The most beautiful towns and villages in Tuscany

Florence

You should plan at least four days for the capital of Tuscany. The city's must-sees include the Uffizi, the Galleria dell'Accademia, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Boboli Gardens. At sunset, it's worth climbing up to Piazzale Michelangelo and soaking up the special atmosphere. There are also the beautiful rose gardens, where many couples sit and picnic in spring and summer. In the evening, you can stroll through the trendy student district of Santo Spirito and enjoy an aperitivo on Piazza Santo Spirito. 🍸

Siena

Siena is the second most famous city in Tuscany and is approximately half an hour by train from Florence. Siena is relatively small, so you can easily visit the city in a day. I'd recommend strolling around and getting lost in the medieval streets as it has a really unique and special atmosphere. If you're looking for a few tourist highlights, you shouldn't miss the magnificent Siena Cathedral, the "Gate of Heaven" with a panoramic view of the church from above, the Piazza del Campo with the impressive, over 100-meter-high Torre del Mangia tower, the viewing point in the Cathedral Museum and the Piccolomini Library. The historic old town of Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I can see why.

Montepulciano

When I first strolled through Montepulciano on a rainy winter day, I was completely enchanted by the Renaissance charm of the town. The small town is a mix of beautiful palaces and atmospheric wine bars where you can try the delicious Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (one of my favorite Italian wines). The picturesque landscape around the town is just as impressive as Montepulciano itself. There are several wine cellars in the town - one of the cellars you can visit for free is Talosa - Cantina Storica, where you can enjoy a delicious wine tasting. I left the town pretty tipsy and happy! 🍷😉

Lucca

Lucca is also called the "City of 99 Churches". So if you have a soft spot for Italian churches, this is the place for you: The most famous churches include the Cathedral of San Martino and the Church of San Michele in Foro. The Church of San Frediano is located on the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, a square of over 3000 m² within the city walls that was used as an amphitheater in Roman times. The Torre Guinigi, a 44-meter-high tower, is one of Lucca's landmarks. Like Siena, Lucca's historic city centre is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city of Lucca is about the same size as Pisa, but draws fewer crowds.

Panzano

Panzano in Chianti (aka wine region) is located on a picturesque hilltop in Tuscany. It has a medieval town centre with pretty alleys to stroll through, where you can always catch beautiful views of the surrounding landscape of vineyards. A wine tasting is highly recommended here, as Panzano is located directly on the Via Chiantigiana, one of the most beautiful wine routes in Italy. A walk to the Pieve di San Leonino, the most beautiful church in Panzano, is also worthwhile. This picturesque church stands on a hill just outside the town and offers a wonderful view of the nearby area. In contrast to more well-known destinations such as San Gimignano, Panzano is still an insider tip in the region!

Barga

The village of Barga is located on a hill near Lucca and is part of the association of the Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's most beautiful villages) - and rightly so! The imposing cathedral of Barga is a real must-see. From here you have a wonderful view over the roofs of the village and the green hills of the surrounding countryside. In the Cathedral of San Cristoforo you can admire frescoes, sculptures and ancient holy water fonts.

Tip: Try the local specialties such as trout, mushrooms, chestnuts and vegetable soup! 🤤

Monteggiori

The village of Monteggiori, which means "small mountain", is picturesquely situated on the slope of a mountain and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape. The village is surrounded by an old city wall - cars are not allowed to drive into the historic city center, and instead must be parked in the public car park below. This creates a magical silence in the old town, and you can hear the echo of your own footsteps when you stroll through the small streets in the evening. The colorful front doors in different colors give the place a special charm. 🌈