I’ve been visiting Tuscany since I was a child, as my family has close friends living near the city of Lucca. It’s a region I love and know very well. It’s also one of Italy’s most popular regions and understandably so, with beautiful scenery, historic towns and cities and excellent food and wine, making it a wonderful holiday destination. There are a lot of things to do in Tuscany, and you could easily spend a month exploring the area, but here are my must-see places in Tuscany.
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Things to Do in Tuscany, Italy
Lucca
I have to start with Lucca, as it’s the place I know the best, and also, in my opinion, one of the best cities in the region. It’s far less touristy than Florence, Siena and Pisa but has so much to offer. Lucca is a walled city, and its 16th-century wall is still intact. One of our favourite activities growing up was to hire bikes and cycle around the 4km path on top of the walls – followed by a delicious pizza in the centre. Be sure to visit Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, a huge circular piazza that was once a Roman amphitheatre and climb Torre Guinigi to enjoy the views and the trees at the top! I love wandering the narrow streets in Lucca, checking out the lovely boutiques and stopping for focaccia, gelato or whatever else takes your fancy at every corner.
Where to Stay in Lucca
I have stayed at two lovely guesthouses inside the walls, which is a perfect base for exploring the city. (Note – parking inside the walls is almost impossible, so it’s best to park outside the walls or arrive by train).
Budget – Al Tuscany is a lovely bed and breakfast inside the walls. We had a spacious room here with views over the city, and the owner was very friendly and helpful, offering us plenty of advice on the city.
Mid Range – Palazzo Rocchi – Residenza d’Epoca is a historic boutique residence set in a beautifully restored medieval palazzo in the heart of Lucca’s old town, right on Piazza San Michele. It feels more like staying in an elegant private home than a hotel, with antique furnishings, frescoed ceilings and richly decorated rooms that blend old-world charm with modern comfort, plus a central location perfect for exploring the city on foot. I would definitely stay here again.
Luxury – 4-star Villa La Preziosa is located just outside the city walls and is set within peaceful landscaped gardens and a swimming pool.
Campsites – Parking del Borgo is located a 5-minute walk outside the city walls and has paid camper spots.
Discover the ultimate Tuscany road trip itinerary
Truffle Hunting In San Miniato
San Miniato is a small, sleepy Tuscan town, but there is a very tasty reason for visiting: truffles. Finding truffles is incredibly difficult, so your best chance of success is to go with a truffle hunter. We took a trip with Massimo from Truffle in Tuscany and his dog Mela, and were lucky enough to find two delicious black truffles. It’s incredible how talented the dogs are at sniffing out the precious truffles! After the hunt, we headed back to Massimo’s house to taste our haul in a variety of local recipes. Yum. Would totally recommend this if you’re a fan of truffles and want to learn more about them.
Book a truffle hunting experience
Where to Stay in San Miniato
San Miniato is 50 minutes drive from both Lucca and Florence, so I recommend taking a day trip from one of these cities or visiting en route between the two.
Read the perfect two-week Northern Italy itinerary
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is famous for having many towers; the small town has 14, which may seem like a lot until you discover that at one point it had 72! It’s another walled Tuscan city, filled with narrow cobblestone streets. While you’re here, make sure you have gelato at prize-winning Gelateria Dondoli in Piazza Della Cisterna. The Florentine fortress – Rocca di Montestaffoli – offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, and there is also a wine museum, so you can enjoy a glass of the region’s speciality wine Vernaccia, while you enjoy the view!
Go wine tasting in San Gimignano
Where to Stay in San Gimignano
Budget – Hotel La Cisterna sits directly on the iconic Piazza della Cisterna, offering an unbeatable location right in the heart of the medieval town. We stayed here and loved being just steps from cafés, restaurants and the famous gelateria, with simple, comfortable rooms and instant access to San Gimignano’s main sights.
Mid-range – Casa Torre Margherita is a beautifully restored 13th-century tower residence, combining historic character with elegant rooms and a panoramic terrace overlooking the Tuscan hills. It feels intimate and atmospheric, perfect for a more authentic stay within the old town walls.
Luxury – Hotel La Collegiata is a striking former Franciscan convent just outside San Gimignano, offering refined rooms, peaceful gardens and a large swimming pool with sweeping countryside views.
Campsites – An area di sosta at Strada Comunale di Santa Lucia provides a simple, budget-friendly base about 8 minutes by bus from the historic centre, ideal for campervans or travellers looking for a practical stop close to town.
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Siena
Famous for the annual summer horse race, Il Palio, it’s worth visiting Siena all year round. The city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an impressive fan-shaped main piazza – Piazza del Campo. Don’t miss the beautiful Gothic architecture of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and check out Santa Maria della Scala, one of the oldest hospitals in Italy and now an impressive museum complex.
Take a guided walking tour of Siena
Where to Stay in Siena
Budget – Domus Il Palio is set just 1km from Piazza del Campo, offering spacious rooms with private bathrooms, some featuring terraces or patios. It’s a simple, comfortable base with the added convenience of free on-street parking.
Mid-Range – Piazza Paradiso is set in a historic building 300m from Siena’s Cathedral, with character-filled interiors, shared living spaces and access to a peaceful garden. Paid parking is available nearby.
Luxury – Grand Hotel Continental Siena is a 5-star property set within a 17th-century palazzo, featuring opulent rooms with frescoed ceilings and elegant period details in the heart of the old town.
