tuscany tour from pisa

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Tuscany Tours & Trips from Pisa

An adventure starting in Pisa is a great way to see Tuscany. We have 9 tours that range from 7 days up to 8 days. The most popular time for tours from Pisa is May, which has the most tour departures.

9 Tuscany tours from Pisa with 54 reviews

• Hiking & Trekking
• Wine tasting

Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines

This was the best group tour I've taken with a great mix of activities and down time. Also simply fab and idyllic scenery and Liz was a great tour leader

• Self Guided Walking Holidays

Tuscany Coastal Tour: Pisa & Elba

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

• Food & Culinary
• In-depth Cultural

A Taste of Tuscany - Hilltop Towns and Vineyards

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Self-Guided Cycling

Pisa - Florence

Cycle Pisa to Florence

Tuscany the cradle of the Renaissance: Pisa to Florence cat. A

Tuscany Walking and Wine

One of the best vacations we have ever taken. The scenery was stunning and it was very well organized. Matteo was an amazing guide and handled every details to perfection. The walking can be challenging for portions of the tour, but all very doable if you are in descent shape. You can't beat the scenery you experience! I would highly recommend the tour and will look to do similar tours in the future.

Walking in the Apuane Alps

Tuscany the cradle of the Renaissance: Pisa to Florence cat. B

• Explorer from Pisa (6)
• Family from Pisa (6)
• Self-Guided from Pisa (6)
• What is the best time to visit Tuscany (Italy) in 2024/2025?
• Weather in Tuscany 2024/2025

THE 10 BEST Pisa Tours & Excursions

• Cultural Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery

2. Semi Private Cinque Terre and Pisa Leaning Tower Tour from Florence

3. Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine Pairing

4. Tuscany: Day Trip to Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti

5. Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli Half-Day Tour from Florence

6. Pisa and Florence from the Livorno Cruise Port

7. Cinque Terre & Pisa Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hike

8. Day Tour in Livorno and Pisa Shore Excursion from Livorno

9. Full day shore excursion to Florence and Pisa from Livorno with tasting

10. Florence and Pisa Full Day Tour from Rome

11. Pisa all inclusive: Baptistery, Cathedral and Leaning Tower guided tour

12. Florence and Pisa from Rome: Day Tour Small Group Experience

13. Livorno Shore Excursion: Pisa & Florence in One Day

14. Private Day Tour from Florence to Pisa, Chianti and San Gimignano

15. Time Entrance to Leaning Tower & All Attractions in Pisa Complex

16. Pisa Afternoon Tour with Skip-the-Line Leaning Tower Ticket

17. Livorno Shore Excursion to Florence & Pisa

18. Pisa and Florence Private Day Tour from Livorno Port

19. Cinque Terre tour in Small Group from Pisa

20. Pisa and Lucca Day Trip from Florence

21. La Spezia Shore Excursion to Florence & Pisa

22. Tuscany Experience: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Wine Tasting

23. Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa

24. Florence Day Trip: Pisa, San Gimignano, and Siena with Lunch

25. Pisa and the Leaning Tower Afternoon Tour from Florence

26. From La Spezia to Pisa with optional Leaning Tower Ticket

27. Best of Pisa: Small group tour with admission tickets

28. Shore excursion from Livorno to Pisa and Lucca

29. Self-guided Bike Tour from Lucca to Pisa

30. Semi-Private Tour Florence and Pisa from Rome

What travelers are saying.

• Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery
• Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine Pairing
• Semi Private Cinque Terre and Pisa Leaning Tower Tour from Florence
• Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli Half-Day Tour from Florence
• Tuscany: Day Trip to Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti
• Tuscany At Heart - Private Guided Tours
• BellaItaliaTour
• DiscoveryPisa
• Eco Friendly City Tour
• Pisa Visite Guidate - Monica Cerrai
• Pisa Explorer
• Pedicab Pisa City Ecotour
• Il Pineto Parco Avventura

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Spotlight on Tuscany

About this tour.

Discover the rolling hills of Tuscany, home to sprawling vineyards, charming medieval hill towns, and enchanting cities. Savor a 7-night stay in Montecatini Terme, the famous resort and spa town. Visit Pisa, Florence, and San Gimignano in the Italian countryside. Discover the charming town of Lucca, Italy’s best-kept secret. Learn about the heroic deeds of WWII at remains of the Gothic Line and visit the Museum of Liberation. Enjoy free time to explore the cultural treasures of Florence. Partake in a Tuscan cooking class. Sample cheese at the farm where it is made. Enjoy fabulous local wines and the region’s famous cuisine. Steeped in history, culture and legend, this is Tuscany as you always imagined it.

Your Tour Includes

• 1 Handpicked Accommodations
• 2 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

• Montecatini Terme
• Gothic Line
• Winery Tour

Your Tour at a Glance

7 Breakfasts

Travel Style

Best time for travel, customize your tour.

$1,199.00 pp

Optional Excursions

Starting at $140.00

Activity Level

• Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

Best time for travel spotlight on tuscany.

While just about any month is great to visit Tuscany, there are a few prime times of the year for the Spotlight on Tuscany tour. Here are some recommendations from our destination experts.

Winter: Enjoy beautiful Cinque Terre during the winter months, with smaller crowds.

Spring and Fall: In March and November, enjoy the calm atmosphere, especially in Cinque Terre, which becomes quite crowded from April through October. While some seasonal attractions might not be open, countless opportunities to soak in the area’s beauty remain.

Travel Styles

Highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Stay in the famous spa resort town of Montecatini Terme for 7 nights.

• Journey to Florence for a tour of the "Cradle of the Renaissance."

Stop in the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th-century walls.

Cultural Experiences:

Step to the front of the line to see Michelangelo’s famous statue of David.

See the Gothic Line, one of the Germans’ last lines of defense during WWII.

Retrace the steps of ancient pilgrims as they crossed the Devil’s Bridge in the Serchio Valley.

Culinary Inclusions:

Sample delectable wines during a wine tasting at a local farm.

Spend time at a cheese farm to taste flavorful pecorino cheese.

Learn about Tuscan cuisine during a cooking class.

• Choice on Tour
• Cooking Class
• Cheese Farm
• San Gimignano

Book with Confidence

* With Insurance Purchased

• *No Hassle Refunds
• Traveling Well Safety
• No booking fee, *no change fees
• Top Rated Travel Protection

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Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

Pre and Post Tour Extensions

• Choice On Tour

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

• Tour Extensions

Today you have the choice between 2 activities. Your first option is to learn more about Montecatini’s curative waters during a guided walking tour of the city. Discover the town’s elegant Art Nouveau architecture and visit the historic Tettuccio Spa,* known for the health benefits in its mineral waters. Your second choice is to journey to Siena and embark on a walking tour through its narrow Gothic streets. Take in stunning palaces, mansions and the historic Piazza del Campo along the way. Then, get to know local life in a contrada (neighborhood) whose community life is centered around the colorful Palio horse race.

Begin your trip with a 3-night sojourn in the Eternal City. Toast to your Roman getaway with a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. See the city with an expert guide, including an in-depth tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Enjoy ample free time to explore Rome's charms or join an optional tour to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.

• Overnight Flight
• You are on your way to the eternal city of Rome.
• Rome, Italy - Tour Begins
• Get settled into Rome for your 3-night stay. Take time to get acquainted with the area on your own. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner featuring regional delicacies.
• Rome - Optional Excursion
• Start your morning with a ride on La Metro – Rome’s underground system. First stop – a locally guided tour of Classical Rome. During an in-depth visit to the Colosseum, your guide recounts its rich history. Then wander along the Roman Forum and the Via Sacra, traversed by the likes of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. The remainder of the day is yours. Perhaps you will join an optional dinner in a popular restaurant, where you’ll indulge in a hearty meal accompanied by wine and local entertainment.
• Make the most of a free day in Italy’s capital city. Perhaps you will join an optional tour* in the morning to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica, taking in world-renowned wonders such as the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s mural of the Last Judgment. In the afternoon, consider strolling through the Borghese Gardens for views of the city’s skyline or meander through Rome’s bohemian Trastevere district.
• Rome - Montecatini Terme
• Your Roman sojourn comes to a close today. Say Arrivederci Roma as you transfer to Montecatini Terme to begin your tour of Tuscany.

Extend your Italian adventure with a 2-night stay in Bologna, Italy’s foodie haven. En route, visit a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese farm, and a Balsamic Vinegar producer aging their barrels in the attic, as countless generations did before them. Your culinary exploration continues with a demonstration of authentic gelato making and a walking tour of Bologna, home to the oldest continuously operating university in the western world and birthplace of some of Italy’s most iconic foods: tortellini, mortadella and Bolognese sauce. Buon Appetito!

• Montecatini Terme - Food Valley Tour and Tastings - Bologna
• This morning, traverse the Apennine Mountains and cross from Tuscany into the Emilia region, Italy’s foodie haven. Visit a local farm producing Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese according to traditional codes dating back to the 1300s. Then pause for a light lunch at a nearby villa where the family still ages their Balsamic Vinegar production in the attic, as countless generations have done before them. Your exploration of Emilia’s Food Valley concludes with a demonstration – and tasting – of authentic gelato, before arriving in Bologna, your home for the next 2 nights.
• Bologna - Walking Tour - Food Tour
• Spend the morning exploring Bologna in company of an expert guide. During your walking tour, discover the origin of Bologna’s several nicknames – la dotta (the learned) and la rossa (the red, from the colors of its bricks) and la grassa (the fat). Perhaps the latter nickname is the most fitting. Food is a true passion here, as Bologna is the birthplace of some of Italy’s most iconic foods: tortellini, mortadella - the progenitor of baloney - and Bolognese sauce. Visit the ancient seat of the University – the oldest continuously operating in the western world – before browsing Bologna’s specialty food shops. Then, sample local delicacies such as Parma ham and lasagna during lunch at a local eatery. Spend the afternoon at leisure in this lively town. Indulge in some people-watching at a café in Piazza Maggiore, the expansive plaza at the heart of the city’s social life, or search for Bologna’s very own leaning towers: the Garisenda and Asinelli. Whatever your interest, Bologna guarantees the perfect stroll as it boasts over 23 miles of covered sidewalks lined by colonnades offering protection from rain and heat.
• Bologna - Extension Ends
• Bid arrivederci to Bologna as your Italian sojourn comes to a close today.

Spend a glorious day exploring the unique Cinque Terre. You’ll discover a magical land nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean that is nearly inaccessible. Travel by rail and boat,* past terraced vineyards and stunning panoramas on your way to a string of colorful fishing villages that sit along the area’s breathtaking, rugged coastline. Savor the charms of this special place with a local guide who will help you explore some of the delightful towns of the area. Hear tales of the region’s past and present as you come to know why the Cinque Terre National Park has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the perfect way to spend your day – feeling like you have stepped into a postcard.

Journey to Florence for a tour of the "Cradle of the Renaissance."

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• Tour from Pisa

Best Experience and Day Trips from Pisa to Visit Tuscany and Cinque Terre

Discover our food and wine tours to taste authentic tuscan and supertuscan wines.

Discover the most important cities as Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca and many more with your free pick up from your Hotel/Accommodation in Pisa (selected Hotels). Our Team will be there in order to give you the best experience and itinerary as per give you the idea to be “Toscano for a day”

Day Tour from Pisa to Cinque Terre in Small Group

Half-Day Chianti Wine Tour from Pisa

Siena-San Gimignano-Chianti Day Tour from Pisa

Chianti Lovers Small Group Tour from Pisa – 2 Wineries, Chianti and SuperTuscan

Montalcino and Montepulciano Private Wine Tour

Volterra and San Gimignano with Bocelli’s Theatre from Pisa Private Tour

Chianti and Supertuscan Wine Private Tour from Pisa

The Grand Wine Tour with Sommelier – 2 wineries in Chianti

Florence, Uffizi and Chianti Wine Private Tour from Pisa

Private Truffle Tour in San Miniato and Vinci in Tuscany

Carrara Marble Quarries Tour: 4×4 Off Road Trip in Tuscany

Day Trip To Pisa Tour From Tuscany: A Journey

Home > Italy Tours > Day Trip To Pisa Tour From Tuscany: A Journey

• Full Availability
• What’s Included

This daily exploration will take you through the Tuscan countryside from Florence to Pisa where you will have tickets to see that famous Cathedral, Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli.

THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA

Your guide will introduce you to the amazing history of the monuments. Learn how the tower began to lean after construction and how the area was the political center of the Middle Ages. Today Pisa is a university town with the Scuola Normale one of the most popular schools in Europe.

After the guided tour you will have free time to explore on your own, not only the monuments but the town itself. The area around the monuments can be overflowed with people selling trinkets but if you go about a 15 min walk away from the tourist area you begin to enter the university district with local café’s, restaurants and interesting shops.

As the day trip to Pisa comes to an end you will travel back through the Tuscan countryside back to Florence in time for a relaxing evening.

Ask your Travel Expert how you can add this daily excursion to Pisa to your  Italy trip.

What's Included

Information available upon request.

Not Included

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Pisa and Tuscany day tour

• Semi Private Tour
• April - October

A full-day tour from Florence to explore the best of Tuscany, Pisa, and the Chianti Region…

Discover Tuscany’s highlights on a day tour from Florence, perfect for those limited on time. Begin your journey in Pisa, where you’ll explore the Piazza dei Miracoli and its iconic Leaning Tower. Enjoy free access to the Cathedral and, if you’re up for it, climb the tower for panoramic views.

After Pisa, head to the Chianti wine region. Our first stop is a historic winery surrounded by cypresses and vineyards, where you’ll learn about wine production and taste the celebrated Chianti Classico wine along with olive oil on bruschetta. Then, visit a family-run farm to experience the craft behind small-scale wine production, tasting up to eight different wines, balsamic vinegar, and olive oils.

This compact tour combines Pisa’s architectural marvels with Chianti’s winemaking heritage, offering a taste of Tuscany’s beauty and flavors in just one day.

If you have any questions about this Florence day tour, please get in touch .

Looking for a more extended tour experience in Italy? You can explore our Multi-Day Budget Tours in Italy and combine tours at a discounted rate.

Price Includes

• Your local tour leader with plenty of stories and info for you
• 2h free time to explore the famous " Piazza dei Miracoli"
• The best of Tuscany in one day
• 2 local wineries in the Chianti region
• Taste up to 7 wines & extra Virgin olive oil with snacks
• Tour the cellars and learn about the local wine production

Pisa and Tuscany Day Tour Highlights

• The best value for money for a full day tour
• See the best of Tuscany in one day
• Explore the Piazza dei Miracoli and the leaning tower in Pisa
• Best afternoon ever spent touring the Chianti region

Your Pisa & Tuscany Day Trip Itinerary

Meet with our team and travel to our first stop of the day: Pisa. Learn about the city’s famous history before you are set free to explore the famous Piazza dei Miracoli (the Field of Miracles) at your leisure. Access the Cathedral for free and, if you feel brave, climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa for nice views of the square.

Have free time to grab a bite before you meet again with the other travelers for an exciting afternoon in the famous Chianti region. Travel by minivan to the historic city less than an hour outside of Florence towards our first stop, a winery set inside a historic castle in the heart of the Chianti region surrounded by cypresses, olive trees, and vineyards. After a guided tour through the old cellars and learning about the wine-making production, you will finally taste their delicious and famous wines. During the wine tasting, you will also try the renowned Black Rooster Chianti Classico wine and the extra virgin olive oil on yummy bruschetta.

After a short ride, we will reach our second winery, a locally run family farm to find out that small wine producers make amazing wine, too. In this authentic experience, you will learn how the grapes and olives are picked by hand. Then you will taste the result of the hard work of these wine-loving farmers! Taste up to 8 different types of wine, balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oils.

If you have any questions, please contact us .

Pisa & Tuscany Day Trip Details

Meeting point.

Piazza della Calza by Porta Romana in front of the blue P (parking) sign. 

9:45 am WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, SUNDAY

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Best Pisa Tours & Day Trips

From historic marble structures to being the birthplace of some of Italy’s most famous Renaissance-era artists, Pisa is one the country’s must-visit destinations for those seeking fascinating art, culture and history. While it’s no surprise that the Leaning Tower is the city’s headline landmark, there are also a variety of other ancient places to be discovered throughout Pisa’s charming streets and its surrounding communities.

Our Pisa tours take you to explore the city’s must-see monuments, while also getting the inside scoop from our range of expert local tour guides. Whether you only have enough time to experience the Square of Miracles or wish to spend the day delving into Pisa’s alluring culture, we offer a tour that matches your ideal Pisan escape.

Pisa Day Tours & Trips From Florence

Leave behind the city streets and join us for a Pisa guided tour from Florence , where you’ll get to journey through the stunning Tuscan countryside before arriving at perhaps the world’s most famous architectural complex, the Square of Miracles. The Half Day Pisa Tour from Florence sees you embark on a comprehensive exploration of the Square of Miracles and its four world-famous structures. Across the Pisa Cathedral , the Baptistery, the Camposanto , and the Leaning Tower, you’ll be provided with keen insight into how these towering white marble structures came to be, while also hearing about the remarkable events that took place here.

For travellers looking to find out even more about the region, our Pisa & Lucca Day Trip from Florence welcomes you into these famous landmarks once more before we depart for the nearby town of Lucca . Famous for its soaring centuries-old city walls, we’ll roam Lucca’s cobblestoned streets as we explore the town’s bustling shopping boutiques and its stunning medieval town centre.

Experience Other Pisa Guided Tours

While some people are fortunate enough to have enough time to spend the entire day exploring Pisa, for those that only have the opportunity to make a quick trip, we have two great options. Led by a professional guide, the 1-hour Pisa guided tour ensures that you get an up-close look at each of the four miracles and still have plenty of time to capture the whole experience.

Another guided tour is the two-hour Pisa walking tour that begins in the centre of Pisa and visits a selection of striking monuments, including the Arno River and the sprawling Garibaldi Square. We’ll then make our way to the Square of Miracles and soak up all of the sights on offer. Pisa is definitely one of Italy’s unmissable cities – and by jumping on one of our delightful tours, you’ll get to experience the city at its very best.

Day Tours in Pisa

• 1 Hour Guided Pisa Tour

See the fascinating Tower of Pisa and the Square of Miracles, including a tour inside the Cathedral..

• Two Hour Pisa Walking Tour

See the best of Pisa including the Square of Miracles, the Leaning Tower, Garibaldi Square and more.

Day Trips to Pisa

• Half Day Pisa Tour from Florence

Explore the historic Piazza dei Miracoli, Piazza dei Cavalieri and the Famous Leaning Tower of Pisa..

Tuscany Day Tour – Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Chianti Winery Lunch

See the best of Tuscany, including a wine tasting class and a delicious Tuscan style lunch..

• Pisa & Lucca Day Trip from Florence

Visit Pisa to marvel at its monuments and enjoy free time to explore medieval Lucca..

See more tours in Pisa What are the best trips to Pisa? These are the best day trips to Pisa:

See more tours in Pisa What are the best things to see and do in Pisa? These are the best attractions in Pisa:

• Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Piazza dei Cavalieri
• Piazza dei Miracoli
• Pisa Cathedral

Top Attractions near Pisa

The Perfect Tuscany Road Trip Itinerary (+ Driving Tips!)

Planning the perfect Tuscany road trip itinerary is no easy feat–but it’s well worth getting right.

If you’re dreaming of delicious Italian food, of romantic sunsets and Tuscan wines, of rolling hills peppered with vineyards as far as the eye can see, of hilltop villages and of Renaissance art, this Tuscany itinerary has you covered.

We’ve put this ultimate guide to planning a Tuscany road trip after spending several months traveling in the region over a period of years, often on road trips.

We’ve explored Tuscany by car, train, and tour, in large multigenerational family groups and as a couple, in tiny towns and in the fabulous cities of Florence and Siena.

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We’ve visited museums, gone horseback riding, zipped along countryside roads on a Vespa, and taken quiet strolls down deserted country lanes. We’ve taken food tours and wine tours, and stopped at more than our fair share of vineyards and restaurants independently, too.

Suffice it to say, we absolutely adore traveling in Tuscany, and this Tuscany itinerary is put together based on our detailed experiences traveling in the region as well as additional research.

We want to help you plan your perfect Tuscany road trip itinerary, especially if it’s your first time in the region.

Here’s what we suggest.

Table of Contents

How We Structured This Tuscany Road Trip Itinerary

How long will this tuscany itinerary take, getting around during your tuscany road trip, will this tuscany itinerary work without a car, the ultimate tuscany road trip itinerary, other destinations to add to your tuscany road trip itinerary, tuscany road trip itinerary map, the best time to visit tuscany, useful travel tips for driving in tuscany, what to pack for your tuscany road trip.

We structured this Tuscany road trip itinerary as a loop beginning and ending in Florence.

It’s designed primarily for first-time visitors to the region who want to soak up the classic Tuscany experience: think rolling hills, golden light, scrumptious wine, picturesque hilltop villages, and some of the best food you’ve ever eaten in your life.

… But that being said, even longtime lovers of Tuscany will find something for them here (just ask our extended family).

With this Tuscany itinerary, you’ll visit some of the most iconic places in the region, while also peppering in stops at smaller towns and attractions that would likely go unnoticed if you stuck to exploring via train.

Is it a cop-out to say that this Tuscany road trip will take as long as you have?

Perhaps, but whether you have 5 days in Tuscany, a week in Tuscany, or a month in Tuscany, this circular route will provide an excellent backbone to your Tuscany road trip.

If your trip is short–say 5 days in Tuscany or less–you’ll be able to shorten your stays in some towns (in a pinch, for example, Pisa and Lucca can be combined into one day), and with a longer trip to Tuscany, you’ll have a chance to adopt a leisurely pace and add in more excursions like wine tasting or days spent at one of Tuscany’s saunas.

Ideally, I would say that this Tuscany road trip would be spread across roughly 10 days to 2 weeks in Tuscany, but of course, that won’t always be possible–especially if you want to see more regions of Italy during your trip!

If you do have a longer trip to Tuscany planned, we recommend taking a look at some of the additional Tuscany road trip destinations that we’ve outlined below the main itinerary and seeing what other spots catch your eye.

For most people, of course, taking a Tuscany road trip will require renting a car.

We’ll cover some tips and tricks for renting a car here below the Tuscany itinerary (or you can use the table of contents section at the bottom of the introduction to this Tuscany travel blog post to navigate there!), but here’s the short version: we recommend renting a small car in Tuscany through Discover Cars , which will allow you to compare prices and inclusions of multiple companies at the same time and choose the best car for you from there.

We also recommend renting your car only after you leave Florence, which we’ll cover a bit more below, so you likely won’t need one for every day of your trip to Tuscany!

Check rates & book your rental car with Discover Cars today!

Short answer? Yes, it can.

Through a combination of trains, buses, and carefully selected guided tours (we recommend several reputable ones in our Things to Do in Florence post ), this Tuscany itinerary can be completed without a car, though the logistics will be challenging in certain places.

That being said, there’s something very special about taking a Tuscany road trip, and by not driving, you will lose out on the charm of seeing some of the smaller towns at night, miss some of the prettiest vistas, and have a little less freedom in planning your trip.

However, we completely understand that not everyone planning a Tuscany itinerary can or would like to drive, and we fully believe you can have a deeply fulfilling trip to Tuscany without a car–we’ve done it several times ourselves.

And, while you will lose some freedom, you’ll also gain a bit of peace of mind, as driving in Tuscany is certainly not the most carefree driving in the world!

Start your Tuscany itinerary in Florence.

