Tuscany is a region of incredible contrasts. Bustling cities like Florence, Pisa, and Siena showcase a wealth of architectural masterpieces at every turn. In the countryside, rolling hills and sunflower-strewn fields are flanked by vineyards and medieval towns. On the coast, sparkling cerulean waters stretch as far as the eye can see. The shorelines are peppered with upscale resorts, lively harbors, and superb seafood restaurants. Our Tuscany Travel Guide has something for everyone. Organized tours with local experts in Tuscany can help make the most of your time in this wondrous place. Keep reading to learn how to plan the perfect Tuscan getaway and make sure you experience all the magic that Tuscany is famous for.
How to Visit Tuscany
Before you depart on your Tuscan adventure, read about the best time to visit Italy to understand the optimal way to time your trip. Most visitors to Tuscany will fly into Florence or Pisa. The airports receive domestic, European, and international flights. If you’re traveling from other destinations in Italy, you can drive to Tuscany easily. Read our guide for more information on how to get to and from Florence’s airport. The main highway, E35, stretches from Milan to Rome passing through Tuscany en route. Additionally, there are several coastal and interior roads leading you to Grosseto, Pisa, Siena, and Lucca. Two main train stations serve Tuscany in Florence and Pisa. Most arrivals will change at one of these stations for countryside Tuscan towns. And you can easily access the region by bus, with several lines operating regular services to this picturesque region of Italy.
How to Get Around Tuscany
Florence and Pisa are the main rail hubs for Tuscany. Therefore it’s easy to reach interior towns such as Lucca, Siena, and Grosseto or coastal regions like Viareggio and Livorno. Buses also operate from Tuscan towns and cities to the Chianti wine region, San Gimignano, Volterra, and coastal resorts. If you wish to experience Tuscany a little differently, rent a convertible car and see the countryside as the Italians do, with the help of our guide. Alternatively, hire a bicycle or scooter and tour the region at your leisure.
Area of Tuscany
Florence
Florence is a city for art aficionados, food and wine lovers, and anyone who appreciates the finer things in life. Its impressive Duomo Cathedral is a must-see. Explore palaces filled with colorful frescoes and a host of sculptures, galleries, and museums. As many of the best things to do in Tuscany can be found in Florence, a guided tour is best for getting the most out of it. The Florence Accademia Gallery & Uffizi Gallery Tour gives you the inside scoop on two gems of the city with a knowledgeable local guide. If you want to know the best places to eat while in Florence, our guide to its best restaurants will set the record straight. Or join a Florence Night Walking Tour to see what makes the city so enchanting when the sun goes down. Finish off the day with a good night’s sleep at one of Florence’s best hotels.
Chianti Region & Siena
Imagine overlooking the Tuscan countryside, sipping on fine wines, and wandering through piazzas lined with Gothic palaces, then dining on the chef’s dish of the day. If that sounds like an ideal holiday to you, you’ll adore the Chianti Region and the historic town of Siena. This region is representative of medieval Tuscany, relatively unspoiled and abundant with ancient traditions still alive to this day. You can easily get a taste of Siena on this Best of Tuscany day tour. You can tour the surrounding Chianti countryside by e-bike, 4×4, or horseback, or explore nearby picturesque medieval Arezzo on this day tour. But for those who’d really like to delve into things, the Siena 5-day City Break package bases you firmly in the city for a thorough exploration. Be sure to check out our in-depth guides on what to do and where to stay as well.
Northwestern Tuscany & Lucca
Near the sparkling waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, this region is perfect for those seeking cultural activities and beach fun. The medieval town of Prato boasts a historic center filled with Renaissance artworks and architectural gems. And in the heart of the region, Italy’s most famous spa, Montecatini Terme, beckons with mineral-rich waters and spa treatments. The elegant city of Lucca is famous as the birthplace of opera aficionado, Puccini. What’s more, you’ll find a charming center with great restaurants, historic piazzas, and bespoke shopping. On the Lucca Private Walking tour, an expert guide with insider knowledge of the city gives you the lowdown on its finest points of attraction.
Tuscan Coast & Pisa
Pisa sits between the historic city of Lucca and the beautiful Tuscan coast. This ancient maritime republic is well-known for its main landmarks. These include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Baptistry. However, there’s much more to see in the city if you delve a little deeper. Strolling along the banks of the River Arno, you’ll discover colorful architecture and tiny chapels set beneath a backdrop of rolling Tuscan hills. And in charming piazzas, you can sip wine while admiring ornate palatial buildings – each with its own rich history. A great way to explore Pisa’s off-the-beaten-path charms is on a Pisa & Leaning Tower Tour. A little further along the coast, the busy resorts of Livorno and Viareggio offer delightful seafood restaurants and markets. If you continue south, you’ll reach unspoiled Uccellina Natural Park and the jewel of the Tuscan coastline, Castiglione della Pescaia.
