There are many ways to travel. Walks of Italy offers a day trip to Tuscany with a guide . This includes walking around the city, tasting wine, and lunch in a Tuscan vineyard. You can also opt to walk your own paths by reading on.
Are you looking for a day trip to Florence? There are many options. It doesn’t matter if you want to spend a day in Tuscany or explore a medieval city, everything is possible from Florence.
Any of these day trips can be explored for the whole day. You can combine these day trips to make a full and rewarding day in Tuscany. You should also make sure to take some time to enjoy a glass of wine and relax. ).
Florence’s elegant neighbor, Lucca
Beautiful Lucca is home to cobblestone streets, elegant palaces and elaborate churches. There are also a number of Renaissance-era fortification walls that have been converted into walking and biking paths. It is also the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, a music lover.
Lucca can be reached from Florence by train in 1 hour 20 minutes. The station is conveniently located outside the city centre and is easily accessible on foot. Lucca can be reached by car in 1 hour and 10 minutes from Florence. You can spend the whole day in Lucca if you visit our blog.
Pisa is home to more than the Leaning Tower
Pisa is the place to go if you want to capture what must be Italy’s most famous photo. Pisa is more than just that. Yes, the Leaning Tower looks spectacular in person. The medieval city also has a Duomo from the 11th century that is full of beautiful art, elaborate Baptistery, and gorgeous palaces. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people around the Leaning Tower. We recommend the following schedule. If you really want to experience Pisa at its best, the Pisa tour takes you to the Square of Miracles. It also includes skip-the line access to the Leaning Tower.
From Florence, it takes only 50 minutes to get to Pisa by high-speed train. The Leaning Tower is located 20 minutes walk from the station. A bus ride of 10 minutes takes you to the Leaning Tower. Pisa can be reached by car in 1 hour and 20 minutes from Florence.
Florence: How to Visit Lucca + Pisa In One Day
Avoid the crowds of tour-bus tourists that take over Pisa throughout the day. This is possible by leaving Florence at 9am and arriving in Lucca at 10:30am. Take a stroll along the city walls and explore the churches. Then, enjoy a late lunch at 1:30.
Pisa is just 25 minutes away by train from Lucca. If you depart Lucca at 3:45, you will be standing at Pisa’s Leaning Tower just before the tour buses leave. The tower closes at 5 pm in November and February, and closing times change throughout the year. To climb the tower, please visit the official Tower of Pisa webpage, and adjust your itinerary accordingly. You can take as long as you like to admire Pisa’s beautiful sunsets. Take the high-speed train direct to Florence. It takes only one hour.
Chianti Wine Country
There are many wine regions in Tuscany that are world-class. You can find a complete explanation in our Guide To Tuscan Wine Regions and Wine Tasting. The region of Chianti is your best option if you’re looking for wine tastings in Tuscany without having to travel too far from Florence. It is located just 30 minutes south of the city. It’s closer to Florence, so it’s more crowded than the Val d’Orcia, which is further away. You’ll find signs for each vineyard in small towns such as San Casciano and Montespertoli. The guided tour includes two visits to these beautiful farms/vineyards which offer both wine and a full meal.
You can drive to Chianti from Florence by car. The SS22 runs south through the heartland of Chianti.
Siena, the jewel of a medieval town
Florence’s long-time rival, Siena, is a beautiful medieval city. Take its 13th-century Duomo. It is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy. It boasts works by Donatello and Bernini. The city’s distinctive, scallop-shaped main piazza is dominated by a tower from the 14th century that stands taller than the one in Florence. It is also home to important artists such as Lorenzetti’s seminal frescoes “Good and Bad Government”, and relics such as the head of St. Catherine and the Palio horse races. It’s possible to stay for as little as a day or as long as you like in Siena. For a complete list of all things to do and see in Siena, see the guest post by Art Trav.
You can reach Siena by car from Florence in 1 hour and 15 minutes. It takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to get on the SITA bus directly from Florence. Be sure to review the bus schedules. Florence is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away by train. However, Siena station is 1.5 miles from the center of Florence. This means that it is either a half hour walk or a quick bus ride.
Florence: How to Visit the Chianti Countryside + Siena in a Day
You will need to rent a car in order to do this. You should also be aware that you can easily spend an entire day exploring Chianti’s small towns and vineyards, or Siena. This combination day trip is for the very energetic.
We recommend that you leave Florence at 9:45 am or 9:30 am to make it to Chianti’s small towns, vineyards, and villages as soon as they “wake up” (and are open) generally between 10 and noon. After enjoying wine and food tastings and relaxed lunch, you will be heading to Siena around 1:30 pm. By mid-afternoon you will be there, giving you plenty of time to visit the main sights in Siena (don’t forget the Duomo). After lunch, you can take the 15-minute drive to Florence.
The Val d’Orcia is where all those postcards depicting the Tuscan countryside are taken.
Do you dream of rolling hills, cypress-lined roads and charming vineyards? Take a day trip to Val d’Orcia from Florence. It is one of the most beautiful areas in Italy, if not the entire world. This area has been included on UNESCO’s World Heritage Landscapes list. It’s easy to spend the day wandering around, taking in the back streets, and maybe even visiting Pienza or Montalcino.
It is difficult to get to the Val d’Orcia by public transport from Florence. There is no station near the Val d’Orcia and the bus only goes from Florence to Montalcino. You can’t go on to explore the rest the area. The best way to see the Val d’Orcia area is to either rent a car (located approximately 2 hours south of Florence) and/or hire a private driver. This is included in our “Tuscany in a Day” experience.
Montepulciano or Montalcino, perfect for wine lovers
If you are a wine lover, these two towns are worth visiting. Montalcino is a smaller, less-visited town that produces Brunello di Montalcino. This wine is often considered the best in Italy. Montepulciano makes Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This DOCG-rated wine has been enjoyed since the Middle Ages and is considered to be one of Italy’s finest. You can spend up to three hours exploring the streets of either town, admiring the architecture, and tasting wines, meats, and cheeses. You will love the appearance of Montalcino or Montepulciano. Check out our Guide for the best small towns in Tuscany.
You can drive 20 minutes to reach Montalcino and Montepulciano by train from Florence. You can instead take the bus from Florence, switching at Siena, to get to either town. Renting a car, or hiring a private driver, is a great option, especially if your goal is to visit both towns and other nearby areas.
In one day, Florence: How to visit Val d’Orcia + Montepulciano / Montalcino
You can still have a wonderful day in Val d’Orcia if you don’t want to take tours or hire private drivers. Renting a car is advisable. Leave Florence at 9 o’clock in the morning and drive the 2-hour journey to the valley. Enjoy lunch at Pienza or Montepulciano and then spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding towns and wine tastings. You will likely get lost at least once, so bring patience and a GPS. That’s part of the fun.
