The best things to do in Tuscany

Planning a trip to Tuscany can be overwhelming. Beyond the postcard picture of Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia, with its cypress trees and rolling hills. the dreamy Italian region is also home to emerald-coloured waters, secluded bays, dreamy islands and delicious food alongside stony villages steeped in history and exquisite culinary joints to visit. It’s definitely worth planning your itinerary in advance to make the most of everything the region has to offer – below, find a few of our favourite things to do in Tuscany.

Go for a wine-tasting

Picture yourself driving along the winding, tree-lined country roads under the Tuscan sun en route to taste some of the best wines in the country. There are five noteworthy areas to explore – Chianti Classico, set between Florence and Siena, is the most renowned. Here, you’ll find Tenuta Antinori, a family-led vineyard run by the Marchesi Antinori for 26 generations, boasting nine wineries in Tuscany alone. This particular location is worth visiting for its state-of-the-art design by Italian architect Marco Casamonti. Another area to visit is Montepulciano, known for its Vino Nobile, and further down, Scansano and Montalcino, where the Morellino and Brunello grapes dominate. Noteworthy wineries in these areas include Tenuta Vallocaia, Greppone Mazzi, and Terenzi. The final area to know about is Bolgheri, where Tenuta San Guido, Tenuta Argentiera, Tenuta Guado al Tasso, and Ornellaia are some of the best names in the region. If you’re visiting Tuscany in August, keep an eye out for the annual Calici di Stelle event – held in Montepulciano on the 10th of the month, the historic town centre fills with Montepulciano DOC wine tastings from 40 local wineries, accompanied by live music.

Visit Porto Ercole

Along the southern coastline of Tuscany’s Maremma lies a small peninsula jutting out from Italy’s boot, known as Monte Argentario. This rocky promontory is marked by dense pine and oak forests, picturesque fishing villages and dramatic cliffs that plunge into the cobalt-blue waters. On the eastern side lies Porto Ercole, shaped like a crescent and flanked by three forts. There’s a small port displaying boats and yachts of various sizes; here, you can rent a speedboat for the day to circle the coast or reach the small island of Giannutri. This coastal town has recently seen a revamp with the arrival of La Roqqa hotel and its stylish Isolotto beach club, where you can spend the day soaking up some sunshine. For something more laidback, explore Spiaggia L’Acqua Dolce, Cala del Gesso or Cala Piccola. Later, venture down to the lively port and enjoy a sea-front spritz at the storied Bar del Porto. And, if you’re looking for delicious spaghetti alle vongole, head to I Pescatori in the nearby Orbetello or at Controvento in Porto Santo Stefano.

Taste Tuscany’s cucina povera

Many Tuscan recipes are considered cucina povera, or “peasant food”, due to their roots in the region’s rural culture. Staple dishes are simple, composed of only a few ingredients, but still explode with flavour. Think pappa al pomodoro, ribollita, acquacotta, panzanella, or Pici – then, there’s wild boar (cinghiale), Chianina beef (a breed native to the Val di Chiana area) and Cinta Senese pork (a type of pork exclusive to Tuscany), all typically served with pasta or atop a crostino. These are just a few of the many traditional Tuscan dishes you can taste at authentic trattorias across the region. Some of our favourites include Ristorante Tullio in Capalbio, Antico Ristoro di Cambi in Florence, I Due Cippi in Saturnia, La Bucaccia in Cortona and Trattoria di Sor Paolo in San Casciano.

Visit San Galgano Abbey

In the early 12th century, the mediaeval knight Galgano Guidotti erected a chapel in Chiusdino, near Siena, where he spent his last years living as a hermit. A few decades later, Cistercian monks built a much larger church in his honour in a striking Gothic architectural style. However, the structure began to deteriorate in the 16th century, leading to the collapse of the bell tower, the vaults and eventually the roof. Today, the remains of the church stand as a testament to how time can transform architecture into a marvel of natural beauty. The interior is bathed in natural light, and green grass carpets the floor. Stroll through the ruins to come across the legendary sword in the stone, said to have belonged to the knight himself.

