WHAT TO SEE IN TUSCANY? WHICH ARE THE BEST AREAS TO VISIT IN TUSCANY? WHAT IS TUSCANY FAMOUS FOR?
With some of Italy’s most impressive cities and historic architecture, world-class cuisine and wine, beautiful countryside, and balmy weather, the region is guaranteed to satisfy even the most demanding tourist.
Once you’ve visited, you’re guaranteed to want to come back again.
“It’s hard to imagine a more perfect holiday destination than Tuscany.“
As for where to stay and visit—well, you’re spoiled for choice.
Whether you choose to stay at a fancy hotel in one of the region’s several fascinating cities or rent an idyllic country villa, it’s a safe bet that you’ll be surrounded by comfort, culture, beauty, and history.
Here are just eleven of the very best destinations in Tuscany—but you can rest assured that this is just scratching the
surface. Beauty can be found around every corners.
Check out some impressions of Tuscany in the below video:
ENJOY YOUR VISIT!
1. Florence
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Florence should be right at the top of your itinerary.
From the Uffizi gallery, to the world-famous Florence Cathedral, to the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze (home of Michelangelo’s David, possibly the world’s most famous sculpture), Tuscany’s capital is home to enough unmissable sights to merit an entire holiday dedicated solely to the city.
If you visit one place in Tuscany, it should probably be Florence. This is one of the best places in Tuscany (although you should definitely visit more!).
2. San Gimignano
The center of this medieval town, impressively situated atop a hill in central Tuscany, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which makes it one of the best places to visit in Tuscany!
Walking its streets is like going back in time to pre-Renaissance Europe. The main attractions of San Gimignano are the town’s fourteen
towers; the tallest, the Torre Grossa, can still be climbed and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
3. Follonica
If Tuscany has a weakness as a holiday destination, it’s that many of its seaside resorts are overcrowded.
Follonica is a good bet to avoid the worst of this (and it’s where the Italians themselves go). As well as being close to several pristine beaches, the town itself has several places of cultural interest. Such as the Church of San Leopoldo and the Museum of the Cast Iron Arts of the Maremma.
4. Volterra
Stunning views and perfectly preserved Medieval architecture are just two reasons to visit this beautiful town.
It also boasts several fascinating archeological sites, including both a Roman theater and a recently-discovered amphitheater.
Volterra’s history stretches back beyond the Romans. However, to the Etruscan era—and even more impressively, the Etruscan walls are still standing after more than two millennia.
To discover more about this heritage, a visit to the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum is a must.
5. Siena
Siena is a city with architectural and cultural heritage to rival that of Florence. However, Siena’s golden age was in the Medieval era rather than the Renaissance, giving the city a very different overall feel.
The spectacular 14th-century Torre del Mangia towers over the town’s main square, the Piazza del Campo, offers spectacular views of the city and surrounding area.
After working up an appetite by climbing it, enjoy a well-earned lunch and a glass of Chianti at some of the region’s finest restaurants.
6. Montecatini Terme
This pretty town with several excellent restaurants would be worth a visit. But Montecatini Terme has a secret weapon: hot springs.
There are several spas open to the public, which you can visit after exploring Montecatini Alto, the Medieval old town located on top of a prominent hill. From there you can enjoy great views of the nearby countryside.
Montecatini Terme is one of the best places to visit in Tuscany!
7. Lucca
This city in northern Tuscany boasts one of the best-preserved Medieval centers in all of Europe. Unusually, the historic walls remain intact; walking through the gates is like stepping through a portal into another era.
The old town is full of historic architecture, including the Guinigi Tower, which can be climbed and has a distinctive hanging garden on the roof, and several churches and religious buildings, some of which date back as far as the 8th century.
8. Arezzo
Don’t miss a visit of Arezzo one of the best places to visit in Tuscany!
The ancient city of Arezzo dates back to the Etruscan era, and features a number of impressive Medieval and early Renaissance buildings. It also has the advantage of being a relatively calm place to visit, compared with major tourist centers such as Florence, Siena, and Pisa.
Take in the Medieval center, take a look around the antiques market, and then enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of Arezzo’s numerous excellent restaurants.
9. Chianti Wine Region
Love wine tasting? Outside of France, Tuscany is probably the best region in Europe to visit.
In particular, it contains the Chianti region, home to the renowned wine made primarily with Sangiovese grapes.
Many wineries in the region offer tastings, either by arrangement or through tour companies—and you can pick up some bottles of extremely fine wine at competitive prices while you’re there. The stunning natural beauty of the region’s countryside is an added bonus.
10. Pistoia
A beautiful city with a well-preserved Medieval center, set amidst the foothills of the Apennines, Pistoia is not to be slept on. The city contains historic architecture to compete with all but Italy’s finest cities and is a much less crowded, more relaxing place to explore.
Enjoy the excellent weather as you stroll the stone-paved streets, climb the bell tower of the cathedral for stunning views of the city and surrounding area, and enjoy a fine meal at one of the city’s excellent restaurants.
Pistoia is one of the best places to visit in Tuscany, no doubt!
11. Pisa
Pisa is, of course, best known for the Leaning Tower, the bell tower of the cathedral, which is a unique sight and certainly not to be missed on any trip to Tuscany.
In fact, the cathedral itself, plus the nearby baptistry, both built from the same marble as the Tower, are nearly equally impressive, and the grassy Piazza dei Miracoli is the perfect setting for these architectural wonders.
The city also contains many other impressive buildings and museums showcasing the treasures of the city’s historic golden era.
Want to discover more about great destinations in Tuscany and beyond? Head over to CrowdsourcedExplorer.com, where locals of cities large and small all over the world provide guidance about the places they live.
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