Located in the heart of Italy, the region of Tuscany is a treasure that combines nature, history and culture. Its landscapes, artistic legacy and famous vineyards make it a truly unforgettable destination, and my favorite region in Italy. Cypress trees lining the hills and golden fields stretching out under the warm Italian sun create a scene that looks like something out of a painting.
Some of the most iconic cities in Italy are located in Tuscany. In this entry I propose a route through some of them, without counting Florence (if you want to know more about Florence, I invite you to read the post 24 hours in Florence :)). Let's start!
1. Lucca
We begin our route through Lucca. This small city often goes unnoticed by those who visit Tuscany, however, it is a corner full of charm, culture and impressive architecture that has endured over the centuries. The best way to visit Lucca is by bike. When you arrive in the city you can rent them at one of the many places located in the center that offer this service. The cost is approximately €4/h (the price usually decreases for each hour you add).
Lucca's most distinctive feature is its impressive Renaissance wall that surrounds the entire old part of the city. Built in the 16th century, this wall has been carefully preserved and now serves as a panoramic path. Cycling or walking along the top of the walls offers a unique view of the city and its surroundings.
Lucca's historic center is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, charming squares and warmly colored buildings. St. Martin's Cathedral is one of the highlights, with its impressive façade and a mix of architectural styles that reflect centuries of evolution. In fact, this church reminded us of the architecture of the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. You will also find the famous Guinigi Tower, which is distinguished by its oak trees at the top. Furthermore, Lucca is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini. Music lovers can visit the Puccini House Museum, where the musician's personal belongings, scores and memorabilia are on display.
Without a doubt, my favorite place in Lucca is the Amphitheater Square. This charming circular square, which once housed an ancient Roman amphitheater, has been transformed into a vibrant urban center with local restaurants and shops. Its pastel-colored buildings line up in a circle, creating a welcoming space for visitors. If you are looking for a place to stop to rest and eat something in Lucca, this is the ideal place. It is also common to find street musicians who brighten the atmosphere of the emblematic square. During our visit we saw children and couples dancing in the center.
Where to park in Lucca
If you travel by car, you can park in the blue zones around the wall (we parked near Porta Sant'Anna). This area is not far from the center and costs €1.50/h.
2. Pisa
The city of Pisa is known worldwide for its famous leaning tower located in Piazza dei Miracoli. However, Pisa has much more to offer its visitors. I explain everything to you below!
Start your tour at Piazza dei Miracoli, where one of the most famous monumental complexes in the world is located. It is undoubtedly the most emblematic area of Pisa and the one that attracts the most tourism, so I recommend that you visit the piazza early in the morning and dedicate the rest of the day to visiting other areas of the city. You can check on this page the prices and schedules to access the different monuments: https://www.opapisa.it/en/tickets/prices/ If you are sure that you want to access any of them, I recommend that you buy tickets in advance (especially to climb the leaning tower).
The Pisa Baptistery is the largest baptistery in all of Italy. Its construction began in 1153 by the architect Diotisalvi. Its lower part is a clear example of the Pisan Romanesque style, however, the first floor is purely Gothic. Inside, there is a beautiful octagonal baptismal font, the work of an artist from Como: Guido Bigarelli.
Construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta began in 1064, under the direction of Buscheto, who would be succeeded by Rainaldo. The building is large: 100 m long, five naves and a very deep apse.
The Campo Santo or cemetery of Pisa is considered sacred ground. This is because the Crusaders brought sand from Calvary in Jerusalem.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is without a doubt the main attraction of the city. It was built during the 12th-14th centuries and is, in fact, the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. It is 58 m high and stands out for its white marble and its pure Romanesque style.
After visiting the emblematic Piazza dei Miracoli, I recommend that you continue exploring the city, Pisa has a lot to show you! This small Tuscan city is often reduced to the wonderful monumental complex (which is no small thing :)), however Pisa has a lot of charm and will surely surprise you. On our trip through Italy, we spent a few hours in Pisa thinking only of Piazza dei Miracoli, mistake! After wandering around for a while, we were left wanting more...
As you enter the old town of Pisa you will discover a labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets that are home to a wide variety of shops, restaurants (which look amazing), cozy cafes and historic buildings. The Piazza del Cavalieri stands out, where the Cavalieri Palace, the Church of Santo Stefano and the Palazzo della Gherardesca are located.
One of the most emblematic streets is Borgo Stretto, which leads to Piazza Garibaldi. This square is located on the north side of the most famous bridge in Pisa: the Ponte di Mezzo. It stands out for the Casino dei Nobile and the statue in the center, which represents Giuseppe Garibaldi. From here you can enjoy incredible views of Pisa reflected in the Arno River.
