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Tuscany Itinerary: See the Best Places in One Week (+Map & Tips)

Tuscany Itinerary: See the Best Places in One Week (+Map & Tips)

Planning a trip to Tuscany and not sure where to start and what’s the best Tuscany itinerary?

In our previous post, you could read about some of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany. In this article, you can read how to combine all those beautiful places (and some more) and create the perfect Tuscany trip itinerary that allows you to experience the very best of this picturesque region in one week.

How many days do you need in Tuscany

While you can see the main cities in 3-4 days, I recommend at least one week for Tuscany. This will allow you to see not just all the highlights of the best towns of Tuscany, but also to get a glimpse of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Below, you can find our suggested Tuscany itinerary that shows you where to go and what to see if you have one week in Tuscany. Read on!

 

How to see the best of Tuscany in one week

This Tuscany itinerary starts and ends in Florence. However, you can start and end in other towns and combine this trip with a visit to the other regions (e.g. Cinque Terre or Bologna). This is really just meant to show you what’s possible and how to plan your time in Tuscany.

In order to see the very best of Tuscany and to experience some of its stunning landscapes, it’s best to visit the region by car. On the other hand, you don’t really need a car in the cities. Train connections between major towns in Italy are really good. So if you want to, you can visit some of the most beautiful towns using public transport only.

While this Tuscany itinerary is made assuming that you have a car, you can easily adapt it to your needs and your way of traveling. Just use this itinerary as a guide to the best places in Tuscany, how much time you need at each place, and how to best plan your trip.

At the bottom of the article, you can also find a map indicating all the places mentioned in this Tuscan itinerary. Read on!

Tuscany itinerary - how to see the best of Tuscany in one week
 

One Week Tuscany Itinerary

Day 1 – Florence

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and is not to be missed in any Tuscany itinerary.

One full day is the minimum that you need in order to see the main highlights of Florence. You can find more information, tips, and advice for visiting Florence in some of the more detailed guides to the city on our blog.

Not to be missed in Florence is the Cathedral (you can climb the dome of the Duomo as well), Ponte Vecchio, Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Vecchio. If you have just one day in Florence, stroll the old town, check out the market, and walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for the best sunset view in Florence. Alternatively, have a drink at one of the best rooftop bars in Florence.

Stay in Florence for at least one night, in order to take full advantage of your time here. If you are traveling by train, I recommend a hotel close to the railway station. We recently stayed at Hotel Croce di Malta, an excellent mid-budget 4*hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace. If traveling by car, keep in mind that parking in the city is very expensive.

TIP: If you only have limited time and want to see the best of Florence in one day, be sure to book priority tickets for ALL the places you absolutely want to visit inside.

LEARN MORE: One Day in Florence

Florence is a must in any Tuscany itinerary
Florence
 

Day 2 – Florence to Siena

Leave Florence early in the morning and drive to Siena. Via Chiantigiana road SR 222 from Florence to Siena is very scenic, so you may want to take this road rather than a highway.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful town of Siena. Must-see in Siena is Piazza del Campo with its Palazzo Pubblico and the Mangia Tower, Siena Duomo (Cathedral), and the picturesque streets of the Old Town. 

TIP: Stay in Siena for 1 or 2 nights. Albergo Chiusarelli is one of the best picks in towns in terms of price/location/quality.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Siena

Siena is one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany
Siena Cathedral
 

Day 3 – Val d’Orcia – Tuscan countryside

Here is a scenic road trip suggestion through the picture-perfect Tuscan countryside – Val d’Orcia – that you can take as a day trip from Siena.

If you have the time, you may want to spend a couple of days in this area, but one day is sufficient to drive through the scenic Tuscan countryside.

From Siena take the road SR2 to San Quirico d’Orcia. From here continue East along the SR146 in the direction of Montepulciano. This is the most scenic road in Tuscany – the one with the typical Tuscan landscapes you see in travel magazines and on postcards. 

Take your time to explore Val d’Orcia and visit at least a couple of charming little towns in the area: Pienza, Montepulciano, San Quirico d’Orcia, Monticchiello, Montalcino… Also the Abbey of Sant’Antimo is worth a visit.

With just one day in this region, I think I’d focus on Montepulciano, Pienza, and the countryside of Val d’Orcia.

TIP: If you are in Siena without a car, the best way to explore the Tuscan countryside is by taking an organized tour, e.g. this wine tour that brings you to Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano from Siena.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Montepulciano

Tuscany countryside - picturesque hilly Tuscan landscape
Tuscan countryside
 

Day 4 – San Gimignano and Volterra

San Gimignano and Volterra are both relatively small towns and their proximity to each other means that you can easily visit them in one day. 

