The places, most named first
From the 10 guides that rank for "best places to visit in tuscany"
Named by 7 of 101. FlorenceRick Steves puts Florence first, with three days as the minimum.A writer calls it the one city to visit in Italy for its Renaissance streets and architecture.Best time to visit Florence
Named by 5 of 102. SienaThe Piazza del Campo is UNESCO-listed and hosts the Palio horse race.Suggested for a first visit to Tuscany, along with San Gimignano.
Named by 5 of 103. San GimignanoNicknamed the Manhattan of the Middle Ages for its medieval towers.Fourteen towers rise above the hills.
Named by 4 of 104. LuccaYou can walk or cycle the intact Renaissance walls, about 4.2 km around.Often overlooked on itineraries despite its walls and gardens.
Named by 3 of 105. MontalcinoBrunello di Montalcino is made here.Recommended for trips centred on wine.
Named by 3 of 106. VolterraRoman ruins include a theater and the remains of thermal baths.Rick Steves pairs it with a short stop in San Gimignano on a road trip.Named by 3 of 107. PisaFamous for the Leaning Tower; the Piazza dei Miracoli is UNESCO-listed.Rick Steves suggests a day trip by bus from Lucca.
Named by 3 of 108. MontepulcianoA hilltop town in southern Tuscany with Renaissance palaces.Listed as a wine town and as a well-located base.
Named by 2 of 109. PienzaA UNESCO World Heritage site, neither fully medieval nor fully Renaissance.A starting point for Maremma Regional Natural Park.
Named by 2 of 1010. CortonaRecommended as a romantic, polished town with valley views.Views from the Etruscan wall.
Named by 2 of 1011. ArezzoA less polished, more local town with a monthly antique market.Suited to travelers who want a town that feels real, not staged.
Named by 2 of 1012. ElbaRick Steves suggests Elba for beach time instead of more hill towns.Good for sailing, scuba diving and a beach stay.
13. LucignanoA quiet, circular town with few visitors.Suggested for a quieter Tuscany.
14. ChiantiA 45-minute drive south through villas, olive groves and vineyards reaches Greve in Chianti.
15. BolgheriA village where vineyards are the main attraction.
16. Rosignano MarittimoIts beaches are known for white sand and clear water.
17. San VincenzoFine sandy beaches with natural parks nearby.
18. VadaA coastal resort suited to families and watersports.
19. PistoiaA small city that is less crowded than Florence, with easy train access.
20. Montecatini TermeA spa town with thermal pools between Florence and the coast, plus a hilltop village above it.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name April to June and September to October as the best time to visit Tuscany.
Questions people ask
- What is the best area of Tuscany to stay in?
- One travel writer suggests basing yourself in one place and taking day trips, and picking a less crowded town than Florence.
- Where does Rick Steves recommend staying in Tuscany?
- His two-week plan sleeps in Florence, Siena, Montepulciano, Volterra and Lucca.
- What to do in rural Tuscany?
- One writer suggests staying in an agriturismo, a farm stay in the quiet countryside.
- What is a must see in Tuscany?
- One guide starts with Florence, where the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio are named as first-trip sights.