Among the buildings reflected in the Arno is the Palazzo Blu. This Renaissance palace houses the Museum of Ancient Art. If you continue walking along the banks of the river you will reach the church of Santa Maria della Spina. It is a jewel of Gothic architecture, built between 1223 and 1230 to house a thorn that came from the crown of Christ, brought to Pisa by a crusader.
Where to park in Pisa
During our visit to Pisa we parked in the parking lot located on Via Cammeo Carlo Salomone street. The price is €5/h.
3. San Gimignano
Located in the hills of Tuscany, this medieval town is known as the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages" and "The City of a Thousand Towers."
The origins of San Gimignano date back to the 12th century, when it had a great boom because it was located on the principal road which led to Rome. During medieval times, wealthy families competed with each other to see who could build the tallest tower, as a symbol of power and wealth. However, of the original 72 towers only 14 still remain.
On our trip through Tuscany we headed to San Gimignano after visiting Pisa, along the SP11 road that crosses the typical fields and vineyards of the region. During the journey (1h 20min) we were able to enjoy beautiful landscapes and delve into the serenity and beauty of Tuscany. I recommend following this route if you plan to make the Pisa-San Gimignano journey by car.
Where to park in San Gimignano
Despite being small, San Gimignano is a VERY touristic destination. This makes the access to the town and the parking lot to easily collapse. There are some free parking areas on the street but it is really difficult to find any free ones. The town has 5 paid parking lots; However, it is common for queues to form to access them in high season. We managed to park in parking lot 4 after a few minutes of waiting in line.
If you are looking for more detailed information on free parking spaces and car parks in San Gimignano, I recommend reading this entry on the webpage Take me to Italy.
The best thing to do in San Gimignano is to walk through its medieval stone streets, full of artisan shops, gastronomic establishments and... torture museums! The most emblematic streets are Via San Mateo (which connects with one of the city gates: Porta San Mateo) and Via Diacceto. In addition, among the places to visit are Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Sisterna. These are the two central squares of San Gimignano, where most of the 13 towers are concentrated.
In the center of the Piazza della Sisterna, you will find an octagonal waterhole that formerly supplied the entire city. This triangular square is linked by a passage to Piazza del Duomo, the scene of festivals, tournaments and markets during the 12th century. From its center you can see impressive palaces such as the Palazzo Razzi, the Casa Silvestrini, the Palazzo Tortoli, the Palazzo dei Cortesi and the Pellari, as well as medieval towers such as the Torri degli Ardinghelli, that of the Becci, that of Cugnanesi and that of the Diavolo. Furthermore, in Piazza del Duomo there is the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta (12th century Romanesque church), and the Palazzo Comunale, the former town hall from 1288 that now houses the Civic Museum.
Inside the Civic Museum you will find the access to climb the highest tower in San Gimignano (and the only one open to the public): Torre Grossa. General admission costs €5 (€3 for children) and is open until 7:30 p.m.
Finally, you can't leave San Gimignano without trying a gelatto from the famous Gelateria Dondori. Located in Piazza della Sisterna, this famous ice cream shop appears in the most important international guides and has received numerous awards. They have traditional flavors but they are famous for their specials, I can assure you that you will find unique flavors. Furthermore, during our visit, the master ice cream maker Sergio was in the shop. He greeted all the customers in a friendly manner and we were able to start a brief conversation with him.
5. Siena
On our last stop in Tuscany, we headed to Siena. Siena is a Gothic city built on three hills in the heart of the high Tuscan plateau. It is a completely medieval monumental city, surrounded by walls and with its center in Piazza del Campo. As soon as we arrived we were surprised by the tranquility of this city, despite it being the middle of August we did not have the feeling of being surrounded by tourists. Another of the most surprising aspects of Siena is its great slopes. The city is full of ups and downs, steep streets and staircases.
On a historical level, in the Middle Ages, Siena was an important commercial and textile center of the time, which favored the appearance of an important Gothic school of painting and a boom in architecture. This prosperity was halted in 1348 by the Black Death; since then, the control of Tuscany passed into the hands of Florence.
Where to park in Siena
The medieval wall delimits the old town, this area is practically pedestrian or accessible by car only for residents and merchants. However, we found a street with free parking spaces near the wall and only a few minutes from the historic center. This is the address: Via Pian D'Ovile, 53100 Siena.
We begin the visit in the elegant Piazza Salimbeni, located in the heart of the old town and surrounded by several historical buildings. Among the buildings that surround it, the Palazzo Salimbeni is the most important and where the central office of the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is located, a bank with more than 500 years of history. The other two buildings in this square are Palazzo Tantucci and Palazzo Spannocchi.