San Gimignano, famous for its fourteen medieval towers has a tiny but very picturesque Old Town. It can get extremely busy during the day, so I recommend going there first thing in the morning.

One of the main places to see is Piazza della Cisterna. You can also climb to the top of the Torre Grossa.

San Gimignano is one of the nicest small towns in Tuscany Italy
San Gimignano Old Town
 

Volterra has a great atmosphere in the evening, so it’s best to visit it later in the day. It’s a charming medieval town and it’s nice to just stroll the streets, check out some souvenir shops, and have a nice Tuscan dinner.

In my previous post, you can read more about what to see and do in San Gimignano and in Volterra.

TIP: One of the nicest and good price/quality hotels in Volterra is Hotel La Locanda. If you are on a tighter budget but want something really special, stay in Chiostro Delle Monache Hostel Volterra. It’s located in the 15th-century Franciscan monastery, has a great location, and free parking.

Volterra town in Tuscany Italy
Volterra
 

Day 5 – Pisa

Take your time to explore Pisa. Don’t limit your visit to the leaning tower of Pisa only! In fact, the leaning tower of Pisa is just one of the many monuments of Miracle’s Square. The Cathedral and the Baptistery are very impressive as well.

Pisa town center has no crowds and is very picturesque as well. Stroll the Arno River promenade and check out the Borgo Stretto, an old shopping arcade with many restaurants, cafés, and shops.

TIP: If you are touring around Tuscany by car, I’d advise not to stay in Pisa. Instead, drive to Lucca after you visited Pisa and stay there for two nights. Lucca has such a great atmosphere and several really nice hotels. They are located inside the city walls and so parking is not free (but possible). Check out Hotel Palazzo Alexander or Hotel Alla Corte degli Angeli.

The Miracle’s Square and the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy
The Miracle’s Square and the Tower of Pisa
 

Day 6 – Lucca

Lucca is our favorite town in Tuscany. You can see the main highlights in just one day, but you definitely won’t regret it if you choose to stay a bit longer. 

The main landmark is the city walls of Lucca which you can explore on foot or by bike. In fact, the best way to see Lucca is by taking a self-guided bike tour.

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is another must-see in Lucca. Make sure also to climb at least one of the towers -Torre Guinigi or Torre Delle Ore for the best views in town. Here you can read more about what to see and do in Lucca.

TIP: Take a food tour in Lucca – it’s a great way to explore the town and taste some of the typical local specialties.

Guinigi Tower as seen from Torre Delle Ore in Lucca - Tuscany, Italy
Guinigi Tower as seen from Torre Delle Ore
 

Day 7 – Collodi, Pistoia, Prato, or the outskirts of Florence

There are several nice towns that you could visit between Lucca and Florence. Collodi, Pistoia, and Prato are all worth a detour.

We liked exploring the outskirts of Florence as well. You’re hardly out of the city, but the scenery is amazing. Take a road from Florence to Fiesole for stunning views and a beautiful Tuscan landscape.

Alternatively, you could easily visit Bologna. It’s located in the nearby Emilia Romagna region (so not in Tuscany), but is more than worth a visit if you find yourself in this part of Italy.

READ ALSO: Florence to Bologna Travel Info & Itinerary + Best Things to Do in Bologna

Tuscany itinerary - Florence as seen from the road to Fiesole
Florence as seen from the road to Fiesole
 

Where to stay for this Tuscany itinerary

Many people ask what’s the best area to stay in Tuscany. The answer really depends on what kind of trip you are planning.

If you are thinking of making a road trip in Tuscany, you can find my suggestions for hotels in each town in the day-to-day Tuscany itinerary above.

If, however, you don’t like changing hotels and packing your bags every day, you can also stay at one central location in the Tuscan countryside and take day trips from there. Sometimes you’ll need to drive an hour, sometimes two, so it’s not perfect, but it might still be easier and more relaxing, especially if you are traveling with kids.

TIP: If you want to stay in just one place for sightseeing, the best place to stay for exploring Tuscany would be the area close to Volterra or San Gimignano. It is very centrally located in Tuscany and is therefore ideal if you are looking to stay at just one hotel and explore the region by taking day trips. Here you can find the best deals for accommodation in Volterra and hotels in the San Gimignano area.

In fact, a few years ago we did just that when we were visiting Tuscany with our kids. We stayed at just one hotel in the Montaione area for 12 days and combined relaxing days by the pool with sightseeing. It worked well for us. You can read more in our best of Tuscany – itinerary from one central location post.

On our most recent trip to Tuscany, we were focusing on the area around Siena and Val d’Orcia, plus a few other places in Umbria too. For that, we opted to stay at this beautiful country house in Bettole.