As the capital of Tuscany, Cradle of the Renaissance, and home to the biggest airport (and train station) in the region, there’s no better place to start your Tuscany itinerary than in Florence.

Ideally, we recommend a minimum of two full days here, which will give you enough time to explore all of the major sights.

Marvel at the art in the Uffizi Gallery, soak in the views from Piazzale Michelangelo and more, (window)shop for gold jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio, eat your way through Mercato Centrale, stand in awe of the Duomo, and visit Michelangelo’s masterpiece David in the Galleria dell’Accademia.

We’ve created several guides to Florence based on our six weeks or so spent exploring the city, including a one-day itinerary and a two-day itinerary , so be sure to check those out for more detail.

For this Tuscany road trip itinerary in particular, though, we have a crucial piece of advice regarding driving: don’t pick up your rental car until the morning you leave Florence.

Having a rental car while in the city is not only unnecessary, it’s an absolute burden. Driving in Florence’s historic city center is extremely limited, and you’ll save both money and headaches by ditching the car until you’re ready to hit the countryside.

Where to Stay in Florence

B&B Le Stanze del Duomo  — Though Florence hotels can be a bit pricey and stretch the definition of “budget”, B&B Le Stanze’s beautiful rooms and impeccable location in Florence will be sure to have you swooning!

Check rates & book your stay at B&B Le Stanze del Duomo!

Bargello Guest House  — Located in the heart of Florence, this property is only a short (read: less than 5-minute) walk away from some of Florence’s highlights like the Palazzo Vecchio. Staying here, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the best of what Florence has to offer.

Check rates & book your stay at Bargello Guest House!

Hotel Lungarno  — Nestled right against the Arno River and home to one of the best views of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence (not to mention some of the best views of the rest of Florence from their top deck), Hotel Lungarno is our personal “if we ever  really  want to splurge” hotel in Florence. You can’t go wrong using Hotel Lungarno as your base for one day in Florence!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Lungarno!

Start your Tuscany road trip and drive to Lucca.

Laidback and charming, colorful Lucca is the perfect first stop on your Tuscany road trip and an excellent place to grow accustomed to the ins and outs of driving and parking in Tuscan towns.

Lucca is not too big, not too small, and parking is fairly easy to find right outside the city walls.

It also happens to be a gorgeous, relaxing city that is a fantastic place to soak up the ambiance of Tuscany.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the beautiful Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, which, like Siena’s main piazza, is actually an oval rather than a traditional square, and to stroll along the tops of the city’s 16th-century fortifying walls, which are completely accessible to the public.

Don’t miss a climb up Torre Guinigi, either–not only does it boast incredible views of Lucca, but it’s home to several oak trees that are growing in the sky!

Stop by Pisa.

I’ll be perfectly honest: of all the places we recommend or mention in this Tuscany itinerary, Pisa is the one I’m least in a hurry to get back to.

It’s generally far more crowded than most of these other destinations–even the very touristy ones–and outside of Pisa’s famous tower and surrounding historic complex, the town is not exactly known as one of the most beautiful or interesting Tuscan villages.

It is, however, incredibly famous, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa itself more than lives up to expectations. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is truly stunning, and far more opulent and beautiful in person than I expected before laying eyes on it for the first time.

If you’d like to see it, we recommend stopping by for half a day on your Tuscan road trip, checking out the tower itself as well as the nearby Duomo and baptistery, and then moving on.

If you’d like to tour the interior of any of the structures, including climbing to the top of the leaning tower, we absolutely recommend booking skip-the-line tickets in advance .

Book your skip-the-line tickets to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa now!

Make your way to San Gimignano.

Known for its stunning towers (14 of an original 72 remain), long history of wealth due to its prime location along a Roman trading route, gorgeous city center, beautiful views, and convenient location that is roughly equidistant from Siena and Florence, it’s safe to say that San Gimignano is both incredibly popular and well worth visiting.

We adore this beautiful hilltop town, and highly recommend spending at least one night either in town or nearby if you can, in order to enjoy the city without the crowds of day-trippers that tend to take over the streets during the day.

Don’t forget to make time in your schedule for a scoop (or several scoops, let’s be real) of gelato from the world-famous Gelateria Dondoli: as one of the best-known and most acclaimed gelato shops in Italy, it’s a safe bet that whatever you order is bound to impress.

Head to Siena.

While today Florence is significantly better-known than Siena, that was not always the case: beautiful Siena was once the military rival of Florence, and the history of the Middle Ages in the region is dotted with stories of their back-and-forth battles.

Today, Siena is known for its Palio di Siena horse race that takes place bi-annually in the oval-shaped Piazza del Campo–when you stand in the middle of the piazza, be sure to picture 20 horses running at full-speed around a packed crowd–it’s truly impressive.

Siena is packed full of interesting things to do: it’s home to arguably the most beautiful Duomo in Tuscany (don’t forget to check out the Piccolomini Library while you’re in there!), and we absolutely recommend taking the Porta di Cielo, aka Gate to Heaven, tour of the cathedral’s roof if you can–it’s magnificent.

At least once during your trip, climb to the top of one of Siena’s monuments for an epic view–the Torre del Mangia in Piazza del Campo is a popular choice, but personally, we love that the view from the top of the Opera della Metropolitana includes stunning views of the Piazza del Campo from a bit of a distance.

Spend some time in Val d’Orcia and soak up the Tuscan countryside.

Of all the scenic places in Tuscany, Val d’Orcia might just be the most beautiful of them all.

This UNESCO-recognized valley is home to the Tuscan road trip views of your fantasies, and it truly has to be seen to be believed.

If you have the time in your Tuscany itinerary, we recommend booking at least a couple of nights in a nearby country villa or agriturismo in order to slowly savor the beauty of the region, but if not, even an afternoon drive here is well worth the trip out.

Marvel at the beauty of Montepulciano.

Tiny, gorgeous, and home to arguably some of the best countryside views of all the villages in Tuscany, it’s impossible not to be charmed by stunning Montepulciano–and that’s even before you start sipping its world-famous wine.

While it doesn’t take terribly long to explore a village this size on your Tuscany road trip, Montepulciano has one of those peaceful atmospheres that you just want to savor.

While you’re there, be sure to stop by the beautiful Piazza Grande, admire views of the nearby Church of San Biagio that is located just outside of town, and to taste the local wine, vino nobile di Montepulciano .

Pay a visit to Arezzo.

As you turn back north toward Florence to start to wind down your Tuscany road trip, be sure to check out the beautiful city of Arezzo.

Often overlooked on Tuscany road trips, Arezzo is a delightful city that is well worth the time it takes to visit.

Home to Roman ruins (including the remains of Arezzo’s very own Colosseum), sweeping views of the countryside from the Medici fortress, some impressively well-preserved fifteenth-century frescoes, and a large number of antique shops just waiting to be perused, Arezzo is an excellent addition to any Tuscany itinerary.

Be sure not to miss a chance to climb the clock tower at Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici right off the main square (Piazza Grande)–the views from the top are absolutely sublime, and it is our personal favorite spot in Arezzo.

Drive back to Florence & say goodbye to Tuscany.

As your Tuscany road trip winds to a close, head back to Florence to drop off your car, say goodbye, and–depending on time–perhaps visit one or two more sights in the Cradle of the Renaissance as well.

While we’ve set up this Tuscany itinerary to act as a loop, if you’re going to be flying out of Italy (or continuing your Italy travels outside of Tuscany) in a different location, you can also consider dropping off your car in Rome, Milan, Bologna, or even Venice–but keep in mind that you will likely incur a one-way drop-off fee for doing so, so be sure to budget for that if needed!

While this Tuscany road trip itinerary gives a solid outline of the region and is a delightful trip all on its own, for those with a bit of extra time in the area (or those who like to move at a very fast pace), there is an unlimited number of additional destinations you could add to your trip, both in Tuscany and in its surrounding regions of Umbria, Emilia-Romagna, and Liguria.

We’ve outlined a few of each here to give you some ideas as you plan your trip to Tuscany!

Within Tuscany

The most famous of all of Tuscany’s hot springs has emerged from comparative obscurity into being a full-blown famous photography location in recent years, but there’s no doubt that it’s still a dream to visit–if you have time during your Tuscany road trip to make the trek out there and you’re a fan of hot springs, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Dating back to the Etruscan period and nestled on a hill high above the sweeping Tuscan landscapes it overlooks, the walled city of Volterra is absolutely worth visiting as part of your Tuscan road trip itinerary.

The ease of accessing it paired with its beauty make this one of the first towns we would recommend if you are looking for additional stops along your road trip in Tuscany.

Cortona is perhaps best known for the famous book/movie that is based there, but even without the fame brought by Under the Tuscan Sun , this tiny Tuscan town is still a fabulous place to visit!

I’ll be honest: a trip to Elba is a bit of a stretch for all but the longest trips to Tuscany, but it bears mentioning simply for the fact that Elba is Tuscany’s very own island–and “Mediterranean island” is just not what you normally associate with a trip to Tuscany.

Whether you want to scuba dive, enjoy delicious seafood, lounge on the beach, or chase down the island’s interesting history (Elba was the first place Napoleon was exiled to, though he escaped a little under a year later), there’s no doubt that Elba makes a unique addition to any Tuscany itinerary.

Easier to access than Elba but equally focused on all things coastal, the seaside city of Livorno is the perfect Tuscany road trip destination for anyone looking to enjoy a little sea and sun as part of their trip to Tuscany.

Best known for its delicious Brunello di Montalcino wine, the hilltop town of Montalcino is a delightful slice of Tuscany that is easy to access from Siena and Val d’Orcia.

Outside of Tuscany

Cinque terre.

Of all destinations outside of Tuscany that people tend to be eager to add onto their Tuscany trip, Cinque Terre almost always falls near the top.

We’ve visited this sensational collection of Ligurian fishing villages twice as part of a Tuscany road trip, as well as on a standalone visit, and we can attest that they are well worth the trouble if you have time in your itinerary.

We absolutely do not recommend driving into the villages, however–instead, drive to the train station at La Spezia or Levanto, park your car, and then take the train into the villages from there.

Known, above all else, for its food, Bologna is the perfect location for foodies to flock to if they’re looking for some truly epic cuisine during their road trip.

Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna, the region that is home to so many of the things us foreigners tend to associate with Italian food: tagliatelle al ragu (aka spaghetti bolognese), mortadella (aka bologna), parmigiano-reggiano , traditional balsamic vinegar, and more.

Once you get done eating, Bologna has plenty of other sights to explore, as well–but the food alone is worth visiting for.

Set on a hilltop overlooking sweeping views of the Umbrian countryside, Orvieto is as historical as it is picturesque: dating back to the Etruscans and once (briefly) the home of the pope, whether you’re looking to dive deep into the history, enjoy the tasty Orvieto Classico wine, or simply admire the magnificent vistas, Orvieto has something to offer.

We adore this little village–be sure to check out the Duomo, the views from the Torre del Moro, and the underground while you’re there, among plenty of other fun things to do.

As the location of the birth, work, and death of St. Francis, Assisi is an enormously popular pilgrim destination among Catholic travelers–but even if you’re not Catholic, this small Umbrian town has plenty of history and beauty to offer.

St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order–a name you’ll see pop up a lot in Italy–and is also one of the patron saints of the country.

In Assisi, you can tour the enormously impressive Basilica of St. Francis while learning about the life and history of the saint.

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

Ultimately, Tuscany is a beautiful destination year-round, and you can never go wrong with a visit.

Spring in Tuscany brings beautiful flowers but plenty of rain, summer brings lots of tourists but also long days and sunshine.

Fall brings the harvest and temperamental weather, and winter brings cold, gray weather but also low prices and a distinct lack of crowds.

If you ask us, though, our favorite time to take a Tuscany road trip will always be in the fall, particularly late September through mid-October.

