One Week Holiday in Tuscany

Seven Days in Tuscany

Tuscany is certainly one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. There are many things to see and lots to do across the region, from visiting hilltop villages to the seaside, from the mountains to the beauty lanscapes of the Valdorcia. For this reason we're suggesting an itinerary for what to see and do in Tuscany if you have 7 days, recommending the cities, towns and activities that you cannot miss during your holiday in Tuscany.

These are of course just general recommendations in order to help you plan your next vacation in Tuscany. Driving is definitely the best transportation to use to move around Tuscany, but it's not the only one.

2 days in Florence

Florence has so many things to offer. There are thousands of books about what to see and what to do in Florence.

There are must museums and monuments that cannot be missed such as the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio (famous Old Bridge) and Piazza Duomo with the Cathedral, the Baptistery and Giotto's Bell Tower.

But there is also the Pitti Palace and its museums and the Boboli Gardens, Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the unforgettable Piazzale Michelangelo where you can admire a breathtaking view of Florence and the Arno River.

If you are going to stay 2 days in Florence we have more detailed suggestions.

1 day in Pisa and Lucca

Pisa is certainly renowned for the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the Leaning Tower and the large Duomo, baptistery and Camposanto.

Lucca is a small Venice without water, enclosed within its huge Renaissance walls which are fun to do on bike. The historical city center deserves a visit, inclusing its peculiar shaped oval-shaped Piazza dell'Anfiteatro.

1 day in Chianti and San Gimignano

In between Florence and Siena stretches the green and soft Chianti, famous for good wine and striking landscapes. Round hills covered by vineyards and olive groves, panoramic curving roads, small and charming villages and towns, excellent wine and good food are all a part of what you'll find in Chianti.

In Chianti, visit Greve in Chianti and its particularly shaped square, Panzano and its ancient center, Castellina in Chianti and its scenic walls, Gaiole and its massive castle, Radda and its ancient walls. We have a more detailed itinerary in Chianti if you want more ideas.

Furthermore there are many wineries and farms that produce good Chianti wine. Known and esteemed worldwide, Chianti's intense color and pronounces taste can be enjoyed at many small estates that do not export their excellent wines outside of Italy. Most wineries offer local products and wine tastings. They often organize tours of their wine cellar to let you discover the secrets of this ancient Tuscan tradition.

At Chianti's western border is the charming San Gimignano. Listed as a World Heritage site, San Gimignano fascinates for its medieval look and its high towers which make it utterly unique.

1 day in Siena and Monteriggioni

Siena is definitely another medieval city in Tuscany that deserves to be visited. The city center is gathered within the ancient walls and holds many beautiful monuments and museums. First of all the Piazza del Campo, famous for its particular shell-shape and for the Palio of Siena. The Palazzo Comunale and Torre del Mangia overlook the square.

The Duomo stands majestically, a precious example of Romanesque-Gothic style in Italy with its commesso's marble floor, the Baptistery and the Church of San Domenico. View our itinerary for a day in Siena for more information.

Along the way to Siena is charming Monteriggioni. This small town is enclosed within ancient medieval walls characterized by 15 towers. We recommend you visit the center and take a walk along the massive walls from where you can admire great views over the Tuscan countryside.

1 day in Val D'Orcia and wine tastings

Val D'Orcia, or Valdorcia, is another famous region in Tuscany for its stunning landscapes and good wine.

Gentle hills, spotted by dark cypresses or yellow sunflowers, make this region the perfect postcard to send back to your friends and families. It offers plenty of cities and villages that merit a visit, starting from Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico D'Orcia as well as the small towns of Bagno Vignone, Buonconvento and Radicofani.

Many wineries and farms in Valdorcia produce red wine and offer wine tastings. Wine tradition is strongly related to this area and the Brunello di Montalcino is certainly one of the most appreciated Italian wines worldwide alongside Chianti.

1 day in Cortona and Arezzo

The city of Cortona become very popular after the book and then film "Under the Tuscan Sun" came out. It is a small town whose origins go way back to the Etruscans. The center is built around the main square of Piazza della Repubblica, over which Palazzo Comunale looks over.

Here you should visit the Diocesan Museum (Museo Diocesano), that displays a beautiful Annunciation of Cortona by Beato Angelico, and MEAC (Museum of Etruscan Academy of Cortona) that holds important Etruscan and Roman findings.

Another charming city in Tuscany is Arezzo, birth place of brilliant artists. The most representative are Piero della Francesca and Giorgio Vasari.

Don't miss the Basilica of Saint Francis with the stunning frescoes depicting the Legend of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca, the Church of San Domenico displaying the wooden Crucifix by Cimabue, the magnificent Loggias by Vasari in Piazza Grande and the Archaeological Museum Clinio Mecenate.

Tuscany of course is much more than this. These are just a few suggestions and ideas to get you started on planning your first visit to Tuscany.