📷 Moira Nazzari / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
A classic route for a first encounter with Tuscany, connecting five of the most famous historical cities in the region. Over five days, travelers visit Florence, Lucca, San Gimignano, Siena, and Pienza, driving through vineyards, rolling hills, and the scenic landscapes of Val d'Orcia. The route combines Renaissance art, medieval squares, city walls, and some of the most beautiful villages in Italy. An ideal choice for a road trip from spring through autumn.
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The first day of the route is dedicated to Florence, the city considered the cradle of the Renaissance. The tour begins at the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with a visit to Brunelleschi's dome, the baptistery, and Giotto's bell tower. The afternoon is reserved for the Uffizi Gallery and some of the most significant works of Italian art, while the day ends with a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio bridge and a panoramic view of the city from the Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint.
Brunelleschi Pass (30 EUR) includes everything: cathedral (free), dome, baptistery, bell tower, museum, archaeology. Climbing the dome - 463 steps, RESERVATION REQUIRED. Dome closed Sunday afternoons.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Ticket 25 EUR (high season) or 12 EUR (low season). RESERVATION MANDATORY in season - the line can be 3-4 hours. Free on the first Sunday of the month (but exceptionally long waits). Combo ticket with Pitti Palace: 38 EUR.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The bridge is public and free to cross 24/7. Best photos at dawn or sunset. Gold shops are open 9 AM-7 PM.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Palace 12.50 EUR, tower an additional 12.50 EUR (with excellent views). Combo ticket (palace + tower + archaeological excavation): 21.50 EUR. The square in front and Loggia dei Lanzi are free.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Ticket 16 EUR. RESERVATION STRONGLY RECOMMENDED - without it expect 1-2 hours of waiting. With a reservation you enter in your designated time slot.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The square is public, free 24/7. Most beautiful at sunset (check sunset time for your travel date). Go on foot (15 min uphill) or by bus 13 from the center.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket often includes combined entry with the Palatine Gallery and Palazzo Pitti. Purchasing online in advance is recommended to avoid queuing, and the garden is open from 8:15 AM.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket includes access to the Palatine Gallery, Royal Apartments and Gallery of Modern Art. Advance online booking is recommended, especially in season, and the museum is closed on Mondays.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket includes a visit to the church, the crypt, and the museum adjacent to the church. Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended to avoid queues. Open daily except Sunday mornings, which are reserved for masses.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket covers all permanent exhibitions featuring Galileo's original instruments and astronomical exhibits. Online booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak season.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
After the drive from Florence, the route continues to Lucca, one of the best-preserved historic cities in Tuscany. The city is known for its impressive Renaissance walls, which today form a green ring around the old town center and are an ideal place for a walk or a bike ride. During the tour, it is worth visiting the picturesque Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, the Torre Guinigi tower with oak trees growing on top, the cathedral of San Martino, and the Museo Puccini, located in the birthplace of the famous composer. The more peaceful atmosphere and well-preserved architecture offer a different experience of Tuscany compared to the bustling Florence.
Entry to the church itself is free; a ticket for the sacristy and museum costs around 3 €. A combined ticket with several churches in the city may be a more affordable option.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket costs around 5 €; a combined ticket with the Torrione dell'Ore may be available at a slight discount. Opening hours vary seasonally, and arriving before noon is recommended.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket for the garden is around 4.50 €, the combined ticket for the garden and palace is around 6 €. Open from April to November; check the opening hours before your visit as they vary.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The route continues through the hills of central Tuscany to San Gimignano, one of the most famous medieval towns in Italy. This former trading center is known for its tall stone towers, which for centuries symbolized the wealth of local families, earning the town the nickname 'Manhattan of the Middle Ages'. The tour includes the squares Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo, as well as a climb up Torre Grossa, the tallest tower in the town, from which you can enjoy views of the vineyards and hills of Tuscany. The day can be rounded off with a tasting of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, one of the most celebrated white wines of the region.
The ticket includes the Civic Museum in Palazzo del Popolo. The stairs are narrow and steep, making it unsuitable for people with limited mobility. Visiting in the morning is recommended.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The church is closed on Sunday mornings during mass. Includes access to the Santa Fina chapel. Quiet behavior is recommended due to the artistic and sacred nature of the space.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The combined ticket covers Torre Grossa as well. Opening hours vary by season — check before visiting. The museum is particularly worthwhile for lovers of Sienese painting.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Admission is paid on-site. The museum is open daily during the tourist season. Not suitable for children without parental supervision due to disturbing content.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The fourth day takes you to Siena, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Italy and a historic rival of Florence. At the heart of the city lies Piazza del Campo, one of the most famous squares in Europe and host to the celebrated Palio horse race. The tour includes the magnificent Duomo di Siena cathedral with its richly decorated interior and the Piccolomini Library, as well as the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia tower that dominate the city skyline. After lunch in one of the traditional contrade, the historic city districts for which Siena is known, it is well worth visiting the Santa Maria della Scala complex, a former medieval hospital transformed into a cultural center.
Entry to the square is free and open throughout the day. During the Palio race (July 2 and August 16), access is restricted for spectators without seats.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The OPA SI pass (around 13 EUR) includes the cathedral, museum, baptistery, and Facciatone viewpoint. The marble floor is visible without coverings only during certain periods — check the calendar before visiting.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The museum ticket costs around 10 EUR, and the combined one with Torre del Mangia is around 14 EUR. The frescoes are well-lit and visible without any special equipment. An audio guide is recommended for context on the frescoes.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Included in the OPA SI pass, which covers both the cathedral and the museum. If purchased separately, the ticket costs around 4 EUR. The space is relatively small, so there are fewer crowds than in the cathedral.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket costs around 8 EUR for adults; for EU citizens under 25 years of age, a reduction or free entry may be available. The gallery is closed on Mondays. A visit in the afternoon hours is recommended when it is less crowded.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
A combined ticket with the Duomo complex is available and is usually more economical. Check the exact opening hours and prices on the official website before your visit, as the schedule changes seasonally.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The last day of the route leads to Pienza, one of the most beautiful towns in the Val d'Orcia valley, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In the 15th century, Pope Pius II rebuilt the town with the idea of creating an ideal Renaissance city, which is why it is today considered one of the most significant examples of Renaissance urbanism in Italy. The tour includes Piazza Pio II, the cathedral Santa Maria Assunta, the palace Palazzo Piccolomini, and the main street Corso il Rossellino. The day is ideally concluded with a tasting of the famous pecorino cheese and a walk through the iconic landscapes of Val d'Orcia, among vineyards, cypress trees, and gentle Tuscan hills.
Visits are organized in guided groups. Tickets are available at the palace reception. The museum is closed on Mondays and in January and February.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The museum is open on weekends and holidays during the winter period, and daily in summer. The ticket can be combined with a visit to the cathedral crypt.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Everything you need for Tuscany in 5 Days — the Classic in one place
