The variety of landscapes in Tuscany
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Tuscany is so much more than cypress trees and rolling hills. In the north, rugged mountains and deep valleys characterize the Garfagnana region, while in the south lie the extinct volcano Monte Amiata and the wild Maremma, with Chianti, the Crete Senesi, and the Val d'Orcia in between. Add to that a long, varied coastline and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Here we present the most important landscapes – with tips on where best to experience them.
The landscapes of Tuscany at a glance
- Mountains: Apuan Alps and Garfagnana in the north, Apennines with Abetone, Monte Amiata in the south.
- Hilly landscape: Chianti, Val d'Orcia (UNESCO World Heritage), Crete Senesi.
- Coast and islands: Versilia, the Etruscan Coast, Maremma, Elba and the archipelago.
- Most beautiful panoramic roads: Chiantigiana, the Via Cassia through the Val d'Orcia, cypress avenue of Bolgheri.
Mountains and forests in the north
Garfagnana and Apuan Alps
In the far north, in the Serchio Valley, lies the Garfagnana region, nestled between the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. Mountains, chestnut forests, and deep gorges dominate the landscape; small villages like Montefegatesi cling to the slopes. The marble quarries of Carrara reveal the very essence of the mountains. Also renowned is the spa town of Bagni di Lucca, immortalized in Heinrich Heine's literary work, "The Baths of Lucca." A unique feature is the submerged village of Fabbriche di Careggine in Lake Vagli.
Apennines and Casentino
The Apennines stretch along the border with Emilia-Romagna. Around Abetone lies Tuscany's most important ski resort, while in the Casentino region east of Florence , the Foreste Casentinesi National Park protects vast beech and fir forests. From Lucca , Puccini's birthplace, you can gaze from the Torre Guinigi, with its holm oaks, all the way to the mountains.
The classic hill country
Chianti
Between Florence and Siena lies Chianti : vineyards, olive groves, forests, and hilltop castles. The SR 222 road, the Chiantigiana, runs right through it, passing through Greve and Castellina. Explore the region on foot with our hiking tips for Chianti.
Val d'Orcia and Crete Senesi
South of Siena lie the landscapes that many consider "typical Tuscany." The Crete Senesi around Asciano are characterized by barren, yellow clay hills in summer. The Val d'Orcia, with Pienza, San Quirico, and Montalcino, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004 – a cultural landscape consciously shaped during the Renaissance. Learn more: Pienza and the Val d'Orcia and UNESCO World Heritage in Tuscany.
Volterra, San Gimignano and the Colline Metallifere
The Etruscan city of Volterra sits perched on a rocky outcrop above a barren, hilly landscape dotted with eroded cliffs, known as "Balze." Further south begin the wooded Colline Metallifere, where ore was once mined. Not far away, the towering family towers of San Gimignano rise above the Elsa Valley – this "medieval Manhattan" is visible from afar.
The South: Volcano and Maremma
Mount Amiata
Monte Amiata (1.738 m) is an extinct volcano and the highest mountain in southern Tuscany. Beech and chestnut forests cover its slopes, and snow falls here in winter. There are thermal springs around the mountain – an overview can be found in our article on the thermal baths of Tuscany.
Maremma
The Maremma in the southwest was long marshland and was only recently drained. Today, pine forests, pastures, nature reserves such as the Parco della Maremma, and long sandy beaches characterize the landscape – see Sandy beaches of the Maremma.
coast and islands
The coastline stretches from Versilia with its wide sandy beaches, along the Etruscan Coast, to the rocky Monte Argentario. Off the coast lie Elba, Giglio, Capraia , and the other islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. For beach recommendations, see Beaches of Tuscany.
Panoramic roads through the landscape
- Chiantigiana (SR 222): Florence – Greve – Castellina – Siena, through the heart of Chianti.
- Via Cassia (SR 2) in Val d'Orcia: between Buonconvento, San Quirico and Radicofani with views of cypress trees and hills.
- Cypress avenue of Bolgheri: approximately 5 km long, from the Oratory of San Guido on the Via Aurelia to Bolgheri, lined with about 2.500 cypress trees – celebrated in song by Giosuè Carducci.
Further routes and tips for drivers: The most beautiful roads in Tuscany and road trip through Tuscany.
Frequently asked questions about the landscapes of Tuscany
Where can you find the typical Tuscan landscape with cypress trees?
Especially in the Val d'Orcia around Pienza and San Quirico, as well as in the Crete Senesi southeast of Siena. The Chianti region between Florence and Siena is also characterized by hills, vineyards, and cypress trees.
Are there mountains in Tuscany?
Yes. To the north lie the Apuan Alps and the Apennines with the Abetone ski resort, to the south the extinct volcano Monte Amiata (1.738 m).
What is the Maremma?
The Maremma is a landscape in southwestern Tuscany, formerly marshland, now characterized by pine forests, nature reserves, pastures and long sandy beaches.
Since when has the Val d'Orcia been a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Seit 2004. Ausgezeichnet wurde die Kulturlandschaft, die im 14. und 15. Jahrhundert nach Idealen guter Verwaltung gestaltet wurde.
Which scenic roads are worth driving on in Tuscany?
Particularly beautiful are the Chiantigiana (SR 222) between Florence and Siena, the Via Cassia through the Val d'Orcia and the cypress avenue of Bolgheri.
