Florence is not only filled with some of Italyโs most awe-inspiring sights, but it also makes a fantastic home base for exploring Tuscany and nearby cities. There is a long list of day trips from Florence, from quick visits to Tuscan hill towns to full day excursions to the Cinque Terre, Siena, and Pisa.
Whether you are planning your first visit to Florence or you are on a second or third trip, and are looking for memorable day trip ideas, we have a lot to share with you.
We have been to Florence and Tuscany multiple times, visiting every place we list in this guide. This guide is filled with practical information, to help you pick out and plan which day trips to do. We also have links to more detailed guides for each location.
Here is what we cover in this guide:
- Detailed information about each day trip
- Practical information about how to get around and how much time you will need in each place
- Our favorite day trips from Florence
- The best day trip tours
We have lots of information to share with you, so letโs get started.
Transportation Options
When planning your day trips from Florence, one of the biggest factors to consider is how you will get around.
Florence is well connected to other major Italian cities by bus and train. There are also numerous buses and trains that connect Florence to nearby Tuscan towns. In addition to the buses and trains, you also have the option to rent a car, hire a driver, or join a tour. These all have advantages and disadvantages.
Getting Around By Train
Getting around by train is generally the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation. Within an hour, you can travel from Florence to places like Bologna and Arezzo.
However, not every town in Tuscany is easily reachable by train. Some small towns do not have a train station, or if they do, could be as much as a few kilometers outside of town, meaning youโll either be facing a long walk or you will have to take a bus or taxi to the city center.
You will also have to pay attention to the speed of the train. In Italy, there are high-speed trains, such as the frecciarossa, and then there are slower trains such as the regional trains. Regional trains are the predominant train type connecting Florence to the Tuscan towns, but in a few cases you have the option to take a high-speed train, as is the case for Bologna or Milan.
We use Italiarail.com to look up train schedules and make our reservations in advance.
The best day trips from Florence by train:
- Pisa
- Lucca
- Cinque Terre
- Bologna
- Milan
- Arezzo
- Orvieto
- Assisi
Getting Around By Bus
Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to day trip from Florence. But this is also the slowest mode of transportation and it can take several hours to reach some towns, with the possibility of a transfer along the way. Buses also tend to run late, which means you could spend your valuable time waiting at the bus stations for the next bus to arrive.
It will also be very difficult to string together several Tuscan hill towns into one day trip. If you want to do this, we recommend renting a car, hiring a driver, or joining a tour that includes the places you want to visit.
On our first visit to Florence, we attempted to get around by bus and had a terrible experience. On some occasions, buses were running over an hour late, which gets to be very frustrating. We eventually gave up and rented a car instead, which was a much better overall experience.
The best town to visit by bus is Siena.
Palazzo Communale in Montepulciano
Getting Around By Rental Car
Getting around by rental car allows you to travel at your own pace. You can pack as much into a day as you want, and since you wonโt be traveling with a tour group, can spend as long or as little in each place you visit.
Rental cars give you a lot more freedom but they still have a few disadvantages. Driving in Florence is extremely challenging, so it is best to pick up your rental car and/or park it on the outskirts of the city, to avoid driving in the ZTL zone.
In each hill town, you will also have to park in a lot or garage, spending on average several euros per hour for parking. Itโs best to research where the parking lots are before you show up in town, and we also have parking recommendations listed in each of our guides for the hill towns in Tuscany, to make your life a little easier.
If you plan to travel through Italy by train, you can rent a car for however many days you plan to day trip from Florence. You can rent cars from the major companies at the train station and airport (the train station is more convenient since it is within walking distance of the city center).
All of the day trips from Florence mentioned below can easily be done with a rental car.
Getting Around By Private Driver
If you want the freedom of the rental car but donโt want the hassle of driving and parking, hiring a driver is the way to go. This is the most expensive way to travel, but it eliminates most of the headaches and hasslesโฆno long waits for a bus, no need to research where to park in advance, and you can drink as much wine as you like without having to later get behind the wheel of a car.
Each of the day trips below can be done with a private driver.
