There are so many amazing day trips that you can take in and around Florence, Italy, that it’s hard to know where to start! This list of the top 10 day trips from Florence, Italy, will help you get started. Whether you have an entire day or just half a day, there’s always time to get out and explore new places without ever having to leave Florence!
Take a look at our Top 10 Day Trips from Florence Italy including why you should visit and how to get there.
01. – Pisa and Lucca
02. – San Gimignano
03. – Siena
04. – Chianti
05. – Volterra
06. – San Quirico d’Orcia
07. – The Cinque Terre
08. – Monteriggioni Castle
09. – Pistoia via Bologna and Modena
10. – Arezzo, Cortona, and Orciano Pisano
Day Trip One – Pisa and Lucca
Pisa is well known for its Leaning Tower, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just about a goofy tourist attraction. The town of Pisa itself is lovely and historical, with a population that dates back thousands of years. A short tour to nearby Lucca will give you a chance to tour one of Italy’s most important medieval cities.
Be sure to stop by Pisa at nightfall, when floodlights shine down on the Tower and make it appear as if it might topple over at any moment.
Day Trip Two – San Gimignano
While a few hours by train is not that far, it feels like you are escaping to another world. San Gimignano is one of Tuscany’s famous medieval towns and is known for its towers. One thing to keep in mind if visiting during high season, which roughly runs from mid-June through August, is that tours of all of these locations can be pretty crowded, especially when travelling on foot.
Plan ahead and do your research on the different tour options available so you can have an incredible day trip from Florence Italy!
Day Trip Three – Siena
Siena, located about 2 hours south of Florence, is a great day trip for wine enthusiasts. Many small wineries in and around Siena offer tours and tastings that are not to be missed. If you prefer to shop for your own wine or olive oil, several larger grocery stores in town sell a wide variety of locally made products. A large indoor market (covered) also sells local produce, meats, and cheeses.
All of these products can make for a lovely picnic lunch on your return to Florence. And last but not least, you can’t leave Siena without getting your hands on some pecorino cheese – after all, it is home to one of only two DOCG white cheese production areas in Italy!
you can read my post about the cathedral of Siena
Day Trip Four – Chianti
After seeing Florence, venture outside of town to Chianti, one of Tuscany’s most popular wine regions. While you can find plenty of vineyards along a driving route that will take you back into Florence in about 90 minutes, many travellers prefer to make a day trip out of it. To do so:
- Rent a car for about $50 and drive an hour northwest toward Siena.
- Stop at one of Chianti’s best-known vineyards for a tasting or just for lunch.
- Continue on to Greve in Chianti for all kinds of wonderful goodies before heading back into Florence on your own schedule.
Day Trip Five – Volterra
This medieval gem is probably one of my top picks for day trips from Florence Italy. It is a pretty easy, enjoyable walk up to Volterra and it will be hard not to fall in love with its stone walls, winding streets and incredible views of Tuscany. The castle at Volterra is worth visiting too. I’d recommend spending a couple of hours here.
Suppose you’re visiting in Spring or Summer. In that case, it is well worth making an afternoon trip out of your visit by going into town for lunch or ice cream (they do some awesome artisanal gelato!) before wandering around taking photos and enjoying your views!
Day Trip Six – San Quirico d’Orcia
Clinging to a hillside surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, San Quirico d’Orcia makes a great day trip when visiting Florence. The surrounding area is rife with history, which can be explored via walking tours, museums and museums.
Unwind after your day trip at a charming bed-and-breakfast in town or stay at an agriturismo where you can take in views of Tuscany from atop a medieval tower. A number of restaurant options are also located within walking distance of these accommodations; some popular menu items include homemade plates of pasta and house-cured meats.
Day Trip Seven – The Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a stretch of coastline along with Italy’s northwestern Ligurian Sea, between Elba and La Spezia. It is composed of five coastal villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The rugged terrain and very narrow valleys mostly separate and isolate each village.
Day Trip Eight – Monteriggioni Castle
Located in Monteriggioni, Tuscany, 60 kilometres south of Florence, Monteriggioni Castle is another great day trip. The castle was built by Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta (the same guy who got a castle in Rimini), and it’s set atop a hill overlooking a valley.
While there aren’t any guided tours, you can walk along paths or streets and take a number of beautiful shots of various buildings around town. Many tourists choose to see both Monteriggioni Castle and San Gimignano on one drive down from Florence – combining two day trips into one long afternoon of fun!
Day Trip Nine – Pistoia via Bologna and Modena
A visit to nearby Pistoia offers a stunning view of Florence as well as a beautiful old town that just happens to be home to one of Florence’s top art collections. To get there, take an express train (€5) from Florence to Bologna, and then transfer to a regional train (€6) for the 35-minute ride.
Once in Pistoia, hop on a local bus into town (the bus stop is directly outside Bologna station). The trip should cost you no more than €2.
Day Trip Ten – Arezzo, Cortona, and Orciano Pisano
Arezzo is a vibrant little town, and Cortona is an extremely picturesque medieval village known for its hilltop location, ancient architecture, and storied history. The region also features some of Tuscany’s most beautiful vineyards, where you can enjoy wine tastings as well as plenty of olive groves to wander through.
The scenery here is gorgeous year-round. Orciano Pisano is only about ten miles north along a lovely coastal road that twists and turns through rolling hills dotted with tiny seaside villages that beg to be explored.
Best of all, it’s all just a quick day trip from Florence! If you want to do something even more adventurous, check out Villa San Michele, located nearby Scandicci.