There’s really not one ‘best’ spot to stay- Tuscany is way too big for that. So it all depends on which places you decide to visit.

Without a car: If you are not renting a car, the best places to stay for exploring Tuscany are either Florence or Siena. They both have good railway connections to the bigger towns and also a big choice of organized tours to the smaller villages in the countryside.

Tuscan countryside in Montaione area - good central location to stay for exploring Tuscany
View from our hotel in the Montaione area
 

One week Tuscany trip itinerary map

Below, you can see an overview of this suggested Tuscany itinerary on the map.

Start in Florence, drive down to Siena, then on to San Gimignano and Volterra. Continue your trip towards Pisa and Lucca, and end in Florence.

Alternatively, continue to Cinque Terre, which is just a short ride from Pisa. Here you can find more information about how to see the best of Cinque Terre in one day.

Tuscany one week trip itinerary
Click on the map to enlarge
 

Best Time to Visit Tuscany

Tuscany is a beautiful destination that has something to offer at any time of the year. That being said, the best time to visit Tuscany is in late spring or in early autumn. The very best months for sightseeing in Tuscany are May and September.

In the summer months, it’s very hot here. So if you are visiting in July or August, you may want to concentrate on the Tuscan countryside. A popular thing to do is rent a villa with a pool and make an occasional day trip to one of the smaller towns in the area.

Whereas the weather in late fall, in winter, and in early spring is more suitable for visiting the big cities rather than touring the countryside.

READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe

 

So, this is our suggested Tuscany itinerary for up to one week. If you are planning a trip to Italy, make sure to check our Italy travel guide for more tips and travel advice for a big variety of popular destinations in Italy.

Alternatively, check our selection of articles below for more tips for a variety of destinations in Italy.

More tips for some of the most visited destinations in Italy:

READ ALSO: Best Places to Visit in Italy

If you found this Tuscany itinerary helpful, don’t forget to bookmark this post and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Tuscany itinerary - see the best of Tuscany in one week
 

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Teddy

Monday 26th of February 2024

What a fantastic blog! This has really inspired me! I am thinking to visit Florence and Tuscany for a week in mid-June.

After 2 nights in Florence, and having a car, what town would you recommend to stay as a base and then do day trips? In terms of day trips, a must visit for us are Sienna, Lucca and Volterra. And definitely a winery but without driving to it. Advice very welcome!

Jurga

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Hi Teddy, if you want to visit Sienna, Lucca, and Voltera, you could stay somewhere in the middle between all these towns and make sure there's a winery nearby. I quickly checked something for you in the San Gimignano area which is very central and fits your criteria. There are several wineries that you can visit in that region and many accommodations, so you can find places to stay within walking distance to one or the other winery if you like. For example, this agriturismo (Capanna 1826) is just near this vineayrd. From what I read in the reviews of this accommodation, they even include a visit to their vineyard for free if you stay there. But there are many more options. You just have to do a bit more research and see what's available for your travel dates. If you don't mind taking a taxi to one or the other vineyard, then it will be easier. Just pick a hotel you like and then see what wineries there are nearby. Also, the San Gimignano area is just one of the many, so it's just a suggestion based on the info you gave. If you are traveling in June, I'd book your accommodations asap.

Ann Marie Pugliese

Friday 6th of October 2023

Hello, this blog seems very helpful. I am traveling to Italy for the first time with 9 family members for 2 weeks in June. We were trying to fit in so much, but don't think it's feasible with so many people. Was hoping to visit Venice, Tuscany, Rome and The Amalfi Coast. Also, we are planning to stay in Air bnb's along the way. Just not sure if we should travel to each area and stay for 3 days or find 2 central hubs and take day trips? Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ann Marie Pugliese

Monday 9th of October 2023

@Jurga, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Greatly appreciate the information!!

Jurga

Sunday 8th of October 2023

Hi Ann Marie, since these areas are located quite far from each other and each has so much to offer, I think that staying in each place for a few nights is indeed better than looking for two base locations. You could start with 4-5 days in Sorrento (from where you can easily visit Amalfi Coast, Capri Island, Naples, Pompeii, etc.), then move on to Rome for 3-4 days. From there, take a train to Florence which is a good base for Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and also Bologna. Depending on what you want to see, you could stay here for 4-5 days. And finally, take a train to Venice and stay there for 2-3 nights. You can find lots of information for all these destinations on our blog. See an overview of all articles on our Italy travel page. This 2-week Italy itinerary might also be helpful - just to see what's possible and how you could structure your time at some places. For Amalfi Coast, take a look at this guide. Good luck with the planning!