Getting Around on a Tour
Joining a tour is perfect for those with limited time and those who donโt want to go through the hassle of planning a day trip. Tours include your transportation and a knowledgeable guide, and many also include visits to wineries or even include a cooking class.
There are many companies that offer day trips from Florence to places like Pisa, the Cinque Terre, Siena, and the Tuscan hill towns. For example, this full day tour includes Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano, which puts together three beautiful places into one memorable day trip. And this tour of Val d’Orcia from Florence is another great option.
Best Day Trips from Florence
Here is a list of the best day trips from Florence. We cover these in much more detail below.
- Siena
- Monteriggioni
- San Gimignano
- Lucca
- Pisa
- Cinque Terre
- Chianti Wine Region
- Val dโOrcia
- Volterra
- Arezzo
- Cortona
- Bologna
- Milan
- Assisi
- Orvieto
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
1. Siena
Siena is one of the best day trips from Florence for several reasons.
For one thing, it is cheap and easy to get to. Siena is one of the best towns to visit by bus, making this a great day trip option for those on a budget.
Siena is one of our favorite cities in Tuscany. With its incredible Duomo, picturesque main square (Il Campo), medieval streets to explore, wonderful collection of restaurants, and the views from the top of Torre del Mangia, there is plenty here to keep you busy all day.
Itโs also very easy to include our next day trip destination, Monteriggioni, with Siena, since they are located close to one another. Monteriggioni is tiny and can be visited in an hour.
Piazza del Campo and Palazzo Pubblico
The view of Siena from Torre del Mangia
Inside the Siena Cathedral
Plan Your Siena Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: Siena is a large Tuscan hill town and for the best experience, plan on spending one full day here.
TRANSPORTATION: The best ways to travel from Florence to Siena are by bus, train, rental car, and private driver. By bus, take line 131R (the Rapida bus by Tiemme) with a travel time of 1 hour and 15 minutes and a cost of approximately โฌ8. Flixbus also offers several buses per day from Piazzale Montelugo or Villa Costanza in Florence, with a travel time of one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes and a cost of โฌ8 to โฌ10.
You can also travel by train, with a travel time of 1.5 to 2 hours and a cost of โฌ10 one way. There is a regional train with a travel time of 1.5 hours with no transfers. Check train times on Italiarail.com.
If you will have a rental car, one of the most convenient places to park in Siena is Parcheggio San Franceso. It is located just outside of the city center. You will ride up a long series of escalators, coming out next to Basilica di San Francesco. It is a 15-minute walk to the city center.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Siena is one of the largest Tuscan hill towns and it is easy to fill your day with the top sites here. To help you plan your time, read our article One Perfect Day in Siena โ
2. Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni is a small, walled town in Tuscany, Italy.
A visit here is quick, with a stroll through town and a walk on the walls topping the list of things to do in Monteriggioni.
Monteriggioni is located just outside of Siena, so these two towns can easily be grouped together on a day trip from Florence.
Monteriggioni
Plan Your Monteriggioni Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: If you simply want to walk the walls, take a stroll through town, and visit the museum, an hour is all you need. With more time, you can sit down to lunch or dinner.
TRANSPORTATION: There is no train station in town but there are buses that run frequently from Siena. Here is a link to the timetable (select โGLI Orari Autobus da Siena a Monteriggioni). You can also get here by rental car. It is a 1 hour drive from Florence to Monteriggioni and a 20-minute drive from Siena to Monteriggioni.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: This town is tiny. Take a stroll through the center of town (it takes less than 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other) and then walk the walls for the best views. A visit here lasts about 2 hours.
Monteriggioni: Photos, Things to Do, and Helpful Tips
How to plan your day trip to Monteriggioni.3. San Gimignano
San Gimignano is one of the most popular day trips from Florence. It is easy to get to, fun to explore, and included on a lot of tours of Tuscany.
With that being said, it will also be one of the most touristy towns in Tuscany to visit, so if you prefer less touristy destinations, we recommend places like Cortona and Montalcino over San Gimignano.
San Gimignano is famous for its medieval towers. In fact, San Gimignano has more medieval towers than any other hill town in Tuscany. Climbing these towers for a view over the town and the Tuscan hillside is one of the best things to do in San Gimignano. Itโs also a wonderful place to go shopping and dine on local foods.
