The most beautiful cities in Tuscany, one of the most diverse regions in Italy, offer holidaymakers everything their hearts desire: southern sun, good wine, traditional cuisine and picturesque landscapes.
Tuscany is one of the most popular parts of Italy and is located in the middle of the country. The region is characterized by pine forests, wide poppy fields, lonely, narrow country roads, romantic mountain villages, olive trees and vineyards - an overall hilly landscape.
Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany, is also the capital of northern central Italy. The coast of Tuscany has a length of approximately 328 kilometers. In the north, the beaches are long, wide and sandy - also known as Versilia. The adjoining part, on the other hand, the Etruscan Riviera, is more characterized by bays.
The major tourist centers of Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca and Arezzo
Florence
With its countless art treasures and buildings, is one of the world's art metropolises, and it's not for nothing that its old town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1982. The Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore cannot be overlooked. It can accommodate around 25.000 people, making it one of the largest domes in the world.
Another attraction is the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, in which various carved sculptures and the one-legged figure of Christ by Michelangelo can be found. The city palace Capella dei Magi, the museum Casa di Dante, the city's oldest bridge, are also worth mentioning excursion tips Old Bridge as well as the works of art Neptune Fountain and the four meter high statue of David by Michelangelo in the Piazza della Signoria
Pisa
is not only associated with the leaning tower. There are far more sights in the university and commercial city. For example, it is worth visiting the Duomo Santa Maria Assunta, church and tomb of Henry VII, the National Museum San Matteo on the banks of the Arno River and a visit to the old Dominican monastery. In between exploring, there is always time for a break in one of the cozy Italian cafés.
Siena
is mainly known and loved by the medieval townscape that has been preserved until now. First you should dare to climb the 400 steps to the 87 meter high Torre del Mangia. This gives you an initial overview of the beautiful city. The excursion program should also include the Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horse race is held twice a year, the town hall, the cathedral and the Piccolomini Palace.
Lucca
is Europe's only city whose city wall is still completely preserved - which makes it the most original city in Tuscany. The St. Martin Cathedral, in which the most famous crucifix Volto Santo is kept, is worth seeing for culture enthusiasts. The oldest church in the city, the San Fernando, attracts numerous art lovers and believers every year with its facade mosaic of the Ascension of Christ. The Toscano cigars produced here are typical of Lucca and are often taken home as souvenirs.
Arezzo
is the fourth largest city in Tuscany and is located northeast of Siena. It is classified as the jewel of Tuscany due to its sacred buildings, merchant palaces and other medieval architecture. In addition to a cathedral, there are many museums and casas to visit here. If you drive a little outside, you will reach the viaduct of the Direttissima Firenze-Roma. As the name suggests, it connects the capital of Tuscany, Florence, with Rome and is of great importance for international traffic.
The mountainous towns of San Gimignano, Volterra, Montepulciano and Montalcino
The cute place San Gimignano, located on a hill, is surrounded by attractive countryside and is known for its 14 surviving medieval towers, also known as family towers. The city center can only be reached via the city gates integrated into the city wall. In the Piazza della Cisterna with the small fountain, the center of local events, there are many restaurants, cafés and ice cream parlors. San Gimignano has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
Volterra
The ancient town of Volterra, the Italian province Pisa belonging to, is located in the cultural triangle – between Pisa, Siena and Florence. Switchbacks take you up to the rocky hill on which the town was built. From here you have a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape and the two rivers Cecina and Era. You can take a stroll through the small market, past the cathedral and the oldest town hall in Tuscany as well as the palaces and the medieval city walls History guess.
Montepulciano
is primarily known for its excellent wines. It also shines with its location in the Val di Chiana, making it one of the most attractive mountain towns in Tuscany. The main road with its 11,5 kilometers runs from Porta al Prato up to the Piazza Grande, the highest point in the city. To top off a visit to Montepulciano visits to the castle and the church of Saint Agostino are worthwhile.
Montalcino
is a small picturesque place on a green hill, nestled between numerous lakes, which is surrounded by many other old villages and allows wonderful views over the surrounding landscape. Anyone interested in archeology has come to the right place. The stone houses, rustic restaurants and taverns in the area exude a lot of charm and attract vacationers to the region like a magnet.
If you have your holiday home here and would like to go to Siena, 40 kilometers away, you can get there easily by public transport.
Last updated: 29.02.2024
