San Gimignano is famous for its medieval towers, and yes, you should climb one. But a great visit here goes beyond the main piazzas and the gelato line at Dondoli.
On our first trip, we arrived by bus from Siena on a busy morning with our kids, climbed to the top of Torre Grossa, ate wild boar stew, and took some of our all-time favorite family photos on a quiet street at the edge of town. On our second visit, Tim and I drove in on a relaxed afternoon and explored more slowly, ducking into the Torri Salvucci tower house and spending more time in the shops than we planned.
Two day trips. Two very different times of day. Same verdict: San Gimignano is absolutely worth it.
This guide pulls from both visits. Whether you’re here for a few rushed hours or you have the luxury of a long afternoon, here’s everything you need to know about the best things to do in San Gimignano and how to make the most of your time in one of Tuscany’s most iconic hill towns.
For more help planning your broader trip, check out our Tuscany Itinerary and our Italy Travel Guide, which covers places to visit in Tuscany, Florence, and beyond.
San Gimignano: At a Glance
LOCATION | Tuscany, Italy
BEST FOR | Families, history lovers, photographers, foodies
DON’T MISS | Climbing Torre Grossa, gelato at Gelateria Dondoli, strolling the medieval streets
HOW LONG | Half a day minimum, full day recommended
GETTING THERE | By car (recommended) or bus via Poggibonsi
NEAREST TOWNS | Siena, Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano
UNESCO LISTED | Yes, since 1990
April 2026 Update: Added new photos, plus new sections on where to stay and the best time to visit, and verified all links and pricing.
Is San Gimignano Worth Visiting?
Yes, and the fact that we’ve been twice says more than anything else we could write here.
San Gimignano is undeniably touristy. It’s one of the most visited towns in Tuscany, and the main streets reflect that. But tourism exists here for good reason, and it doesn’t take away from what makes the town genuinely special.
We loved it on our first visit: the tower climb, the medieval streets, the side streets where the crowds disappear, and one of the most memorable family lunches we’ve had in Italy. We loved it enough to come back a second time and find an entirely different experience waiting for us.
But honestly, the magic starts before you even enter the walls. The drive up to San Gimignano, watching that extraordinary medieval skyline emerge from the Tuscan hills, towers rising above the rooftops like something out of a fairy tale, is an experience in itself.
San Gimignano is worth your time.
The Towers of San Gimignano
San Gimignano’s nickname, “the Town of Fine Towers’” tells you everything you need to know about what makes this place unlike anywhere else in Tuscany. At the height of the town’s prosperity in the 13th and 14th centuries, there were 72 towers here, built by wealthy merchant families as a show of power and prestige. The taller your tower, the more important you were. It was essentially a medieval skyline competition.
Wars, earthquakes, and the passage of time brought most of them down. Fourteen still stand today, and they’re what give San Gimignano its extraordinary, instantly recognizable silhouette.
The tallest is Torre Grossa, literally “the fat tower,” rising 54 meters above Piazza del Duomo. Climbing it is the single best thing you can do in San Gimignano. When we reached the top with our kids, the reaction was immediate, that sweeping 360-degree view of medieval rooftops, the other towers punctuating the skyline, and the rolling Tuscan hills stretching out in every direction. It’s one of our all time favorite views of Tuscany.
The other tower worth knowing about is Torre Salvucci Maggiore, a medieval tower house you can actually tour, and even rent as accommodation. More on both towers in the sections below.
San Gimignano
Best Things to Do in San Gimignano
1. Enter the Town through Porta San Giovanni
Like many Tuscan hill towns, San Gimignano is surrounded by medieval walls. To enter the town, there are several openings in the walls, also called gates.
Most likely, your introduction to San Gimignano will be the entrance through Porta San Giovanni. This medieval gate sits at the southern end of town, and just outside of this gate are parking lots, the bus stop, and the place where many tours of San Gimignano begin.
Porta San Giovanni
Other gates include Porta San Matteo (northwest end of town) and Porta S. Jacopo (northeast end of town).
