Tuscany is a very popular region in Italy that attracts millions of tourists every year. It is located in the central part of the country and has beautiful landscapes with charming villages and towns spread across its hills, mountains, and farmland.
To the west, Tuscany is bordered by the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas, which are home to the picturesque island of Elba and the alluring Tuscan Archipelago. In addition to its stunning scenery, Tuscany is known for its romantic cities and towns, with many historic churches, lovely squares, and impressive palaces to see.
The historic centers of Siena, Pisa, and Lucca are particularly enjoyable places to visit in Tuscany. Furthermore, Tuscany’s capital city, Florence, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, offering numerous artistic and architectural treasures that are truly remarkable.
18. Pistoia
Located in the center of Pistoia, the Piazza Del Duomo is a town square that has been a gathering place for locals for many years. It is surrounded by important buildings such as the Palazzo Comunale and a beautiful cathedral, providing plenty of sightseeing opportunities just a few steps away.
As the evening approaches, the community comes together in the square, so it’s a great time to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere. Before exploring further, it’s a good idea to recharge at a local restaurant and indulge in delicious Tuscan dishes like crostini and pappa al pomodoro.
Afterward, you can visit an underground passage that was constructed as a response to the bubonic plague. This tunnel was created by diverting the river in order to make additional space for hospitals.
17. Volterra
Volterra is a beautiful hilltop town in Tuscany, Italy, with breathtaking views of farms and fields. It has been inhabited for thousands of years, so there are many interesting historical sights to explore. While walking through the town’s streets, you will discover ancient Roman ruins and medieval town squares.
The town is surrounded by old walls built by the Etruscans. Some of the oldest sites include the main gate, called Porta all’Arco, dating back to the fourth century BC, and the Roman Theatre. There are also newer additions like the impressive Duomo and the Medici Fortress located on top of a hill.
Volterra is famous for its exquisite alabaster carvings, which you can still find being made in the town’s workshops. You can also find unique souvenirs in the many shops and boutiques that sell locally made artworks and artisanal handicrafts.
16. Abbey of San Galgano
Your journey here begins by walking through the alleyways lined with cypress trees. These trees will lead you to the entrance of the Abbey of San Galgano.
Once you pass through a small passageway, you will enter a sacred space where Cistercian monks lived for more than 200 years, starting from the 13th century.You may have heard of King Arthur’s famous sword, but have you heard about the legend of San Galgano? He chose to live as a hermit in the Hermitage of Monte Siepi, which is still present at the center of the Abbey.
Inside, you will discover the renowned sword in the stone, surrounded by a beautiful gothic church. This church happens to be the first of its kind in Tuscany, although it no longer has a roof.
15. Chianti Region
The Chianti Wine Region is famous worldwide for its great wines. It has beautiful scenery with vineyards and farmland covering its hills and mountains. It is located between Florence and Siena and is a very popular place, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The best way to explore the countryside is by car, allowing you to visit charming towns like Greve, Panzano, and Radda. These towns are surrounded by farms, forests, and olive groves and have stone farmhouses, old churches, and crumbling castles that create a picturesque view.
Since the region is known for its agricultural products, it is a must to try its delicious cuisine and wines. There are many tranquil wineries scattered across its stunning landscapes, offering wine tastings in a memorable Tuscan atmosphere.
14. Val d’Orcia
Val d’Orcia is a stunning valley in Tuscany that is known for its beautiful scenery and charming medieval towns. From the rolling hills to the majestic Mount Amiata, the region offers breathtaking landscapes and delightful villages to discover.
While Pienza is popular for its historical significance and remarkable architecture, towns like Montalcino and Castiglione d’Orcia are equally worth a visit. These towns boast impressive hilltop fortresses that provide magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also enjoy the local agricultural produce at cafes and restaurants.
The region’s captivating beauty has been immortalized in Renaissance paintings and photographs over the years. Additionally, famous movies like Gladiator, The English Patient, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream have been filmed in this enchanting area.
13. Pisa
Pisa is not only known for its Leaning Tower, but also for its abundance of artistic and architectural treasures found throughout the city. The city’s history as a powerful maritime force allowed for the construction of magnificent churches, beautiful piazzas, and charming Romanesque buildings.
Exploring Pisa is a delight, with impressive facades and intricate architectural details everywhere you look. Additionally, there are several noteworthy museums scattered throughout the city, but the main attraction is undoubtedly the Piazza dei Miracoli.
