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Introduction
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is the perfect base for exploring a wide variety of landscapes: medieval towns, vineyard-covered hills, rugged coasts and perched villages. From the Piazza del Duomo to the golden vineyards of Chianti, the region is full of day trips accessible by car, train or bus, each offering its own mix of history, art, gastronomy and unforgettable views.
Day trips from Florence cater to all tastes. Architecture and art lovers can marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and its tilted marbles or at the unusually well-preserved medieval towers of San Gimignano. Wine enthusiasts will be in their element amid the Chianti hills, where D.O.C.G. tastings paired with local specialties (cheeses, cured meats, olive oil) reveal Tuscany’s culinary identity. Hikers and photographers will delight in the colorful villages of the Cinque Terre or the sculpted panoramas of the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
This selection of ten day trips was designed to strike a balance between well-known attractions and quieter treasures, with practical information: exact addresses, indicative prices in euros, typical opening hours and local tips to make the most of your day. Whether you hop on a train to avoid parking hassles or rent a car to set your own pace and uncover viewpoints off the beaten track, each suggestion includes useful recommendations (best time of day, walking routes, restaurants and crowd-avoidance tips).
Before you go, keep in mind that schedules and prices may vary with the tourist season: in high season (May to September) sites stay open longer and crowds increase; in low season (November to February) some services or restaurants may reduce hours. For a smooth experience, book tickets to popular sites (like the Leaning Tower of Pisa or trains to Cinque Terre) in advance and check weather conditions, especially for coastal or hiking trips. Finally, bring a good pair of shoes and a reusable water bottle: Tuscany’s cobbled alleys and trails often demand a bit of effort, but the views are worth every step.
1) Pisa and the Piazza del Duomo: Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistery
About an hour by train from Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN), Pisa makes for a half- or full-day trip packed with Romanesque architecture. The tourist heart is the Piazza del Duomo (also called the Piazza dei Miracoli), a grassy rectangle framed by four major monuments.
The most famous is the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI.
Opening hours: generally 09:00–20:00 in high season, 09:00–18:00 off-season (hours vary; booking recommended).
Price: tower access tickets from around €20.00 for adults (price varies by season and time slot).
Next door is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Pisa Cathedral).
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI.
Opening hours: 10:00–19:00 (general hours; masses and ceremonies may restrict access).
Price: Cathedral entry is free, but a combined ticket to access other monuments (Baptistery, Camposanto, Museo delle Sinopie) costs around €5.00–€7.00.
The Baptistery of St. John is an architectural and acoustic gem.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI.
Opening hours: 09:00–19:00.
Price: around €5.00–€6.00 depending on the combination ticket.
Click here to book your ticket for the Leaning Tower and Cathedral
Practical tips: arrive early to avoid queues at the tower ticket office; if you plan to climb the tower, reserve a timed slot online. The surrounding streets host many tourist restaurants; for a more authentic experience, head to Via Santa Maria or Piazza delle Vettovaglie, where trattorie serve Pisan dishes (risottos, local fish). The train ride from Florence costs about €8–12 one-way in second class, with frequent connections from Firenze SMN station.
2) Siena and the Piazza del Campo: Palio, Duomo and medieval streets
Siena is a plunge into medieval Tuscany: winding streets, red-brick facades and the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, which hosts the famous Palio di Siena twice a year. From Florence, buses take about 1.5 to 2 hours, while driving takes roughly 75–90 minutes depending on traffic.
The Piazza del Campo is the soul of the city.
Address: Piazza del Campo, 53100 Siena SI.
Opening hours: public square accessible 24/7.
Price: free; some museums around the piazza (Museo Civico) charge about €10.00.
The Duomo of Siena (Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta) is a Gothic masterpiece.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100 Siena SI.
Opening hours: 10:00–19:00 (hours vary with season and religious services).
Price: the complex « Siena Duomo Complex » ticket is around €8.00–€15.00 (including access to the Duomo, the Museo dell’Opera, the Baptistery and the Biblioteca Piccolomini).
Click here to reserve entry to Siena Cathedral and Piccolomini Library
Stroll along Via di Città and Via Banchi di Sopra to admire palaces and artisan shops. The Museo Civico (Palazzo Pubblico) on the Piazza del Campo offers panoramic views from the Torre del Mangia.
Address: Piazza del Campo, 1, 53100 Siena SI.
Opening hours: 08:30–19:30.
Price: about €10.00 for the museum and the tower.
Practical tips: climb the Torre del Mangia early for soft light over Siena’s roofs. Stop by the Orto de’ Pecci for a green break and try local specialties like pici all’aglione (local garlic pasta) and ricciarelli (almond cookies). Buses from Florence depart from the city’s bus station (autostazione) and tickets are often best booked in advance during high season.
3) The Cinque Terre: Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia and Riomaggiore
The Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are a string of colorful villages clinging to cliffs on the Riviera di Levante. From Florence, expect about 2.5 to 3 hours by train with a change (often in La Spezia). To make the most of your visit, start early and be ready to hike spectacular trails.
The villages are connected by regional trains: the Cinque Terre Card (hiking + trains) is recommended.
Price: Cinque Terre Card Treno about €20.00–€28.00 for 1 day depending on season; trail-only card around €7.50.
Opening hours: regional trains run frequently from 06:00 to 23:00; trails may close in bad weather.
- Monterosso al Mare is the largest village, known for its pebble beach.
Address (main quay): Lungomare Fegina, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP. - Vernazza, picturesque and highly photogenic, has a small sheltered harbor.
Main address: Piazza Marconi, 19018 Vernazza SP. - Manarola is famous for its terraced houses and viewpoints.
Address: Via Discovolo, 19017 Manarola SP. - Corniglia, perched on a hill, requires the stairs or a bus from the station.