2. Explore the UNESCO-Listed Historic Center
The historic center of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several piazzas make up this city center.
From Porta San Giovanni, walk up Via San Giovanni. This picturesque street is lined with boutique shops, small cafes, and more than one Torture Museum.
Via San Giovanni
As you approach the center of town, you will arrive at Piazza della Cisterna, a wide square that is surrounded with more shops and restaurants. It gets its name for the large well that sits in the square.
Piazza della Cisterna
Just around the corner from Piazza della Cisterna is Piazza del Duomo. From here, you can visit the San Gimignano Cathedral (Duomo di San Gimignano) and Palazzo Comunale.
Piazza del Duomo
Duomo di San Gimignano and Torre Grossa
If you continue the walk through town, you will exit Piazza del Duomo on Via S. Matteo, which takes you to Porta San Matteo.
3. Join the Line at Gelateria Dondoli
This famous gelateria sits on Piazza della Cisterna. Why is it so famous (and why is the line so long?)
No visit to San Gimignano is complete without at least walking past Gelateria Dondoli on Piazza della Cisterna, and if the line isn’t too long, getting a scoop is a must.
Sergio Dondoli won the World Gelato Championship in 2006/2007 and 2008/2009, and his gelateria has been featured in international press and visited by celebrities ever since. The flavors are what set it apart: alongside traditional options you’ll find Champelmo (pink grapefruit and sparkling wine), Crema di Santa Fina (saffron and pine nuts, made with locally grown San Gimignano saffron), and Vernaccia sorbet made from the region’s famous white wine.
The line moves, but it can get long during peak hours. If you’re visiting in the morning or later in the afternoon, you’ll have a better shot at a shorter wait.
4. Step Inside the Duomo di San Gimignano
The Duomo, also called Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, stands on Piazza del Duomo. The present church dates back to 1148. With its black and white marble, it somewhat resembles the interior of the Siena Cathedral and Orvieto Cathedral, just on a smaller scale.
This church is famous for its frescoes, which depict scenes from the Old Testament cycle, the Last Judgement, and the Annunciation. The interior is beautiful and well worth a few minutes of your time while in San Gimignano.
Inside Duomo di San Gimignano
5. Climb Torre Grossa for the Best View in Tuscany
Palazzo Comunale, also called Palazzo del Popolo, has anchored Piazza del Duomo since 1288, serving as the seat of San Gimignano’s government through the height of the town’s medieval prosperity.
Today it houses three things worth your time: the Civic Museum, the Pinacoteca art gallery, and the climb up Torre Grossa.
Palazzo Comunale
Inside the Civic Museum, don’t miss the Sala di Dante, a room named for Dante Alighieri, who actually visited San Gimignano, and home to Lippo Memmi’s stunning fresco Maestà.
The Pinacoteca displays works from the Florentine and Sienese schools, including an altarpiece by Pinturicchio from 1511. We explored both before heading up the tower, and it’s worth the extra time. The building itself is beautiful and gives you important context for what you’re looking at from the top.
Pinacoteca
Then there’s Torre Grossa. At 54 meters, it’s the tallest tower in San Gimignano and the one tower that’s always open to visitors. The 218 steps are steep and the final section is essentially a ladder, but our kids powered up without a second thought, and the view at the top was worth every step.
We’ve traveled extensively through Tuscany, and the view from Torre Grossa ranks among our all-time favorites in the entire region. Looking out over the terracotta rooftops of San Gimignano, down into the piazza below, and across the impossibly green rolling hills of Tuscany beyond the walls, it’s the classic Tuscan view you came to Italy hoping to find.
If you only do one thing in San Gimignano, climb this tower.
The view from Torre Grossa
Overlooking Piazza della Cisterna
Looking down on Piazza del Duomo
The Civic Museum, Pinacoteca, and Torre Grossa are all included on one ticket. Get hours and pricing on the official website.
