Tuscany’s sun-dappled hills, centuries-old churches, and picturesque villages have drawn travelers for centuries, but the memoir Under the Tuscan Sun turned this iconic region in central Italy into a household name. Tuscany is home to Florence and Siena, the leaning tower of Pisa, and the walled town of Lucca—all ideally explored by foot or on bike—as well as the Chianti wine trail. For anyone who’s had their fill of blockbuster sights, off-the-beaten track things to do in Tuscany include island-hopping in the Tuscan Archipelago, where Napoleon once spent his exile.
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.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +39 | Language(s) Italian | Attractions 124 | Tours 4,154 | Reviews 169,939 |
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.
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