If you want to combine San Gimignano with another destination in Tuscany, we recommend Volterra, Pisa, or Siena.
San Gimignano
San Gimigano
Plan Your San Gimignano Day Trip
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: San Gimignano can be visited in half a day, which means you can pair it with another Tuscan hill town or return to Florence in the afternoon.
TRANSPORTATION: You can travel to San Gimignano by bus, train, car, and on a tour. There are no direct buses. Buses run approximately every hour with a transfer in Poggibonsi, for a total travel time of 1.5 to 2 hours (take bus 131 from Florence to Poggibonsi and bus 130 or 133 from Poggibonsi to San Gimignano).
By train, take the regional train from Florence to Poggibonsi, transfer to bus 130 or 133 to San Gimignano for a travel time of 1.5 to 2 hours.
If you have a rental car or driver, it takes just over one hour to drive from Florence to San Gimignano, making this the fastest mode of transportation.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: With half of a day in San Gimignano, stroll the city streets, climb one or two towers for views of the town, go shopping, and have lunch or dinner.
San Gimignano: Best Things to Do & Photo Tour
Things to do, where to eat, and how to plan your day trip to San Gimignano.Tours of San Gimignano
San Gimignano is one of the easiest Tuscan hill towns to visit on a tour. This small group tour combines San Gimignano and Volterra together.
This highly rated tour includes Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano.
And this full day tour includes Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, plus lunch in a winery in Chianti. It packs a lot in, so you donโt have much time in any one place, but you do get to see a lot on this tour.
4. Lucca
Lucca is a walled city that sits in western Tuscany, not far from Pisa, the Cinque Terre, and the Ligurian Sea. Walking the Renaissance-era walls, climbing the numerous towers for a view over the city, and having lunch in Piazza dellโAnfiteatro all top the list of the best things to do in Lucca.
It’s quite popular, and easy to do, to combine Lucca and Pisa into a day trip from Florence. They both easily accessible by train and have a short list of sights.
Lucca
Outdoor restaurants on Piazza dell’Anfiteatro
Plan Your Lucca Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: You need a half to a full day to visit Lucca.
TRANSPORTATION: The best way to get to Lucca is by train. From Florence, it takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to travel to Lucca by train. The Lucca train station sits just outside of the walls and it is a very short walk to the city center.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Take a morning train to Lucca and spend the day exploring the city. You also have the option to combine Lucca and Pisa together in a day trip from Florence, which we outline in our article One Day in Pisa and Lucca.
5. Pisa
Easily reachable by train and with a short to-do list, Pisa is a great day trip from Florence. Plus, you get to see one of Italyโs most famous landmarks, the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa
Plan Your Pisa Day Trip
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED:A visit to Pisa takes 2 to 3 hours. This includes your time to walk to and from the train station to the Leaning Tower, plus time for photos, to climb the tower, and to visit the other monuments in the duomo complex.
TRANSPORTATION: The best way to travel from Florence to Pisa is by train. Trains run frequently throughout the day with a travel time of one hour. By car, it takes an hour and a half to drive here. If you prefer to take a tour, this highly rated tour of Pisa also includes San Gimignano and Siena.
PLANNING YOUR TIME:For details on how to plan your day trip and how to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the duomo, read our article How to Plan a Day Trip to Pisa. Itโs also very easy to combine Pisa and Lucca together. Learn how to do this in our article One Day in Pisa and Lucca.
6. Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a group of five towns perched on the dramatic coastline of Italy, just north of Pisa.
Since the Cinque Terre is easy to get to by train, it makes a nice day trip destination from Florence. Visiting the Cinque Terre on a day trip from Florence is a nice option for those with limited time in Italy. But if you can spare more time, for the best experience plan to spend at least one night in one of the five coastal towns, to give yourself more time here.
One of the best ways to explore the Cinque Terre is to hike from town to town. You will need an early start and a full day to do this. It is possible to speed up the experience by taking the train once or twice to skip over some of the walking.
