Tuscany: a guide to Italy's most beloved region
Cypress-lined roads, wine estates and Renaissance art. Here is how to plan a holiday in Tuscany, from Florence to the far south.
Tuscan countryside
Staying in a villa or farmhouse among the vineyards is one of the great pleasures of a holiday in Tuscany.
Why Tuscany never goes out of style
Tuscany is the region many people picture when they dream of Italy: rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards and stone farmhouses at the end of long gravel drives. It is also home to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, and a string of medieval towns that seem almost unchanged for centuries.
Tuscany holidays work for almost everyone, from art lovers and food lovers to families who want a villa with a pool. Read on for the highlights, or see more of the country in our guide to Italy holidays.
Castello di Vicarello
A retreat in Cinigiano, an area known for its local wines. Many of Tuscany's finest places to stay are historic estates like this one.
Where is Tuscany?
Tuscany is in central Italy, between the Apennine mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its capital is Florence, and the region also includes Pisa, Siena and Lucca. Liguria and the Cinque Terre lie to the north-west, while Umbria and Lazio border it to the south-east.
Most UK visitors fly to Pisa or Florence. Rome is also a good option if you plan to explore southern Tuscany.
Things to do in Tuscany
Explore Florence, with the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio, then escape the crowds in the Oltrarno district across the river.
See Siena's Piazza del Campo, the shell-shaped square where the Palio horse race is held each summer.
Drive through the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO-listed landscape of cypress trees and hill towns such as Pienza and Montalcino.
Taste wine at the source, from Chianti Classico between Florence and Siena to Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Head south to the tufa towns. Pitigliano, built from red volcanic rock, is one of the most dramatic towns in Tuscany.
Spend a day by the sea, on the sandy beaches of the Maremma or on the island of Elba.
Pitigliano
The far south of Tuscany is wilder and less visited, with towns built straight out of the volcanic rock.
Southern Tuscany: Pitigliano and beyond
The far south of Tuscany feels wilder and quieter. Pitigliano clings to a cliff of tufa above a river gorge, with a long Jewish history that earned it the nickname little Jerusalem. Read the story in Little Jerusalem: the red-hot rocky city.
From here it is a short drive to the hot springs of Saturnia. Just across the border in Lazio, about an hour away, is Civita di Bagnoregio, the dying city on its eroding pinnacle. Strictly speaking it is not in Tuscany, but it fits perfectly into the same road trip.
Where to stay in Tuscany: villas and farmhouses
Staying in a villa or an agriturismo, a working farm with rooms, is one of the great pleasures of a holiday in Tuscany. Many have pools, vineyard views and long tables for dinner outside, and they make a good base for day trips.
Choose your base depending on what you want to see: Chianti for easy access to Florence and Siena, the Val d'Orcia for classic landscapes, or the Maremma for the coast. Browse our pick of 10 enchanting villas in the heart of Tuscany for inspiration.
Casali di Bibbiano
A countryside estate in Buonconvento, south of Siena, with an outdoor pool and local wines.
When is the best time to visit Tuscany?
The best time to visit Tuscany is from late April to June and from September to October. The countryside is green in spring, while autumn brings the grape harvest, truffles and comfortable temperatures for sightseeing.
July and August are hot and Florence is crowded, but it is a good time for a villa holiday with a pool or for the coast. Winter is quiet, with fewer visitors in the cities and some rural hotels closed.
Frequently asked questions about Tuscany
Is Florence in Tuscany?
Yes, Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the region's largest city. It is the natural starting point for a holiday here, with an airport, fast trains to Rome and Milan and regional connections to Pisa, Lucca and Siena. Many visitors spend a few days in Florence before moving on to the countryside.
What is Tuscany famous for?
Tuscany is famous for Renaissance art and architecture in Florence, medieval hill towns such as Siena and San Gimignano, and its rolling landscape of vineyards and cypress trees. It is also known for wines such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, for olive oil and for simple, hearty cooking based on local produce.
Do you need a car in Tuscany?
You do not need a car for Florence, Pisa or Lucca, which are well connected by train. To explore the countryside, wine estates and small hill towns, a car makes life much easier, as rural buses are infrequent. Many historic centres have restricted traffic zones, so park outside the old town walls.
How many days do you need in Tuscany?
A week is a good amount of time for a first visit to Tuscany. Spend two or three days in Florence, then base yourself in the countryside for a few days of wine tasting, hill towns and relaxing by the pool. With more time, add southern Tuscany or the coast.