Tuscany is one of the most popular areas in Italy. It’s a tourist location known for its Renaissance influence, hilltop communities, and remarkable wine reputation, offering a trip back in time and the opportunity to sit down and appreciate many of life’s finer things at a leisurely pace.
If you’re considering a trip to Tuscany, you’ll have many options for where to visit. Here are the Best Places to Visit in Tuscany. Classic attractions like Florence, Pisa, and Siena are available, but there are hidden jewels like Monteriggioni and Pienza and stunning rural areas like the Val d’Orcia.
The best way to enjoy Tuscany is to visit several regional locations.

Best Places in Tuscany Italy to Visit​

1. Florence

Florence is the most popular tourist destination in Tuscany; it is the region’s capital and the cradle of the Renaissance movement, which influenced renowned art and culture around the world. If you’ve never travelled to this part of Italy before, Florence is a must-see. It’s one of the most gorgeous places in Tuscany.

You’ll need at least a few days to explore everything Florence has to offer, from the landmark cathedrals and Duomo Cathedral to the art galleries and museums. Spending several days here allows you to explore at your leisure, discovering stunning squares, quiet side streets, and real neighbourhoods.

2. San Gimignano

The town of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the best destinations in Tuscany to see mediaeval architecture. The most recognisable are the stone cities that rise up among the town’s streets, overlooking the ancient walls that previously protected the settlement and still give it a historic aura.

San Gimignano is a renowned tourist destination, thus the atmosphere is bustling. Admire the vistas from its hilltop location and indulge in gelato from the world-famous gelateria in the town centre. If you want to get away from the reds, you might try Vernaccia di San Gimignano, the region’s most famous white wine.

3. Pisa

When looking for places to visit in Tuscany, Pisa and its famed tower are frequently mentioned. If you’re travelling along the west coast of the region between Lucca and Livorno, it’s well worth spending at least half a day in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and the neighbouring cathedral.

The city is also regarded as a centre for art in Tuscany, and it’s a fantastic spot to find local restaurants if you need to refuel after climbing the tower.

4. Siena

Another of Tuscany’s most popular metropolises is Siena, which is located in the centre of the region and allows trippers to witness another lovely and major position. It’s primarily famed for holding the Palio steed race, which takes place twice a time in the Piazza del Campo, but it also has a UNESCO-listed megacity centre due to its outstanding mediaeval armature. 

 Siena, spread out over three hills, has commodities for everyone. Visit the megacity to see one of Tuscany’s top destinations for art, beauty, and a major terrain.

5. Lucca

If you’ve been to Tuscany before and want to try something new than the usual tourist destinations, we recommend visiting Lucca. Located near Pisa on the region’s west coast, you’ll have the same historic experience surrounded by restored structures and architecture from ages past, but the mood is more relaxing.

Many visitors choose to visit Lucca as a day excursion from Florence, but if you want to see all of the churches in the ‘City of 100 Churches’, you may need to return another time!

6. Montepulciano

Tuscany is well-known for both its picturesque hilltop towns and its wine. When you visit Montepulciano, you may enjoy both in close proximity, meandering through old alleys and appreciating vistas of the surrounding countryside, followed by sampling the products of adjacent vineyards.

The Sangiovese grape is prevalent here, and it produces the well-known Nobile di Montepulciano red wine.

7. Val d’Orcia

Seeking for the Best Places to Visit in Tuscany? The Val d’Orcia is undoubtedly one of Tuscany’s most beautiful spots. The entire area between Siena and Grosseto is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the authenticity of the architecture, scenery, and culture on display.

Val d’Orcia is one of the best places in Tuscany to visit if you want to experience the good life, with delicious food, lovely towns and villages, and beautiful rural scenery. Val d’Orcia is the perfect place to unwind after visiting the region’s cultural towns.

8. San Quirico

If you’re looking for the Best Places to Visit in Tuscany that are largely unspoiled by tourism, San Quirico is the place to go.

Nestled in the hills of southern Tuscany, this little village is ideal for exploring the Val d’Orcia while enjoying an authentic ambience and pastoral vistas. The food scene here is also amazing, so make reservations at the local restaurants while you’re here.

9. Pitigliano

Pitigliano, located in southern Tuscany, is a little town that captures the essence of the most popular Tuscan locations while adding its unique spin.

Many of the streets and buildings have been carved out of volcanic rock, giving the impression that the town has grown out of the ground itself, with various kinds of Italian architecture added over the years. People are thought to have lived in Pitigliano since the Neolithic period, and relics of ancient societies can be seen in the town’s museums.