True, it’s hardly offseason (in other words, there will be plenty of other tourists around), and there’s a good chance of experiencing a cold and/or rainy day or two–but the changing colors across the countryside, the incredible food that is freshly harvested, and the crisp chill that sweeps through the air each evening as the heat dies down for the year give the region a magical quality that we will never tire of experiencing.

We’ve spent at least part of the last few autumns in Tuscany, and we see no reason to stop that tradition anytime soon.

While driving in Tuscany is not the most difficult driving you’ll encounter in Italy (looking at you, Rome and Sicily), it definitely has its quirks!

Here are a few tips we recommend keeping in mind as you plan your Tuscany road trip itinerary.

Make sure you have access to a GPS for your Tuscany road trip.

This is absolutely imperative, in our opinion, and can make the difference between an insanely stressful Tuscany road trip and a fairly laid-back one: whether you purchase an international cell phone plan through your carrier before leaving for Tuscany or you purchase an Italian SIM card on the ground, you’ll 100% want to make sure you have cell phone data–and therefore GPS–with you as you drive.

Shop around for your rental car.

I’m almost 100% certain that we’ve used a different rental car company every time we’ve rented a car in Italy–that’s how much the prices can vary depending on your time of travel, pickup and dropoff locations, size of the vehicle, and more.

We recommend searching for your car via Discover Car Hire , which will allow you to check out the rates of several different rental car agencies in Tuscany at once and compare prices and inclusions side-by-side.

Shop for your Tuscnay rental car with Discover Car Hire today!

Buy the insurance–you won’t regret it.

Ultimately, this is up to you–I know some people prefer not to buy additional CDW insurance (aka the insurance that covers damages to the actual car you’re driving, as opposed to your liability to anyone else) on trips–but we buy it every. single. time. in Tuscany and have no regrets.

I don’t want to overstate things, because driving in Tuscany isn’t exactly like driving in the Wild West–but let’s just say that the roads are often tiny, the buildings very close, the parking lots cramped, and the other tourists’ rental cars parked nearby are frequently scratched and dinged in a way that while not horrendously damaging, is definitely something a car rental company would love to charge you for if it happened on your watch.

The peace of mind is absolutely worth it to us–you can price it for yourself when shopping on Discover Car Hire , or purchase a travel insurance policy through that includes car rental insurance (but be sure to double-check the policy, because only some policies cover it).

You need an international driving permit to rent a car in Tuscany.

Technically, you always need an international driving permit to rent a car in Italy, and that includes in Tuscany.

You can pick this up before you leave home from AAA, and it’s very easy and cheap to do–just a bit annoying, as it’s one more thing to add to your to-do list before leaving for your Tuscany road trip.

Now, that being said–will your rental agency always ask for it? No. Will the police always ask for it? No.

Is it worth the risk of being refused a rental car or getting a ticket over $25 USD and a bit of hassle? Not in my opinion.

Rent the smallest car possible.

Not only is it cheaper, which is always excellent, but a smaller car in Tuscany is also much easier to drive.

While the highways in Tuscany are pretty standard, this-could-be-anywhere highways, the small country roads, parking lots near villages, and dirt roads leading to vineyards and villas can be incredibly narrow–which, naturally, does not stop them from being used for two-way traffic (you’ll probably end up pulling over to let someone maneuver past you at least a couple of times during your Tuscany road trip).

Be sure to account for how much space you’ll need for luggage, especially if you have three or more people in your group, but other than that–the smaller, the better.

If you get a ticket, you probably won’t know it right away.

Traffic citations in Tuscany are generally captured via camera, so if you get one, you probably won’t know it right away.

Instead, your license plate will be captured, the ticket will be sent to the owner of the car (ie, your rental company), and then your rental company will forward it onto you.

Unfortunately, that means you won’t be 100% sure you didn’t have any infractions during your Tuscany road trip until several weeks after you get home.

You will encounter toll roads in Tuscany–so carry cash.

Most toll roads in Tuscany will accept credit cards, but it’s always best to have small bills/coins of cash on you–just in case you run into a cash-only booth (or you need a last-minute coffee and/or gelato, which are also very important parts of any Tuscany road trip itinerary).

Be prepared to park and then climb up to towns.

Tuscany is known for its delightful hilltop towns, full of winding, narrow streets and plenty of foot traffic.

Combine the above description of Tuscany that we all know and love with the very concept of a Tuscany road trip, and an obvious question emerges: where are the cars?

Usually, they’re in parking garages built literally under the hilltop towns or on the outskirts of historical centers… which means you often have to walk up steep hills in order to reach the center.

Some cities, like Siena, have escalators installed to help alleviate this problem–but in general, be prepared for a little bit of a leg workout when visiting small towns in Tuscany!

Avoid ZTL zones like the plague.

Essentially, ZTL zones are restricted access zones that dot most of Italy’s historic city centers, including in Tuscany.

If you drive into one, even accidentally, you’re risking a big ticket (and we’ve definitely had to call tiny Tuscan police stations to help some of our family members pay them off months after the fact).

Avoid them by parking on the outskirts of historical centers and by doing your research ahead of time, which leads me to…

Whenever possible, figure out where you’re going to park next before leaving.

This is one of our favorite tricks to keeping stress levels down when driving into a new town in Tuscany: know where the public parking lots are and, when heading out for the day, put your directions on for that particular spot rather than just the town.

This will absolutely cut down on the risk of accidentally driving into a ZTL zone (and therefore getting a ticket), and also make the trip into town much less stressful.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, this doesn’t always work–occasionally the parking lot you have picked out will be full, or you’ll luck out and find street parking along the way–but in general, it will definitely make your life easier during your Tuscany road trip.

Travel Insurance  — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry. We use and recommend  Safety Wing for trips to Tuscany.

International Driving Permit — If you’re coming from outside the EU and plan to rent a car in Tuscany, you’ll need to make sure to acquire an International Driving Permit in your home country, before  coming to Italy.

It is required for all car rentals in Italy, and while the rental company may not ask, it’s not worth the risk of being refused a car once you arrive or getting a fine if you’re pulled over to be without one. Play it safe and if you plan to drive during your trip, add getting an International Driving Permit to your pre-Tuscany planning!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

67 thoughts on “The Perfect Tuscany Road Trip Itinerary (+ Driving Tips!)”

I love this website It has convinced my husband and me to go on a driving tour of italy! I actually have a question. How do you know or find out where is the ZTL zones so you can avoid them? Thanks! Ilene

So glad to hear that, Ilene! Hope you guys have a great time!

Your GPS can help you avoid the ZTL zones, but the biggest thing is paying very close attention to the signs, as they’ll be marked there. As a general rule, historic centers of cities are ZTL zones, so it’s safest to avoid those entirely and park outside the center before walking into the town!

Hi Kate, Do you have any recommendations for accommodations on the Tuscan itinerary? We would be going in Sept 2022.

Hi Sabrina!

Yes, absolutely. We have several properties linked in this post, but if you’re looking for specific towns/cities, we also have recommendations in each of our independent city guides.

Hello, You guys look like you have a great life! My husband and I are older than you but have retired a bit early so we can travel while we are still able to move about. We have traveled quite a bit independently throughout the years so we are comfortable going to new places. Your blog is great and has so much useful information. Thank you for putting all of your knowledge out there. I know it’s a lot of work to do so. If you don’t mind me asking…we were told you have to have a permanent address at least 6 months out of the year for tax purposes. How do you get around that? Don’t mean to overstep. Thanks!

Thank you so much, Joanne! We really appreciate it. 🙂 Residency requirements vary by state, but we maintain a technical permanent address in our home state of Oklahoma where we pay our taxes, maintain our businesses, keep our driver’s licenses up to date, etc. Most nomadic travelers have a similar setup for logistical purposes!

Hello, thanks so much for this post. It’s so helpful! My partner and I are going to copy this for our holiday in June this year. I was just wondering if you could tell me which towns you stayed overnight in? Grazie, Olivia

So glad it was helpful, Olivia! Where to spend the night really depends on your specific taste, but from this itinerary, we’ve stayed overnight in Florence, Siena, and Arezzo. We’ve also stayed in countryside villas near the Val d’Orcia and Lucca.

Since you’ll be driving, we 100% recommend staying in the country at least once–Tuscan villas and agriturismos are absolutely amazing. For staying in the towns themselves, make sure your hotels have parking, but other than that, any and all of them make a great place to spend the night.

My daughter and I just booked a rental car for our trip to Tuscany this summer thanks to your post. I was nervous about driving but you laid it all out perfectly, thank you. We’re going for her graduation present and it’ll be the first time in Italy for us both. Bookmarking your site now for when the trip gets closer. Thanks again!

That’s amazing to hear, thank you Susan! Comments like this never fail to make my day, we are ALL about making sure your trip goes perfectly! Hope you guys have a fantastic time, and congratulations to your daughter on her graduation!

Hey, this has been quite useful. Im planning my road trip, but im going clockwise on this route. Since i live in The Netherlands, i will drive in from the north, Florence and start here and after Pisa-Lucca, the last stop instead of heading back to Florence is Cinque Terre, to enjoy a bit of the coast. I will take the advice of leaving the car in La Spezia, but if you had to choose to spend a night in Cinque Terre, which woudl you guys recommend, Vernazza or Manarola?

Glad to hear it, thanks Rodolfo!

Which village is best for spending the night in Cinque Terre is definitely a matter of preference, and Vernazza and Manarola happen to be two of my top 3 favorites (the other is Riomaggiore). You can’t go wrong with either, but I’d recommend Vernazza if you’re looking for something smaller, and Manarola if you want to have access to a wider variety of shops and restaurants. Manarola is a more popular (read: crowded) sunset spot, but both places will quiet down considerably once the day trippers head home.

Wonderful, informative article! I am so glad I found your website. We are hoping to be able to visit Tuscany in summer 2022. Italy is our favourite country, but we haven’t been to Tuscany or Cinque Terre, so I really appreciate the wealth of information on your website!

Thank you so much, Cheryl! So glad to hear that. 🙂 Hope you guys have an amazing trip to Tuscany and Cinque Terre!

Hi! I just came upon your site when doing a search for info on an upcoming trip. My husband and I are planning a trip for the end of Oct. We will be renting a car in Florence, spending about two days driving through Tuscany and returning the rental in Rome. I know that’s way too short to do Tuscany justice, but we have a commitment in Venice prior to Florence, and are bookended with a fixed return date from Rome. Where in Florence would be our best choice to rent a car so we can get on the road to Tuscany easily? Same question for returning rental in Rome without having to deal with city driving. Lastly, we are doing some basic research in Tuscany in order to maybe get a place there down the road. Should we consider spending our two nights there in Lucca? Thanks so much and I will definitely be following your adventures!

Hi Rohini! There are so many places to rent cars in both cities it’s really impossible to say–I’d keep an eye out for the best deal and then look carefully at the directions. Unfortunately, some city driving is probably unavoidable if you want to make it all the way from Florence to Rome, but you can limit it based on your schedule.

If you’re just going to relax, Lucca is a great choice! If you want to compare possible areas to own a property in Tuscany though, I’d probably recommend one night there and one night in the Val d’Orcia area. You may also want to consider a look at Siena, depending on whether you want to be close to a city or not.

Hi Kate. Thanks for your quick response! This is very helpful info. I had read somewhere that Tiburtina station in Rome is a good spot for rental return since it would not involve going into the city to return. Would you say that is the case? Once again, thank you for your help!

Hi guys, I imagine you’ve had some ups and downs in your travel in the last 2 years because of Covid. I really hope you’ve been able to stay safe and still continue some of your adventures. I found your site and am really keen to follow your path around Tuscany when my husband and I go this year. I looked up your destinations and would really encourage you to look into coming to Australia and New Zealand some time if you can. Down Under is a wonderful place and New Zealand has just about everything you could ever want to see in a really small country! Thank you for your really helpful and informative site. Take care.