This square is home to the famous tower, as well as a stunning baptistry and cathedral adorned with marvelous marble columns, breathtaking mosaics, and monumental works of art. Despite its rich history, Pisa also possesses a vibrant and youthful atmosphere due to its prestigious university.
The city is filled with great bars and cafes that line the charming squares, and there is always something happening, such as parties, cultural events, and small festivals, throughout the year.
12. Elba
Nestled in the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, Elba is adorned with stunning beaches, secluded coves, and breathtaking landscapes. Known for Napoleon’s first exile, it’s just ten kilometers from the mainland, ranking as Italy’s third-largest island.
Explore charming towns like Portoferraio, Marciana Marina, and Porto Azzurro along Elba’s coastline, immersing yourself in its rich cultural heritage and cuisine against the backdrop of mesmerizing seascapes.
While Elba’s sunlit shores invite relaxation through sunbathing, swimming, and sailing, its interior boasts fertile vineyards and gentle mountains, perfect for hiking or cycling. Ancient towns, settlements, and castles dot the landscape, with panoramic views awaiting at the 1,018-meter-high Monte Capanne summit.
11. Siena
Siena, a beautiful city in Tuscany, is a popular tourist destination. It is located about 70 kilometers south of Florence, and is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The city has a rich history, dating back over 2000 years to its founding by the Etruscans. Siena is known for its impressive architecture and historical landmarks.
The centro storico, or historic center, is particularly charming and is home to many important sights. The Piazza del Campo, a shell-shaped square at the heart of the city, is considered one of the most magnificent medieval squares in Europe.
It is famous for hosting the Palio di Siena horse race, and is surrounded by elegant palaces and townhouses. The city’s skyline is dominated by the Torre del Mangia, a tall tower that offers breathtaking views of Siena’s red rooftops.
Exploring the narrow streets of Siena’s old town is a must-do activity, as it allows visitors to immerse in its unique atmosphere. However, the real highlight of the city is its impressive Duomo. This Romanesque cathedral, made of black and white marble, showcases incredible art and architecture.
Inside, visitors can admire stunning frescoes, sculptures, and even a baptistry located underground. Siena is a city rich in art, history, and culture, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting Tuscany.
10. Florence
Florence is a famous city known for its contribution to the Renaissance. It is beautiful and has a romantic atmosphere. The city is located on the Arno River and is surrounded by hills. Florence has been an important center in Europe for many years and has amazing buildings like Palazzo Pitti, Ponte Vecchio, and Santa Maria del Fiore.
The cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the largest in the world and stands out in the city’s skyline. There are many other impressive buildings in Florence, including elegant palaces, old churches, and monuments.
The city is also home to many museums that display the works of famous artists such as Botticelli, Da Vinci, Donatello, and Michelangelo. Despite its rich history, Florence is a vibrant city that keeps up with modern fashion and shopping trends. It is also known for its delicious food and Tuscan wines.
9. Viareggio
Viareggio, located in the north of Tuscany along the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a popular destination known for its sun, sea, and sand. Although its glory days are in the past, the city still offers a fantastic beach holiday experience.
One of the main attractions is the famous carnival, which draws thousands of enthusiastic visitors each year. Along the beautiful golden sands of Viareggio, you can find charming art nouveau buildings that have seen better days but now house numerous cozy cafes, restaurants, and bars.
The city’s focal point is its seafront, bustling with activity such as children’s play areas, vibrant resorts, and a lively port and marina. In addition to its stunning beaches, Viareggio is renowned for its vibrant carnival, a month-long celebration filled with parades, parties, masked balls, and extravagant floats.
People from all walks of life come together, dressed in colorful costumes, to immerse themselves in the joyful atmosphere.
8. Arezzo
Arezzo is a city located about 80 kilometers southeast of Florence. It is the largest city and serves as the capital of the province with the same name. Arezzo was once part of the Etruscan League, which consisted of 12 hill towns. Nowadays, it is famous for its numerous churches and museums, along with its remarkable Piazza Grande.
This medieval square is situated on a sloping hill and features beautiful palaces in soft, pastel colors. The square was even used as a filming location for the award-winning movie La Vita e Bella. The city’s vibrant life revolves around the piazza, where a monthly antique market takes place on its paved stones.
Numerous picturesque streets branch out from the square, inviting visitors to explore the historic center of Arezzo. The city is filled with centuries-old churches, ancient monuments, and captivating architectural styles.
For those interested in history, there are also art and archaeological museums that offer insights into the town’s 2000-year past. Moreover, Arezzo boasts a rich culture and cuisine, which can be experienced in its excellent restaurants, cafes, and bars.