Address: Via Fieschi, 19016 Corniglia SP. - Riomaggiore, the gateway village on the Riviera, offers great views from the Via dell’Amore (sometimes closed for safety).
Address: Via Colombo, 19017 Riomaggiore SP.
Practical tips: wear proper walking shoes, bring water and snacks, and choose between the coastal trail (Sentiero Azzurro) for stunning views or the train for comfort. Book ferries if you want sea perspectives, and avoid July–August if crowds are a concern. Restaurants serve fresh fish, pesto and the region’s typical focaccia.
4) San Gimignano and Volterra: medieval towers and alabaster
San Gimignano and Volterra show two sides of medieval Tuscany: the former is famous for its slender towers, the latter for its ramparts, Etruscan past and alabaster crafts. Both can be combined into a well-paced day trip from Florence: about 1h15–1h30 by car to San Gimignano, then 30–40 minutes to Volterra.
San Gimignano, often nicknamed the « medieval Manhattan, » is dominated by towers dating back to feudal times.
Piazza del Duomo, 53037 San Gimignano SI.
Opening hours: town center accessible 24/7; museums and towers roughly 09:00–19:00 (varies).
Price: Torre Grossa (view tower) about €9.00–€10.00; Museo del Cristallo and other museums €5.00–€8.00.
The Rocca di Montestaffoli and Torre Grossa offer panoramas over vineyard-strewn countryside and cypress-lined horizons. The lanes are full of artisan shops and famous gelaterie (don’t miss Gelateria Dondoli, Piazza della Cisterna, 53037 San Gimignano), plus osterie serving local dishes.
Volterra, less visited, offers a step back in time with its Etruscan museum and alabaster workshops.
Piazza dei Priori, 1, 56048 Volterra PI.
Opening hours: museums roughly 09:00–18:00 (varies).
Price: Museo Etrusco Guarnacci about €6.00–€8.00.
Practical tips: do San Gimignano in the morning (soft light on the towers) and Volterra in the afternoon for a quieter experience. If driving, park in the marked peripheral lots (park & walk). Try Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or local Vermentino, and pick up alabaster souvenirs. By public transport, buses connect Florence to San Gimignano via Poggibonsi (SITA bus), but a car gives the most flexibility to visit both in one day.
5) The Chianti region, Greve in Chianti, and the Val d’Orcia: wines, hills and UNESCO landscapes
For wine lovers and bucolic scenery, two day trips near Florence stand out: Chianti (stretching between Florence and Siena) and the Val d’Orcia (south of Siena). Chianti’s winding roads cross vineyards and small towns like Greve in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti and Radda in Chianti. From Florence, Greve is about 40–50 minutes by car.
Greve in Chianti, a central hub for tastings.
Piazza Matteotti, 53036 Greve in Chianti FI.
Opening hours: square accessible 24/7; wineries and estates 10:00–18:00 (by reservation).
Price: winery tastings from around €10.00–€25.00 depending on the estate; full guided tours €25.00–€60.00.
Click here to book a Tuscan white wine tasting with aperitivo
Click here to take an electric bike tour around Montepulciano countryside
Chianti practical tips: book a visit at a winery (cantina) that includes a vineyard walk, cellars and several glasses paired with cured meats and cheeses. Don’t drive after tastings: hire a private driver, join an organized tour or designate a sober driver. Secondary roads offer superb photo viewpoints: the Strada Chiantigiana (SP222) is the classic scenic route.
The Val d’Orcia, further south (about 1h45–2h from Florence by car), is famed for its rolling hills, spa towns and villages like Pienza, Montalcino and Bagno Vignoni.
Pienza (Piazza Pio II, 53026 Pienza SI) is renowned for its pecorino cheese.
Opening hours: museums and attractions 09:00–18:00.
Price: cheese tastings from €5.00 and up; entrance fees vary by site.
Montalcino (Piazza del Popolo, 53024 Montalcino SI) is the home of Brunello di Montalcino.
Opening hours: wineries 10:00–18:00 (by reservation).
Price: Brunello tastings from around €15.00–€50.00 depending on the cellar and vintage age.
Val d’Orcia practical tips: do Pienza in the morning (ideal photo light), have lunch at Bagno Vignoni (the old thermal pool square) and taste wines in Montalcino in the afternoon. Bring a road map or an offline app: many village lanes lack clear signage. Spring and autumn offer the best temperatures and colors; in summer roads can be hot and estates very busy.
Conclusion
Florence is more than a museum city: it’s a strategic base for discovering Tuscany and nearby regions on day trips suited to every traveler. From Pisa’s iconic tower to the cliffs of the Cinque Terre, the medieval towers of San Gimignano to the vineyard hills of Chianti and the UNESCO-listed panoramas of the Val d’Orcia, each excursion delivers a range of sensations and discoveries. The addresses, hours and prices provided are guideposts for planning your outings; nevertheless, check up-to-date information before you leave (official sites, local tourist offices or online ticketing).
To make the most of your day: leave early, prioritize reservations for popular sites and plan alternatives in case of changeable weather (especially for Cinque Terre and hikes). If driving, use official car parks and respect ZTLs (limited traffic zones) in historic centers; many Tuscan towns enforce strict fines for unauthorized vehicles. If you prefer the train, consult regional operators’ schedules (Trenitalia, regional services) and buy tickets in advance when possible for busy routes.
Finally, give yourself time for small pleasures: an aperitivo on a piazza, an artisanal gelato at a local gelateria, a bench break to watch the light change over terracotta roofs. Tuscany is best savored in small bites and wide views; every day trip from Florence is an invitation to slow down, listen to a story and collect images that will stay with you. Safe travels and enjoy discovering Tuscany!