Yes, there have been many ups and downs over the last couple of years for sure, but luckily things are mostly up right now! We’ve decided to base ourselves in Portugal for the next little bit to enjoy lots of Europe throughout 2022. 🙂 Knock on wood, but hopefully our next Tuscan road trip is just around the corner!

We’d love to head down to Aus and New Zealand one day! No plans at the moment, but you never know. 🙂

Hope you guys have a wonderful trip!

Such a great and helpful Itinerary, thank you!

We’re planning to visit late September and I am nervous about the driving portion – what location would you recommend for pick up, outside of Florence? We’re hoping to get a drive to our first destination (open to anywhere) and then pick up a car – appreciate any extra tips you might have! I was surprised to not see any mention of Greve as a stop, have you been? This was what I thought was my main stop in Tuscany but I am now rethinking everything! 😀 We have 5 nights in Tuscany (counted Florence separately as a stop when we head North) and prefer to not spend too much time in the city and want to visit many wineries and enjoy the local food! If you have any very specific favorite wineries to stay at or places to dine, I would love to hear about them!

Thanks again for such a detailed post! I have a lot to consider 🙂

Thanks so much, Cait!

There’s never enough time for all the towns, lol, but if you want to swap in Greve you absolutely can! We haven’t been ourselves yet but generally speaking there’s no such thing as a “wrong” Tuscan town to visit. 😉

If you want to pick up a car outside of Florence, I’d recommend taking a look at Siena. By the time you get into the very small hilltop towns like San Gimignano, etc, there may not be car rental agencies available (or if they are, it’ll just be an office and they’ll need to drive the car itself to you from a bigger city–which often comes with a fee).

Have an amazing trip!

Hi, I am planning a vacation trip to Rome (5 days) and from there a road trip (5 days) to the Tuscan area. I’ve been already to Florence and Pisa. I will like to know cities or towns with good food and scenery off the beaten path. Thanks so much for your time and sharing your knowledge.

It depends on how you define off the beaten path, but just about everywhere in Tuscany is further off the path than Florence and Pisa! And virtually everywhere in Tuscany has great food. 🙂

Arezzo, Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano are all delightful, some more commonly visited than others. Montalcino is tiny but beautiful.

We also love Lucca, it’s much quieter in many ways than Florence or Siena.

A common theme is that if you spend the night in any of these places, they will get much more peaceful and quiet if you spend the night, as the day-trippers will head home.

Some of the spa towns other than Saturnia can feel off the beaten path, such as Bagno Vignoni. They’re popular, but more catered to tourists from nearby.

Wonderful article – thanks!

Planning Sept trip – 4 days Rome, 2 days Florence, 3 days Venice (as of now)

Considering adding a Tuscany component but limited to time. Any suggestions to condensing to 2-3 days as a loop or feasibility of starting in Florence and ending in Venice?

Any input greatly appreciated.

Happy to help, Richard!

With a 2-3 day driving loop from Florence, I’d recommend driving to either the Val d’Orcia (so towns like Montalcino and Pienza) or a nearby base like Montepulciano, and then basing yourself there for a couple of days. You can drive between a handful of close-together towns, see the landscape, enjoy an agriturismo, do some wine tastings, etc, all within a close distance.

Driving from Florence to Venice isn’t a go-to suggestion of mine since you don’t need a car in either city, but we’ve actually made the drive ourselves as part of a family trip and it was lovely! Bologna, Ferrara, and/or Padua are easy stops right along the route.

If you wanted to take a couple of days between the two cities, a loop through Parma, Modena, Reggio-Emilio and Bologna would put you in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, which is the origin of some of the most beloved Italian foods (traditional balsamic, parmigiano-reggiano, etc).

It’s not the most efficient way to get from Florence to Venice of course (that’d be the high-speed train), but if you want to make a trip of it, you’ll have fun!

If you do want to consider renting a car in Florence and dropping it off in Venice, though, be sure to ask your rental company if they allow it and what fees they would charge before making any plans.

One of my stops is in Luca and the hotel and parking garage are in the Atlantic. How do I get a permit to drive through it.

I think you may have a typo in there, but I’m assuming you mean you have a hotel booked in the historic center of Lucca? If the hotel offers private parking on-site, you can give them your license plate number and they’ll be able to make arrangements for you.

If they don’t have parking, you’ll likely need to park outside the walls and walk into the center to reach your hotel.

Hope that helps!

The parking os not on-site but within the walls.

So you are saying that all I need to do is call either the garage or hotel with my rental car license number and they would be able to get me a permit to drive inside the walled city to get to the hotel and garage?

In your case, I’d contact the hotel and ask where they recommend you park, and then if you head to the garage inside the walls, look at the map to confirm the directions to access it.

Essentially, your goal is to avoid the ZTL zones, which trigger an automatic ticket (and technically two–one for entering the zone and one for leaving it). Unfortunately, since all of the traffic controls are done by camera, you’ll have no sure way of knowing at the time you park if you’ve crossed the boundary.

The public parking within the walls should have a way to access it without passing through a ZTL zone, the concern is taking a wrong turn, etc. If you do need to pass through a ZTL zone (generally speaking in Italy), hotels within the walls can get access for their guests but I’m not sure if yours can since they don’t have on-site parking. These rules also vary from city to city in Italy.

Generally speaking, in the case that you do get access to a ZTL zone to access hotel parking (I know yours doesn’t have it, but just generally), you won’t get a paper permit or anything like that. It’s all done by license plate and camera.

Hi Kate! What an insightful article. I am planning a trip to Itlay in August for 12 days with a girlfriend who has never been to Italy. We are landing in Rome, spending 3 days there, and making our way to Florence by train. We will have 6 days in the Tuscany region and plan to rent a car after reading your article. This is what I am planning for our road trip and what your feedback. Would love to know if you can recommend an amazing winery with meals and wine tasting at one of our stops. I have taken suggestions from your blog on places to see and things to do at each stop:) Am I packing in too much? Day 1 – Florence to Lucca to San Gimignano spend the night here Day 2 – San Gimignano to Siena to Val D’Orcia spend 1 or 2 nights here Day 3 or 4 – Val d’orcia to Montepulciano to Montalcino (not sure about Montalcino) Day 4 – Drive to Saturnia from the last destination and head back to Florence

Hi Gira! All of the places you have mentioned are wonderful, but yes, I’d highly recommend cutting a few places from your list in order to savor the others more!

Driving, parking, walking into historic centers, etc, all eat up quite a bit of time.

I’m assuming you’re planning a couple of days in Florence on days 5-6. Ideally, I’d recommend only changing your “base” one other time. Montepulciano is a convenient spot as you can reach the Val d’Orcia, Montalcino, etc, from there. Siena is another fantastic option, but it’s definitely a small city, not a tiny town.

Saturnia is pretty far out of the way from everything else on your list, so unless it’s your dream destination in Florence, I’d consider trimming that. 🙂

Hi, Your article is very informative. Thanks. One question, I understand that leaving anything in the car in Italy is not a good idea as it can be stolen. What about these small towns in Tuscany? Is it risky to leave luggage in the trunk when parking there, too? Thanks

That’s essentially down to your personal risk tolerance. Many people leave luggage in the car when they have no other good option if it is kept out of sight in a locked trunk.

Obviously, there’s always a small risk with that, but it’s a fairly common practice.

The most important thing is to make sure nothing visible is left behind.

Thank you for such a insightful article, it has definitely helped to make a road trip through Tuscany feel less daunting!

Are there are places on your list that are more or less English friendly? We will obviously try to learn what we can in Italian, but it is always helpful to know 🙂

My husband and I previously visited Florence and did a day trip to Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano. The scenery was so breathtaking it quickly made a road trip through Tuscany a MUST on our bucket list! Having already visited those places (wouldn’t mind visiting San Gimignano again!), what would be your top picks for 5-6 nights (not including Florence but starting from there)? I would love to make a stop at Saturnia if time allowed. Thank you SO much for your suggestions!

Hi Samantha,

Thank you so much! Glad we can help. 🙂

Unless you go exceptionally off the beaten path, you won’t have any problem using English (plus body language/hand signs/etc) in Tuscany, so don’t worry! Definitely learn what Italian you can, but Tuscans are very friendly and exceptionally used to foreigners.

Since you guys have already done quite a bit in the northern part of Tuscany, I recommend heading to the southern part! Montepulciano, the Val d’Orcia (including towns like Pienza and Montalcino), Cortona, and Saturnia, make a great loop.

You might also look at taking a day trip to Civita di Bagnoregio, Orvieto, Perugia, or Assisi. Those places aren’t in Tuscany but are wonderful, and depending on your itinerary might make fun additions.

This is so helpful Kate, THANK YOU!!!! This will be my first time in Italy, I’m traveling solo, and I’ve never driven outside of the U.S. before, so I’m thinking I’ll stick to trains to get around this time (which I know will limit how much flexibility I have). Are any of these towns easily accessible by train from Florence (and/or each other)?

Happy to help, Tara!

Yes, Lucca, Pisa, Arezzo, and Siena are all easy to get to by train.

The smaller hilltop towns are generally harder to access without a car, and many don’t have train stations. You can technically get to Montepulciano by train, but the station is outside of town and you’ll need to catch a bus or taxi to get all the way there.

If you want to visit a few of the tiny hilltop towns, I’d recommend signing up for a day trip one day–we link a some popular ones in this post: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/best-day-trips-from-florence-italy/

Generally from Florence, you can find either day trips that focus on the north (San Gimignano is a common stop) or the southern Val d’Orcia towns. They’re a great way to see harder-to-access spots while letting someone else deal with the driving and parking!

Thanks so much for responding and for the additional tips! <3

Hi Kate! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wealth of information. Very helpful for our upcoming visit!

Any possibility of emailing you directly with a few more questions?

Thanks, Lori and Steve, USA, coming in October for our 60th birthday’s!!!!

Yes, of course!

We’re not travel agents and don’t plan/book trips for people, but we’re always happy to answer a few questions and point travelers in the right direction. 🙂

Happy early birthdays!

Hello again, We will only have about 4 (3 full) days and nights to explore Florence and Tuscany. We hear that Florence is not terribly large and is very walkable? Would it be practical and safe to utilize motor scooters to do so? The countryside is a PRIORITY, but we are considering not venturing too far from the city to limit travel time. We’d like to spend at least one night in the city, and at least one in the country. And we very much want to explore a couple of very small villages. Suggestions?

Would you recommend purchasing train tickets in advance, or is it really not necessary? Likewise for renting a car, and making hotel reservations (First week of October).

For the train tickets–it depends. For high-speed trains across long distances, like from Florence to Venice, yes, absolutely book in advance. The prices increase dramatically as you get closer to your dates.

For regional/slow trains, like taking a day trip from Florence to Lucca, there’s no need to book in advance.

What gets a bit confusing is that some lines, like between Rome and Florence, have both high-speed trains (essential if you’re making a day trip, as it takes under 2 hours), and regional/slow trains, which depending on the exact timetable can take anywhere from 3-5 hours or so.

If you want an overview of what’s available, we recommend using Omio to search for tickets and compare prices/timetables.

For hotels and a rental car, yes, you’ll want to book in advance. It’s not as urgent as in, say, July, but to get maximum availability it’s best to be prepared, especially if you have special requirements for your rental car such as wanting to rent an automatic.

I hope that helps and that you guys have a great time! October is our favorite month to be in Tuscany. 🙂

My daughter & I will have 5 days in Tuscany, have a rental car & want to visit mostly hill towns. Our hotel is outside Florence. We’d like to drive to Cortona then to for wine tasting, then to Monticchiello for a 7:30 dinner at Daria & spend night. Is this possible? Where do I find city maps?

I think you mean you plan to spend the night in Monticchiello? If so, yes, that will probably work well. Cortona is a bit out of the way as far as Tuscan hill towns go, but it’s very popular!

For city maps, your hotel will usually offer one, especially if you ask. For towns that you just take a day trip to, the easiest way to find them is to head to the tourism office (there’s virtually always a well-marked office in the town center).