Vernazza
Riomaggiore
Plan Your Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: Plan on spending one full day on the Cinque Terre. Take an early morning train and late evening train to give yourself as much time as possible here. Sunsets are beautiful so if you can, plan to board the return train to Florence in the evening.
TRANSPORTATION: The best way to get from Florence to the Cinque Terre is by train. There is no direct train. You will travel from Florence to Le Spezia and then transfer to the regional train for the Cinque Terre, with an average travel time of 2.5 hours. You can also visit Pisa on the way to the Cinque Terre and we cover how to do this in our Pisa Day Trip guide.
If you have a car, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive to the Cinque Terre.
This highly rated tour covers your transportation to and from the Cinque Terre with the option to add on a short hike.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Take an early morning train to the Cinque Terre. Spend the day visiting the five towns, either hiking or taking the regional train from town to town. Have dinner, watch the sunset, and then return to Florence by train.
7. Chianti Wine Region
Chianti is a wine region that sits to the south of Florence. This wine region, also called Monti del Chianti, includes the provinces of Florence and Siena and extends towards Arezzo, Val dโOrcia, and Pisa.
This wine region is further divided into smaller appellations, including Chianti Classico, Chianti Montalbano, Colli Senesi, and Chianti Rufina, just to name a few.
You can day trip into the Chianti wine region by visiting the towns in this area (such as Siena, Arezzo, Volterra, and San Gimignano) or join a tour that has wine tastings in the vineyards in this area.
Overlooking the Chianti wine region from San Gimignano
Plan Your Chianti Wine Region Day Trip
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: With one day, visit one or two of the towns located in the Chianti wine region or take a tour of the Chianti vineyards.
TRANSPORTATION: This depends on where you plan to go. Some towns are easily accessible by bus (such as Siena) whereas others are easier to reach by car or driver.
Tours of the Chianti Wine Region
One of the best ways to visit the Chianti wine region is on a tour.
This highly rated tour includes a visit to two wineries in the Chianti Classico region with food and wine pairings.
On this half day tour from Florence, visit two wineries in the Chianti wine region.
You can also tour the Chianti wine region on a Vespa.
8. Val dโOrcia
Val dโOrcia is a region of Tuscany that includes the towns of Pienza, Radicofani, Montalcino, and San Quirico d’Orcia. This is one of the prettiest areas of Tuscany, with its rolling hills and picture-perfect hill towns. When you see postcards of twisting lines of cypress trees and green rolling hills, there is a good chance that that photo was taken in Val dโOrcia.
This area is also where Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines are produced. If you are a wine aficionado, Val dโOrcia should be at the top of your list as one of the best day trips from Florence.
Wine tasting in Montalcino
Plan Your Val d’Orcia Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: With one busy day, you can explore the trio of Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano. If you prefer to slow down the visit, choose two of these towns.
TRANSPORTATION: The best way to get here is by rental car or driver. It is possible to travel from Florence to Val dโOrcia by bus or train, but with limited schedules and multiple transfers, most of your day will be spent traveling, rather than visiting the hill towns. If you donโt plan to rent a car, you can hire a private driver, visit Val dโOrcia on a private tour, or visit Montepulciano, Montalcino and Pienza on a group tour.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: If you plan to rent a car or hire a driver, get an early start. It takes 2 hours to drive from Florence to Montepulciano. Spend a few hours in Montepulciano, drive to Pienza and have lunch, and spend the afternoon in Montalcino. From Montalcino, it is a 2-hour drive back to Florence. You can also do this in the opposite order (Montalcino to Pienza to Montepulciano) and take out a town for a more leisurely experience.