6. Discover Medieval San Gimignano at San Gimignano 1300
This very small museum contains a recreation of what San Gimignano looked like in 1300. On a visit to this museum, you will also learn about the Via Francigena (a pilgrimage route that connected Canterbury, England with southern Italy) and why so many of the towers collapsed.
San Gimignano 1300
A visit here lasts about 15 minutes. Learn more on the official website.
7. Sleep or Climb in a Medieval Tower House at Torri Salvucci Maggiore
Torri dei Salvucci, if it is open, is one of the best things to do in San Gimignano. This tower house is also an apartment you can rent, making it the most unique place to stay in San Gimignano.
If it is not rented out, for a small fee, you can visit this tower and climb to the top for another spectacular view of San Gimignano. It is much shorter than Torre Grossa (there are only 143 steps to the top), so it is easier to get to the top and offers a slightly different vantage point of the town.
As you climb through the tower, you visit different levels of this tower house. You’ll see the kitchens, living area, bedrooms, sitting room, and bathrooms, all on different levels. The header photo for this article was taken from the top of this tower.
The view of Torre Grossa
Another view from Torre Salvucci Maggiore
We loved this experience, not only for the amazing views, but to be able to see what it is like to live in a tower house. Keep your fingers crossed that it won’t be rented out on your visit, or make your reservation ahead of time, and have it all to yourself.
If you want to stay here, you can make a reservation on Booking.com or learn more here. The property has 3 beds, 2 kitchens, 2 bathrooms, and your own private rooftop terrace of San Gimignano.
8. Catch Another Angle of the Towers at Parco della Rocca
For another nice view of San Gimignano, visit Parco della Rocca and climb the short staircase to Rocca di Montestaffoli for great views of San Gimignano.
Parco della Rocca
The view from Rocca di Montestaffoli
Also in this park is the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience, where you can taste Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a white wine produced in this region.
9. Explore the Side Streets of San Gimignano
Most visitors to San Gimignano follow the same path, through Porta San Giovanni, up Via San Giovanni, into the piazzas, and back again. And while that route covers the highlights, the side streets are where the town reveals a quieter, more authentic side of itself.
Wander off the main drag and you’ll find yourself almost entirely alone.
On our first visit, we stumbled onto Via Bonda completely by accident, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of the whole trip. The street opens up to an unobstructed view of the Tuscan hills, just us and that iconic green landscape stretching out behind us. Some of our all-time favorite family photos came from that spot, and we weren’t even looking for it.
You can also get a nice view from this spot on Via degli Innocenti.
You can also “walk the walls” in San Gimignano. You won’t actually walk on the walls, but walk around the exterior of the medieval walls, on a route that takes you from Porta delle Fonti to Porta Quercecchio.
The towers of San Gimignano
10. Admire the Frescoes at the Church of St. Augustine
The Church of St. Augustine (Chiesa di Sant’Agostino) is the second largest church in San Gimignano.
The fresco cycle on The Life of St. Augustine was painted by Benozzo Gozzoli between 1463 and 1467. Another important thing to see is the altar piece Coronation of the Virgin by Piero del Pollaiuolo.
This church is located in the northwestern part of San Gimignano. It’s nice to visit but only worth it if you have a lot of time or want to see the artworks inside.
11. Shop for Local Foods, Wine, and Crafts
We love shopping in San Gimignano. There are shops selling local foods, handmade crafts, pottery, lavender, wine, and souvenirs.
Many of these shops are located on Via S. Giovanni, in between Porta San Giovanni and Piazza della Cisterna.
Just inside of Porta San Giovanni is La Cacioteca, a tiny shop that sells local meats and cheeses. It’s a great place to put together a picnic lunch or buy a snack for later in the day.
Pecorino cheese at La Cacioteca
12. Eat Wild Boar, Saffron, and Pici Pasta
San Gimignano punches well above its size when it comes to food. This is a town with its own designated wine, its own protected saffron, and a culinary identity rooted in the Tuscan countryside surrounding it. Don’t rush through without eating something.
