Tuscany is an Italian region renowned for its breathtaking scenery, rich history and delicious cuisine. Ask us how much time to allow to visit this wonderful part of the world is a frequent question among travelers, and there's no single answer to this question, so varied and exciting are the activities. Nevertheless, we've put together a few tips and itinerary suggestions to help you plan your trip according to your interests.
Here is a first simplistic approach with the list of 15 cities to see, the activities to do there and the usual duration:
| City | Places to visit | Recommended duration (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Florence | [Uffizi Gallery, Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace]. | 3 |
| Siena | [Piazza del Campo, Siena Cathedral, Torre del Mangia, Basilica San Domenico]. | 2 |
| Pisa | [Leaning tower, Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa Cathedral, Camposanto Monumentale] | 1 |
| Lucca | [Lucca Walls, Guinigi Tower, San Michele in Foro, Piazza dell'Anfiteatro]. | 2 |
| San Gimignano | [Torre Grossa, Piazza della Cisterna, Collegiate Church, Civic Museum]. | 1 |
| Arezzo | [Piazza Grande, Arezzo Cathedral, Santa Maria della Pieve, Medici Fortress]. | 2 |
| Volterra | [Roman Theatre, Palazzo dei Priori, Etruscan Museum, Volterra Cathedral]. | 1 |
| Cortone | [Piazza della Repubblica, Diocesan Museum, Le Celle Hermitage, Girifalco Fortress]. | 1 |
| Pienza | [Pienza Cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini, Corso Rossellino, Pieve di Corsignano] | 1 |
| Montepulciano | [Piazza Grande, San Biagio Church, Cantina Storica, Pulcinella Tower]. | 1 |
| Livorno | [Terrazza Mascagni, Old Fortress, Montenero Sanctuary, Natural History Museum]. | 2 |
| Prato | [Emperor's Castle, Prato Cathedral, Fabric Museum, Cavalciotto Bridge]. | 1 |
| Grosseto | [San Lorenzo Cathedral, Roselle Archaeological Area, Maremma Regional Park, Medicean Walls]. | 1 |
| Carrara | [Marble quarries, Carrara Cathedral, Piazza Alberica, Civic Museum]. | 1 |
| Montalcino | [Fortress, Sant'Antimo Abbey, Brunello Museum, Palazzo dei Priori]. | 1 |
Assess your interests and priorities
To choose the right length of your stay in Tuscany, it's essential to assess your interests and priorities. Tuscany is vast and offers a wide choice of activities and sites to visit, so think about what matters most to you:
- Discover the historic towns like Florence, Siena or Pisa?
- Making hiking in lush green landscapes of Val d'Orcia?
- Explore the vineyards to taste local wines and products?
- Relax on the golden beaches of the Tyrrhenian coast?
Depending on your preferences, you'll be able to orientate your program and estimate the ideal length of stay for your Tuscan getaway. Of course, even by car, Tuscany isn't very big; the location of your vacation home will also have an influence on your journeys and the possibilities open to you.
Discover our vacation rentals in Tuscany at the best prices, direct from the owner:
Time to be allowed for activities
In this section, we suggest you estimate the time you need to allow for the various main activities that can be carried out during a stay in Tuscany.
Cultural and sightseeing tours
Florence, the region's capital, is a must-see with its architectural and artistic splendors. Allow at least two full days to discover the main sites:
- Uffizi Gallery
- Piazza del Duomo
- Ponte Vecchio
- Palazzo Vecchio
Siena also deserves a full day to appreciate its treasures, including the Piazza del Campo and its cathedral. As for Pisa, half a day is usually enough to admire the Piazza dei Miracoli and the Cathedral. its famous Leaning Tower. Medieval villages such as San Gimignano, Volterra and Montepulciano can also be visited on day trips. It is therefore advisable to bring a minimum five to seven days for a cultural and historical itinerary in Tuscany.
Hiking and ecotourism
The Tuscan region offers a wealth of hiking opportunities in peaceful, beautiful natural settings. Among the most popular itineraries are :
- The fiftieth anniversary
- Cascade Del Gorgaccia
- Sunrise over the tower of Palazzo Pretorio in Cortona
- Hiking in the Casentino mountains
- Coastal paths on the island of Elba
- Pieve San Giorgio di Brancoli - Via Francigena
To get the most out of your walks and hiking in Tuscanyit is recommended to provide at least three to five daysor even a week if you want to explore more of the region's natural heritage.
Wine tourism and gastronomy
Tuscany is renowned for its wines, such as the famous Chianti, and its many tastings are a delight for wine lovers. For those wondering "where to buy wine in Tuscany ?", vineyards are generally open to visitors, with the possibility of goasting and buying bottles on site. Allow a full day to visit a winery and enjoy a typical Tuscan meal in an agriturismo (farmhouse inn) or osteria (traditional tavern). Count on one to three days to fully appreciate the local flavours, depending on your interest in the subject.
Farniente and seaside pleasures
The Tuscan coastwith its fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters, is an excellent choice for those wishing to relax in idyllic surroundings. Popular seaside resorts such as ViareggioForte dei Marmi or Castiglioncello offer top-quality tourist facilities, but there are also countless more secluded coves and beaches to explore if you prefer peace and quiet. Please visit at least three days to enjoy the sea and sun in Tuscany.
Suggested itineraries and recommended duration
Now that you've got an idea of how much time you'll need according to your interests, here are some suggested itineraries for your stay in Tuscany:
- Cultural tour (7 days) : Florence (2 days) - Pisa (1/2 day) - San Gimignano, Volterra and Monteriggioni (1 day) - Siena (1 day) - Arezzo and Cortona (1 day) - Lucca (1 day)
- Nature and hiking tours (5 to 7 days) : Casentine Forests National Park - Val d'Orcia - Amiata Mountains - Chianti Hills - Elba Island (for coastal trails)
- Gastronomy and wine tour (3 days) : Visit to wine cellars in the Chianti Classico region - Wine lessons Tuscan cuisine - Tastings in agriturismi and osterie
- Seaside relaxation tour (3 days) : Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi or Castiglioncello, with possible excursions to islands such as Elba or the Maremma Natural Park
By taking these suggestions into account, you can combine several itineraries for a longer stay in Tuscany. A two-week road trip, for example, will enable you to enjoy all the activities mentioned above without having to make overly drastic choices. Here's a sample itinerary for a full 15-day trip:
- Florence (2 days)
- Pisa and Lucca (1 day)
- San Gimignano and Volterra (1 day)
- Siena and Monteriggioni (1 day)
- Arezzo and Cortona (1 day)
- Casentinesi Forests National Park (2 days)
- Val d'Orcia (1 day)
- Chianti hills (1 day)
- Wine cellar tours and tastings (2 days)
- Seaside relaxation (3 days)
With this information and advice in mind, plan your visit to Tuscany according to your passions and desires. No matter how much time you spend in this magnificent region, you're sure to leave with lasting memories and a strong desire to return.