Bathe in the natural springs

The Val D’Orcia area for its stunning green landscapes, but the area also treasures a handful of natural springs, discovered by the Romans for their healing properties. Our favourite is the Bagni di San Filippo, set amid the woodlands. Its mineral-rich waters, said to have rejuvenating qualities, cascade over white limestone formations, creating picturesque travertine terraces where you can bathe in the warm thermal waters.

Explore the pretty hilltop villages

Tuscany’s hilltop settlements with ancient stone houses and cobblestoned streets are the best way to immerse yourself in the region’s beauty and rich history. Stroll through the mediaeval streets of San Gimignano, where ancient towers pierce the skyline, and the nearby Volterra, home to Tuscany’s oldest town hall, covered in 19th-century frescoes. In the Maremma, visit Pitigliano, perched dramatically atop sheer cliffs of rock, as well as the Etruscan village of Montemerano. Nearby, there is also Capalbio, whose Giardino dei Tarocchi is an artistic representation of the 22 cards of the Major Arcana, with a kaleidoscope of coloured sculptures commissioned by its founder and French artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Finally, make sure you stop in Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose beauty has inspired many, including the renowned Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli, for his film “Romeo and Juliet.” While there, visit Palazzo Piccolomini before heading to Marusco e Maria to try the famed pecorino di pienza.

Attend a sagra

During the summer, the region comes alive with a series of casual food festivals known as sagre. They typically take place in parks or piazzas, where wooden seating and marquees are set up, accompanied by live music, dancing, cultural performances and flea markets. These festivals bring people together to celebrate local foods such as truffle, wild boar, porcini mushrooms, Tuscan bread and many more. You can’t book in advance, so arrive and line up at the entrance, where you receive a paper menu to tick off your selections and pay for your order. Afterwards, you’ll be guided to a table and served your choices on paper plates. Take a look at the Tuscan Sagra schedule to find the next one.

Play golf in the Tuscan countryside

Between wining, dining and exploring, spending a breezy morning on the golf course is a delightful break in the fresh air. Renowned for impeccable design and challenging layouts, 18-hole courses such as Terme di Saturnia, the Argentario Golf Club, and the 27-hole course at Castelfalfi offer golfers of all levels a chance to enjoy a game amid natural reserves and countryside scenery. After the game, enjoy a well-deserved spread of Tuscan cuisine and a glass of wine – especially at Trattoria La Stellata at Terme di Saturnia, where the bucolic tables offer views of the verdant golf course and beyond. For golf enthusiasts seeking an exclusive experience, the Rosewood Castiglione del Bosco boasts a brilliant 18-hole course designed by Tom Weiskopf, available only to hotel guests and members.

Take little ones to an educational farm

When travelling with kids, sightseeing all day may be rather challenging, so exploring more interactive alternatives could be a better option. Across the region, numerous family-run farms offer educational activities and experiences amid nature and animals. On the outskirts of Florence, there’s Fattoria di Maiano, where trails are lined with cows, goats, donkeys and ostriches. Near Siena, Fattoria Pernici organises countryside walks accompanied by alpacas, and near Arezzo, Agriturismo Lucatello offers a variety of experiences for kids (and adults), such as herb foraging, spelt cultivation and building scarecrows out of recycled materials.

Visit a Sunday flea market

Italians love a good bargain, which is why every Sunday morning, locals flock to markets to snap up a good deal. Across the region, there’s usually a specific schedule. Sometimes they’ll run on the first Sunday of the month, or only on the last weekend, but in the summer, they occur almost every weekend (find the schedule here). On these days, central piazzas in Tuscan villages fill up with vendors selling antiques, vintage clothing, leather goods and local crafts at tempting prices. Some of the best markets are held in Lucca, Grosseto, Arezzo, Siena and Forte dei Marmi. However, the real treat is Cortonantiquaria, one of the largest flea markets in the country, held in the Centro Convegni Sant’Agostino in Cortona from 24 August to 8 September 2024.