Wild Boar Ragu
Wild boar is the dish most associated with San Gimignano, and for good reason. On our first visit, we had lunch at La Mangiatoia with the kids, wild boar stew and wild boar ragu, and the whole meal was memorable. Rich, hearty, deeply flavored in the way that only slow-cooked Tuscan food can be. If you see it on a menu, order it.
Saffron is San Gimignano’s other claim to culinary fame, locally grown, protected by a designation of origin, and woven into dishes throughout town. Look for it in risotto, pasta sauces, and even gelato at Dondoli, where it stars in the Crema di Santa Fina flavor alongside pine nuts.
Pici pasta is a thick, hand-rolled Tuscan pasta similar to a fat spaghetti. It is another local staple worth ordering. It’s simple, satisfying, and the kind of thing you’ll be thinking about on the drive home.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano is the wine of the region. It’s a crisp, straw-colored white that pairs beautifully with the local food. Even if wine isn’t your primary reason for visiting, it’s worth trying a glass with lunch.
And of course, gelato at Gelateria Dondoli. See our full entry above for details on flavors and timing the line.
San Gimignano Map: Best Things to Do & See
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.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano: Wine Tasting in the Hills
San Gimignano is as famous for its wine as it is for its towers. Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a crisp, dry white wine produced from grapes grown in the hills surrounding the town, and it holds the distinction of being the first Italian wine to receive DOC status back in 1966. It’s been produced here since at least the 13th century.
We’ve tried it paired with food in town, and it’s a natural match for the local cuisine. Bright and slightly mineral, it cuts through the richness of wild boar and complements the saffron dishes San Gimignano is known for. If you’re a white wine drinker, this is not one to skip.
Beyond the glass with lunch, the hills surrounding San Gimignano are dotted with family-run wineries offering tastings and tours. This is genuinely one of the best ways to experience the Tuscan countryside up close. A winery visit adds at least a half day to your trip and is best done by car.
The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience at Parco della Rocca inside the town walls is a good option if you’re short on time or don’t have a car. You can taste the wine without venturing out into the countryside.
For a deeper experience, tours that combine wine tasting with lunch or truffle hunting in the surrounding hills are available through GetYourGuide and make for a memorable addition to any Tuscany itinerary.
This wine tour plus lunch in San Gimignano includes a visit to a local vineyard with wine tastings.
Tours of San Gimignano
Take a wine tour in San Gimignano or visit San Gimignano, plus other Tuscan towns, on a day trip from Florence.
How Much Time Do You Need in San Gimignano?
San Gimignano is small and you can walk from one end of the walled town to the other in about ten minutes. But small doesn’t mean quick, and how much time you need depends on how you want to experience it.
Half a day is the realistic minimum. That gives you enough time to climb Torre Grossa, walk the main piazzas, visit the Duomo, grab lunch, do a little shopping, and wander a side street or two. On our first visit, we did exactly this, arriving by bus from Siena on a busy morning with our kids, and left feeling like we’d seen the highlights without rushing.
A full day unlocks a different experience entirely. Beyond the main piazzas and tower climbs, a full day gives you time to explore Torre Salvucci Maggiore, linger in the shops on Via San Giovanni, visit San Gimignano 1300, walk the walls, and still have a long, unhurried lunch. Add a wine tasting at one of the surrounding Vernaccia wineries and you have a genuinely full day in one of Tuscany’s most rewarding small towns.
A few things that affect your timing:
- Crowds peak midday, especially in summer. A morning arrival or late afternoon visit makes a meaningful difference.
- Torre Salvucci Maggiore has variable hours and is sometimes rented out entirely so check ahead rather than counting on it.
- Wine tasting at the surrounding wineries adds at least half a day on its own and is best done by car.
If you’re visiting on a day trip, which is how most people experience San Gimignano, half a day is enough to do it justice. A full day lets you do it properly.
Visiting San Gimignano with Kids
San Gimignano is a surprisingly great destination for families, and one we’d recommend without hesitation. The town is compact, walkable, and easy to navigate.