Pienza, Italy: Best Things to Do, Tours & Helpful Tips
Stroll the picturesque streets, dine on pecorino cheese, walk the city walls, and tour a Renaissance palaceโฆthese are all things to do in Pienza. Located in Val dโOrcia, Pienza is one of the loveliest towns in Tuscany. And its small size makes it easy to visit, even on the fastest of itineraries in Italy. In […]
Top 10 Things to Do in Montepulciano, Italy
Perched on a hilltop, overlooking the rolling hills of Tuscany, sits Montepulciano. This medieval town, with its underground wine cellars, medieval churches, and scenic streets, is a delight to explore. In this guide, we list the best things to do in Montepulciano, where to go wine tasting with a view of Val dโOrcia, and how […]
5 Wonderful Things to Do in Montalcino, Italy
Montalcino is one of our favorite hill towns in Tuscany. Perched on a hilltop, overlooking the Sangiovese vineyards and stunning landscape of Val dโOrcia, a visit to this small town is a must for wine lovers. Climb the fortress walls for views of the town, stroll the city streets, and go wine tasting for Brunello […]
9. Volterra
Volterra is similar to other Tuscan hill towns, with its medieval streets, boutique shops, palazzos, and piazzas, but it contains a longer list of museums and archaeological sites than you will find in places like Montepulciano and Pienza. For those with an interest in history, Volterra is one of the top Tuscan hill towns to visit.
With its narrow, medieval streets, ancient walls, and fortress, Volterra makes an appearance in quite a few movies, books, and video games. If you have watched the Twilight series, youโve no doubt seen Volterra. In this series, Volterra is home to the Volturi, a clan of vampires who rule the worldโs vampires.
View from the tower of Palazzo dei Priori
Volterra
Plan Your Volterra Day Trip
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: With half of a day, you can stroll the streets, climb to the top of the town hall tower for a birdโs eye view of Volterra, visit a museum that is of interest to you, have lunch, and do a little shopping. With more time, visit the Roman Theater and visit another museum or two.
TRANSPORTATION: The easiest way to get to Volterra by car. From Florence, it takes an hour and a half to drive here. The best place to park is Parcheggio La Dogana Srl. The closest train station to Volterra is Volterra Saline โ Pomerance, which is 10 km outside of town. From the train station, you will need to take a bus or taxi to get into town. By bus, transfer in Colle di Val dโElsa. This highly rated tour includes San Gimignano and Volterra.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: For a list of things to do and for a one day itinerary, read our Guide to Volterra โ
Volterra, Italy: Best Things to Do, Map & HELPFUL Tips
Best things to do in Volterra and how to plan your day trip.10. Arezzo
With its grand piazzas, hilltop views, and medieval buildings and streets, Arezzo is one of the most charming Tuscan hill towns.
On a visit here, you can fill your time by visiting the churches and art museums, enjoying the views from the fortress, shopping for antiques at the monthly market, and learning about jousting.
Arezzo is located near the southeast corner of Tuscany, not far from Cortona, so these town towns can be combined into one day trip from Florence.
Piazza Grande in Arezzo
Corso Italia
Lunch in Arezzo
Overlooking Piazza Grande from the clock tower
Plan Your Arezzo Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: With a half of a day, you can see the highlights of Arezzo, if you move very quickly. A full day is ideal, to get to everything, plus have lunch and/or dinner in Arezzo.
TRANSPORTATION: From Florence, there are frequent trains to Arezzo and the journey takes 1 hour to 1 and a half hours from Florence to Arezzo, depending on the speed of the train. Itโs a bit slower and trickier to get from Florence to Arezzo by bus, so if you plan to use public transportation, the train is the way to go. By car, it takes an hour and fifteen minutes to drive to Arezzo.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: In the morning, drive or take the train to Arezzo. Spend the day in Arezzo. In the afternoon, you have the option to add on Cortona, but this is best done with a rental car, since it can be tricky to get between these two towns using public transportation.
16 Amazing Things to Do in Arezzo (+ Map & Photos)
Best things to do, where to eat, and everything you need to know to plan your day trip.11. Cortona
Made famous by the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, Cortona is a small, Tuscan hill town with a short to do list. Stroll the medieval streets, enjoy the views over Tuscany, go wine tasting, and shop in the boutique shops.
This lovely hilltop town is a delight to explore. Itโs short list of sites and small size makes it a great day trip idea from Florence. Cortona can also be combined with Arezzo or Assisi.
Cortona
Plan Your Cortona Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: If you want to stroll the city streets, go shopping, have a bite to eat, and visit museum or church or two, you will need 2 to 3 hours in Cortona. In order to visit the sites that sit outside of the city center, add on another 2 to 4 hours, which means that your visit to Cortona will last about one full day.
