A Tourist’s Guide to Tuscany

Everything you need to know for your trip to Tuscany

Before travelling to Tuscany, you might already have an idea what it would be like… Rolling countryside hills and winding roads, lined with majestic cypress trees, fields and sunflowers dancing in a gentle breeze and rustic, sepia toned buildings, housing tiny eateries, serving the best wine I could ever imagine. Sure, these things are all there, but there is so much more to this beautiful region of Italy.

There is so much to see and do in Tuscany, and you'll fall in love with it so much that you simply can’t stay in one spot. It’s just begging to be explored. Explore our complete guide to Tuscany, foolproof tourist tips to follow when booking your next trip.

A Guide to Tuscany’s Cities & Towns | A Guide to Tuscany’s Countryside | A Guide to Tuscany’s Coast

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A Guide to Tuscany’s Cities & Towns

Florence - Tuscany’s Largest City

The biggest of the Tuscan cities and the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a city renowned for its history, iconic architecture and exquisite art. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, with so much to see and do.

Pisa - Home of the Leaning Tower

Located just 10km from the coast, Pisa is well worth visiting because of the sight of its famed ‘Leaning Tower’ alone, but the city centre also has a lot to explore and has some very interesting medieval architecture.

Siena

Located just an hour south of Florence, Siena is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the region. With one of Italy's best preserved Medieval city centres, Siena is home to some stunning architecture, and its Cathedral is one of the most prolific Gothic churches in Italy.

Lucca

Lucca has a subtle, friendly Italian charm that is hard not to fall in love with. The place is dotted with beautiful medieval churches and quaint, relaxing squares where visitors can stroll lazily, soaking up the atmosphere, perhaps enjoying a real Italian espresso on the way.

Volterra

We also recommend a visit to Volterra, a beautiful, walled mountaintop town, featured heavily in Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ series and the historic spa town of Montecatini, for a break from city life. Montecatini is the biggest spa town in Italy and a true paradise for those who want to enjoy some indulgent rest and relaxation.

San Gimignano

San Gimignano is located about halfway between Florence and Siena. At the height of its glory, some 72 impressive towers were built by the wealthy families of the village as symbols of their wealth and power. Today, only 14 towers remain, but the city still maintains a strong historical atmosphere and was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.

A Guide to Tuscany’s Countryside

The countryside of Tuscany is a feast for the senses, with stunning hilltop villages, vast vineyards and misty olive groves providing a sort of beautiful quilt of lush, rolling landscapes beneath a clear blue sky. It is often said that the word "idyllic" is overused by travel writers, but when it comes to Tuscany, no other word will do.

Many come to the Tuscan countryside in search of awe-inspiring landscapes, delicious cuisine and beautiful wines, and they never leave disappointed. The Tuscan countryside is filled with romance too. Historic residences, country villas and renovated castles all offer unique and magical places to stay as you explore this absolutely stunning region.

The Chianti Region

Visiting the Chianti region is not something you want to miss out on during your time in Tuscany. One of the most beautiful areas in the whole of Tuscany and of course, one of the most renowned vineyards in the world. Offering a unique landscape with its vast fields of vineyards, olive groves and a sprinkling of stone-built countryside homes, this place is worth the visit for so much more than the wine, but believe us, it’s a good place to start.

A Family Destination

The Tuscan countryside is not just for those looking for a simple countryside retreat, it also provides some great holiday options for families. There is a range of family-friendly accommodation, and they provide the perfect backdrop for the number of wonderful holiday villages that this region offers. The environment lends itself to adventure, exploration and quality time, spent together.

A Guide to Tuscany’s Coast

This beautiful sun-kissed region has a choice of stylish seaside resorts, each boasting long stretches of sandy beaches and promenades lined with elegant shops, restaurants and pavement cafés. What's more is that Tuscany's gorgeous towns and cities are all within easy reach and provide the perfect way to spend a day or two when you need a break from the beach.

Viareggio

The beautiful coastal town of Viareggio offers a relaxed beach holiday experience and is known as the ‘Pearl of the Tyrrhenian’ with its beautiful, long stretch of fine sandy beaches. The elegant town embodies the quintessential Italian beach holiday experience with charming cafés, seafood restaurants and liberty style architecture buildings lining its beautiful promenade.

The town’s train station allows easy access to some of the most spectacular Tuscan cities such as Florence, Lucca and Pisa. This makes for a perfectly balanced holiday in Tuscany with both relaxation and exploration. And if you want to explore even further afield you can take a train to La Spezia, and from there, explore the picture-perfect villages of Cinque Terre.

Marina di Pietrasanta

Marina di Pietrasanta is known for the golden beach of fine, smooth sand and the incomparable promenade along the coast.

Between the beach, the culture, the local activities, the delicious food and the Prosecco, you will find it hard not to fall in love with this place. Here, you can simply breathe in pure, fresh air and enjoy the silky sand between your toes.

This sun-kissed destination is a true haven for those who love long romantic walks on the beach or history-lovers who love a stroll around a traditional town. Mingling with the locals is easy at weekends at the local markets, where you can stroll along colourful stalls of fresh food, clothes, antiques and artefacts made from the local marble.

Lido di Camaiore

The lively seaside resort of Lido di Camaiore, on the Tuscan Riviera, is well-loved for its astonishing scenic promenade along the peaceful shore.

The vast beach of velvety sand and clean fresh waters makes Lido di Camaiore a wonderful destination for families or couples. This dreamy destination has always attracted artists due to its relaxed yet captivating atmosphere.

Inspiration is around every corner with beautiful gardens, designer boutiques, Art Deco architecture and, of course, the twinkling blue ocean.

Tuscany remains a popular destination to visit, and it’s easy to see why. Whether it’s transporting back in time by visiting historical Tuscan cities, enjoying the vistas of its idyllic countryside or simply relaxing at its beautiful coastal resorts, Tuscany truly has it all to offer.

Interested in booking your next trip to Tuscany with Topflight? Get in touch with our friendly, experienced team today and let them help you build the perfect Italian getaway.

Book a trip to Tuscany today with Topflight

Interested in booking your next trip to Tuscany with Topflight? Get in touch with our friendly, experienced team today and let them help you build the perfect Italian getaway.