When we visited with our kids, the day exceeded expectations across the board. The Torre Grossa climb was the undisputed highlight, with 218 steps, a ladder-like final push, and a view at the top that genuinely wowed them. Kids who are old enough to handle the climb will love it. It’s the kind of experience that doesn’t feel like sightseeing; it feels like an adventure.
Beyond the tower, our kids were happy wandering the side streets, and our spontaneous detour onto Via Bonda produced some of our favorite family photos ever. Just the four of us with the Tuscan hills as a backdrop. It wasn’t planned, and that’s exactly the point. San Gimignano rewards wandering, and kids are often the best excuse to slow down and do exactly that.
Lunch at La Mangiatoia was another hit and what kid wouldn’t like a scoop of gelato from Gelateria Dondoli?
A half day is plenty for families. Arrive in the morning before the crowds build, climb the tower first while energy is high, eat lunch, wander the side streets, and you’ll leave with happy kids and great photos.
Where to Eat in San Gimignano
San Gimignano may be a tourist town, but the food is the real deal. Here’s where we’d point you.
La Mangiatoia is our personal recommendation. We had lunch here on our first visit with the kids and it was one of the best meals of that entire trip to Tuscany. The wild boar stew and fresh pasta dishes were exactly what you want after a morning of climbing towers and wandering cobblestone streets. It’s a proper sit-down restaurant and we sat outside, at one of a few tables lining the street. Book ahead if you can.
La Mangiatoia
The following three restaurants come highly recommended, though we haven’t personally dined at them:
Il Ceppo Toscano is the place to go if meat is your priority. The black pepper stew and steaks get consistently strong reviews, and it leans traditional Tuscan through and through.
La Vecchia Nicchia is the budget-friendly option, serving pizza, bruschetta, and salads. A solid choice if you’re watching your spending or feeding picky eaters.
La Vecchie Mura is worth considering for dinner. It has a view that makes the whole experience feel special, which is harder to find in a town this small.
How to Get to San Gimignano
Public Transportation
There are no train stations in San Gimignano.
If you are using public transportation, you will have to take the bus. From Florence, take bus 131 to Poggibonsi (50 minutes travel time). In Poggibonsi, transfer to bus 130 to San Gimignano (travel time of 20 to 30 minutes).
From Siena, take bus 130A to Poggibonsi. Some buses continue on to San Gimignano or you may have to transfer to a different bus.
On our first visit to San Gimignano, we traveled by bus from Siena. We had no issues getting to San Gimignano. But in the afternoon, the first bus did not arrive, which left us (and a growing crowd of people) waiting an extra 45 minutes for the second bus. On multiple occasions in Italy, we were left waiting for buses that failed to show up. So yes, you can get here by bus, but be prepared to put yourself at the mercy of the Italian bus system.
On our second visit to San Gimignano, we had a car, which was a much better overall experience.
By Car
Here are the driving distances and times from nearby destinations:
- Siena: 41 km, 45 minutes
- Florence: 60 km, 1.25 hours
- Volterra: 30 km, 40 minutes
- Pisa: 78 km, 1.5 hours
- Lucca: 90 km, 1.5 hours
- Montalcino: 80 km, 1.5 hours
There are several parking lots (Parcheggios) located outside of the city center.
We parked at Parcheggio 2 Montemaggio, a small lot that is a very short walk from Porta San Giovanni. This is the most convenient place to park but it can be challenging to get a spot here midday.
Farther away is Parcheggio 1 Giubileo, which is a 10-minute walk to Porta San Giovanni. However, it is a larger lot with cheaper prices.
For more information about the parking lots located around San Gimignano, click here.
The view from Torre Grossa
Things to Do Near San Gimignano
San Gimignano sits in the heart of Tuscany, which means you’re never far from another extraordinary hill town. Here are the destinations we’d pair with a visit, all within easy driving distance.