Take a trip to Isola d'Elba

Just off the Tuscan coastline lies Isola d’Elba, the third largest of the Italian islands, just a one-hour ferry ride from Piombino. A weekend is enough for sun-seekers to immerse themselves in white sandy beaches, awe-inspiring bays, and quaint fisherman villages. This is where Napoleon Bonaparte lived out his exile in the 19th century – his two residences, Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino, are open to the public. Beyond its turquoise waters, you can also visit the ancient fortresses like Forte Stella and Forte Falcone, as well as hike to the highest peak, Monte Capanne, for bird’s eye views of the island. If you’re looking to stay the night, consider Casa Pineta, a stylish summer home set among pine trees, where you can fall asleep to the sound of cicadas.

Shop in a traditional macelleria

A macelleria, or butcher shop, is where Italians not only flock to buy fresh meat, but also to have a quick catch-up with neighbours. Each Italian family has their favourite macellaio, sourcing top-quality meats from local farmers or, in many cases, from their own farms. Some are worth visiting for their décor alone: rustic wooden interiors filled with the rich aromas of cured meats, fresh sausages and aged cheeses, with prosciutto and salamis hanging from the ceiling. In Panzano in Chianti, Dario Cecchini represents the 8th generation at his macelleria. Here, you’ll find exceptional beef and pork to buy and cook at home or the option to dine at one of his three restaurants (each with a fixed-price menu). He also runs a food truck where you can grab burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs on the go. In Greve in Chianti, the renowned Antica Macelleria Falorni has been a crowd-pleaser since 1806, selling the tastiest salami in the region. Step inside this vintage shop with terrazzo floors and explore its secret underground cellar where cheeses are aged.

Buy local ceramics

Towns like Cortona, Deruta, Montelupo Fiorentino and Siena are celebrated for their unique ceramics, often created using techniques passed down through generations. Visit these workshops to uncover the rich history and traditions behind each piece. For instance, Terrabruga in Cortona features the classic “splatter” collection, as well as unique items handcrafted by artisan Giulio Lucarini. If you’re worried about fitting these treasures into your luggage, the online store Ivo Angel offers international shipping for these artisanal creations. For something more distinctive, San Gimignano is home to Franco Balducci, who crafts an artistic and refined collection of vases, tableware, and decorative objects that embody both tradition and innovation. In Montelupo Fiorentino, family-run ND Dolfi Ceramica crafts unique vases and lamps, and in Sesto Fiorentino, on the outskirts of Florence, you can shop a bargain at the Ginori 1735 Factory Store.

Have a city break in Florence

If you’ve never visited Tuscany before, a stop-over in Florence is a must. In this romantic city, you’ll be able to visit some of Italy’s finest architecture, including the marbled façades of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and Basilica Santa Maria Novella. Avoid the crowds at lesser-known (but just as fascinating) Casa Museo Martelli, with its exquisite trompe l’oeil frescoes, or stroll through the poetic Giardino Bardini. Not to mention the rich artisanal heritage of Antico Setificio Fiorentino, the sculptures in Galleria Romanelli and the creative gallery of Campucc10. Walk through the Oltrarno district to snap up some vintage finds, and while you’re there, pop into S.Forno for a sweet or savoury treat (the focaccia filled with finocchiona, a local salami, is exquisite).

Attend a palio

Watching a palio is a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience where everyone gathers to chant, cheer, party, and celebrate events deeply rooted in the region’s heritage. The most acclaimed is the Palio di Siena, held annually in the Piazza del Campo. There’s also the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo – twice a year (22nd June and 1st September for the 2024 edition), the four city districts are represented by two knights aiming to strike the shield of the so-called “Buratto” and compete for victory. Closer to the coastline, on Ferragosto (15th August) the four rioni (neighbourhoods) of Porto Santo Stefano compete in one of the longest rowing regattas in the world at the Palio dell’Argentario, recalling the town’s strong maritime tradition. In June, Volterra celebrates its “Palio del Cero” with a tug-of-war competition between the districts. Before the race begins, the districts parade in a characteristic historical procession.