San Gimignano from Florence – your complete guide
If you ask anyone planning to come to Tuscany, San Gimignano will be on their list. After visiting the small village on several occasions, we understand the attraction!
While San Gimignano is small, it offers a vibe you cannot beat. The first time we drove there from our Airbnb close to Pistoia, as we approached San Gimignano and saw it on top of the hill in between vineyards, the “wow factor” hit us.
Needless to say, we came back over and over again once we moved to Tuscany. It is by far one of the most crowded small towns we’ve explored, but it is worth visiting. The village’s beauty and the best gelato in the world will keep us coming back.
If you’re coming to Tuscany soon and would like to plan for the perfect day trip to San Gimignano from Florence, I’m here to help you. From how to get there to what to see, and where to find that famous gelato!
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Table of Contents
San Gimignano from Florence – what to know
How to get there
San Gimignano is a short hour’s drive south of Florence.
So renting a car and driving there might be the easiest way to travel. If that is an option for you, and you are planning a longer Tuscany itinerary, I always recommend (and use) Discover Cars. It is an aggregator that will allow you to make the best choice for you and save up to 70%. Check it out here!
If you drive to San Gimignano, we never had any issues finding a free parking spot at the Parcheggio 2 Montemaggio.
However, I understand if you don’t want to rent a car only for a short trip. Picking it up and dropping it off would take longer than actually driving to San Gimignano.
So my second choice is booking an organised tour. With this one, you make the best out of the time of your day and stop in Siena and Monteriggioni as well. I think that is the best way to spend the whole day, exploring and ticking all the boxes. See more about the tour here!
Lastly, you can also travel from Florence to San Gimignano by public transportation.
Unfortunately, the village does not have a train station, but there are buses linking it to Florence, with one change.
From Florence Bus Station, take bus 131 towards Colle di Val d’Elsa. In Poggibonsi, take bus 130 and ride until San Gimignano Piazzale Montemaggio.
All in all, you can expect around 1.5 hours on the road.
What to do and see in San Gimignano
As mentioned before, San Gimignano is relatively small, and just being there, having a coffee in a piazza, and admiring the towers would be enough. However, here are the main attractions in town.
The first thing you’ll notice as you approach are the towers. Once upon a time, there were more than 70 of them, built by wealthy families to show off their status. Today, about 14 remain, and they give the town its unmistakable skyline. Walking through those cobbled streets with towers looming above you is honestly unforgettable.
I’d say start in the Piazza della Cisterna – it’s the heart of San Gimignano, with its beautiful old well right in the center and surrounded by little cafés and shops.
It’s one of those spots where you’ll want to grab a gelato and just sit back to people-watch.
Fun tip: Gelateria Dondoli has won world championships – definitely worth a stop.
From there, you can wander into the Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll find the Cathedral with its gorgeous frescoes inside. It’s small compared to other Italian cathedrals, but the artwork makes it feel so alive.
If you’re up for a climb, go up the Torre Grossa, the tallest tower in town.
The view from the top stretches across the rolling Tuscan hills – vineyards, olive groves, and those golden fields that just glow in the late afternoon light. It’s one of those views that makes you stop and think, “yep, this is why people fall in love with Tuscany.”
If you don’t feel like climbing the tower, there are many panoramic spots around town.
But honestly, my favorite thing about San Gimignano isn’t even a specific landmark – it’s just being there.
Wandering without a plan, slipping into little artisan shops, tasting local Vernaccia wine, or just sitting with a glass of something cold while the sun sets behind the towers. It’s not a big town, so you don’t need an intense itinerary.
A few hours or half a day is perfect – though trust me, you’ll wish you had more time to linger.