Becs

Sunday 18th of June 2023

Hi, I am considering a 3 night stay in Florence next Summer followed by a week in self catering accomodation somewhere on the coast (we will not be driving, therefore, will be making use of public transport when we transfer from Florence to our second destination). We love Sorrento, Taormina and the Lake Garda towns and are wondering where on the coast (quite manageable by train from Florence), would have a similar vibe / buzz (i.e lively atmosphere) to these places? We would obviously fly into Florence but would be happy to go home from a different airport.

My other option is to follow on from Florence with a week in self catering accomodation (definitely with a pool to cool off), within walking distance of one of the cities / towns in the region - but I'm having difficulty deciding between Siena. Lucca and San Gimignano (or somewhere else with a Sorrento type 'feel' to it!!).

Any suggestions / advice would be gratefully received

Many thanks, Becs

Jurga

Tuesday 20th of June 2023

Hi Becs, as you can imagine, there are too many options for me to give you any kind of reasonable suggestion. :) Also, there are two coasts - with places like Rimini or Ravenna to the east or the Cinque Terre area, Ligurian towns, etc. to the west. I assume you mean west? Without a car, by the sea, you could split your stay between the Cinque Terre area and Italian Riviera (e.g. Portovenere or Monterosso al Mare for a few days followed by a few days in Rapallo or St Margherita Ligure. If you are looking for a bigger city - check out Genoa. If you rather stay in central Tuscany, then Siena is definitely a lot better than San Gimignano - in terms of transport, things to do, etc. San Gimignano is a tiny village. Lucca is also very nice but not as centrally located as Florence or Siena for all the most popular places. Bologna is amazing too, btw! You can also just stay in Florence the whole time and make day trips. It also depends so much on what exactly you want to see. Good luck! Whatever you choose, you can't really go wrong - the whole area has so much to offer.

Kim Hendrickx

Monday 17th of April 2023

We are a family of 5 and we will be going on a week trip to Tuscany at the end of this month, We will be staying in a country guesthouse in Montaione. This will be our base to see different places in Tuscany, as we have a car. Could you recommend which cities are best to visit to get a real feel of Tuscany. We also want to do some wine tasting in Chianti and Montepulciano, so any tips on nice wineries to visit would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Jurga

Monday 17th of April 2023

Hi Kim, you can find all the suggestions in this article and you may also want to take a look at this guide to some of the best towns in Tuscany. This is by no means a complete list and there are dozens of amazing places. But if this is your first time, you'll probably not want to miss the main cities such as Florence or Siena, so you need at least 2-3 days for that. The rest really depends on your interest and preferences. Of the smaller ones, San Gimignano is really nice, also Volterra, Montepulciano, and Pienza. If you have even more time, you may want to check out Montalcino and Cortona, also San Quirico d'Orcia. A week will fly by! As for the wineries, we really enjoyed a very unique wine cave visit in Montepulciano last summer. You can find more details in our Montepulciano guide. And this is a really nice winery that you can visit in Chianti. The problem with winery visits is that it's not really something you can do (and enjoy wine) if you have to drive afterward. So ideally, you have a dedicated driver, find a winery close to your accommodation and take a taxi, or book a tour (but those are usually only available departing from big towns so not ideal unless you stay in Florence or Siena). But definitely check out the wine cellar in Montepulciano if you go there! You can also taste just a bit of wine and buy some to take with you to enjoy at your accommodation. Enjoy your trip!

Rosemary

Tuesday 21st of March 2023

Looking for some advice on my trip to Italy in Aug/Sept. Flying into Venice and staying for 3 days then headed to Florence/Tuscany region for 5 nights. We don't want to rent a car but want to go wine tasting and check out the countryside and maybe the hill towns. After the 5 nights we head to Sorrento for 4 nights and finish off in Rome. Looking for advice on where I should stay in Florence/Tuscany area. Should I stay a few nights in both places or stay in one place and do day trips by train? Where do I take the train from to end up in Amalfi? Any advise appreciated.

Jurga

Tuesday 21st of March 2023

Hi Rosemary, some of the best places to stay in Tuscany when traveling by train are Florence and Siena. You can find plenty of Tuscan countryside/wine tours from any of these towns (see here for tours from Florence and here - from Siena). If you don't mind changing hotels, you can spend a few nights at each of these; otherwise, I would recommend staying in Florence. There are many nice hotels close to the station (just in the center too), and it's very easy to explore the city or plan day trips. At the bottom of this guide of the best places to see in Florence, you can find some hotel recommendations for this area. For the Amalfi Coast, you'll have to take a train to Naples (there are high-speed trains from Florence to Naples - see here for train schedules and to prebook your tickets). Here you can find our guide on how to get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples. Have a great trip!

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