Some tourism offices do charge a nominal fee for maps, so it’s a good idea to have a few Euros in small coins/bills on you when you go.

Totally loved it!!! Would you recommend doing this roadtrip with a child? I really want my 5year old daughter to witness new cultures and enjoy some holidays with mum and dad!

Of course it depends on the child, etc, but it’s definitely possible! Italy is considered to be very kid-friendly, and kids are adored and welcome just about everywhere.

The distances in this road trip are also fairly short, so no extremely long car days to contend with.

I don’t see your 2 night Tuscany itinerary?

Hi Lorraine,

I’m not sure what you mean–maybe you’re looking for our 2 day Florence itinerary? Here it is: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/2-days-in-florence-itinerary/

I don’t have anything on spending 3 days/2 nights in Tuscany specifically, but for most visitors, I’d recommend spending 2 days in Florence and then taking a day trip to the countryside on the 3rd day.

Hope that answers your question!

Thank you very much for your article, it was very helpful to consider the cities/town to visit in La Toscana. What would you recommend me for a 10-day trip (honeymoon 🙂 ) by arriving to Rome? For sure, I want to rent a car and do all by car. Would it be better to take a train all over to Florence and from there do the trip all over to Rome? Is it a big deal if I do not have an international license? Thank you for your help.

You can definitely structure this trip as a road trip from Rome to Florence, touring Tuscany by road trip along the way instead if you prefer. For that version, you’ll likely want to start at Montepulciano and then make sort of a “V” shape ending in Florence. Keep in mind that you’ll probably have a one-way car rental fee if you do it this way.

In that case, you may want to add on a stop in Orvieto along the way as well–it’s in Umbria, and a beautiful place: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-orvieto-italy/

Having an international driving permit is required for non-EU drivers in Italy. It’s not often asked for, so you can choose to take the risk, but your rental company can refuse to rent to you and of course, you can have issues if you get into an accident, etc, if you don’t have one as well. They’re not complicated to get, so it’s much better to acquire one before going to Italy!

Hi! Thank you so much for this wonderful site – it is so informative!! We are planning 2-3 days traveling from Florence to Rome and wonder if there are private drivers for hire in Tuscany. Is that an option? And, if so, do you have a sense of how we would locate good drivers? Our concept is that it may be easier on us if we just left the driving to a trained professional local… your thoughts? Thanks again! Paul

We’ve never hired a private driver in Tuscany, so I can’t speak to that personally! I know that some private drivers and tours advertise through Get Your Guide. Other than that, I’d recommend asking your hotel concierge, they’ll no doubt know of someone.

However, if your goal is to travel between Rome and Florence, you could also easily take the train. If you’d rather take 2-3 days to do the journey and sightsee along the way, Orvieto and Siena are both stops to consider on the way.

If you’re confident drivers, though, that route is fairly simple–lots of highway driving, etc. If you’re considering the option of driving yourselves, I’d say there’s no real reason not to.

Hi Thank you for putting together all this info, it has filled me with excitement thinking about our trip this year. My husband and I are hoping to fulfil my dream of travelling to Tuscany this year at the start of April. We will be driving from the UK and stopping off in Normandy then driving across to Italy and Tuscany. The first large city we will enter is Turin before moving towards Tuscany. We have 7 days in Italy but we thought a circular road trip would be great made up of countryside, wine, food and wandering around towns and markets. I love the road trip based around Florence but given our route and our starting point, would you be able to recommend anywhere we should visit/stay/avoid that starts further north and drops into Tuscany. I don’t want to disappoint myself by making poor choices in destinations so any help would be much appreciated. Thank you

Sounds like a wonderful trip! We’ve driven from Portugal to Italy and/or France (and back) several times ourselves, so we’re very familiar with the breadth of the drive you’re taking on.

The Langhe region of Piedmont, located close-ish to Turin, is fantastic: think small towns, gorgeous views, delicious wine, and fewer crowds than Tuscany. You may want to consider a stop there before heading further south! We loved La Morra in particular, but there is lots to see around there, including Alba, Barolo, etc.

Depending on what route you take in, you may pass through Emilia-Romagna as well, one of our favorite foodie regions in Italy. There are a million places to fall in love with there, but Parma might be right along your drive: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/best-things-to-do-in-parma-italy/

Hope you guys have a fantastic trip!

Hi, I loved your article. My husband and I are planning to head to Tuscany in September. My thought is to arrive in Florence from the states and stay for 3 nights. Originally I was planning to head to Greve and stay at Borgo de Cabrea. for 5 nights and just do day trips from there. (The pictures of the hotel views blew me away). However after doing some more research, I’m thinking that I would leave Florence and head down to the Val d’ Orcia region for two nights, do some day trips from there, then head back up to the hotel in Greve for my remaining 3 nights. I don’t want to short change my experience in southern Tuscany. Looking for advice on where to stop on the way down, and the way up versus day trips from where we are staying. I’m thinking of stopping in Sienna on our way back up since it’s closer to Greve then we can avoid a day trip back down. Where do you think is good place to stop on the way down vs. places that would be better as day trips? Also any advise on where to stay in Val d’ Orcia region? Thanks for the advise on the cars. The site you suggested is much cheaper than the one I was originally looking at.

Those hotel views do look incredible!

With the caveat that you can’t make a very wrong decision in Tuscany, I’d recommend spending 3 nights in the Val d’Orcia area and 2 around Greve. Definitely check out the tiny town of Montefioralle when you’re in the Greve area, too: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/montefioralle-italy/

Siena is a decent-sized city rather than a hilltop town, so I’d spend more time there than you can–but if a couple of hours is all you can spare, visiting the Piazza del Campo + the Duomo + visiting one of the viewpoints to see the city from above will make for a memorable stop.

As for where to stay in the Val d’Orcia, we’re partial to Montepulciano as a base. It’s not in the Val d’Orcia, but nearby, well-connected, and beautiful. Pienza also makes an excellent base and has some hotels whose views I think you’ll also love: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/pienza-italy/

Depending on which route you take down from Florence, you may pass Monteriggioni, if so, that’d be a lovely stop during your drive.

Thank You so much for your response. After doing some of my own research and keeping your advise in mind, we booked a hotel in Montepulciano. I have another question for you. We are renting a car and tried discover cars. The prices for renting a compact car through Noleggiare are significantly cheaper than any other company. We need an automatic so it can get pricey. The reviews are mediocre and I was wondering if you had any experience with them. Thanks!

I don’t think we’ve ever used them in particular, but in general, we’ve never had any issues with a car rental in Italy and have zero brand loyalty with rental cars there. We tend to go with whoever is most affordable, as the prices can vary so much. We do buy rental insurance, though–for us, it’s worth the peace of mind.

Hi Planning on driving from Rome to Florence, taking our time. Where would you rent the car? And can you drop off a car in Florence if you rent in Rome. Thanks

Hi Sebastiano,

Personally, we’d rent the car in Rome wherever we could find the best deal–we’re not particularly loyal to any one car rental company.

You can definitely rent a car in Rome and drop it off in Florence, however, you’ll likely incur a one-way rental fee. These can vary dramatically, but are usually pretty reasonable if you’re picking up and dropping off the car in the same country (driving from Italy to Switzerland, for example, would be a different story).

Hi! I liked your insights very much, I hope to go visit Tuscany soon with my family. Though you didn’t really mention seaside areas – I guess it’s because people don’t tend to visit Tuscany region because of beaches, but still, there IS some seaside (judging from map sorry), and I would like to know more, either if you had any experience, or from locals or friends. I clinged to the one photo of a beach at Livorno. I was wondering, if it is worth seeing the seaside as well, if there are any beaches, maybe areas where swimming is not recommended, dangerous tides, sharks… or are there nice places as well, worth visiting. Is the shore easily accessible? The shoreline area is more flat I guess, less hills there as I assume again, from maps…

You’re right, I didn’t include seaside areas because typically, that’s not what non-Italian travelers are looking for from the Tuscany region. You’re right that it has a lovely coastline, though!

A few popular beach towns in Tuscany include Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi. Livorno is a popular cruise ship stop, and has a historic fort right on the water. Don’t miss the view from Terrazza Mascagni if you go!

If you want to go further off the beaten path, the Tuscan island of Elba (where Napoleon was once banished to) is beautiful.

If you’re in a beach town, you’ll definitely have access to the sea!

Will be in Tuscany for four days and thinking one day each in Pisa, Florence and Montepulciano (or combine a couple (like Pisa/Florence). Can you suggest a good home base area? We will have a car – any suggestions for a couple of one day road trips (if we can combine P, F or M) to visit wineries, different towns, etc? So many things to see it’s hard to decide and are hoping you can help us out. Thank you so much!!!

Hi Collette,

If you plan to have a car, I’d recommend staying outside a city center and enjoying the countryside a bit. That’s the advantage of having a car in Tuscany!

I’d also recommend combining Lucca with Pisa–Pisa doesn’t take long to see, but Florence definitely takes a full day at a minimum assuming you want to go inside a museum, up a viewpoint, etc.

On the route from Florence to Montepulciano, Monteriggioni and Siena are great options (depending on which route you take). The Chianti area is also between the two, though it’s a bit more out of the way to access!

San Gimignano and/or Volterra would also make a great day, and would be enhanced by having a car.

Deciding where to stay can be fairly flexible, as all of those places can be visited as a day-trip from the others, but I’d choose based on your priorities, as you’ll have some long drives round-trip. The Siena area makes a great base if your priority is Montepulciano and towns like the Val d’Orcia. The Lucca area or Chianti area is lovely for accessing northern Tuscany (Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, etc).

Ciao! Thank you so much for writing so much about Italy! It’s been very helpful while planning our upcoming Tuscany road trip. We’re planning to rent a car from Florence and are seeing a lot of negative reviews on all the cheaper Discover Cars rental companies. What rental companies have you used in the past and would you recommend them? Also, are there any we should stay away from? Trying to be budget friendly but also do not want hit with a bunch of fees after the fact. Thank you so much for your help!

Hi Natalie,

Happy to help!

Honestly, I could not even remember all the rental companies we’ve used in Italy, let alone in Europe. We’re not picky–we’ve used everything from big brands like Hertz and Sixt all the way to tiny local outfits that we spot on the ground. We’ve never been charged for damage, but we do take precautions.

Specifically, we ALWAYS thoroughly photograph and video (a full 360 video) the vehicle when picking it up, and we tend to buy the additional insurance as well. If you want to ensure there’s a 0% chance of being charged for anything, most companies offer a $0 deductible (in Europe, a deductible is called excess) policy. It’s an increase in the upfront budget, but offers a lot of peace of mind if it’s something you’re worried about!

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Home » 9-Day Classics of Tuscany Tour Package

Home » 9-Day Classics of Tuscany Tour Package

9-Day Classics of Tuscany Tour Package

The Tuscany tour package includes visits to Chianti, Florence, Lucca, and Pisa. These Tuscan gems are must visits for any trip through Tuscany. Spend the remainder of your time exploring Montecatini and its surroundings on your own.

Moreover, there are three optional tours that may be of interest. They are scheduled during what is otherwise free time at additional cost.

• Visit the spectacular Cinque Terre , one of the most beautiful areas of the Liguria region. Here five small villages, nestled in the cliffs overlooking the sea and the surrounding hillsides.
• Visit Tuscany’s medieval hill town,  Siena . Siena is the site of the famous Palio horse race . Tour Campo Square and St. Dominic’s Church. Both are considered the most beautiful in all of Italy.
• Visit Vinci , the birth place of Leonardo Da Vinci.

All this and more waits for you on your escorted Italy trip to Tuscany. For more about the classic Tuscany tour package see the daily itinerary below.

