Day trips from Florence you will want to take!
Florence is one of the most popular Italian destinations. With many things to do and see, it is particularly appreciated by couples. Even though you won’t get bored in the city, many prefer to take advantage of some day trips from Florence.
Hiking the hills of Tuscany, visiting hilltop medieval towns, savoring Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino wines, and much more – are only a few things worth doing while in Tuscany.
Due to its location and great connections, you can quickly get around by train, but I strongly suggest renting a car for at least a day or two. It will allow you to explore the winding roads between vineyards and old Italian mansions and take some of the most stunning pictures.
Spoiler alert: driving around Tuscany is absolutely fantastic!
This post contains affiliate links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. Read more about this on our disclosure page here.
Table of Contents
Day trips from Florence: My Favorite 15
Siena
By Linn Haglund of Brainy Backpackers
A day trip from Florence to Siena, one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany, is a must.
Start your day at the medieval square, Piazza del Campo, where you can access several attractions. The shell-shaped square is unique and one of the most beautiful in Italy.
Visit the Palazzo Pubblico and the Civic Museum, and climb the 400 steps of Torre del Mangia.
Have lunch at one of the many restaurants on the square. Or, wander the cobblestone streets to find an authentic eatery.
After lunch, visit the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta, Siena’s spectacular Romanesque Gothic cathedral. The combined complex comprises the cathedral, the crypt, Museo dell’Opera, the Libreria Piccolomini library, and the astounding Baptistery of San Giovanni.
If you have any time left after this, you should spend it getting lost in the medieval streets of the old town. It is so charming everywhere you go. If you get hungry, get a gelato or a pizza on the go.
You can also take a city walking tour, learning about Siena’s history while admiring its most beautiful sights.
Siena can be reached by car from Florence in just over an hour. However, the two cities are well connected by public transport, too. The direct train takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, and direct buses take only an hour.
Omio is a great tool for checking train and bus timetables and booking the best one for your trip. Check it out here!
Check out this day tour from Florence to Siena!
Venice
By Jackie of Jou Jou Travels
Venice is a beautiful city in Northern Italy comprised of 100 small islands. You can reach Venice from Florence in two hours and fifteen minutes by high-speed train, making it an excellent day trip option.
The city is a great walking city, as no cars are allowed due to the many canals and winding streets. It’s the perfect place to wander and get lost, and if you have more time, you can explore it in a day or even a weekend. The must-see spots include St. Mark’s Basilica, the most famous church in the city, and Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal.
For a unique find, visit the Libreria Acqua Alta, a library with many pretty books stacked outside and featuring unique interiors. If you fancy being more of a tourist, take a gondola ride through the many canals and admire the stunning architecture surrounding you. Indulge in the fantastic food, specializing in seafood.
Try Osteria alla Staffa for an affordable meal. If more time allows, visit Burano, the most colorful place in the world. It takes a 40-minute boat ride to get there.
Read also: The complete 2 days in Venice itinerary
Arezzo
By Martina & Jürgen, PlacesofJuma
A visit to Arezzo is undoubtedly one of the best day trips from Florence. This small town is a natural hidden pearl of Tuscany and should not be missed on any roundtrip! This beautiful medieval town is only one hour’s drive. Therefore, it can be reached easily and quickly by car or public bus.
Guided tours are also available if you want to join one.
Arezzo is famous in Italy, and above all, it is a city renowned for its ceramics and metals. Handicrafts and jewelry have always been produced here, which has brought the city great prosperity and wealth. Hard to believe, but ten tonnes of gold are processed here every month.
A stroll through the town reveals countless shops selling the finest jewelry and beautiful ceramics, such as the world-famous Aretin vases.
In addition, a visit to Arezzo’s old town is a must-do, because the center is full of exciting sights.
The Piazza Grande, a breathtakingly beautiful central square and popular photo motif, is charming and a real highlight. It slopes down at an angle, creating an almost surreal backdrop.
Also worth seeing and visiting are the countless museums and churches, where art treasures and masterpieces by famous artists such as Piero della Francesca or Giorgio Vasari can be admired.
