This February, go off-the-beaten track and pay a visit to some of Tuscany’s intriguing small towns.
February in Italy is Carnival time. So our first idea for a February trip to Tuscany is Castiglion Fibocci, a small picturesque town that hosts a very special Carnival festival. Next up is the spa town of Chianciano Terme which offers top-quality relaxation and wellness experiences. And to round it off we have San Miniato, famous for its truffles and Medieval historic centre, a perfect destination for anyone with a passion for history and food.
Read on and find out what makes these towns such a delight!
* See What’on in February in Florence and Things to do in Tuscany throughout February
3 Unusual Destinations for February in Tuscany
Castiglion Fibocci, a Baroque-style Carnival in Tuscany
Castiglion Fibocci is a small Medieval town near Arezzo , in central Tuscany. Every February it hosts a very special festival that has a touch of the famous Venice Carnival about it. Over two weekends during the month, the town’s picturesque historic centre becomes the perfect setting for the “Carnevale dei figli di Bocco“, with people dressed up in ornate masks and lavish Baroque-style costumes. If you’ve never been to a carnival in Italy before, it’s an experience not to be missed. You can see the action along the narrow streets of Castiglion Fibocchi.
When: the Carnival Festival in Castiglion Fibocci is usually on 1st and 2nd weekend of the Carnival period – this year 16th and 23rd February 2025.
WHAT TO SEE NEARBY: After enjoying the festive spirit of the Carnival, you can explore nearby Arezzo, starting from Piazza Grande, one of the most beautiful squares in Tuscany. Among the top things to do in Arezzo is visiting Renaissance frescoes and browsing its famous antique shops.
If you like the idea of exploring further this area, pop into Loro Ciuffenna. This is a scenic small town 40 minutes from Arezzo, with colourful houses built on a slope around an ancient bridge.
San Miniato, Medieval towers and truffles
The hilltop town of San Miniato, located half way between Florence and Pisa, is a perfect destination for anyone wanting to experience the real, authentic Tuscany. Still off the main tourist trail, scenic San Miniato has a variety of things to do and to discover: ancient towers, a beautiful duomo, Medieval squares, a friendly atmosphere and some top-notch restaurants.
A few names for a gorgeous meal: Pepenero, Brassica and the Michelin-starred restaurant Papaveri e Papere. Food lovers have another special reason to visit this town. San Miniato is famous for the prized varieties of truffle that grow in its territory, and menus around here present a generous variety of truffle-based dishes.
A lot of truffle hunters (with their dogs!) organise Truffle Hunting Experiences in the area. If you fancy a day out in the woods searching for this local delicacy, and then some truffle tasting, this could be the experience for you.
Join a Guided Tour of San Miniato to explore its historic centre in details and discover its fascinating history!
Enjoy the Spas in Chianciano Terme
When it’s cold outside, what could be better than a plunge into some hot thermal water. Chianciano Terme – located an hour south of Siena – is one of Tuscany’s hot spots (literally!) when it comes to thermal water and wellness. With a great choice of spas, thermal pools, sensorial spas offering all sorts of treatments, it’s the place to go to regenerate your body and spirit. Side note: Chianciano is one of the most famous spa centres in Italy, for the quality of its waters and it facilities!
And when it comes to cultural exploration, Chianciano Terme has an intriguing Etruscan museum. It not only has a great collection of Etruscan artefacts, but offers a real insight into the Etruscan civilisation.
Here you are right in the midst of Etruscan territory, so if you like the idea of getting to know more about the Etruscan people who lived here before the Romans, continue to Sarteano. The monumental ‘Tomb of the Infernal Chariot’ has one of the best preserved Etruscan frescoes. (You can book on the official site – at the moment you can visit the tomb on Saturday and you need to book first)
Hope you’ve enjoyed our suggestions of lesser known destinations to visit in Tuscany in February. We believe that getting off the beaten track is a great way to explore the more authentic side of a place. And February is definitely a great time visit our beautiful region. Buon viaggio!
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