Food, Drink, & Nightlife
No Tuscany Travel Guide is complete without highlighting the region’s world-class cuisine and wine! In fact, much of Tuscany’s nightlife involves sitting in picturesque piazzas, dining in osterias, or sampling local wines in backstreet wine cellars. However, in Florence and Pisa, you’ll discover stylish bars and buzzing nightclubs to dance to until dawn. And large coastal resorts like Livorno and Viareggio have plenty to experience after dark. Our Tuscany Food & Wine Travel Guide is the ultimate reference to understand what and where to eat and drink. If you want to learn the secrets of traditional Tuscan cuisine while sipping regional wine, the Tuscany Pizza And Gelato Cooking Class is a must! Or, take this Tuscan food tour to explore the market in-depth, and finish it off with a Tuscan cooking class and meal on a terrace.
Shopping
If you enjoy all things designer, head to Florence. The city offers names like Gucci, YSL, Prada, and Salvatore Ferragamo among its stores. In addition, you can find hand-crafted sandals, handbags, and jewelry from independent local designers, which our Florence design guide explores in detail. Hilltop villages of central and southern Tuscany are filled with artisan stores selling local crafts and wines. Foodies will adore the selection of Tuscan delicacies – with cheeses, olive oils, and truffles on offer. Ceramics are also a popular purchase in Tuscany. Hand-painted jugs, vases, plates, and more can be discovered in many cities and rural towns.
Culture
In Tuscany, history, art, and culture can be experienced at every turn. It’s easy to see why Da Vinci, Dante, and Michelangelo found inspiration in the region. With a red-tiled Duomo Cathedral, outdoor sculptures, palaces, and gardens, the city is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. In Pisa, the Leaning Tower takes center stage. And in Siena, people flock from all over Italy to experience their bi-annual ‘Palio’ – a medieval horse race and flag-waving contest.
On the coast, historic villages and towns such as Livorno, Pietrasanta, and Castiglione della Pescaia await. Last but not least, there is wine territory. In the towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino, their culture is driven by food and fine wines. A Brunello wine-tasting tour will show you what wine culture in Tuscany is all about. Or perhaps take in the beauty of the Tuscan region with this Montepulciano and Pienza tour from Siena.
Accommodation
No Tuscany Travel Guide is complete without recommendations of where to stay! And Tuscany has something for everyone. Ultra-chic boutique boltholes. Luxury palatial villa hotels. Family farmhouses and B&Bs. 5-star hotels overlooking the River Arno. Coastal delights of upscale Forte dei Marmi. No matter your preferences, you’ll find them here. But, when in Tuscany, indulgence is part of the experience. And if you want an elevated level of comfort, you can’t go wrong with Villa Fontelunga, Il Borro, Villa Sassolini, and Badia di Pomaio. Our guide to where to stay in Tuscany maps out the best hotels to book during your stay. Or, see our full list of hand-picked hotels in the area.
What to See Near Tuscany
After checking off everything on our Tuscany Travel Guide, move on to the next phase of your journey. The historic city of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna lies a couple of hours northeast of Florence. Bologna is a major manufacturing, economic, and transport hub in northern Italy. Renowned for its art galleries, museums, and mouth-watering tortellini, this is a much-overlooked city. You may decide to venture north along the Tuscan coast to the five villages of Cinque Terre; here’s our guide on the best ways to get there. Arrive in style by chartering a boat from La Spezia and sailing to these beautiful, pastel-hued villages for exceptional photo opportunities. Or, opt for an organized tour, like the Cinque Terre Hiking Day Tour, which takes you from Florence and back at the end of the day.
The Ultimate Tuscan Adventure
There is nothing quite like spending time under the Tuscan sun. Between the wine, food, charming towns, and overload of art and architecture, there’s quite a lot to explore. A package tour in Tuscany will give you a well-rounded experience accompanied by an expert guide in each location. The Florence & Tuscany Highlights 6 Day Tour Package shows you the best of Florence’s art, Siena’s medieval architecture, cooking classes, vineyards, countryside, and more. The Alternative Florence & Tuscany 6 Day Tour Package, however, will give you longer to drink in the artistic treasures of Florence and add a lovely day of hiking in Cinque Terre at the end. Whichever way you decide to discover Tuscany, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.
