Benvenuti, Travellers.
Let’s talk about Tuscany. You’ve probably heard of this romantic region of Italy. Nestled in the golden heart on the west coast of Italy, embraced by mountains, beaches and towering forests. Although there is much you may already know about ‘Toscana’. There are many things you have yet to discover.
In this article
When we dream of our Italian adventure we imagine bustling medieval cities steeped in history.
With beaches a stones throw away, full of rainbow coloured umbrellas. Following trays of bright Aperol spritz’s brought to our loungers as we soak up the sun. One thing you can be sure of is the weather.
Whether arriving by train or plane, you will always be greeted warmly not only by the Italian locals but by the inviting sunshine and bold blue sky. The weather in Tuscany is practically perfect in spring and late summer/early autumn. During the height of the summer months it’s recommended to take time to cool off in a hilltop village or on the beach if possible. If you’re walking around one of the glorious Tuscan cities on your trip then stay in the shade where possible, preferably under the majestic pine trees you’ll notice dotted around.
Plan your itinerary of where you want to go by the most popular cities first and use them as your jumping off point. Then take a journey to the rolling hilltop villages that are so often overlooked but yet overflowing with stories, legends and of course, wine!
Organising a trip to Tuscany may seem overwhelming, what with renaissance art here, an Etruscan ruin at every corner, but if you love art and history then you will find this everywhere. You don’t have to stay in the main cities even if it’s your first trip. Remember to give yourself a moment to rest and live la dolce vita slowly like the Italians..
How do you get there?
Pisa Airport
Pisa Airport offers direct flights from numerous destinations across Europe and the UK. It’s a short distance from the rest of Europe averaging around 2 hours to arrive in the centre of Tuscany.
Also known as Galileo Galilei Airport, all major low cost airlines will fly here. On arrival you are met with multiple routes to some of the most famous cities in Italy including Pisa itself which is located only 2 km from the airport.
Use the Pisa Mover, a monorail train which takes around 5 mins to Pisa train station that connects to the rest of Tuscany. From the airport you will also find busses to Florence, Siena, Lucca, Viareggio and Livorno. Which all take around an hour with the exception of Viareggio. To travel to Florence the bus is less than €15!
Insider Tip for your return flight – Pisa Airport is an extremely busy hub that services this extensive territory. As a result the airport during peak season is full of travellers from all over the world. With a limited number of seats, you may want to use the VIP lounge to escape the airport crowds. Costs €30pp at time of writing.
Florence Airport
Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Florence is 4 km northwest of the city centre and is a small airport that offers international and regional flights.
To reach Florence city centre it takes around 20 minutes by car or bus, there you can access other bus and rail services that connect to the surrounding Tuscan localities. The main station for bus and train is Santa Maria Novella.
You've arrived! What's next?
Pisa
In Pisa you have multiple options of places to visit from Pisa Centrale train station, all with hundreds if not thousands of reasons for you to choose them. Most travel blogs will tell you to plan your visit based on the time you have and while logistics are important, following your passion is the best way to guarantee you have a memorable trip and find places you’ll want to visit over and over again.
The tower
If you take the bus from Pisa this will take you directly to the Il Campo dei Miracoli ( The Field of Miracles ) and is home to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. If you want to tick off a bucket list item quickly this one can be done easily at the start or end of your trip.
Orto Botanico
This botanists dream of a garden is the first university botanic garden in the world. There is also a Botanic Museum and three acres of the finest curated plants and flowers to feast your eyes on. The first Sunday of every month this beauty is free to visit too.
Street Art
Walk to Sant’ Antonio near the River Arno. Here you will find the incredible Keith Haring mural next to the Sant’ Antonio church.
Florence
In Medieval times from 1865-70 Florence was the capital of Italy and the Medici family reigned. That’s why the city is laced with grand gardens and even grander buildings. Whether you took the bus or train your final destination will be Santa Maria Novella in the heart of the city. From here let’s be led our passions and take a look at some of the main spots not to miss.