TRANSPORTATION: The fastest, most convenient way to get to Cortona is by car (it is an hour and a half drive from Florence). By train, there are frequent trains from Florence to the Terontola-Cortona station with travel times ranging from an hour to 1.75 hours, some direct and some with a transfer. From the Camuccia-Cortona station, take a bus or taxi to the city center.
You can visit Cortona on this private tour that also includes Montepulciano and this full day tour that includes Cortona, Montepulciano, and Siena.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Cortona needs about 3 to 4 hours to see the highlights.
15 Best Things to Do in Cortona, Italy (+ HELPFUL Tips & Photos)
Complete guide to Cortona: best things to do, how to get here, where to stay, and more.12. Bologna
In just 40 minutes, you can travel by high-speed train from Florence to Bologna, making this another great day trip option.
Bologna is famous for its food, medieval city streets, towers to climb, and as the place where Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati are located.
One of the best things to do in Bologna is to eat and this food tour gets rave reviews and can be done as a day trip from Florence.
Plan Your Bologna Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: Plan on spending one full day in Bologna, to tour the city center, climb a tower or two, take a food tour, and for those with an interest in cars, tour the Lamborghini and Ferrari museums.
TRANSPORTATION: The best way to get to Bologna is by train. By direct high-speed train, it takes just 40 minutes to travel to Bologna. You can save a little money by taking a regional train with a transfer for a travel time of just under 2 hours.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Take an early morning train and spend the day exploring Bologna. Taking a food tour or a cooking class is one of the best things to do on a visit to Bologna. We took this cooking class and had a great experience. After dinner, return to Florence by train. Plan your time with our One Day in Bologna Itinerary โ
13. Milan
If you look at Italy on a map, Milan looks incredibly far away from Florence. However, a direct, high-speed train connects these two cities, which makes Milan a great day trip from Florence.
If you have always wanted to tour the Milan cathedral, go shopping, or see Leonardo DaVinciโs The Last Supper, itโs possible to do so on a day trip from Florence.
Duomo di Milan
Plan Your Milan Day Trip
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: You need 4 to 5 hours in Milan to tour the duomo, see The Last Supper, go shopping, and have lunch.
TRANSPORTATION: A direct, high-speed train to Milan takes 1 hour and 55 minutes, making the train the best way to day trip to Milan (by car it takes 3.5 hours).
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Take a morning train to Milan, spend the day touring the main sites, and return to Florence in the evening. For the best experience, it is best to book your duomo tickets and tickets to see The Last Supper in advance.
Milan Day Trip from Florence, Venice and Cinque Terre
Exactly how to plan a Milan day trip from Florence.14. Assisi
Assisi is a city in Umbria. Itโs one of the most beautiful cities in Italy to visit and famous for being the birthplace of St. Francis.
Since it is located so far from Florence, this is one of the longest day trips with a lot of time spent traveling. It is worth it for those with an interest in the life and history of St. Francis and those who want to explore beyond Tuscany.
This city is a delight to visit, with its streets that look like they belong on a postcard, to the long list of churches in and around the city center.
Top places to visit in Assisi include the St. Francis Basilica, Piazza del Comune, the Basilica of Santa Chiara, strolling the city streets, enjoying the view from Rocca Maggiore, and having lunch and/or dinner at an outdoor cafรฉ.
St. Francis Basilica
The view from Rocca Maggiore
Taverna dei Consoli is a beautiful spot to have lunch
Piazza del Comune
Plan Your Assisi Day Trip from Florence
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: For the best experience, plan on spending one full day here. That is almost impossible to do on a day trip from Florence, since it takes several hours to travel here, but you will still have enough time to see the highlights.
TRANSPORTATION: By car, it takes 2 hours to drive from Florence to Assisi. There is a direct train from Florence to Assisi that takes just over 2.5 hours. There are also train routes with one transfer that take 3 to 4 hours. To maximize your time in Assisi, pick the earliest train with a direct route to Assisi.
There is also a tour from Florence that includes Assisi and Orvieto.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Plan your travel so that you arrive in Assisi as early as possible (by taking a direct train early in the morning or renting a car, leaving Florence around 7 am). Follow our One Day Assisi Itinerary that includes a walking tour of historic city center.
