10 FANTASTIC DAY TRIPS FROM FLORENCE
Florence as Your Gateway to Tuscany
Florence is a city of grand museums, soaring domes, and cobbled lanes that seem to hum with history. But for travelers looking to experience more of Tuscany without packing up and relocating each night, Florence also makes the ideal home base.
From its central location, you can venture out to medieval towns, vineyard-covered hills, or even the sparkling Ligurian coast—and be back in time for aperitivo.
With fast train links, guided tours, and day-trip itineraries offered through sites like GetYourGuide and Viator, day-tripping from Florence has never been easier. Here are 10 incredible destinations that you can explore in a day.
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Planning Tips for Day Trips from Florence:
- Book in advance during summer and holidays, especially for popular towns and wine tours.
- Travel light and wear comfortable shoes—many towns have cobbled streets and steep climbs.
- Start early to beat crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures.
- Use GetYourGuide or Viator for skip-the-line entry, guided insights, and stress-free transport.
1. Pisa: Iconic Architecture and a Quick Escape
Just an hour from Florence by train, Pisa is often visited for one reason: the Leaning Tower. But there’s more to this riverside city than a single architectural quirk. The Leaning Tower may be the headliner, but the whole Piazza dei Miracoli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can climb the tower, tour the magnificent cathedral and baptistery, and explore quiet backstreets near the Arno River.
How to Get There:
Trains from Florence to Pisa run regularly and take about one hour. For convenience, join a half-day tour from GetYourGuide or Viator that includes skip-the-line tower access and a guided walk.
Tour Tip: Many tours combine Pisa with Lucca, giving you two towns in one seamless day.
2. Siena: Medieval Majesty and Timeless Tradition
Perched on a hilltop and known for its Gothic architecture and famous Palio horse race, Siena is a must-see for any Tuscany itinerary. Siena’s shell-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of Italy’s most beautiful squares. Its cathedral is a black-and-white marble masterpiece, and the historic center feels like it’s been lifted straight from the Middle Ages.
How to Get There: By bus (90 minutes),Car Hire, or on a full-day guided tour, often combined with San Gimignano and Chianti.
Tour Tip: Look for full-day Tuscany excursions on GetYourGuide that include lunch at a winery between Siena and San Gimignano.
3. San Gimignano: Towers, Wine, and Views
This hilltop town is famous for its soaring stone towers that dominate the skyline—14 of them still stand, a remnant of medieval family rivalries. San Gimignano has a unique atmosphere that blends history with artisan shops, gelaterias, and wine bars. The town is also home to Vernaccia, a crisp white wine made locally.
How to Get There:
Reaching San Gimignano via public transport requires a bus-train combo, so a guided tour or Car Hire is easiest.
Tour Tip: Combine San Gimignano with Siena and Chianti on a small-group Viator or GetYourGuide day tour with tastings included.
4. Lucca: Walls You Can Walk (or Bike!)
Lucca’s unique feature is its perfectly preserved Renaissance wall that circles the city. Today, it’s a tree-lined promenade you can walk or cycle. Lucca is tranquil and elegant, with shady piazzas, elegant towers, and links to composer Giacomo Puccini. It’s a relaxed alternative to more crowded destinations. (Our favorite Tuscan Town)
How to Get There:
Frequent trains from Florence take 1.5 hours. You can also combine Lucca with Pisa on a day tour.
Tour Tip: Join a guided e-bike tour on Viator for a full loop of the Lucca walls and a food-tasting stop.
5. Chianti Wine Region: Vineyards and Vistas
Just outside Florence, the Chianti region offers some of the best wine-tasting opportunities in Italy, with vineyard lunches and olive groves to match. Chianti is about more than wine—it’s about slowing down, savoring lunch at a farmhouse, and enjoying those iconic Tuscan views.
How to Get There:
Public transport is limited. The best way is by Car Hire or via guided wine tours from Florence.
Tour Tip: Choose a small-group GetYourGuide tour with tastings at two or three family-run wineries and a traditional Tuscan lunch.
6. Arezzo: Art, Antiques, and Underrated Beauty
Often skipped by tourists, Arezzo is a hidden gem filled with Etruscan ruins, Piero della Francesca frescoes, and an authentic local vibe. For art lovers, the Basilica of San Francesco is home to some of Italy’s most important Renaissance frescoes. It also hosts a massive antiques market the first weekend of every month.
