Discover the top places to visit in Tuscany. Beautiful places that will make your holiday unforgettable. Start with Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, and move on to the timeless sights in Pisa and Siena. Feast your eyes on the stunning landscapes of Chianti and Val d’Orcia. Walk through picture perfect walled towns and drive along the wild Maremma coast in southern Tuscany. This is iconic Tuscany at its best.
FLORENCE
Duomo and the historic city centre
The historic centre of Florence is like an enormous open air museum filled with Renaissance delights. At its heart is the grandiose Cathedral, topped by Brunelleschi’s famous dome. Nearby Piazza Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery have enough visual wonders to leave anyone speechless. If not, a walk across the Ponte Vecchio surely will.
=> Enjoy Florence with our 1-week complete itinerary.
=> 20 Experiences to live the real Florence.
SIENA
Piazza del Campo and Duomo
Piazza del Campo in Siena is one of Italy’s most enchanting squares with an authentic Medieval feel. Amongst the remarkable Gothic buildings that encircle it, the fresco-filled Palazzo Pubblico attracts most attention. The city’s other highlight is the lavishly decorated Cathedral, and the jewel in its crown – the Piccolomini Library.
=> 12 Unmissable Things to do in Siena.
=> Unesco sites in and around Siena
=> Check out the 10 Most Beautiful Squares to visit in Tuscany!
CHIANTI REGION
Lush vineyards and hilltop towns
The land of vineyards, olive groves and rolling hills, the Chianti lies between Florence and Siena. Synonymous with world-class wine, the area offers a fabulous array of wine tasting experiences in idyllic settings. Expect breathtaking views, hilltop towns and some of the most scenic drives and cycle routes you could hope for.
=> Wine tasting, scenic drives, exploring some great hilltop towns… Find out about all the top things to do during your Tuscan trip!
=> Check out this Taste of Chianti Tour from Florence: explore the Chianti region, visit an historic villa and its cellars, and try some local cheese and wine at a family-run winery. Lunch included.
SAN GIMIGNANO
The Manhattan of the Middle Ages
Step back in time in one of the most beautifully kept walled towns in Tuscany. San Gimignano is one of the only towns that still boast its original Medieval house towers or “case torri”. Evocative, Gothic, and richly atmospheric. Come out of season to get a real sense of this Medieval marvel.
=> Our favourite things to do in San Gimignano
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VAL D’ORCIA
Idyllic countryside and scenic small towns
Val D’Orcia is picture postcard Tuscany. Idyllic, dreamlike countryside and some of the most scenic small towns the region has to offer. First amongst these is the Renaissance model city – Pienza. Come for the views and stay for the pecorino cheese. And wash it down with some of the region’s justly famous red wines like Brunello di Montalcino. The Val d’Orcia is one of the most romantic destinations in Tuscany.
PISA
Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower
This is surely one of the top places to visit in Tuscany. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most visited monuments on earth, and a lopsided symbol of Tuscany itself. The whole Cathedral Complex is so remarkable it’s hard to take it all in. You can spend hours studying all the decorative details and agonising over the right angle for a photograph. Avoid the crowds and take a stroll around the square after sunset.
=> See all the highlights of Pisa
LUCCA
City of a hundred churches and relaxing squares
Lucca is simply lovely. Easy to explore, it’s a city of pastel colours and pleasant, relaxing squares. Its city walls create a green, tree-lined belt around the city centre, and an ideal spot for walking and cycling. Church spotters will find a few surprises in the refined Romanesque features of San Michele in Foro and the Duomo of San Martino.
CORTONA
Medieval houses and unforgettable views
Perched on a hill overlooking the Val di Chiana in the east of Tuscany, is Cortona. A town that looks almost as impressive from the outside as it does within. Laced with winding cobbled streets and steep lanes, its Medieval houses are impressive even for Tuscany. There’s a renowned museum of Etruscan artefacts and ceramic enthusiasts will enjoy the traditional Cortenese pottery motifs.
=> Things you’ll love to do in Cortona during your trip!
PITIGLIANO and the “tufo” towns
Southern Tuscany has got some of the top places to visit in Tuscany. In the interior of the Maremma region deep in the south of Tuscany, you’ll find Pitigliano, one of the most bewitching hilltop towns you’ll find. Seen from below, it seems to have grown out of the hill itself. It’s crumbling and atmospheric, and its isolation only adds to its other-worldly charm. The surrounding area is Etruscan territory where you’ll find Etruscan Cave Roads, and necropolises.
MAREMMA COAST
The best beaches in Tuscany
Maremma has some of the best beaches in Tuscany and they’re definitely the most unspoiled. Castiglione della Pescaia is among the most picturesque and romantic coastal towns of the region. A bit further south the Maremma National Park is a paradise for birders, nature lovers and walkers.
These are just a few of the top places to visit in Tuscany, and to fit them in you may need more than a couple of weeks. Take your time, go slow and soon you’ll have a whole list of your own.
Itineraries for the top places to visit in Tuscany
There are so many top sights in Tuscany, it helps to have an itinerary to steer you on your travels. So we’ve put together helpful itineraries for one week in Tuscany, which takes you through the main points of interest. Or have have a look at our trip ideas based around specific interests.
Check out the best Tuscany landscapes that you can discover during your trip.
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