Tuscany: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Evergreen olive groves, expansive vineyards, and colorful flower meadows await you in Tuscany. The island of Elba invites you to a beach holiday with its beautiful sandy beaches. While hiking, mountain biking, and rafting, you will discover the lush green forests, fascinating plateaus, and rugged peaks of the Apennine mountain range.
Table of contents
Tuscany - The most beautiful cities
Florenz
Florence greets you with sunshine as soon as you step onto the Piazza della Signoria after a morning cappuccino. The square is dominated by the Neptune Fountain and the Palazzo Vecchio. Nearby are the Uffizi, which are connected to the Medici Palace via the Ponte Vecchio. Between churches and palaces, you visit the Mercato Centrale. Here you can try fresh Cantuccini and taste exquisite wines. Florence is also ideal for a shopping spree. Luxury boutiques await you on Via de Tornabuoni, which runs from Piazza degli Antinori to Piazza Santa Trinita.
Pisa
Built in the late 12th century, the tower, planned as a freestanding bell tower for the Cathedral of Pisa, leaned and has remained in its form to this day thanks to numerous reinforcements. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most iconic structures in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also worth seeing are the many medieval churches. The Botanical Garden from the 16th century is home to a variety of exotic plants, with the oldest trees living here having been planted as early as 1787. With a rental car or public transport, you can quickly reach the dream beaches in the west.
Lucca
Start your city tour with a walk across the Plaza del Antifeatro, lined with numerous small cafés and the heart of Lucca for over half a millennium. From here, you are quickly at the Gothic Cathedral or the Church of San Michele in Foro from the 12th century. Besides the impressive city center, the immediate surroundings are also full of attractions. Stroll along the Serchio River running north or take a day trip to Lake Massaciuccoli. Just a little further away are the dream beaches along the Mediterranean, inviting you to swim on sunny summer days.
Arezzo
When you look at the sloping Piazza Grande, surrounded by numerous historic buildings, the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici, or the Renaissance arcades of the Palazzo delle Logge, it quickly becomes clear why the city of Arezzo is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. Added to this are the Church of Santa Maria della Pieve and the Cathedral of Arezzo. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the surroundings from the mighty Medici Fortress, which sits atop the hill of Arezzo. For history enthusiasts, a visit to the Roman amphitheater and the archaeological museum is worthwhile. There, artifacts from the Etruscan period, the foundational era of the city known for its ceramics and metalwork, are on display.
Pienza
The main square of Pienza is framed by four magnificent buildings: the Palazzo Piccolomini and Palazzo Vescovile, the town hall, and the cathedral. In the center, the travertine fountain draws attention. Besides its historical significance, Pienza is known for Pecorino Toscano. The aromatic sheep cheese is produced in this region. On the promenade Corso il Rossellino, you will find beautiful boutiques and shops. Just outside Pienza, you can take a trip to La Foce, a magnificent estate overlooking the winding cypress avenue. Another excursion from Pienza is Chiusi, where you can gain insights into the historical Etruscan era.
San Gimignano
The old town is situated at just under 325 meters and is visible from a great distance thanks to the high towers. Stroll through the medieval alleys in the heart of the fortress and visit the Torre Rognosa and the Palazzo del Podestá. Both buildings are located on the Piazza del Duomo. The family towers rise high into the sky and are mostly preserved in their original state. The Torri degli Ardinghelli and the Torre dei Becci are particularly worth seeing. Also, take a look at the Rocca di Montestaffoli castle ruins, which were once built above the ancient marketplace.
Siena
The Cathedral of Siena, built in the Romanesque-Gothic style, is the most famous landmark of the former political center of Tuscany. During your city tours, also stroll over the Piazza del Campo, where events are regularly held, or visit the Basilica di San Domenico from the 13th century. The Palazzo Pubblico is the town hall of the city and impresses with the Torre del Mangia, the bell tower that shapes Siena's silhouette like hardly any other building. Wine tastings in the surrounding area and excursions through the typical landscape of Tuscany are highly recommended. It is best to follow the course of the Arbia River.
