, you might be by no means too removed from the shoreline and beautiful seashores.
11. Volterra
Volterra is likely one of the most well-known cities in Tuscany and one of many oldest. The medieval city dates again to the Middle Ages, and also you’ll discover a historic middle and historic, conventional metropolis partitions. Like Casale Marittimo, Volterra is sort of a dwelling, respiration archaeology web site.
Volterra can be particularly recognized for alabaster artisan merchandise. Alabaster is a sometimes white type of gypsum or calcite, popularly used to create ornaments. You can wander Volterra window purchasing for the proper alabaster memento or cease by one in every of its historic sights.
So, what must you do in Volterra?
As you will have guessed, Volterra has a protracted checklist of sights and highlights for guests. The city particularly has numerous historic sights. You can cease by the Roman Theater, the Acropolis, or stroll across the previous metropolis partitions.
Volterra is a wonderful vacation spot for anybody in historical past and open to dabbling in a little bit of window buying or precise memento buying. The city has loads of sights and native outlets to maintain you entertained.
12. Lucca
Lucca is a Renaissance city with well-preserved Renaissance partitions and people cobbled streets that make you swoon. The Italian city sits alongside the Serchio River and on the foot of the dramatic Apuan Alps, which makes for a phenomenal backdrop. It is essentially the most well-known city close to Pisa. Pisa
It is ideally positioned to take pleasure in quiet, genuine dwelling and journey into Pisa if you wish to. Of course, Pisa has main sights just like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, so being close by is at all times a plus. You can discover our high tips about visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa right here.
And as for Lucca, its location and attractiveness have earned it a spot on this checklist.
So, what must you do in Lucca?
The greatest issues to do in Lucca are to stroll the city partitions, admire Lucca Cathedral, scale Guinigi Tower, and go to the Roman Amphitheater. Lucca’s structure is beautiful, and the town structure is ideal for exploring on foot.
The city is greatest for these wanting a reasonably place to go to in Tuscany, with numerous putting structure and delightful surroundings. Given its location, Lucca can be well-combined with a go to to Pisa’s historic metropolis middle. It is proof you could (and will) detour to small cities in Tuscany moderately than simply staying in a significant metropolis.
13. Monte San Savino
Did you realize that Tuscany has been influenced by a longstanding previous Jewish neighborhood? Monte San Savino is an efficient alternative for these in particularly Jewish historical past or simply social historical past in basic. While Jewish historical past in Tuscany is longstanding, you’ll most likely battle to seek out Jewish sights and historical past overtly displayed. Monte San Savino is the reply to this, and it nonetheless contains a synagogue and ghetto.
Aside from its Jewish historical past, Monte San Savino has loads of different historical past to uncover. The city has seen clashes between the Guelphs and Ghibellines and has fallen in and out of Florentine rule. Monte San Savino is a phenomenal small Tuscan city with many tales.
So, what must you do in Monte San Savino?
One of one of the best issues to do in this small city is to go to the Cassero Museum, which pays tribute to the city’s historic ceramic traditions. You’ll additionally discover the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Delle Vertighe and plenty of stunning church buildings. Monte San Savino has a powerful inventive and non secular affect. Because of this, it’s best suited to these in Judaism, Christianity, or social historical past.
14. Forte dei Marmi
Photo courtesy of Crima66, CC BY-SA 4.0 through Wikimedia Commons
Hilltop cities tucked away in rolling hills and mountains are dreamy. But what about beachfront cities in Tuscany? Can you mix a historic city middle with a seashore vacation? The reply is sure, and Forte Dei Marmi is the place to take action. This coastal city is thought for its seashores. While you’ll be able to nonetheless see the Apuan Alps on the horizon, Forte Dei Marmi is a city related to seashore dwelling.
So, what must you do in Forte dei Marmi?
When in Forte Dei Marmi, you must (after all) make use of the seashores. But when you’ve had a seashore day or two, there are many different issues to do. You can stroll the Pontile, a protracted pier that sandwiches you between the ocean and the city, with views of the Apuan Alps behind you.
If you take pleasure in buying, you’ll be able to head downtown to some high-end luxurious shops like Louis Vuitton and Versace. And to splurge, much more, you’ll be able to try one of many city’s 5 Michelin eating places.
Forte Dei Marmi is a luxurious city to go to in Tuscany. It is the proper match for anybody wanting high-end wining, eating, and buying. Plus, you may have the fixed bonus of simple seashore entry.
Siena – Bonus Historic Old Town
Did you realize that there are 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tuscany? Besides the websites in Pisa and Florence, one other to not miss Tuscan City is Siena. Siena’s historic middle by itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is value visiting. WHile not precisely one of many small cities in Tuscany, its principal sq. is to not be missed.
It is right here that we missed a flip and drove proper downtown to its historic previous city by mistake. When we returned to Canada so the ethical of the story is to control site visitors indicators.
To Conclude
Tuscany is just not wanting stunning cities, as you now positively know. We’ve coated one of the best of one of the best, from small cities to busy cities and even just a few Tuscan villages. These are essentially the most stunning Tuscany villages and greatest cities to go to – which one caught your eye essentially the most?
Don’t neglect to take a look at Florence’s capital after exploring Tuscany’s cities. The capital is filled with issues to do, and spending a day in Florence is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Italy. Have an important go to to Tuscany.
How to Get to Tuscany
Tuscany is sort of simple to get to with highways linking the area to main cities in Europe. It has a wonderful practice system and my airports are close by. You can fly into Rome, Pisa, Forli, Bologna, and Florence Airports and both hire a automobile or take the practice.
From the airport, make sure that to e-book a switch in advance to make your travels simpler.
We have taken the practice to Pisa, Florence, and Siena when visiting Tuscany.