Siena is the most natural companion to San Gimignano. In fact, our first visit to San Gimignano started with a morning in Siena and a bus ride between the two. With its stunning cathedral, the famous Piazza del Campo, and Torre del Mangia to climb, Siena deserves a full day on its own. But if you’re short on time, a morning in Siena followed by an afternoon in San Gimignano is a perfectly manageable combination. Read our guide Best Things to Do in Siena for everything you need to know.
Volterra is the closest hill town to San Gimignano, about 30km and 40 minutes by car, and the two pair together beautifully. On our second visit to San Gimignano, we spent the morning in Volterra and the afternoon in San Gimignano. It works well as a pairing as long as you’re comfortable with a quick visit to each rather than a deep dive into either. Volterra has its own medieval towers, Etruscan museums, and alabaster workshops that make it well worth the detour. Read our guide Things to Do in Volterra for more information.
Pienza is one of the loveliest small towns in Tuscany, a Renaissance gem in the Val d’Orcia with picture-perfect streets, incredible pecorino cheese, and views over one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Italy. It’s about an hour from San Gimignano by car and pairs well if you’re spending multiple days exploring southern Tuscany. Read our Pienza guide for more.
Montepulciano is worth adding if wine is high on your priority list. This handsome hilltop town is home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one of Tuscany’s great red wines, and has a medieval center that rivals anything in the region. About 90 minutes from San Gimignano, it’s best combined as part of a multi-day Tuscan itinerary rather than a same-day pairing. Read our guide Things to Do in Montepulciano for more information.
Where to Stay in San Gimignano
Most visitors experience San Gimignano as a day trip, which is exactly how we’ve done it both times. But if you have the flexibility to stay overnight, you’ll get something most visitors never see: the town after the day trippers leave, when the piazzas quiet down and San Gimignano feels almost entirely yours.
We haven’t stayed overnight in San Gimignano, but here are the options worth considering for different budgets and styles.
Inside the Walls
Staying inside the medieval center puts you in the heart of everything. Hotel Leon Bianco sits directly on Piazza della Cisterna and is consistently well reviewed for its location and charm. La Cisterna is directly opposite, with rooms that look out over the square on one side and the Tuscan countryside on the other.
For the most unique stay in San Gimignano, Torre Salvucci Maggiore is a medieval tower house with three bedrooms, two kitchens, and a private rooftop terrace. It sleeps up to six and can be booked through Booking.com.
In the Surrounding Countryside
Staying outside the walls gives you a completely different experience: waking up among the vineyards, with views of the town’s skyline in the distance and the Tuscan countryside on your doorstep. It’s a quieter, more immersive way to experience this part of Tuscany, and it pairs naturally with wine tasting and exploring multiple hill towns by car.
The hills around San Gimignano are dotted with agriturismos, which are working farms and estates that offer accommodation alongside olive oil, wine, and farm-to-table dining.
Agriturismo II Segreto di Pietrafitta is located just 2 km from San Gimignano and gets exceptional reviews. Locanda dei Logi is a gorgeous property with a pool, bar, and is set in the rolling hills of Tuscany.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say San Gimignano?
San Gimignano is pronounced Sahn Jee-Meen-Yah-Noh.
What is San Gimignano known for?
San Gimignano is known for its 14 surviving medieval towers, which give it one of the most distinctive skylines in all of Tuscany. At the height of its prosperity in the 13th and 14th centuries, the town had 72 towers built by wealthy merchant families as symbols of power and prestige. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous not only for its towers but also for Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine, locally grown saffron, and Gelateria Dondoli, widely considered one of the best gelato shops in Italy.
How do you avoid crowds in San Gimignano?
Both mornings and afternoons have their advantages. Arriving early in the morning gets you ahead of the tour buses and day trippers, giving you the piazzas almost to yourself. Arriving in the afternoon means the morning crowds have thinned, and the town takes on a noticeably quieter, more relaxed atmosphere as the day progresses. Whichever time you choose, avoiding the midday peak, roughly 11 am to 2 pm in summer, makes a real difference. Visiting on a weekday rather than a weekend helps too.