Livorno
The Mascagni Terrace is considered the heart of Livorno and delights with its stunning view over the Mediterranean coast. Stroll from there towards the city center and take a look at the medieval fortress Fortezza Vecchia, which has existed since the 11th century. Not far away is the Mercato delle Vettovaglie. In the south of Livorno, the Montenero pilgrimage church from the year 1345 is considered one of the most important buildings of that time. If you are more in search of peace and relaxation, you will find it at the sandy beach of La Siesta in the north, which invites you to swim and relax.
Tuscany - 5 most beautiful natural sights
Casentinesi Forests National Park
The National Park Foreste Casentinesi stretches from Monte Falterona to the Mandrioli Pass. The oasis of tranquility spans the Italian regions of Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. In the dense forest, deer, wild boars, roe deer, and occasionally even wolves live. The nature park is famous for its numerous chestnut trees. There is much to see in the National Park Foreste Casentinesi: Don't miss a hike to the 70-meter-high Acquacheta waterfalls. The most leisurely tour starts in San Benedetto in Alpe. You can enjoy a magnificent view from the 1,358-meter-high Monte Falterona.
Maremma Regional Park
The city of Grosseto in the Tuscan hinterland is a nearby starting point for excursions to the Maremma Natural Park. At the visitor center in Alberese, you can get your ticket and learn a lot of interesting facts about this extraordinary landscape and its flora and fauna before your nature visit. The Maremma is particularly an El Dorado for bird watching. A varied network of trails with opportunities for hiking and cycling leads through the Parco Regionale della Maremma. You can expect Tuscan pine forests, expansive pastures, and natural beaches, sometimes bordered by rugged cliffs and sometimes by coastal forests. Along the shore, you can even explore the landscape by canoe or kayak.
Mount Amiata
Mons Tuniatus or Mons Tunii were former names of Monte Amiata. The mountain cannot hide its volcanic origin: the dark tuff stone indicates this. The region around Monte Amiata is very fertile. That is why you see many chestnut and olive trees on hikes. For many centuries, Monte Amiata has been known for its healing springs. In Santa Fiora, for example, the water flows from the stone and runs down the forest in serpentine paths. In winter, Mount Amiata is a perfect attraction for skiers. There are 10 kilometers of slopes available.
Val d'Orcia
In the hinterland of Siena, the Val d'Orcia welcomes its guests with noteworthy places and charming nature. Many artists of the famous Sienese school were inspired by the landscape. Cone-shaped hills stand out from the flat, lush green plains, interspersed with cypress groves and olive trees. As you drive through the Orcia Valley, you pass picturesque villages. Many have retained their medieval charm. In San Quirico, there is a romantic church built from regional travertine stone. In the adjoining park, you can admire geometrically arranged flower beds. Monte Amiata overlooks the valley.
Saturnia thermal springs
The thermal springs of Saturnia offer relaxation under the open sky. Not far from the Tuscan village of Saturnia, 800 liters of 37 degrees Celsius warm sulfur water gush from the earth every second. It flows like a waterfall down the terraces of the Cascate del Mulino and collects in naturally formed rock pools, inviting you to a free bath. Treatments with the healing water are also possible outside the thermal fields, which are accessible around the clock. On a trip to the Terme di Saturnia, surrounded by gentle hills, olive groves, and vineyards, you can expect various outdoor thermal pools and day-spa moments with sauna sessions and wellness treatments on approximately 20,000 square meters. Lawns invite you to sunbathe.
Tuscany - Climate
Tuscany is located on the edge of the Mediterranean climate zone. To enjoy extensive sunbathing and sea bathing, it is best to choose the month of July or August for your vacation. In May, June, and September, you can enjoy pleasant morning and evening temperatures. During these months, active holidays in the mountainous regions of Tuscany are ideal. The nature is particularly charming in April when the gentle green gives color to the rolling hills. From December to February, Tuscany entices with winter sports pleasures and warming baths in hot thermal springs. A romantic fireplace in the holiday home then promises cozy hours with family, a partner, or good friends.
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.