We continue along Via Banchi di Sopra, one of the main streets of the historic center of Siena that ends in the fascinating Piazza del Campo. Along this street there are various medieval palazzos and typical shops.
As you enter through one of the narrow streets that lead to Piazza del Campo, you discover a huge square, which is surprising for its inclination. This has been the center of Siena's public life since it was built on an ancient Roman forum in the year 1100. The square is the meeting place for the 17 contrade (neighborhoods) of Siena. In it, several monumental constructions stand out:
The government palace or Palazzo Pubblico was added in 1297 and still holds the headquarters of the town hall. Its Gothic windows and magnificent medieval towers established the canons of Sienese architecture.
The Mangia Tower, which is part of the Palazzo Pubblico. At 102m, it is one of the tallest medieval towers in Italy. Its access is open to the public and you can enjoy the views by paying an entrance fee, however, later on I recommend you the best viewpoint in Siena.
Fonte Gaia, a Renaissance fountain built at the request of the authorities on the occasion of the festival of the arrival, for the first time, of the water supply to Siena. Its translation into English is "Source of Joy", a name that symbolizes the joy of the people of Siena when they were able to supply water to the city.
Palazzo Piccolomini, located in the northwest corner of the square. The works began in 1469, according to the wish of Giacomo and Andrea Piccolomini Todeschini, nephews of Pope Pius II. Since 1858 it has housed the Museo dell'Archivio di Statu di Siena, where documents and works of art are preserved.
We continue through another of the most important squares in the city and in all of Italy, the Piazza del Duomo in Siena. The cathedral brings together late Gothic sculptures, early Renaissance paintings and examples of Baroque design. Although the first architects decorated the building in the Romanesque style, from a formal point of view it is one of the best examples of pure Gothic. Built between 1215 and 1263, it is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the world.
Equally fascinating are the buildings surrounding the Duomo: the Metropolitan Museum and the Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, with frescoes from the 1440s recreating hospital scenes from the Middle Ages. The Baptistery of Saint John, built in Gothic style in 1390, is another of the jewels found in Piazza del Duomo.
The Facciatone Panorama viewpoint, located next to the cathedral, has the best views of Siena. This viewpoint is actually a part of the façade of what was going to be the new cathedral of Siena and which could not be completed due to a plague epidemic. To enjoy the views you have to enter through the Opera Museum and climb more than 200 steps.
You can choose to visit only the Cathedral for €7, or purchase the complete Piazza del Duomo pass. This pass costs €15 and includes all the monuments in the piazza (also the Panorama viewpoint). Both tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket office, we opted for the second option and did not find too much of a queue. However, the monuments in the complex close VERY early (around 5 p.m.), even in summer. I recommend you to go early, especially if you want to access the viewpoint.
We continue the route in the gigantic Basilica of Santo Domingo. This Gothic church, built in the 13th century, was the scene of the ecstasies of Saint Catherine. Inside, you will find frescoes that narrate the life of the saint and a Renaissance marble tabernacle that preserves the head and a thumb of Saint Catherine. Access to the basilica is free and from the outside you can enjoy good views of all of Siena.
Finally, we headed to the Sanctuary and House of Saint Catherine of Siena. This is the birthplace of Saint Catherine, patron saint of Italy. It has its entrance on Via Santa Caterina and is built by a set of superimposed oratories. On the lower floor you can see the cell in which the saint lived and, on the upper floor, the Crucifixion where she was stigmatized is venerated.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS...
We did this route in 1 and a half days. The timing is tight, we were left with the desire of spending more time in each of the places. If what you are looking for is a first contact with Tuscany, go ahead. If you want to visit it calmly, try local restaurants, enter the monuments, shops, etc. I recommend you dedicate more days to it.
The access to San Gimignano and its car parks gets easily blocked, especially if you travel in summer. I recommend arriving in San Gimignano first thing in the morning to avoid queues and, with a lot of luck (it is practically impossible) to get free parking in the white areas.
Remember that to access many of the Duomo's and Basilicas it is necessary to cover your shoulders and, in some cases, your knees. If you travel in summer, I recommend carrying a thin sweater or scarf in your bag.
Pisa is much more than its leaning tower! Take time to discover its old town and wander along the banks of the Arno.
It is worth exploring Tuscany by car, with the windows down and a good playlist. The scenery is incredible and if you have time, you can stop to visit a vineyard or even book a Tuscan wine tasting experience.
Don't forget Lucca! This small town in Tuscany often goes unnoticed but it is a true gem. Furthermore, I recommend you visiting it by taking a pleasant bike ride.
On our route, we stopped for a picnic at Parco il Vallone, between San Gimignano and Siena. It is a quiet place, very green and with free parking. Furthermore, it is not necessary to deviate from the route for the stop.
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