15. Orvieto
Orvieto is also in Umbria. On a visit here, tour the Duomo (which looks very similar to the Siena Cathedral), explore the labyrinth of caves and tunnels under the city, gaze out over the rooftops from Torre del Moro, go wine tasting, and explore the maze of city streets.
Orvieto is located roughly halfway between Rome and Florence. If you are traveling between these two cities, you can spend a half day in Orvieto, breaking up the drive or train ride.
Orvieto Cathedral
Lunch in Orvieto
The view from Albornoz Fortress
Plan Your Orvieto Day Trip
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED: This is a relatively large town so expect to spend a half to full day here.
TRANSPORTATION: Orvieto is located along the Rome โ Florence โ Milan train line, so it is very easy to get here by train. Travel times range from 2 to 2.5 hours. The train station is located just outside of the historic city center. To get to the city center, ride the funicular (the bottom station is located next to the train station) to Piazza Cahen.
PLANNING YOUR TIME: Take an early morning train from Florence, spend the day in Orvieto, and return to Florence in the evening by train.
15 Best Things to Do in Orvieto, Italy
How to see the best of Orvieto on a day trip from Florence.Our Recommendations
First Visit to Tuscany
If you only have time for one day trip and have never been to Tuscany, here are a few recommendations:
For those who want to visit several towns on a tour, I recommend this tour which includes Siena and San Gimignano or this tour of Siena, Montepulciano, and Cortona.
If you prefer to travel on your own schedule, rent a car and hire a driver. Combining Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino together is a very long but memorable day. For something a bit closer to Florence with less travel time, you can visit San Gimignano and Volterra in the same day.
Finally, Siena is a great day trip from Florence, as it is easy to get to by bus and one of our favorite towns in Tuscany.
For Budget Travelers
If you are traveling on a budget, the best day trips from Florence include visiting Siena by bus, visiting Pisa or San Gimignano by train, or traveling by train to Arezzo.
For Families
If you are traveling with kids, day tripping to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower is fun for kids, as they get to see an iconic landmark of Italy that theyโll be sure to recognize. The Cinque Terre is a longer day trip but our kids loved hiking between these colorful towns. Walking the walls of Monteriggioni and strolling through Siena are more places to consider if you are traveling with kids.
For Wine Lovers
For wine lovers, a visit to Val dโOrcia is one of the best day trips from Florence, as is a tour of the Chianti wine region.
Doing More than One Day Trip
If you have time in Florence to take several day trips, then you are fortunate in that you can visit several different areas of Tuscany.
On your first day, we highly recommend spending a day in Siena with the option to also add on Monteriggioni.
On day 2, visit Val dโOrcia, one of the prettiest areas of Tuscany, and tour Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino.
On your third day, visit Arezzo or Volterra, or venture all of the way to the beautiful town of Assisi.
Tuscany Itinerary
If you have more than one day in Tuscany, take a look at our Tuscany Itinerary, which has recommendations on how to plan your time, whether you have 1 day, 3 days, or an entire week.
Wine shop in Montepulciano
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best day trips from Florence?
From Florence, there is a long list of day trips you can take. Some of the most popular day trips include San Gimignano, Pisa, and the Chianti wine region. Other great day trip ideas include Val dโOrcia (to visit Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano), Arezzo, Volterra, the Cinque Terre, or even places like Milan and Bologna.
How many days do you need in Florence?
We recommend spending two full days in Florence, to visit the main sites in the historic city center. With more time, you can visit some of Florenceโs less popular places or day trip to Tuscany.
Can you day trip from Florence to the Cinque Terre?
The Cinque Terre makes a great day trip from Florence. It is easy to get to by train and you can spend the day hiking or taking the train from town to town. This makes for a long day but it is a good option for those with limited time in Italy who want to see these five colorful coastal towns.
Do I need to rent a car to visit Tuscany?
Having a rental car gives you the freedom to tour Tuscany, without bus schedules and tour groups. However, a car is not absolutely necessary, as it is possible to travel through Tuscany using a combination of trains and buses.
