If you’re heading to Florence but haven’t planned to visit any of the smaller towns in Tuscany, you’ll want to reconsider your itinerary. Even if you’re not much of a wine drinker—which may raise a few eyebrows in Italy—there’s an incredible amount of places to explore, food to eat, and sights to see on the best day trips from Florence. Honestly, you could stop in any little town along the way and love what you find. But if you’re looking for the can’t-miss places to visit in Tuscany, this list is for you.
Perhaps you’d like to see the “medieval Manhattan” of San Gimignano, or wander a vineyard in Val D’Orcia, or snap your own photo holding up the tower of Pisa. However you choose to day trip from Florence, learning Italian before you arrive is one way to make your trip even better. Italians love to talk, and they’ll happily converse with you as you practice speaking Italian with them!
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Tips for getting around Tuscany on your day trips from Florence
Cities like Florence are easily walkable, but you’ll need to plan ahead if you’re wanting to explore the Tuscan countryside or head to the coast to see Cinque Terre. To reach some cities that we recommend for day trips from Florence, you could rent a car and visit several of them in a single day. Other cities, like Bologna, are best reached by train.
You can easily book tickets on Trenitalia, which is the most popular booking site in Italy for regional and high-speed trains. They even have an app you can download. The stazione (station) you’ll use is called Firenze S. M. Novella (Florence Santa Maria Novella). Be aware that you’ll need to validate any regional (not high speed) biglietto (ticket) when purchased online. It’s usually as simple as clicking “Check In” on your email confirmation.
If you choose to rent a car, make sure you’re comfortable driving a manual rather than automatic as there are limited automatic cars available. You’ll need to navigate narrow streets and plan ahead for where to park. Still, driving a car in the countryside of Italy is much easier than in the bustling streets of Rome. You might even try renting a vespa to travel to some of the nearby villages around Florence!
>> Use our list of the best cities to visit in Italy as you plan your vacation!
1. Lucca: the remarkable fortress city
From Florence: 1 hour by car; approximately 1.5 hours by train
If you want to hit up several Italian cities on your day trip from Florence, then we recommend starting in Lucca. It’s easy to get to by train or by car, though you’ll spend less on a train ticket than on benzina (gasoline). Lucca is a charming city that has roots dating back to the Etruscan era prior to the Roman Empire. It’s not as popular as many other destinations, which makes it a perfect city to visit around Florence.
So what should you do in this ancient walled city? Well, we recommend checking out the remarkably preserved Roman walls in Lucca’s city center on foot, with a bike, or on a tour. You’ll have your pick of churches to explore, but don’t skip Chiesa dei Santi Giovanni e Reparata that sits atop ancient Roman baths and a crypt. If you love a good panoramic view, climb the bell tower here or at Torre Guinigi.
2. Pisa: the one with the leaning tower
From Florence: 1 hour by car; approximately 1 hour by train
While Pisa is a popular Florence day trip destination, it makes even more sense to combine this after spending the morning in Lucca. After all, it’s just 20 minutes away by car or 30 minutes by train for about 4 euros. It’s no secret that you’re probably most interested in taking that touristy photo of you pretending to hold up the leaning tower of Pisa. Most people do, so don’t hesitate to get your photo too! Though you can climb the tower, it costs about 20 euros, so we don’t recommend it as it’s quite expensive for what you get.
Instead, spend your time exploring the Duomo complex which includes Cattedrale di Pisa (Pisa Cathedral), Battistero di San Giovanni (San Giovanni Baptistery) and the Camposanto (cemetery). Each has their own unique features, like frescoes from the 14th century or bronze doors similar to the Florence Duomo. An afternoon in Pisa will be worth the effort!
3. Siena: the most well-known Tuscan town
From Florence: 1 hour by car; 1.5 hours by train
Perhaps one of the most famous medieval cities near Florence, Siena is considered one of the best day trips from Florence, Italy. The sight of the imposing bell tower in Piazza del Campo rising from the middle of this city on a hill will be instantly recognizable after you’ve visited this beautiful town. An interesting fact is that this city is home to Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world, which
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