Hungry? Take a stroll through the city to the Mercato Centrale which is the largest indoor food market in Florence. The Mercato brings together locals on the ground floor navigating endless counters, offering fresh local produce for their weekly shop, with a modern, not so everyday market upstairs. The top floor is filled with local artisanal producers you can sample from delicious souvenirs to a full lunch to eat subito – right now!
Love art? Book time to see the Uffizi Gallery which showcases ancient art and sculptures right up until the modern day. There is something everyone will love, and you’ll leave knowing your Botticelli from your Caravaggio. Or at the very least with a cool pencil from the gift shop. Bucket List number two ticked off.
Love Nature? Enjoy the art of the passeggiata and take a stroll through the outstanding and colourful gardens that Florence has to offer. A recently refurbished Villa Bardini offers enchanting walks through flowing arches of lavender coloured wisteria ending in a celebrated, panoramic view of the city. Or visit Boboli Gardens for a regal backdrop to your afternoon wander. This garden sits directly behind Palazzo Pitti another popular landmark in Florence. This year (2024) on the first Sunday of every month, all state museums, parks and gardens have free entry!
Siena
Siena is sandwiched between the postcard perfect Val D’Orcia and Arezzo regions. Direct trains and buses from Florence or Pisa connect here daily.
This ancient city doesn’t receive the same number of tourists as the rest of Tuscany ensuring space to roam the streets without the crowds. Here you’ll find the architectural wonder of the shell shaped Piazza del Campo which hosts the famous horse race, Il Palio di Siena, twice a year. The piazza is surrounded by restaurants and bars to relax in or grab a panino and sit in the centre of this superbly shaped space. For breathtaking views overlooking the city, walk the 400 steps of Torre del Mangia nearby.
Cafè? Siena is home to some of the best coffee and pastry (pasticcerie) shops and is the ideal place to become acquainted with the Italian coffee culture. No takeaway coffees here, sit down and watch the world go by. Or stand at the bar with the locals and have an espresso before your day of walking the medieval streets.
Vintage Lover? Every third Sunday of the month Piazza del Mercato hosts an antique market, a veritable treasure trove of vintage items to peruse at your leisure.
Green Space? Orto’ de Pecci means kitchen garden and is a green space located near Piazza del Campo surrounded by the Sienese skyline. If you have little ones that need to run off their energy or you want to rest from roaming the cobbled streets, this is the place to go.
Tuscan Villages and the film worthy Tuscan Countryside
The Tuscan countryside is documented in films and books the world over. The perfect setting for any story these rolling hills are not to be missed.
For an authentic stay look our for local guesthouses called agriturismi in Italian. These are farmhouse style accommodations that usually serve up local dishes in their country kitchens. Set in rural areas around Tuscany to soak up the country air and live like a local.
Another perk of this beautiful land is the incredible wine or vino created here. Many areas have tenute or estates that cultivate their own grapes, to turn into spectacular wine and offer this all neatly wrapped up in a beautiful lunchtime destination. Rent a car and take a drive on the country roads to find your favourite.
How for the Tuscan villages, here are some of our favourite that are soaked in Italian history where you’ll find unforgettable views.
San Gimignano
As you arrive the first thing you notice about San Gimignano is the striking fourteen medieval towers still standing in the village. Originally there was thought to be seventy two towers as a sign of strength and wealth by numerous royalty over the centuries. These remaining towers are so well preserved that some are open to the public as the perfect viewpoint. Take a walk up for an unforgettable view of the surrounding countryside.
The main square is Piazza della Cisterna, which has a thousand year old well in the centre and is now surrounded by popular gelaterie. Sitting around 40 km (25miles) from both Florence and Siena. This is a typical and charming example of a Tuscan hilltop village.