Ferrara
By Miriam from Miry Giramondo
One of the most beautiful day trips from Florence is the city of Ferrara, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. It is a jewel rich in history and art. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and the old town is not very big, so that you can visit it on foot.
The city’s history is strongly connected to the Este family, who ruled in Ferrara for centuries; the monument symbol of the town is the Este Castle, built in the sixteenth century and arrived in perfect condition.
Another important monument is the Cathedral of San Giorgio, renowned for its splendid white marble architecture adorned with Romanesque columns, Gothic arches, and interior design.
It is difficult not to notice the Palazzo dei Diamanti with its characteristic external rusticated façade reminiscent of rows of faceted diamond points.
Do not miss a walk through the medieval streets, including Via delle Volte, which takes its name from the numerous suspended passages that cross it and connect the workshops to the warehouses along the river.
In this area, there are many inns with authentic atmospheres where you can taste the local specialties, including pumpkin cappellacci seasoned with meat sauce or butter and sage. Another typical dish is macaroni pie.
Ferrara can be reached by train from Florence. The fast train takes 1 and 10 minutes and is the fastest way to the city. By car, the journey takes just over two hours.
Book a walking tour in Ferrara and see the city’s highlights!
Pienza
By Michela Sieman at She Goes the Distance
Pienza is the poster child for the Tuscan countryside, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is nestled in the Province of Siena in the picturesque, instantly recognizable Val D’Orcia with its tree-lined, winding roads. Despite growing in popularity with tourists as an off-the-beaten-path destination, this small hilltop village retains all of its character.
While the town is tiny in itself, it boasts a larger-than-life history. Pienza was the birthplace of Pope Pius II. After becoming a pope, he redesigned and reconstructed the entire urban center as a new Renaissance town.
The main sights in Pienza include the Duomo, which dominates the main square. It would help if you also walked along the town’s perimeter, specifically the Camminata Panoramica path, to enjoy the views of Val D’Orcia.
Stroll the inner parts of town and the narrow streets to discover Pienza’s artisanal, local shops, including the Antichi Sapori di Pienza.
Pienza is a 90-minute drive by car from Florence. It’s easiest to reach by car, as you’ll need to use a convoluted combination of buses or buses and trains to get to this tiny countryside paradise with public transportation (which can take over three hours in total.)
Because the town is so small, even just a few tourists can feel like a lot. Visit in the off-season months, like April and May, or September and October, to enjoy cooler weather and emptier streets while exploring Pienza.
Padua
Padua, the City of the Saints, is about two hours by train from Florence. It is a vibrant place full of treasures to be discovered. Art, culture, history, gastronomy, imposing squares, alleys, and shops—nothing is really missing.
Our route starts from the Scrovegni Chapel. If you arrive by train, you can walk along Corso del Popolo for about 700 meters.
The Scrovegni Chapel is one of Padua’s most precious jewels, housing a famous cycle of Giotto’s frescoes. It was built in the area of the ancient Roman arena, purchased in the fourteenth century by a wealthy Paduan family of bankers, the Scrovegni.
PRATO DELLA VALLE
Prato della Valle is the largest square in Padua and Italy and the second-largest in Europe: it boasts an area of 88 620 square meters.
Inside is a green island named Isola Memmia (from the mayor who commissioned the work). It is surrounded by a canal decorated with statues depicting famous past characters.
THE BASILICA OF SANT’ANTONIO (BASILICA DEL SANTO)
The Basilica of Sant’Antonio, known as “del Santo,” is a truly unmissable stop: every year, millions of pilgrims come to Padua just to visit it. It was built in 1232 to house the remains of the Franciscan friar.
The external facade is beautiful and imposing, and a mix of styles (Romanesque, Gothic, Byzantine, and Moorish) blends and creates perfect harmony.
THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Botanical Garden of Padua has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It is the oldest university botanical garden in the world, founded in 1545 to help students recognize medicinal plants.