If you have any questions about the best day trips from Florence, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Italy
We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, Basilicata, Sicily, and Puglia.
Tuscany Bucket List: 22 Best Things to Do in Tuscany
Tuscany, with its hilltop towns, breathtaking landscapes, long list of vineyards, and famous cities such as Florence, Pisa, and Siena, is one of Italyโs most visited regions. But did you also know that you can go canyoneering, relax in a hot spring, or visit an island in Tuscany? In this guide, we list 22 of […]
The Perfect Tuscany Itinerary for 3 Days, 5 Days & One Week
If you are planning your Tuscany itinerary, there are a lot of things to consider. How long should you spend here? Where should you stay? Should you rent a car? What towns are worth visiting? We have visited Tuscany twice. The first time was in July 2014. We spent a week in Tuscany, spending a […]
Best Things to Do in San Marino, Europe’s Most Underrated Destination
San Marino is a tiny, independent nation completely surrounded by Italy. It has a spectacular location, nestled in the mountains near the Adriatic Sea. The capital city, also called San Marino, is a maze of hilly, medieval streets, dotted with cafes and small shops. From the guard towers and the piazzas, the views over the […]
Top 10 Things To Do on Your First Visit To Florence
Florence is one of Italyโs most popular cities to visit, especially for first timers. Not only is Florence the art capital of the world, it is a gorgeous city filled with world class art museums, towers to climb, great places to go shopping, and lots of beautiful viewpoints. Here is a list of the 10 […]
Best Rooftop Bars in Florence with a View of the Duomo
Visiting a rooftop bar or two (or three!) is one of the best things to do in Florence. If you want drinks with a view of the Duomo, you have quite a few rooftop bars in Florence to choose from. In this guide, we cover the top picks and practical information so you can choose […]
2 Days in Florence Itinerary: Best Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
If you are planning your first trip to Florence, this Florence itinerary is perfect for you. With 2 days in Florence, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of this beautiful city. Tour the Uffizi Gallery, climb the dome of the Duomo, see Michelangeloโs David, stroll across Ponte Vecchio, and watch the sunset […]
How to Visit the Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze) in 2025
The Florence Cathedral, also called the Duomo di Firenze and Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the most recognizable cathedrals in the world. A visit to this cathedral is more than just walking through the cathedral and seeing the dome. You can also climb Giottoโs bell tower, walk the stairs to the […]
Where to Stay in Florence 2025: Best Hotels & Neighborhoods
Trying to decide where to stay in Florence? You have lots of great options to choose from, from cozy boutique-style hotels, highly rated budget properties, luxurious 5-star hotels, family friendly apartments, and hotels with a view of Ponte Vecchio or the Duomo. An important factor to consider is the location of your hotel. There are […]
San Quirico dโOrcia: An Underrated Gem in Tuscany
San Quirico dโOrcia is a small, hilltop town in Val dโOrcia, Tuscany. This is one of the smallest towns in the area and often overlooked by many travelers. If you have a few hours to spare, this lovely village a joy to visit. San Quirico dโOrcia is named in honor of Saint Quiricus. This town […]
14 Day Italy Itinerary: Best Way to Spend Two Weeks in Italy
If you are planning your first trip to Italy, this 14 day Italy itinerary is a great place to start. With two weeks in Italy, you can visit the highlightsโฆRome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and the Cinque Terre. Visit ancient historical sites, cruise the canals in Venice, dine on Italian food, go wine […]
25 Best Places to Visit in Italy | The Ultimate Italy Bucket List
Are you planning a trip to Italy? If so, be prepared to fall in love with an extraordinary country. The food, the wine, the history, the art and architecture, the quaint, hillside towns in Tuscany, and the picturesque Dolomites…there is something here for everyone. The list of places to visit in Italy is long. So […]
Italy Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Italy
Italy Travel Guide Italy is home to some of the world’s best food, wine, and art. Add in gorgeous coastlines, beautiful beaches, world-class fashion, phenomenal hiking trails, villas in Tuscany, and gelato, and you have the ingredients for an epic vacation. Italy is a favorite destination for many travelers for a very good reason. Come […]
Comments 8