There are so many things to do and see while in Florence that it can be difficult to want to leave the city, especially if you are on a tight schedule. However, there are so many wonderful things to see in the Tuscany region. You’ll absolutely want to get out and take a day trip from Florence.
The countryside is breathtaking, rolling hills, blowing fields of sunflowers and golden sunsets are just some of the astonishing beauty that you will be exposed to. Tuscan kitchens offer uncomplicated dishes comprised of fresh, local ingredients that are sure to please.
Tuscany features seven localities that have been designated as World Heritage Sites and Florence is often referred to as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Honestly, this place has it all.
Prefect Day Trip Ideas from Florence, Italy
Experience the Chianti Wine Region
Tuscany is one of the world’s most famous wine regions producing popular varieties such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. It would be an injustice to come to the region and not take the time to visit at least one winery. Even if you do not drink, the pure beauty of the countryside combined with grape vines is worth experiencing.
There are many levels of wine tourism in the region that can suit your taste. You could quickly visit one winery for a tasting or you could stay overnight and get much more in depth. This site has some great information on how to do wine tastings in Chianti and is a great place to start.
Fattoria Poggio Alloro
There are so many astonishing vineyards that choosing can be overwhelming. We visited Fattoria Poggia Alloro and it was spectacular! In addition to being a winery, it is a full blown farm and hotel.The onsite kitchen serves excellent traditional Tuscan fare. All of the ingredients used in the food come directly from the property (now that is truly farm to table).
Enjoying Fattoria Poggio Alloro
Siena
Siena is a wonderful town that is just over an hour away from Florence. This UNESCO World Heritage site has so much charm and beauty to visitors that I think that it is a must do when visiting Florence. Getting to Siena is easy by car, bus, train or via organized tour.
The Duomo di Siena, Palazzo del Campo and the Torre del Mangia are some of the cities biggest attractions, but make sure to leave some time for strolling along the old streets, eating gelato and doing some shopping.
If you travel to Siena during July or August, see if you can make it to the Palio di Siena. Il Palio is one of the worlds most unique and intense festivals. The Palazzo del Campo is turned into a small horse track where the winning contrade gets bragging rights for the year. The race is preceded by a huge procession complete with each rival contrade dressing in their medieval, traditional garb.
Cinque Terre
You’ve likely seen pictures of Cinque Terre before. The picturesque fishing and farming villages that are nestled against the sea-cliffs have been transformed into protected cultural sites. They are now a mecca for tourist looking to experience the scenic vistas and do some relaxing on the beach.
Since there are no cars allowed for most of the towns that comprise Cinque Terre, it feels like a blast from the past while walking up and down the city streets.
Many tourists come here to hike the trails that connect one town to the next, while others come here to simply marvel at the views of the sea. Whatever your pleasure, Cinque Terre will leave you wanting more.
Cinque Terre is possible as a day trip from Florence, but it will require a good bit of travel time. Cinque Terre is over 2 hours by train from Florence. Click here for more travel information on Cinque Terre.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a popular day trip for those staying in Florence. The city is one of the best-preserved cities in Tuscany. To this day, visitors must enter the city through a big gate that allows entrance through the city walls.
San Gimignano is a wonderful medieval city characterized by its large number of towers that have survived over time. People sometimes refer to it as the Medieval Manhattan due to all of its towers or “skyscrapers”.
Beyond incredible architecture and views of the Tuscan country side, San Gimignano has two of Italy’s best gelato shops! We’ll that is what they say, anyway:).
Pisa
Home to arguably one of the most famous attractions in the world, Pisa is an easy place to visit as a day trip.
Seeing the tower in person makes for a memorable experience, even if it is a bit “touristy”. Most people will spend their time in Pisa taking selfies, but you can go up the tower if you want to, but you’ll need to get your tickets in advance. In the age of Instagram, seems that most people spend their time trying to come up with the most creative way to use the tower in their photo!
The tower is the main attraction, but there are plenty other things to do in Pisa during your day trip, too.
Conclusion
There is plenty of great day trips from Florence, should you decide that you’d like to get out of the city for a quick trip. From world class wine to ancient cities, the area surrounding Florence really has it all. Many would tell you that no trip to Florence would be complete without visiting at least one of the places mentioned above.
Safe and Happy Travels!