Pitigliano
Set atop a Tuff (Tufo) spur, Pitigliano is an ancient Etruscan village in the Maremma. Known for the imposing Medici Aqueduct and famous skyline set as though its floating above the land, it’s been named one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy. Also known as Little Jerusalem as it housed a large Jewish community in the 16th century and many of the structures are still there such as the Synagog and Forno delle Azzime bakery. There is also the fascinating Archaeological Museum of the Etruscan Civilisation in Palazzo Orsini.
Volterra
This charming hilltop town in Tuscany, is a treasure trove of history and culture. Known for its ancient Etruscan roots, there is a well-preserved Etruscan Gate and the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum to explore, which houses fascinating artifacts. Take a wander to the charming Palazzo dei Priori, Italy’s oldest town hall, located in the heart of the Piazza dei Priori. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Volterra Cathedral and its stunning Renaissance artworks. Don’t miss the Roman Theatre, a testament to the town’s significance during the Roman Empire
The Maremma and the Best Tuscan Beaches
A stunning coastal region peppered with pine trees that dazzles with clear waters. There is so much to explore in this practically untouched and undiscovered land. It puts the environment first with an emphasis on seasonal food, nature trails and award winning beaches. An area to be enjoyed at any time of year as the temperature rarely drops to single digits and people are still spotted appreciating the joys of the sea even in October.
Follonica
Follonica is easily accessible using public or private transport, it takes around 35 mins to arrive by car from Grosseto. There are also direct trains from both Grosseto and Pisa to the centre of Follonica throughout the day. This a fun seaside town with an abundance of excellent pasticerrie, restaurants, a pedestrianised centre which makes exploring easier with a young family, this is a place not to overlook. Play parks shaded by ancient pine trees with that plateau across the sky protecting you from the summer heat. There is also a nearby Acqua Park for all ages, with water slides for all levels of bravery. During the summer from 1st June to late August there is also the iconic Panoramic wheel which offers visitors an unbeatable vista of the tuscan coastline and is only €5 per person.
Castiglione della Pescaia
Another gem in the Maremma, Castiglione della Pescaia is a coastal fishing village with clear shallow waters and vibrant bagni or stabilimenti balneari, beach clubs that offer essential facilities such as sun loungers, changing rooms, bathrooms and restaurants that serve delicious local cuisine for when you need to escape the midday heat. The old town leads to a picturesque castle offering a panoramic view of the lively village below and the mesmerizing Tyrrhenian Sea. During the summer months there are beach parties, warm sand and an abundance of excellent restaurants to enjoy. It has everything in one place for families to solo travellers.
The fact there is more land here than people allows the earth to be free to move, grow and return to its natural beauty unlike many tourist destinations. The land and sea is the essence of this territory and is cared for by the people that live here. You will see this through the beauty of the countryside, the transparent waters on the coastline and above all through the people that live here. The love for this land is incomparable and it will leave you with lasting memories.
Marina di Grosseto
Marina di Grosseto beach has long promenade with many of the beach clubs offering fun play areas for children to keep them occupied long enough for parents and care givers to take in the sun. This family friendly location also has large areas of free beach where you could use your own umbrella and create a picnic of tasty treats from the local market. Like Castiglione the water is still and shallow, perfect for children and for anyone who wants to chat with friends amidst the tranquil water.
Monte Argentario
The silver coast of Maremma, Monte Argentario is largely concealed, and reachable using the isthmus over the Orbetello lagoon where fluorescent flamingos roam in the winter months until spring. Driving over the lagoon feels as though you’re floating on water and is a delicate entrance into this stylish location. Flamingos are know to symbolise beauty and elegance, which also aptly describes this location. Once a Hollywood getaway for the rich and famous, the coast has two main ports that were frequented by the stars without the paparazzi.
Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole are the two main villages to explore from panoramic roads with views of the silver coast to ferry rides over to the islands of Giglio and Giannutri. This pretty peninsula has numerous secluded beaches to sink into, many of which are only accessible by boat. This only adds to their magic.
Take a deeper dive into where to find these in our article all about Maremma.