How to Get There:
Trains from Florence take about an hour. Easy and relaxed do it yourself day trip, or a guided tour with Get Your Guide or Viator
Tour Tip: For a deeper dive, some guided walking tours are available on Viator, including entry to the frescoes and a historical overview.
7. Montepulciano and Pienza: Val d’Orcia Perfection
Two of Tuscany’s most beautiful towns, Montepulciano and Pienza sit in the Val d’Orcia—a UNESCO-protected landscape of vineyards, cypress trees, and rolling hills.
Montepulciano is famous for its Vino Nobile wine and underground cellars, while Pienza charms with pecorino cheese, perfect hillside town, and dreamy views.
How to Get There:
Car Hire is a great option, but a guided day tour lets you relax and sample wine without worry.
Tour Tip: Book a Val d’Orcia tour on GetYourGuide that includes both towns, a winery stop, and lunch with a view.
8. Volterra: Etruscan Echoes and Alabaster Streets
Volterra feels different from other Tuscan towns. It has Etruscan origins, Roman ruins, and a moody, atmospheric feel that sets it apart.
It’s the place to explore alabaster workshops, ancient city gates, and dramatic views over the Tuscan countryside.
How to Get There:
Tough via public transport; best visited by Car Hire or on a day tour, often combined with San Gimignano.
Tour Tip: Look for combo tours with Get your guide or Viator that include both towns and time to shop local crafts.
9. Cinque Terre: A Seaside Day Beyond Tuscany
Though not in Tuscany, Cinque Terre is reachable from Florence and offers a full change of scenery—think colorful cliffside villages and Ligurian seafood.
The five villages are stunning, each perched on dramatic cliffs over the sea. Hike, eat, relax, repeat.
How to Get There:
Organized day tours by train or bus are the easiest and most efficient.
Tour Tip: Viator and GetYourGuide both offer full-day Cinque Terre tours from Florence that include multiple villages and lunch.
10. Bologna: The Culinary Capital of Italy
If food is your passion, Bologna will not disappoint. Known for its rich cuisine and academic history, it makes a fast and fascinating day trip.
Home of tagliatelle al ragù (real Bolognese), mortadella, and the world’s oldest university.
How to Get There:
Just 40 minutes by high-speed train from Florence is without doubt the quickest and easiest.
Tour Tip: Join a cooking class or gourmet walking tour with Get Your Guide or Viator to get a real taste of the city
Final Thoughts: Day Tripping Made Easy
Florence might be the jewel of Tuscany, but the true treasure lies in its surroundings. With so many incredible towns and experiences just a short trip away, your only challenge is choosing which one to explore first. Whether you’re sipping wine in Chianti, walking medieval walls in Lucca, or climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a day trip from Florence is the perfect way to dive deeper into Tuscany’s timeless magic.
PLAN YOUR TUSCANY ADVENTURE
These are our favorite companies we use when planning a trip, they consistently have the best prices, great customer service, and overall, are better than their competitors.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT – Going is a great search engine if you are flexible about your travel destination and dates. Sign up for their newsletter and get the latest deals on destinations around the world. GOING is our new go to.
CAR RENTAL – We recommend using Discover Cars or Rental Cars when booking a car rental, they work with hundreds of companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs.
TRAINS – TRAINLINE – is our favorite, this site is very reliable and easy to use.
BUS – OMIO – this website allows you to book train or bus tickets to travel from city to city the best and cheapest way. FLIXBUS is another terrific website with routes between 20 European countries.
ACCOMMODATIONS
BOOKING.com – is our go to for hotel searches around the world, we find they always have the cheapest rates and offer different payment options. In addition, VRBO is another terrific website for all types of accommodations.
HOSTELWORLD – is great if you’re traveling on a budget, and if you need a cheap place to stay.
SIGHTSEEING TOURS
GET YOUR GUIDE – is our favorite; they have stacks of tours and excursions available in cities all over the world. VIATOR is another great website for all types of tours.
TAKE WALKS – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
SAFETY WING – is our go to travel medical insurance company, especially for longer trips. You can either purchase a monthly plan or a plan for specific trip dates (i.e. 1-2 week trips). They cover people from all over the world, while outside their home country.
ARC’TERYX – is a go to reliable brand for outdoor adventure and travel, their wide range includes light weight durable, easy to clean travel gear.
Check out our RESOURCE PAGE for more additional planning.