Perugia
By Annabel Kirk at Smudged Postcard
Perugia is a lovely city to explore on a day trip. It is reachable from Florence in around 2 hours by train.
Perugia is the capital of Italy’s green heart region of Umbria. The city has an impressive history dating back to Etruscan times. This is reflected in the streets—with the impressive Etruscan arch at Piazza Grimana and extensive Etruscan ruins beneath the cathedral.
As with any Italian city, Perugia’s center can be found in its central piazza. Piazza IV Novembre features elegant palazzos, the city’s Gothic cathedral, and the ornate Romanesque Fontana Maggiore by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. The square is a meeting place for locals—many of them students—and tourists. It leads onto the popular Corso Vannucci, a long street with inviting bars and cafes.
Fans of Italian art will be drawn to the National Gallery of Umbria, housed in the Palazzo dei Priori back in the main square. Highlights of the museum include works by local artists Perugino and Pinturicchio and art by Piero della Francesca and Fra Angelico.
Each July, Perugia hosts the excellent Umbria Jazz Festival. Musicians come from all over the world to perform live music in the streets and squares, creating a real party atmosphere in the city.
If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to check out the Perugina chocolate factory, which offers tours in English and Italian. It’s home to the famous Baci chocolates, a perfect gift for Italy lovers.
Modena
By Lori Sorentino at Travlinmad.com
If you’re visiting Florence and want to experience some of Italy’s most authentic cities, there’s no better place to go than Modena, under 2 hours away from the Renaissance City.
Modena is known for slow food and fast cars.
Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati are headquartered in the nearby Motor Valley. Two Ferrari museums are worth a visit, even if you’re not a sports car fan.
The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one visit to the Modena Cathedral and Ghirlandina Tower will reveal what makes these two places so historically significant.
But undoubtedly, it’s the food that draws much of its notoriety. Take a food tour, stroll downtown, and stop in local shops and markets selling rare spices or traditional balsamic vinegar. The Mercato Albinelli is a must-stop and one of the best local markets in Italy.
If you can score a table at Osteria Francescana (around six months in advance), you’ll be dining in one of the top restaurants in the world.
Getting to Modena from Florence is easy. Trains run several times a day between the two cities, connecting through Bologna, although driving is scenic if you’re up for a long road trip.
San Gimignano
By Ruma Dey Baidya at TheHolidayStory
San Gimignano is a small fortified hill town in Tuscany, Italy, and it is among our favorite day trips from Florence.
The town is well-known for its ancient architectural style, some of which were built in the 14th or 15th centuries. Accordingly, its historical and cultural influences have certified it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourists are awestruck when visiting San Gimignano. Its well-preserved appearance from the Middle Ages in a modern city layout is the primary attraction. The medieval center has all the old square towers. At the heart of this is the main center, Piazza Della Cisterna. From here, a brick pavement leads to Via del Castello.
The homes of past nobles and riches are present here. Piazza Duomo is another square where Palazzo Podesta and Collegiate Church are present. The highest point of the hill is home to the ruins of Rocca castle. The city has fourteen towers still standing tall. The churches in the town have beautiful artworks by the painters of the Renaissance period.
Walking down the antique streets in the evening can highlight your trip. Many visitors climb the towers to see the view from the top. Torre Grossa is the tallest and, therefore, the best climb. Local handmade artifacts of clay are also quite famous among tourists.
San Gimignano is located just 60 kilometers southeast of Florence. By car, it takes about an hour. Several daily buses and trains also travel between the two places.
Pisa
By Utkarsh at Journeys from Heart
Pisa is a favorite destination among travelers looking for a day trip from Florence. Home to the famous wonder of the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the city also has a couple of other attractions.
Locater is around 52 miles from Florence. Driving there would take you close to an hour, while the train would take a bit less time.
The stunning city has clear, sunny weather, and you can stroll around town, visit its major attractions, or go on a city bus tour. Moreover, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is only 1.5 kilometers from the city’s train station, making it easy to walk there.
