If you’re heading to Florence but haven’t planned to visit any of the smaller towns in Tuscany, you’ll want to reconsider your itinerary. Even if you’re not much of a wine drinker—which may raise a few eyebrows in Italy—there’s an incredible amount of places to explore, food to eat, and sights to see on the best day trips from Florence. Honestly, you could stop in any little town along the way and love what you find. But if you’re looking for the can’t-miss places to visit in Tuscany, this list is for you.
Perhaps you’d like to see the “medieval Manhattan” of San Gimignano, or wander a vineyard in Val D’Orcia, or snap your own photo holding up the tower of Pisa. However you choose to day trip from Florence, learning Italian before you arrive is one way to make your trip even better. Italians love to talk, and they’ll happily converse with you as you practice speaking Italian with them!
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Tips for getting around Tuscany on your day trips from Florence
Cities like Florence are easily walkable, but you’ll need to plan ahead if you’re wanting to explore the Tuscan countryside or head to the coast to see Cinque Terre. To reach some cities that we recommend for day trips from Florence, you could rent a car and visit several of them in a single day. Other cities, like Bologna, are best reached by train.
You can easily book tickets on Trenitalia, which is the most popular booking site in Italy for regional and high-speed trains. They even have an app you can download. The stazione (station) you’ll use is called Firenze S. M. Novella (Florence Santa Maria Novella). Be aware that you’ll need to validate any regional (not high speed) biglietto (ticket) when purchased online. It’s usually as simple as clicking “Check In” on your email confirmation.
If you choose to rent a car, make sure you’re comfortable driving a manual rather than automatic as there are limited automatic cars available. You’ll need to navigate narrow streets and plan ahead for where to park. Still, driving a car in the countryside of Italy is much easier than in the bustling streets of Rome. You might even try renting a vespa to travel to some of the nearby villages around Florence!
>> Use our list of the best cities to visit in Italy as you plan your vacation!
@aprilchutravels ♬ Italian Jazz – Jazz Musica Milano
Have you been to Lucca?
1. Lucca: the remarkable fortress city
From Florence: 1 hour by car; approximately 1.5 hours by train
If you want to hit up several Italian cities on your day trip from Florence, then we recommend starting in Lucca. It’s easy to get to by train or by car, though you’ll spend less on a train ticket than on benzina (gasoline). Lucca is a charming city that has roots dating back to the Etruscan era prior to the Roman Empire. It’s not as popular as many other destinations, which makes it a perfect city to visit around Florence.
So what should you do in this ancient walled city? Well, we recommend checking out the remarkably preserved Roman walls in Lucca’s city center on foot, with a bike, or on a tour. You’ll have your pick of churches to explore, but don’t skip Chiesa dei Santi Giovanni e Reparata that sits atop ancient Roman baths and a crypt. If you love a good panoramic view, climb the bell tower here or at Torre Guinigi.
2. Pisa: the one with the leaning tower
From Florence: 1 hour by car; approximately 1 hour by train
While Pisa is a popular Florence day trip destination, it makes even more sense to combine this after spending the morning in Lucca. After all, it’s just 20 minutes away by car or 30 minutes by train for about 4 euros. It’s no secret that you’re probably most interested in taking that touristy photo of you pretending to hold up the leaning tower of Pisa. Most people do, so don’t hesitate to get your photo too! Though you can climb the tower, it costs about 20 euros, so we don’t recommend it as it’s quite expensive for what you get.
Instead, spend your time exploring the Duomo complex which includes Cattedrale di Pisa (Pisa Cathedral), Battistero di San Giovanni (San Giovanni Baptistery) and the Camposanto (cemetery). Each has their own unique features, like frescoes from the 14th century or bronze doors similar to the Florence Duomo. An afternoon in Pisa will be worth the effort!
3. Siena: the most well-known Tuscan town
From Florence: 1 hour by car; 1.5 hours by train
Perhaps one of the most famous medieval cities near Florence, Siena is considered one of the best day trips from Florence, Italy. The sight of the imposing bell tower in Piazza del Campo rising from the middle of this city on a hill will be instantly recognizable after you’ve visited this beautiful town. An interesting fact is that this city is home to Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world, which opened in 1472!
If you plan ahead, you could be in Siena during July or August to watch the Palio. It’s a famous horse race held entirely within PIazza del Campo that is dearly beloved by locals. For a unique thing to do in Siena, head underground to explore the labyrinth of aqueduct canals that still provide water to fountains you’ll find throughout the city. And of course, no stop in Siena would be complete without venturing into the beautiful cathedral.
@sebastianochristian ♬ Solas – Gibran Alcocer
San Gimignano, Toscana
4. San Gimignano: the city of stone skyscrapers and cobblestones
From Florence: 1 hour by car; no train; combine with a group tour to Siena
Though there is no train station here, San Gimignano (sahn zjim-in-YAH-no) is one of the most popular day trips from Florence. If you have a car or want to book a small group tour, you’ll definitely want to stop in this Chianti wine region city that’s sometimes called a “medieval Manhattan” due to how many tall buildings and towers dominate the skyline. You could even combine San Gimignano with a day trip to Siena if you have limited time to explore beyond Florence.