10. Elba

If you want to add some variety to your trip, Elba should be at the top of your list of things to do in Tuscany. Many people believe that the region is just made up of mediaeval towns and vineyards, but there is also an archipelago of islands off the coast, with Elba being a highlight.

Elba, the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, is well-known for being where French Emperor Napoleon spent his exile. You may visit historical sites on the island related to Napoleon and the rest of its history, as well as several beautiful beaches that are ideal when the weather is nice.

Things You Can Do in Tuscany

Most people identify Tuscany with lush slopes, never-ending sunflower fields, and geometrically planned vineyard rows. A quick online search returns similar results. After all, the region’s beautiful countryside contributes greatly to its global appeal; this is a place where people can relax and immerse themselves in nature, perhaps while sipping a floral-scented glass of red wine.

However, as accurate as that description is, Tuscany is much more than its picturesque scenery. Visit enchanting mediaeval hamlets (Borghi), engage in unique gastronomic experiences, learn about traditional local customs, and tour places rich in art and culture, many of which are unknown to the rest of the world.

Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Italy in November

1. Swim and hike on the island of Elba

Elba, Surely one of the Best Places to Visit in Tuscany and the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, has two souls: one full of hospitality services and the other, where wild nature reigns supreme.

During your stay in Elba, you may have a wonderful coastal holiday by snorkelling in azure waters and eating fresh seafood on the beach, as well as going on nature adventures and trekking to the island’s highest peaks.

2. Admire the world’s most famous artworks in Florence

If you’ve never gone, Florence is a must-see. It’s an open-air museum with spectacular Renaissance architecture, including cathedrals, bridges, palazzi (mansions), and public statues. Immerse yourself in the Galleria degli Uffizi, a triumph of art that houses Botticelli’s masterpiece, The Birth of Venus, among hundreds of other works.

The Galleria dell’Accademia features Michelangelo’s David. Florence’s Duomo, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, with its massive dome constructed by Brunelleschi, as well as the adjacent Baptistery, are also must-see attractions.

3. Watch Pisa Beyond the Leaning Tower

Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a worthwhile experience. Locals will even overlook the cringe-worthy but ubiquitous images of visitors pretending to hold the tower provided they go somewhere other than the tower itself. Admire Piazza dei Miracoli and then enter the magnificent Duomo, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, and its Battistero, Italy’s largest.

The monumental cemetery of Camposanto, an uncommon but important addition, completes the foursome. Beyond the frenzy of Miracle Square, Pisa still has a lot to offer. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere on the Lungarno, where many university students and locals mingle for aperitivo (pre-dinner drink) in front of mediaeval and renaissance-style palazzos; don’t miss the modest but impressive Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina.

4. Cycle through Val d’Orcia

What better way to experience slow, low-impact transportation than to ride a bike? The stunning UNESCO-listed Val d’Orcia south of Siena is a must-see during a trip to Tuscany. Touring it offers dreamlike settings where nature and ancient architecture blend harmoniously.

Make the experience more real (and conscious!) by riding through the valley instead of driving to see the hills, vineyards, and hamlets from a closer distance. Take your time, enjoy it completely, and quit whenever you wish.

Most hotels and agriturismo (farm-stay lodgings) in the area hire bikes as part of your stay, and other organisations provide the service, such as Val d’Orcia E-Bike and Radicofani E-Bike.

5. Taste the wines of Tuscany

Anyone who consumes wine is aware of Tuscany’s many outstanding DOC and DOCG wines, which are improved when drank in their natural environment and matched with local cuisine. If you appreciate wine, arrange a visit to a cantina (winery or wine cellar) for an all-around experience that will take you from the vineyards to the barrel to the lunch table.

Hundreds of winery homes provide hospitality services and activities centred on wine sampling. The zero-emission Carpineto farm, which produces wine varieties throughout Tuscany (Chianti, Montepulciano, Montalcino, and so on), also organises non-wine experiences (such as lakeside picnics and truffle hunts, season permitting), which is a good option if you are travelling with non-drinkers.

6. Enjoy staples of Tuscan cuisine

It’s practically difficult to have a lousy meal in Tuscany. There are numerous meat-based dishes available, ranging from the T-bone steak known as Fiorentina to various methods for curing and cooking wild pig. The more daring may feel compelled to sample the local offal delights, such as juicy trippa or lampredotto, which are an essential part of the experience.

Vegetarians can enjoy local cheeses like Pecorino di Pienza and spicy pastas like pici all’aglione and cacio e pepe. Vegans may not have many options on the menu, but a plate of fresh local vegetables can usually be prepared and taste wonderful; if porcini mushrooms are in season, request them.