Other places worth a visit are the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (a medieval Cathedral built in the Pisan architecture style), Campo Santo (a Sacred Field), the Cathedral’s Museum (a great place for art and history lovers), or the Palazzo della Carovana (a 1562 palace with great architecture and historical displays).
Chianti
By Roxanne at Faraway Worlds
If you have an extra day in Florence, you must visit the famous Chianti region in Tuscany. While Chianti has the rolling countryside and distinctive villages typical of Tuscany, its claim to fame is its wine.
No matter where you stay in Florence, you’ll find the region’s dry, red wine readily available (sometimes even in the traditional squat bottles enclosed in a straw basket). The best way to try the wine is by visiting the vineyards that make it.
While you can take public transport, the best way to explore Chianti is by hiring a car or going on a wine tour. It’s only 35km from Florence to Chianti, but expect to spend the day visiting different wineries and tasting their wine and other delicacies.
The highlight of the day is choosing a winery for a long lunch. You’ll typically sit outdoors (if the weather is good), overlooking the vineyard and the Tuscan countryside.
Delicious, traditional Italian food is typically on offer, accompanied by the region’s wine. If you want a break from wine, you can also visit some charming towns in the Chianti region – favorites include Radda, Greve, and Panzano.
Bologna
By Rachel from Average Lives
The magnificent city of Bologna is the food capital of Italy and home to the oldest university in the world. Therefore, if you visit Bologna on a day trip from Florence, you can expect an authentic Italian experience. Indeed, it is incredible to think that even after 1000 years, the city is still exciting because of the university.
As Bologna is a compact city, you can quickly walk to all the main attractions, which is excellent news for day-trippers.
Some of the best things to see and do include exploring Piazza Maggiore, wandering through the narrow alleyways, and climbing the Torre degli Asinelli for panoramic views over the city. You can also admire Archiginnasio, the Municipal Library, and the superb Basilica of San Luca, where you can appreciate the porticos.
Many people visit Bologna for the food, and rightly so. Some of the best places to try include Bocca Buona for the fried puff pastry, Sette Chiese for tortellini, and A 15 for an unforgettable lasagne and tiramisu.
Luckily, there are many fast and convenient ways to reach Bologna from Florence. You can go by train and arrive at Bologna Centrale Railway Station in only 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch a bus in 1 hour 20 minutes or reach Bologna by car in 1 hour 45 minutes.
Val d’Orcia
By Denise of Chef Denise
If you want the perfect combination of beautiful countryside, charming hilltop villages, Medieval historic sites, and delicious Italian food and wine, head to Val d’Orcia. It is one of the best day trips from Florence.
About an hour and a half drive from Florence, you can explore some of this Unesco World Heritage site in a day.
The Val d’Orcia is a picturesque valley in South-central Tuscany. It is a land of green hills, rolling haystacks, poppy fields, and cypress trees. In fact, groups of cypress trees here are so photographed that they are among the most famous trees in Italy.
One of the other most photographed sites is the tiny Chapel of Madonna of Vitaleta near San Quirico d’Orcia. It stands on top of a green hill flanked by cypress trees. Make sure you walk up and take a closer look.
If you find yourself at the tiny chapel, try San Quirico d’Orcia for lunch. It is one of the smaller towns worth a stroll through. Or visit nearby Pienza for a greater variety of options and a lengthier stroll. Wine tasting in Montalcino, meandering through the narrow streets, makes an excellent afternoon activity.
Although most are quite small, you cannot see every village in Val d’Orcia in one day, and you should not. To really appreciate Val d’Orcia, go slow, and make sure to admire nature’s beauty.
Rome
Italy’s capital is less than two hours away from Florence by fast train. Thus, it is one of the great options for day trips from Florence,
While spending only one day in Rome might not be ideal, it is better than not getting there.
With so many activities and sights, you must carefully choose what tick off your bucket list.
Cinque Terre
Perched on seaside cliffs, with colorful buildings and authentic seafood restaurants, the Cinque Terre is easily seen on a day trip from Florence.
Follow this comprehensive guide to make your itinerary.
PIN FOR LATER!