Camping – Camping Siena is a well-equipped holiday village a short drive from the city, offering a pool, pizzeria and café, with a convenient bus connection into Siena.
Val d’Orcia
Val d’Orcia is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful areas in Italy. It includes several towns and villages, surrounded by rolling hills and stunning countryside.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site was one of the filming locations from the movie ‘Gladiator’ (Maximus’s family house and the end scene, if you’re wondering!). Within Val d’Orcia is the stunning hilltop town of Montalcino, home to one of Italy’s most celebrated (and most expensive) wines – Brunello di Montalcino. You’ll also find Europe’s biggest wine producer – Castello Banfi I borgo, where you can take a tour of the impressive estate and try a glass or two of Brunello di Montalcino.
Go wine tasting in Val d’Orcia
Where to Stay in Val d’Orcia
Budget – B&B Il Sogno del Musicista is a charming family-run B&B with simple, welcoming rooms and lovely countryside views, offering a relaxed and affordable base close to Montalcino.
Mid-range – Il Macchione is a lovely agriturismo set within an 18th-century stone farmhouse, offering rustic Tuscan charm, peaceful gardens and a relaxed countryside atmosphere.
Luxury – We stayed at Castello Banfi Il Borgo, a stunning castle with an excellent restaurant and swimming pool overlooking the vineyards. The property offers an immersive wine-country experience complete with tastings, cellar tours and a fine-dining restaurant.
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Bagni San Filippo (San Filippo Thermal Springs)
There are several thermal springs in Tuscany, and while many have been converted into hotels and spas, there are still a few in their natural state and are free to visit. San Filippo is a small town, and the thermal pools are the main attraction – natural tubs and walls made from calcium carbonate deposits, filled with hot sulphuric spring water. It’s a beautiful (though smelly!) spot and a great place for an afternoon’s relaxation. There is a paid spa in the town, but we personally think you can’t beat the free one!
Where to Stay in Bagni San Filippo
It’s possible to stay in the spa or B&Bs in San Filippo, however, we stayed in Montepulciano, which is a 35-minute drive from the thermal pools.
Read our recommended Italy itineraries.
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is another gorgeous, walled medieval hilltop town, with panoramic views of the Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys that surround it. It’s a major producer of food and drink, in particular, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (not to be confused with varietal wine merely made from the Montepulciano grape). Definitely do a wine tasting or two while you’re here. We visited Cantina De’Ricci, a few minutes’ walk from the Piazza Grande, which is incredible. Located in the Renaissance-era Palazzo Ricci, the cellar has vaulted stone ceilings – it’s like a beautiful cathedral of wine. Part of the cellar dates back to the Etruscan period: it is a circular cave with a well at its centre. Oh, and the wine is lovely too!
Go wine tasting in Montepulciano
Where to Stay in Montepulciano
Budget – Pacifico is a peaceful farm stay just outside Montepulciano, offering simple rooms with private bathrooms, shared gardens and BBQ facilities in a relaxed countryside setting. Breakfast and parking are included.
Mid-range – Locanda San Francesco is a charming boutique stay in the heart of town with beautiful valley views and stylish rooms. We had a fantastic stay here, and highly recommend the bar and restaurant, even if you stay elsewhere. Free parking is available on site.
Luxury – Palazzo Carletti is an elegant 4-star hotel set within a historic medieval palazzo, featuring frescoed ceilings, grand interiors and individually designed suites with views across the Chiana Valley and Lake Trasimeno. Free parking is available nearby.
Camping – Area Comunale P5 is a centrally located camper area with water and waste disposal facilities, ideal for motorhomes but not suitable for tents.
Find accommodation in Montepulciano
Florence
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is one of Italy’s most iconic and culturally rich cities, celebrated for its Renaissance art, magnificent architecture and exceptional food scene. Spend your days wandering across the historic Ponte Vecchio, admiring masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery, and standing beneath the magnificent dome of the Florence Cathedral. Explore the grand Piazza della Signoria with its famous sculptures and Palazzo Vecchio, enjoy a traditional bistecca alla Fiorentina, and finish the day watching the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo overlooking the city’s terracotta rooftops.
Take a street food tour in Florence
Where to Stay in Florence
Budget – Residenza Conte di Cavour & Rooftop is a centrally located guesthouse just 200m from the Accademia Gallery, offering comfortable rooms and a rooftop terrace with city views.
Mid-range – Relais Piazza Signoria sits right on the corner of Piazza della Signoria and offers stylish studios and apartments, some with private terraces overlooking the historic centre.
Luxury – Hotel Berchielli is an elegant 4-star hotel set along the River Arno with beautiful views towards Ponte Vecchio. Rooms feature classic décor, antique furnishings and a refined old-world atmosphere.
Camping – Florence Park Scandicci is located around 15 minutes from central Florence and offers a convenient budget-friendly base with regular public transport connections into the city.
Find accommodation in Florence
Other Places to Visit in Tuscany
Pisa
Visit the iconic leaning tower, the Pisa Baptistery and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Forte dei Marmi
Relax on the sandy beach in the lovely seaside town of Forte dei Marmi.
Elba
Part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba is the third largest island in Italy after Sardinia and Sicily. It has gorgeous beaches, great hikes and delicious seafood.
Liguria
While not technically Tuscany, the nearby region of Liguria has some incredible coastal villages, seaside towns and beaches, including the famed Cinque Terre. Read about Liguria here.
How to Get to Tuscany
Fly direct from London to Pisa or to Florence.