Your time in San Gimignano could be best spent enjoying la dolce vita (the sweet life) of doing nothing and simply enjoying being present where you are. This might best be done with a vino (wine) glass in hand since you’re in the land of cantine (wineries)! Otherwise, there’s something magical about wandering the quaint cobblestone streets where you can escape the tourists and discover hidden trattorie (casual restaurants). Be sure to wander all the way to the 13th century Palazzo Comunale in the center of San Gimignano to find ancient frescoes and the tallest tower in the city.
5. Bologna: the city best known for food
From Florence: 1.5 hours by car; 40 minutes by high-speed train
The city of Bologna is well known for its culinary prowess, so plan to spend a little extra time to eat some freshly made pasta and other northern foods like tigelle. In fact, ordering ragu alla Bolognese might be the best choice you make on this day trip from Florence. But there are plenty of other reasons to choose to visit Bologna.
Piazza Maggiore is an impressive square that dates back to 1200 A.D. and houses Basilica di San Petronio, which could have rivaled St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome if the pope hadn’t stopped construction to prevent that from happening. Inside, you’ll find what many consider to be the world’s longest sundial at 220 feet! We also recommend stopping by the gelato museum and sampling several flavors. Finally, if you’re an exotic car aficionado, take time to travel to nearby Modena to see Museo (museum) Enzo Ferrari or Museo Automobili Lamborghini!
>>Discover free things to do in Rome so you can plan the best trip ever!
@brandykiana Pistoia, Italia
♬ Ylang Ylang – FKJ & ((( O )))
6. Pistoia: the city a lot of people skip (and shouldn’t)
From Florence: approximately 40 minutes by car or train
Technically, you could explore little Pistoia and Lucca in the same day since you’d pass through Pistoia first. This little town won’t be on a lot of lists of places to visit near Florence, but we think it’s a great place that won’t be overcrowded by tourist buses. It’s an especially great day trip from Florence if you’re traveling with kids since there’s a nice zoo here. But for adults and solo travelers, there are a few other places to check out.
Head over to Cattedrale di San Zeno and admire the white and green marble facade before going inside to see the origins of this 10th century church. Don’t forget to look up at the unique wooden ceiling here! You can also climb the bell tower for a panoramic view if you like. There are numerous museums and galleries to explore, but you might like to go underground at Pistoia Sotterranea to explore archaeological sites.
@aprilchutravels ♬ Italian Folk Music Serenade – Music of Italy
7. Montepulciano: the town with the best views (and vino)
From Florence: 1.5 hours by car
If you have a car, you’ll want to head deeper into the Chianti wine region near the Val D’Orcia area and spend some time in Montepulciano. It’s another ancient town (dating back to the 4th century B.C.) perched on a hilltop to catch your eye as you wander through the idyllic Tuscany countryside. In fact, you might even recognize it from movies like Under the Tuscan Sun. Stopping here is a must if you want to have the best Tuscany day trip from Florence.
As with any Italian city, we recommend heading to the central piazza (square) appropriately named Piazza Grande. The bell tower here is absolutely worth climbing for a breathtaking view of Val D’Orcia and the classic rolling hills of Tuscany. Local vino is the biggest attraction here though, so don’t miss a chance to visit an underground winery or book a wine tasting at local enoteca (wine shop). Nearby, you can also go truffle hunting, ride horses, or learn to cook or make wine. The options are endless in Montepulciano!
8. Val D’Orcia: the Tuscany area that’s indescribably beautiful
From Florence: 1.5 hours by car
The area known as Val D’Orcia is a part of the province of Siena and includes towns like Pienza, Montalcino, and Radicofani. Most importantly, locals will tell you that the famous stretch of farmland lined with cypress trees leading to Maximus’ house in the movie Gladiator was filmed in this area near Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia. It truly is one of the prettiest areas in all of Tuscany, which is why Val D’Orcia makes a perfect day trip from Florence.
You’ll need a car to wander this area, but we recommend stopping at every town along the way until you decide to spend the night in a cozy B&B or head back to Florence. The best way to enjoy the towns in Val D’Orcia is to simply get to know locals and let them tell you the histories of their beloved villages, what to eat, and what to see. You’ll also want to make sure to book a wine or olio d’oliva (olive oil) tasting or snap pictures of the ancient thermal pools in tiny Bagni Vignoni.
>>You’ll need to eat in Florence too. Here are the best restaurants in Florence!
@chicstays Summer in Cinque Terre
♬ In the Mood – Glenn Miller
9. Cinque Terre: the astonishing cliffside cities
From Florence: 2 hours by car to La Spezia only; 2 hours by train
Our curated list wouldn’t be complete without including a Cinque Terre day trip from Florence! Before we dive in, be aware that it is not recommended to drive through Cinque Terre as it’s so congested and narrow. You can take the train to La Spezia Centrale, then book your biglietto on the busy Cinque Terre Express line (before you arrive!) to see all five towns: Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia, Monterosso al Mare, and Manarola. If you’re a hiker, then you’ll want to book the train and hiking day pass.
Can you do Cinque Terre in a single day from Florence? Yes! You’ll need to leave very early and take a late train back to Florence though. Take time to enjoy the largest beach in Monterosso before finding the castle ruins. Have your camera handy in Vernazza since this is where you’ll find the iconic views of cliffside homes. Hiking through vineyards from Vernazza to Corniglia is the best way to get there unless you want to climb 384 steps to the train station. Take the scenic route instead! And in Manarola, don’t miss a chance to jump in the water from the rocky cliffs before watching the sunset.
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