Tuscany Tour Package Sightseeing Highlights

• 7 nights Hotel Francia e Quirinale, Montecatini
• Italian city hotel taxes
• 12 meals: 7 buffet breakfasts, 1 lunch & 4 dinners with wine
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of local guides in all major cities
• Entrance fees per itinerary

Tuscany Tour Special Features

• Florence Excursion
• Chianti & Greve Excursion & Wine Tasting
• Lucca Excursion and Walking Tour
• Pisa Excursion and Walking Tour
• Cooking Class with Dinner & Wine Tasting at Tuscan Vineyard
• Wine & mineral water with all lunches & dinners

Accommodations

Tuscany accommodations.

Hotel Francia e Quirinale, Montecatini

Located in the ancient Roman Spa town Montecatini, this hotel will relax you while providing the charms of a Tuscan vacation.

Optional Tours

Tuscany optional tours.

Optional tours are not included in the tour price. Optional tours are subject to change. Price is available when booking the tour.

The Friday departures Day 6 is free with option to Montecatini. Day 7 is Florence excursion.

The Saturday departures Day 6 is Florence excursion and Day 7 is free with option to Montecatini.

Day 4 Full Day Cinque Terre – $99

A short ride from Tuscany’s hill towns to the Ligurian coast is the spectacular Cinque Terre. Here five small villages of Rio Maggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza & Monte Rosso are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour will include a visit to at least two of these spectacular villages, nestled in the cliffs overlooking the sea and the surrounding hillsides. * Exact tour itinerary and villages visited to be advised locally. Operation of the tour is subject of weather condition and group size.

Day 6 or Day 7 Siena – $99

Today will start with a visit to the enchanting medieval city of Siena that sits elegantly over three hills. The heart of the city is the stunning Piazza del Campo, the huge central plaza where the Roman Forum used to be, now the site of the famous Horserace of Palio. The race takes place twice each year in celebration of the holy apparition and assumption of the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the city.

Day 8 Leonardo Da Vinci Tour – $65

Join us on this half day tour and discover the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, often depicted in Leonardo’s maps and in his famous drawings. Surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, in a landscape almost untouched by time, you will view the house where Leonardo was born in 1452. From there we will transfer to the town of Vinci, to visit the Museum that documents the work of Leonardo the inventor, the technologist and the engineer. End the tour with a Tuscan “merenda” savoring the typical wines and snacks of the area before returning to Montecatini. Click here for tour highlights .

9-Day Tuscany Tour Package

Check the box next to the departure date of the Tuscany tour you would like to join.

• Land with Airfare
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• Sat, Aug 26, 2023 $1,749
• Sat, Sep 2, 2023 $1,779
• Fri, Sep 8, 2023 $1,879
• Sat, Sep 16, 2023 $1,877
• Fri, Sep 22, 2023 $2079
• Fri Apr 12 2024 $1699
• Sat Apr 13 2024 $1749
• Fri May 03 2024 $1799
• Sat May 04 2024 $1799
• Fri May 10 2024 $1799
• Sat May 11 2024 $1799
• Fri May 17 2024 $1799
• Sat May 18 2024 $1799
• Fri May 24 2024 $1799
• Sat May 25 2024 $1799
• Sat Jun 01 2024 $1749
• Sat Jun 08 2024 $1749
• Fri Jun 14 2024 $1749
• Fri Jun 21 2024 $1749
• Sat Jun 22 2024 $1749
• Fri Aug 23 2024 $1549
• Sat Aug 24 2024 $1599
• Fri Aug 30 2024 $1549
• Fri Sep 06 2024 $1899
• Sat Sep 07 2024 $1899
• Fri Sep 13 2024 $1899
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• Fri Sep 20 2024 $1899
• Sat Sep 21 2024 $1899
• Fri Sep 27 2024 $1899
• Sat Sep 28 2024 $1899
• Sat, Aug 26, 2023 $3229*
• Sat, Sep 2, 2023 $3,229
• Sat, Sep 9, 2023 $3,229
• Sat, Sep 16, 2023 $3,229
• Sat, Sep 23, 2023 $3,229
• Fri Apr 12 2024 $2899*
• Sat Apr 13 2024 $2929*
• Fri May 03 2024 $3039*
• Sat May 04 2024 $2719*
• Fri May 10 2024 $3359*
• Sat May 11 2024 $3359*
• Fri May 17 2024 $3579*
• Sat May 18 2024 $3639*
• Fri May 24 2024 $3629*
• Sat May 25 2024 $3629*
• Sat Jun 01 2024 $3599*
• Sat Jun 08 2024 $3599*
• Fri Jun 14 2024 $3749*
• Fri Jun 21 2024 $3749*
• Sat Jun 22 2024 $3599*
• Fri Aug 23 2024 $3249*
• Sat Aug 24 2024 $3299*
• Fri Aug 30 2024 $3249*
• Fri Sep 06 2024 $2999*
• Sat Sep 07 2024 $3049*
• Fri Sep 13 2024 $2999*
• Sat Sep 14 2024 $3049*
• Fri Sep 20 2024 $2999*
• Sat Sep 21 2024 $3049*
• Fri Sep 27 2024 $2999*
• Sat Sep 28 2024 $3049*
• Travelers per room 1 2 3 4 5
• Special Request
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To book your Tuscany tour package

Submit form or call italiantourism.us today 800-227-1577, tuscany tour package itinerary.

The Classic Tuscany Tour departs on Fridays and Saturdays. Depending on your departure day, the tour begins in Montecatini on Saturday or Sunday.

DAY 1 – Depart the USA

Depart the USA for Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2 – Arrive in Florence, Transfer to Montecatini

Arrive in Florence and transfer to your hotel in Montecatini. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner Overnight: Montecatini Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 Chianti and Greve Tour & Wine Tasting Lunch

Today enjoy a relaxing drive to visit the heart of the Tuscan countryside in the Chianti region, where Italy’s most famous red wine is produced. View the spectacular setting of green hills, cypress trees, olive groves and endless rows of grape vines.

In Chianti area you’ll stop for a tasting of the region’s wine & local specialties for lunch. Overnight: Montecatini Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4 Full Day Montevatini or Optional Cinque Terre Excursion

Today you have a full day at leisure to enjoy Montecatini. You may want to schedule access to one of its thermal spas and relax. You may also join an optional excursion to Cinque terre.

Optional: Excursion to tour Cinque Terre Overnight: Montecatini Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 Pisa and Lucca Excursion & Cooking Class with Dinner

Today travel through the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Lucca, one of Italy’s finest medieval cities. Walk the narrow streets of the original Roman grid to San Michele and its beautiful piazza, which occupies the site of the ancient Roman Forum.

Then continue to the city of Pisa. On arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza make for a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

Finish your day with a visit to a local Tuscan Farm in the countryside for an all hands on cooking class followed by dinner with local specialties and Tuscany’s world-famous wines. Overnight: Montecatini Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 – Florence Excursion

Today you will travel to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the heart of Florence. View the magnificent Duomo, with its Brunelleschi-designed dome. Then see the renowned Ghiberti’s “Gates of Paradise,” whose south door quatrefoils feature scenes from the life of John the Baptist. And enjoy Giotto’s Bell Tower.

After Duomo area you’ll proceed to the open-air art museum of Signoria Square. There you’ll have time to admire the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi, Palazzo Vecchio, former residence of the Medici family. Then continue on the Ponte Vecchio, the “Old Bridge”, where goldsmiths practice their trade for centuries.

After the walking tour you have time to enjoy lunch. Then spend time on your own in the early afternoon to maybe visit a museum, or shop. Florence has been known for centuries for its 18k gold and high quality leather goods.

Overnight: Montecatini Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 – Full Day in Montecatini or Optional tour to Siena

Full Day at leisure to explore Montecatini and its surroundings on your own.

Optional: Full Day Excursion to Siena Overnight: Montecatini Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 – Full Day in Montecatini or Optional Leonardo Da Vinci Tour

Full Day at leisure. Tonight, join in for a farewell dinner with your tour director and fellow travelers.

Optional: Visit Vinci the birthplace of Leonarda da Vinci Overnight: Montecatini Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 – Transfer to Florence, Depart for the USA

Transfer to the airport in nearby Florence for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

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Tours and Guided Visits in Tuscany

Anyone who enjoys traveling and discovering a new place with an organized tour will find several offers for visiting Tuscany on short, one day tours as well as through longer tours, such as as weekly tour of Tuscany . Tours in Tuscany can be of several types, from the more classic ones that visit the most beautiful cities in Tuscany to the popular food and wine tours and shopping tours. Anyone that has never been to Tuscany or who wishes to visit the region comfortably can select a guided tour to facilitate their trip to Tuscany's " cities of art " such as Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca and to the other well-known areas of the regions, such as Chianti, Val d'Orcia and Maremma. Tuscany is a land of great culinary traditions, precious wines and excellent extra virgin olive oil and an enogastronomic tour is an excellent method to learn the tastes and traditional products of the region. In the last few years wine tours have also enjoyed a great deal of success, offering the opportunity to visit Tuscany's great wineries and enjoy tastings of Tuscany greatest wines, often accompanied with tastings of other Tuscan specialties and traditional products. Those who love fashion can also enjoyed organized shopping tours to the main shops and outlets of the top Italian and Tuscan fashion designers found in the region. Anyone who enjoys being outdoors or in a cycling aficionada con also enjoy guided itineraries in Tuscany's natural parks , bicycle tours and other guided visits on bike. There are many thematic, small tours dedicated to Tuscan craftsmanship and the local production of wine, cold cuts and cheeses. Select the organized tour you prefer and let yourself be guided in the discovery of Tuscany!

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Livorno Cruise Port Guide &The Best Things to Do

Does your cruise stop in livorno italy here’s everything you should know about the livorno cruise port..

On the west coast of Italy sits Livrono, a lively port city that is the gateway for cruisers to two of Italy’s most iconic cities: Pisa and Florence.

Perched within Tuscany, this colorful city is the third-largest in the region. Being so conveniently located near many of Italy’s popular attractions, there really is an abundance for cruisers to see and do.

As a travel advisor who specializes in cruises, I have extensive knowledge of cruise ports and the best shore excursions for each.

In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about Livorno Cruise Port and how to best plan your visit.

I can plan your excursions (and cruise) for you FOR FREE!

Planning a cruise or excursion can be overwhelming and stressful. Let me take care of it for you – I can book your cruise or excursions at no additional cost.

Where is Livorno Cruise Port Located?

Livorno Cruise Port is located within the main Port of Livorno which sits right beside Livorno city, on the northwest coast of Italy.

Within the Tuscany region in Italy, Livorno is the closest cruise port to Pisa and Florence.

Pisa is a 40-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute train journey from Livorno Cruise Port and Florence is a 1.5-hour taxi ride or train journey from the cruise terminal.

The Livorno Cruise Port is vast with berths that can accommodate up to 8 cruise ships at any one time. The berths are dotted around the harbor, on different piers.

Beside each berth are a taxi rank, tourist information center, car rental stand, and opportunities to book day trips and tours. 

How to Get to Livorno City Center from the Cruise Port

The cruise port is located within a working industrial port and to journey from the cruise port to Livorno city, you’d have to travel through the working part of the port which is in fact not permitted on foot for health and safety reasons.

The good news is that the port offers a shuttle service from the cruise terminal to Piazza Grande, in the city center.

From Piazza Grande, it’s a 30-minute walk to Livorno Centrale, the main train station in the city.

Alternatively, there is a taxi rank beside every cruise terminal so you can grab a taxi directly to your destination.

Are There Free Shuttles From Livorno Cruise Port?

There are shuttle buses to Livorno city center offered to every cruise ship passenger. However, the cost depends on your cruise liner. Some cruise lines offer shuttles for free to their cruise passengers, and others charge a fee that you can expect to be around €5.

Can You Walk into Livorno from Your Cruise Ship?

It isn’t possible to walk from the cruise terminal into Livorno city center.

Health and safety regulations don’t permit walking in the industrial port. Even if it was allowed, the distance between the cruise ship berths and the city is very great and it would take you over an hour to walk into Livorno which isn’t practical.