7. Lucca
Lucca, located northeast of Pisa, is a wonderful place to visit. Its main attraction is the well-preserved city walls, which surround a charming old town. Inside the walls, you’ll find elegant squares, palaces, and churches. Lucca was founded by the Etruscans a long time ago and has many ancient buildings and interesting historical landmarks.
One of the highlights is the beautiful Duomo. In the heart of the city is Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, a former Roman amphitheater that has been transformed into a lively public square with colorful houses and cafes. Lucca’s narrow streets hide old churches and you can also spot a few tall towers.
While the city has a relaxed atmosphere during the day, it comes alive in the evening with bustling bars and restaurants. The dimly lit streets create a magical ambiance.
6. Massa Marittima
Located on a hill in the province of Grosseto in southern Tuscany, Massa Marittima is a charming town with beautiful views of the countryside. Unlike Florence, Pisa, and Siena, Massa Marittima is not crowded with tourists. The town has an impressive Old Town with many historic sites to explore, the highlight being the stunning cathedral.
The cathedral, built in a Romanesque-Pisane style, showcases amazing art and architecture, and its tall bell tower can be seen from anywhere in the town. Visitors can also discover centuries-old churches, palaces, and enjoy the various cafes and traditional restaurants scattered throughout the historic center.
Furthermore, there are interesting museums that provide insight into the town’s mining history and heritage.
5. Montepulciano
Montepulciano is not just famous for its wines, but also for its medieval center and historical sights. The town is located on a limestone ridge, which gives it beautiful views of the Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana regions in Tuscany.
The heart of the town is the Piazza Grande, where you can see impressive palaces with Renaissance and medieval features. If you visit the Palazzo Communale’s clock tower, you can enjoy panoramic views of the countryside, and the 14th-century walls also offer breathtaking vistas.
The main attraction of Montepulciano, however, is its delicious local food. You can try fine cheeses, hams, and pasta dishes along with their world-famous wines. Many restaurants, cafes, and bars in town serve the exquisite Vino Nobile, and some even offer tasting sessions or tours of vineyards and wine cellars.
4. Cortona
Cortona is a beautiful town situated on a hill, providing breathtaking views in all directions. It is located in the Province of Arezzo and is known for its medieval and Renaissance architecture. The town was once a part of the Etruscan League.
Visitors can explore the hidden piazzas, ancient streets, and discover churches and palaces that have been there for centuries. The town’s picturesque scenery made it a popular filming location for Under the Tuscan Sun.
To learn more about Cortona’s history and culture, tourists can visit the Diocesan Museum and Museum of the Etruscan Academy, which house interesting exhibitions, impressive artworks, and ancient artefacts. There are also numerous archaeological sites to explore around town.
3. Pienza
Pienza, located in the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany, is a beautiful place known for its history and charm. It became famous and prosperous because of Pope Pius II, who transformed the town from a quiet place into a stunning Renaissance city. Pienza was reconstructed in 1459 as a place for the Pope to retreat, and it was named after him.
As a result, impressive buildings were constructed throughout the town, such as the cathedral, town hall, and the Palazzo Piccolomini, where the Pope once lived. The papal palace also offers breathtaking views of the fields and farms, with Mount Amiata in the distance.
Pienza’s historic center is particularly notable for being the first example of humanist urban planning. This style of planning later spread across Italy and Europe. Exploring the town’s pastel-colored buildings and charming streets is a delightful experience, as you will discover many picturesque views along the way.
2. Medici Villas and Gardens
The space consists of twelve villas and two gardens that showcase the cultural and artistic influence of the Medici family not only in Tuscany, but throughout Europe. These villas, built starting from the 1400s, were carefully designed to coexist harmoniously with nature.
Today, they provide visitors with a glimpse of the stunning combination that can arise when humanity and a beautiful environment intersect. Exploring all of these villas may require some time and planning, but starting in the Mugello area allows you to visit the Trebbio and Cafaggiolo villas, which were the first ones built.
Another notable highlight is the Poggio a Caiano villa, which was a residence for royalty and belonged to Lorenzo il Magnifico.
1. San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a walled town known for its impressive skyline of 14 medieval towers. These towers, reaching up to 70 meters tall, were built by wealthy families to show off their status. From the tops of these towers, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the town’s medieval streets and beautiful rural landscapes.
In addition to exploring the charming streets and admiring the views, San Gimignano has some excellent museums where you can discover astonishing artworks and artifacts.
These museums provide insights into the town’s over two thousand years of history, including its ancient Etruscan village origins and the Gothic and Romanesque architecture found in its charming squares.
