Tuscany Tours from Florence - page 2

While there’s no lack of things to do and see in Florence, the city is well situated to allow for further Tuscan exploration on day trips to picturesque hilltop towns, vineyards, and famous monuments. Choose from any of the popular options below.

Chianti — 31 miles (50 km) away

Tuscany’s Chianti region is known the world over for its namesake wine, and day tours from Florence often include a visit to a winery or two for tastings. The area’s hilltop towns offer particularly great views over the vineyard-covered hills and are sometimes difficult to reach without a car or guided transportation. Taking a wine tour in Chianti means you get to relax while a knowledgeable local does all the navigating through Tuscany’s winding back roads.

San Gimignano — 35 miles (56 km) away

San Gimignano’s many medieval towers stand out against the surrounding Tuscan hills and give the small walled town its nickname of “Tuscany’s Manhattan.” You can climb some of the towers in the city walls for great views, browse the charming shops, or stroll the pedestrian-friendly historic center. Full-day tours to San Gimignano from Florence often include a visit to Siena or wine tasting in Chianti as well.

Siena — 45 miles (71 km) away

Siena’s historic center is focused on its multicolored hilltop Duomo and Piazza del Campo, the main square that hosts the annual Palio horse race. Popular Siena is often included on full-day tours from Florence, along with San Gimignano or the nearby Chianti wine region. The city can just as easily be the sole destination on a half-day trip.

Lucca and Pisa — 48 miles (77 km) and 51 miles (82 km) away

Pisa’s claim to fame is its eponymous leaning tower, but don’t overlook the beautiful cathedral and enormous baptistery nearby. And if you make it to tiny Lucca, check out its famous intact city walls, which are so wide that the tops used to be a road. Today, it’s a walking path around the whole town. The two cities are in the same direction from Florence, so they are often paired on day tours from the regional capital.

Tuscany in One Day Tours

If you really want to see it all, opt for a full-day tour that covers multiple destinations in Tuscany. You’ll see more places, though you won’t have as much time in each one—Tuscany is the fifth-largest region in Italy. These trips tend to be long days, covering a lot of ground and routinely running for 11 to 12 hours, with some at 14 hours or more. Itineraries can vary, but tours tend to include stops in Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, Lucca, and Monteriggioni, plus wine tasting in Chianti and lunch or dinner.