There are however shuttles available that will take you from Livorno Cruise Port straight into the city of Livorno dropping you at Piazza Grande, a key square in the middle of the city.

Are there Taxis Available from Livorno Cruise Port?

Yes, there is a taxi rank beside every cruise ship in Livorno Cruise Port which will have enough taxis in it to accommodate all passengers looking to get a taxi.

Best Shore Excursions from the Livorno Cruise Port

Livorno Cruise Port is one of the busiest cruise ports in Italy due to its fantastic central location near many of Italy’s most extraordinary attractions.

There’s a host of things to see and do nearby. I’ll delve into some of my favorites below.

1. Leaning Tower of Pisa

Only a 40-minute drive or 20-minute train ride from Livorno city center, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa really is a must for anyone visiting Livorno! The 56-meter high 14th-century tower can be found in the heart of the city of Pisa.

The tower is located beside the impressive Cattedrale di Pisa (Cathedral), and Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptist Church), enabling you to marvel at a number of incredible landmarks on your visit.

Trains run between Livorno and Pisa a couple of times per hour making it a quick and convenient way to journey between the two cities. From Pisa station, it’s a 20-minute walk to the famous tower.

Guided Tour

• Small group walking tour for a more personalized experience
• Expert local guide with insider knowledge
• Pre-reserved tickets for the leaning tower of Pisa

Florence and Pisa

• Port pick up and drop-off
• Professional guide
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Guaranteed on-time return to the pier

Alternatively, buses run every 10 minutes between the station and Torre 1, a bus stop just outside the square where the tower is found.

You can book a guided tour of Pisa which includes admission tickets  such as this one.

Another way to reach the Leaning Tower of Pisa is on a guided tour from Livorno.  This full-day tour  combines a visit to the tower with a trip to Florence, another incredible city in Italy.

2. Florence

Florence is the vibrant capital of the Tuscany region in Italy. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the city is famed for its stunning medieval architecture and monuments as well as museums.

It’s no surprise that a day trip to Florence is a must for many cruisers who arrive at Livorno Cruise Port.

Florence can be reached via train. Trains run from Livorno to Florence several times per day, roughly once per hour. The journey is direct (you don’t need to change trains) and takes 1 and a half hours each way.

Livorno Shore Excursion to Florence

• Hassle-free round-trip transfers from Livorno to Florence
• Convenient pick-up and dropoff points at the cruise port and city center
• A complimentary map of Florence’s historic center to explore on your own
• About 4.5 hours of free time to take in the Renaissance highlights

A taxi between Livorno Cruise Port and Florence also takes 1 and a half hours each way but is considerably more expensive than the train.

Perhaps the easiest way to visit Florence is via an arranged shore excursion with a guide, such as  this one . The tour takes you directly from Livorno Cruise Port to Florence and allows you over 4 hours to see the highlights of the city.

3. Cinque Terre

Just north of Livorno is a beautiful stretch of coastline known as Cinque Terre, characterized by colorful settlements which are stacked upon cliffs in bays that arc around turquoise waters.

The area encompasses 5 fishing villages, which make up part of the Cinque Terre National Park , an area of outstanding natural beauty.

You can journey to Cinque Terre from Livorno Cruise Port via taxi. Alternatively, you can book a tour.  This private tour  spans over 8 hours and visits different villages along the coastline.

• Private Tour
• Private luxury vehicle with driver for 8 hours
• Private official tour guide for 4 hours in Cinque Terre
• Private pick up and drop off in Livorno Cruise Port
• Local Taxes

Cinque Terre and Pisa

• All Fees and Taxes
• Private transportation
• WiFi on board
• Bottled water
• Pisa driving tour plus a stop at the Leaning Tower, Duomo, and Baptistery

There are tours available that combine a visit to Cinque Terre with Pisa, such as  this one . This is perfect if you wish to visit both beautiful locations during your day in Livorno.

4. San Gimignano

Nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany is this charming town, oozing with history and encircled by 13th-century walls. The UNESCO World Heritage Site town is famous for its incredible medieval architecture and striking 11 towers.

Not only is the town itself gorgeous to admire, but it’s surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards.

One of the best things to do in San Gimignano is to try some of the delicious locally-produced wine and produce.   This food and wine-tasting tour   has exceptional online reviews and allows you to sample local cuisine from a traditional organic farm.

Food and Wine Tasting

• Visit a family-run organic farm and winery
• Taste three wines
• End with wine and “cantucci” biscuits

Cooking Class

• Learn how to make traditional Tuscan dishes in a local farmhouse kitchen
• Prepare up to six course

 Volterra & San Gimignano

• Sample five different Chianti wines
• Air-conditioned vehicle

San Gimignano is also the perfect location to try a  traditional Tuscan cooking class.

The best way to reach San Gimignano from Livorno port is to take a taxi. The journey should take around 1 and a half hours.

Another great way to visit the town is on a shore excursion tour, such as  this one , which visits both San Gimignano and Volterra, another gorgeous town.

5. Fortezza Vecchia

One of the main attractions in Livorno itself is this 11th-century fort which is right in the middle of Livorno port. It’s a spectacular fortress that is well worth admiring either before or after your main shore excursion.

This fortress, also known as the Old Fort, is the symbol of Livorno. It’s open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9am to 8pm and is free to visit . There is a cafe right next to the fort called Fortezza. 

6. Wine Tasting

Tuscany is an area that’s renowned for its wine production. Therefore, if you’re into your wines, embarking on a wine tasting tour really is one of the best ways to get to know the region.

This full-day wine tour  starts in Livorno and takes you to some charming spots where you can sample the local wine. You’ll also have the opportunity to wander round Livorno city and even explore the bustling local market.

Full Day Wine Tour

•  Survey the city’s two impressive fortresses
• Sanctuary of Montenero
•  Stop at one of Bolgheri’s prestigious wineries to tour the cellars
•  Village of Castagneto Carducci

Chianti and Tuscany

• Explore the Tuscan countryside
• Learn about Chianti wines from your private driver-guide
• Sample local wine and olive oil in Chianti

This private wine tour  takes you to the Chianti wine region where you will visit vineyards and learn all about the wine-making process before getting to sample some. The tour will pick you up and drop you off right by your cruise ship.

Just 1 hour north from Livorno via road is Lucca, a city perched on the Serchio river. Nestled at the base of the Apuan Alps, this striking city is steeped in history, housing beautiful ancient churches, a clock tower and even traces of a Roman amphitheater, which are hidden behind the city walls.

It’s a 45 taxi ride to reach Lucca . Alternatively, Lucca can be reached via train. In order to visit the city, you’ll have to change trains in Pisa. The train to Pisa from Livorno takes 20 minutes and the second train from Pisa to Lucca takes 30 minutes.

Tours of Lucca from Livorno are also available. Sitting just north of Pisa, many tours combine a visit to both cities, such as  this one.

Livorno to Lucc

• Free WiFi on-board On-board
• Walking tour in Lucca with escort
• Free map of Lucca and Pisa
• Access to the Leaning Tower

8. Livorno City

For your day docked at Livorno Cruise Port, you may simply wish to explore the surrounding city, which although not as well known as Pisa or Florence, houses its own unique gems.

One of the best ways to explore the city is via a food and market tour.  This walking tour takes you to Livrono’s central market, known as Mercato Centrale.

This is in fact one of the largest markets in Europe. At this lively market, you’ll be able to sample local dishes, snacks, and drinks.

If you are interested in seeing the key sights of the city then a   hop-on hop-off bus tour  of Livorno may be what you’re looking for.

Getting From Livorno Airport to the Cruise Port

The closest airport to the Livorno cruise terminal is Pisa Airport which is 20 km (12.4 miles) north of Livorno.

The easiest way to travel between Pisa Airport and Livorno Cruise Port is by taxi or  private transfer  which typically takes between 20 and 30 minutes.

🚘 Book a private transfer to the cruise port here

Taking the train is also an option, although it takes considerably longer and may be challenging if you have lots of luggage.

It’s roughly a 20-minute walk between Pisa Airport and Pisa Centrale, the train station. It’s then a 20-minute train journey to Livorno station, followed by a 30-minute walk to Piazza Grande, where the shuttle buses to the cruise port stop.

Places to Stay Near Livorno Cruise Port

If you are looking for a convenient place to stay near Livorno Cruise Port then Agave in Città , a highly rated apartment with fantastic views over the canal is a fantastic option.

Boasting exceptional online reviews, this accommodation is conveniently located very close to the cruise port, just 600 meters away. A concierge, bar, and indoor pool are stationed at the property.

A little further away from the cruise port is 900 B&B , a charming B&B in a beautifully restored building that serves a selection of fresh pastries for breakfast.

Hotel Universal is another great option, although it sits just outside the city. Perched right on the seafront, the views from this hotel are exceptional.

Best Time to Visit Livorno

The best time to visit Tuscany is between April and October when the weather is more favorable. The height of summer (June, July, and August) will provide the best weather. The summer months are also the busiest time to visit Livorno and key sights can be very crowded.

➡️ To strike the best balance between good weather and fewer crowds, I’d recommend visiting Tuscany outside of the holiday season. April, May, September, and October are all great months.

Cruise Lines that Visit Livorno Cruise Port

A large number of cruise liners stop at Livorno Cruise Port. These include:

• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Viking Ocean
• Royal Caribbean
• Disney Cruise Line
• Marella Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Saga Ocean Cruises
• Princess Cruises

Livorno Cruise Port FAQS

How far is livorno center from the cruise port.

Livorno city center is right beside the cruise port. However the sheer size of the cruise port and health and safety guidelines mean that you can’t walk into Livorno city from the cruise terminal. A shuttle bus between the two takes around 10 minutes.

How to get to Livorno train station from the cruise port

There are a number of ways that you can journey to Livorno train station from the cruise terminal.

The easiest way is via taxi. A taxi rank beside each cruise ship allows you to journey directly from your cruise ship to the train station, which will take around 15 minutes.

Alternatively, you can take the shuttle bus from the cruise port to Piazza Grande in the city center, and from there, it’s a 30-minute walk to Linorvo Train Station.

How far is Pisa from the cruise port?

Pisa is 23 km (14 miles) north of Livorno Cruise Port and can be reached via a 40 minute taxi ride or a 20 minute train ride from Linorvo Train Station.

How far is Florence from Livorno cruise port?

Florence is 93 km (57.8 miles) east of Livorno Cruise Port and can be reached by either a 1-and-a-half-hour train or taxi ride from Livorno.

Can you see Florence and Pisa on the same day?

Yes, it is possible to visit both Florence and Pisa on the same day.

I’d recommend journeying between the two cities via either taxi or as part of a tour. Taking public transport such as the train will certainly be more challenging.

There are a number of guided tours available which will take you to both cities, such as  this one .

Final Thoughts on the Livorno Cruise Port

Livorno Cruise Port is a great destination to stop at on your cruise as it allows you the opportunity to visit some of the most iconic cities in Italy, such as Pisa and Florence.

The shuttle bus service offered by the port means it’s very easy to journey into the city and the number of shore excursions on offer here means that there really is no shortage of things to do.

Cruise Resources

These are my tried and true, favorite cruise-planning helpers:

➡️ Cruise Critic – for reviews, deck plans, and cabin choices

➡️ Parking – for saving on your long-term parking

➡️ Travel Insurance Master – Because, yes, you do need insurance

➡️ Trip Advisor –

For Reviewing Tours and Excursions

➡️ Viator – For Shore Excursions

➡️ Shore Excursions Group – More choices for small group excursions

➡️ Resort for a day Passes in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas

➡️ Atlantis Day Pass

➡️Cruise Packing List for Caribbean or Alaska

➡️ Cruise Tips

➡️Also, if you don’t want the hassle and stress of booking your own cruise, I can do it for you at no additional cost! You can read more about

These products are services I have used myself and trust. Purchasing through the links above, helps me continue my blog at no additional cost to you, and I appreciate it so much!