Things to Do in Tuscany: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Tuscany is the Italy of postcards: Renaissance art in Florence, medieval hill towns, cypress-lined roads and some of the world's best wines. Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, the rolling Val d'Orcia, Chianti, Pisa and Lucca, plus thermal springs and slow lunches at agriturismi, make it perfect for a road trip of a week or more.
This guide covers the best things to do in Tuscany, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Tuscany
Florence
Renaissance art.
Siena
Piazza del Campo.
San Gimignano
Medieval towers.
Val d'Orcia
UNESCO landscape.
Chianti
Wine country.
Pisa
Leaning Tower.
Lucca
City walls.
Montepulciano
Vino Nobile.
Tuscany in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Florence
See the Duomo and climb Brunelleschi's dome, then the Baptistery and Giotto's bell tower. Lunch at Mercato Centrale. In the afternoon visit the Uffizi Gallery with Botticelli's Birth of Venus, booked in advance. In the evening cross Ponte Vecchio and watch sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo before a bistecca alla fiorentina dinner.
2Day 2 · Florence art
See Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, then Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens across the river. Lunch in the Oltrarno with its artisan workshops. In the afternoon visit Santa Croce with the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. In the evening have an aperitivo in Piazza Santo Spirito.
3Day 3 · Chianti
Drive the Chiantigiana road through Greve, Panzano and Radda, stopping at wineries for Chianti Classico tastings. Lunch at a winery or a trattoria in Panzano. In the afternoon continue to Castellina and the Etruscan tomb. Sleep at an agriturismo among the vineyards.
Tuscany in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Siena and San Gimignano
Explore Siena with the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the striped cathedral and the Torre del Mangia. Lunch in Siena. In the afternoon drive to San Gimignano with its medieval towers and award-winning gelato. Stay for sunset when the day-trip crowds have gone.
5Day 5 · Val d'Orcia
Tour the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO landscape, with Pienza and its pecorino, the cypresses near San Quirico and the hot spring square of Bagno Vignoni. Lunch in Pienza. In the afternoon taste Brunello in Montalcino or Vino Nobile in Montepulciano. Soak at the free springs of Bagni San Filippo at dusk.
Tuscany in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Pisa and Lucca
Visit Pisa's Field of Miracles with the Leaning Tower, cathedral and baptistery, then Lucca, where you can bike on top of the Renaissance walls. Lunch in Lucca. In the afternoon see Piazza dell'Anfiteatro and the Guinigi Tower with trees on top. Dinner in Lucca or back in Florence.
7Day 7 · Farewell
Breakfast with cappuccino and cornetto, shopping for leather, olive oil, wine and ceramics, and a farewell lunch with pici pasta. Florence and Pisa airports both serve Tuscany, and high-speed trains link Florence to Rome in about 90 minutes.
What to do in Tuscany on a weekend
Things to do in Tuscany on a weekend? Saturday: Florence. Sunday: Siena or Chianti.
Palio di Siena on July 2 and August 16.
What to do in Tuscany in the evening
In the evening, aperitivo in Florence and sunsets in hill towns.
Wine bars.
Tuscany for couples
For couples, Val d'Orcia, an agriturismo stay and hot springs.
Tuscany with kids
With kids, Pisa tower, biking Lucca's walls and Pinocchio Park.
What to eat in Tuscany
Bistecca alla fiorentina
T-bone steak.
Pici
Hand-rolled pasta.
Ribollita
Bread soup.
Pecorino
Pienza cheese.
Chianti
Red wine.
Where to stay in Tuscany: best areas
Florence
Art.
Chianti
Vineyards.
Siena
Medieval.
Val d'Orcia
Countryside.
What to do in Tuscany when it rains
Things to do in Tuscany when it rains? Uffizi, Accademia and wine cellars.
How much does a trip to Tuscany cost?
Expect $120–300 per night.
Practical tips for Tuscany
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October.
Getting around
Rental car for the countryside, trains between cities.
Our practical tips
- Book Uffizi and Accademia.
- Rent a car outside Florence.
- Watch for ZTL zones.
- Stay at an agriturismo.
- Designate a driver for tastings.
- Lunch is the main meal.
Mistakes to avoid
- Driving into ZTL zones.
- August heat and crowds.
- Only seeing Florence.
- Tourist menus near sights.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Tuscany?
Florence, Siena, Chianti and Val d'Orcia.
How many days in Tuscany?
At least a week.
Do I need a car?
Yes for the countryside.
Best time to visit?
Spring and fall.