Can you visit San Gimignano with kids?
San Gimignano is a great destination for families, particularly with kids who are old enough to handle some walking and a tower climb. The terrain inside the walls is easy, relatively flat with manageable cobblestones, and the Torre Grossa climb is genuinely exciting for older kids and middle schoolers. We visited with ours and it was one of their favorite experiences in all of Italy. The gelato at Dondoli doesn’t hurt either.
Is San Gimignano easy to get to without a car?
Yes, though it requires a connection. There is no train station in San Gimignano, so public transportation means taking a bus. From Florence, take bus 131 to Poggibonsi (about 50 minutes), then transfer to bus 130 to San Gimignano (20-30 minutes). From Siena, take bus 130A to Poggibonsi and transfer from there. It’s doable. We did it on our first visit from Siena with our kids, but be prepared for the Italian bus system, which doesn’t always run on schedule. A rental car gives you significantly more flexibility and is our preferred option for exploring Tuscany overall.
Plan Your Trip to Tuscany
San Gimignano is just one piece of what makes Tuscany one of the most extraordinary regions in the world to travel. If you’re still in the planning stages, these guides will help you put it all together.
Start with our complete Italy Travel Guide for everything you need to know about planning a trip to Italy from scratch.
From there, our Tuscany itinerary will help you figure out how to structure your time in the region, and our guide to the best things to do in Tuscany covers the experiences you won’t want to miss beyond the hill towns.
If you’re based in Florence, our day trips from Florence guide lays out the best excursions, including San Gimignano, with practical logistics for each. And if you’re pairing San Gimignano with a visit to Siena, as we did on our first trip, our Things to Do in Siena guide covers everything you need for a perfect day in one of Tuscany’s greatest cities.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in San Gimignano, let us know in the comment section below.
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From world-famous cities like Florence and Siena to quiet hill towns and scenic drives through vineyard-covered hills, Tuscany offers a wide range of experiences, but deciding what to do (and what to skip) can be overwhelming. We’ve explored Tuscany on two very different trips: a one-week highlights tour with our kids and a longer 10-day […]
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 Michelangelo’s David, stroll across Ponte Vecchio, and watch the sunset […]
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 palace…these are all things to do in Pienza. Located in Val d’Orcia, 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 […]
15 Best Things to Do in Cortona, Italy (+ HELPFUL Tips & Photos)
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. If you like museums and want to visit a few churches, you can do that […]
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 highlights…Rome, 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 […]
12 Gorgeous Views of Florence (+ Photos, Map & HELPFUL Tips)
Are you planning a trip to Florence? Sure, you can’t miss Michelangelo’s David, the amazing Uffizi Gallery, a stroll across Ponte Vecchio, and a visit to the Florence Duomo, but you also cannot miss the best views of Florence. Climb to the top of duomo for a breathtaking view of Florence, watch the sunset from […]
3 Days in Rome: The Ultimate Rome Itinerary
Visit the Colosseum, stroll through the historic heart of Rome, tour the Vatican Museums, climb to the top of the dome on St. Peters’ Basilica, cycle the Appian Way, have an aperitif with a spectacular view of Rome, dine on gelato and pizza by the slice…these are all things you can with 3 days in […]
10 Days in Italy: 5 Itineraries for Every Type of Traveler
With 10 days in Italy, you have enough time for an incredible trip, but not enough time to see everything. That’s the good news and the hard news at once. Italy is enormous, wildly varied, and deeply worth savoring. The biggest mistake most people make when planning a 10-day Italy itinerary is trying to fit […]
Italy Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Italy
Italy Travel Guide From the ruins of ancient Rome to the hiking trails of the Dolomites, the trulli of Puglia to the hilltop villages of Tuscany, Italy is a country that rewards every kind of traveler, and keeps pulling you back. We’ve traveled to Italy six times, exploring the country from the lakes and mountains […]
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