Tuscany is full of magical moments that will enchant all your senses and leave you breathless. One of the best places to visit in Tuscany is the seaside. The Mediterranean Sea makes for a beautiful backdrop and the smell of salt in the air will make you feel right at home.
You’ll also find plenty of places to explore along this beautiful coast, so consider renting a scooter to see as much as possible. The sun-drenched Tuscan countryside offers an array of landscapes, so it’s easy to get lost in this inspiring area.
It is famous for its beautiful landscapes, the use of stone and wood, and green valleys and hills. The region has many famous cities like Florence, Siena, and Pisa. There are many things to see, including the amazing architecture and fantastic landscapes. If you are looking for something more in Tuscany, there are also many great places to eat and drink, which can be very inexpensive.
In this article, I will be telling you about places that you should visit in Tuscany.
Siena
Siena is a classic medieval hill town in Tuscany. It is home to the famous summer horse race called the Il Palio. Siena is well known for the large, fan-shaped piazza called the Piazza del Campo. The Torre del Mangia is the tall bell tower that dominates the Piazza del Campo. Siena also has many cathedrals and museums to visit.
It was famous for its amazing architecture for a long time and still is. The city has many churches to visit and colorful streets that are full of art masterpieces. Many tourists flock here because of the many historical sites that can be found within the town.
The Siena Cathedral has been inside for over 600 years and is considered one of the best examples of medieval architecture. This cathedral was built on top of a Roman temple so it’s full of beautiful art and colorful mosaics. If you go outside, you will find many other interesting things to do like visiting Palazzo Ducale or churches like San Clemente.
It is a picturesque city with buildings in the Renaissance style that has been declared a World Heritage Site. There are many attractions in and around the city, but one of the most popular ones is the Duomo. This church was built by Brunelleschi, who also designed the iconic facade of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Pisa
Everyone knows about the leaning tower of Pisa. Yet there is so much more to the city. Pisa has an outstanding medieval center. It was once home to poets Lord Byron and Shelley and their homes are available to tour. Like Florence, Pisa has beautiful Duomo and Batistery along with parks, statues, and a walk along the river.
Pisa is a must-see city in Tuscany. The city’s size, the way it was built on multiple levels of buildings, the beautiful architecture, and its beauty make it a perfect place to visit. You can visit the leaning tower of Pisa or go to the Leaning Tower Museum where you can learn about the history of it all. This is a great place to visit for those who love art and architecture.
It was first inhabited in the Neolithic era and it eventually became one of the most important cities for trade due to its strategic position. You can see this by looking at the historical buildings that are still standing today. When you visit Pisa, you will notice that there are so many restaurants and shops around the tower. There are plenty of places to visit on foot and even though it can be a bit crowded, people still love visiting this spot in Tuscany.
Lucca
One of the best-preserved wall cities in the world, Lucca’s wall gives people walking and bicycle paths overlooking the city. There are also gardens atop the walls, all allowing tourists to walk around the city’s historic center. There are many well-preserved towers where tourists can ascend to get amazing views of the city. Lucca also has notable restaurants and shopping.
Lucca is primarily known as the home of the Medici family and its art collection. The city contains one museum, two churches, and an impressive castle. There are also many beautiful villas from which to take in the view of Lucca’s hills.
It is always bustling with people, although the town can be quite loud – especially on Sundays when markets are active. The central squares of Lucca often host food festivals and art exhibits, so it’s easy to find something to do. The town is built on a natural hill with many sights to see. Visitors can explore the small shops and streets, or take in some of Tuscany’s finest wine at Lucca’s famous wine bar Il Palazzaccio Barrière Imperiale.
It was founded back in the 12th century and it has some of the best food, art, architecture, and culture in all of Italy. If you’re looking for pizza, gelato, or other amazing Italian food that’s perfect for your Instagram feed, then this is the spot for you!
Cortona
The 3000-year-old hill town of Cortona was made famous by Francis Mayes’ novel Under the Tuscan Sun. Cortona is surrounded by Etruscan walls and showcases its history through architecture built in layers on top of the Etruscan core. Cortona has stately medieval architecture, beautiful views, and lots of native English speakers due to their ex-pat community.
It has a rich history and has recently been attracting more visitors to its restaurants, art galleries, shops, and archaeological sites. It is also one of the most charming areas with its winding streets lined with medieval buildings.
It’s a beautiful place to visit and its history dates back to the ancient Greeks. One of the best things about Cortona is its beautiful views. You can view stunning panoramic views of Tuscany from several places within Cortona, including Piazzale delle Vigne (a city square), Palazzo Comunale (the town hall), and the Piazza Duomo.
There are plenty of wonderful things to do, like hiking on the surrounding hills, cycling through the countryside, or even watching the sunset from one of Cortona’s many viewpoints. Centuries of continuous growth have made Cortona a popular destination for tourists and residents alike who flock to its quaint shops, cobblestone streets, and vineyards where wine has been produced since the early 1700s.
Massa Marittima
Massa Marittima is a town in the province of Livorno, Tuscany. It is situated on the Marecchia River and on the top of a hill overlooking the valley. The town’s most famous attraction is the Piazza Grande, where you can see the fortress and see beautiful views of Montepulciano.
This small medieval town is located about ten minutes away from the main city of Siena and has been an important stop for travelers going through this area for centuries. The town is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees that make it a pleasant place in the scorching summer months or mild winter.
It has been destroyed repeatedly and rebuilt each time, giving it an eclectic look. The old walls that surround the town were built in 1313 by Sienese craftsmen during the reign of Francesco I of Tuscany. The town’s main attraction is its Gothic cathedral, which stands on a solitary hill overlooking the beautiful valley surrounded by rolling hills.
When visiting Tuscany, one should not forget to visit Massa Marittima. Massa Marittima has plenty of things for anyone and everyone to do. There are many shops, restaurants, cafes, and shops in the area. In addition, it is also a great place to go for a walk or enjoy a picnic.
Pienza
It’s a small town in the Chianti countryside with excellent views of the snowy peaks that make up Tuscany. It was an important city during the Renaissance and is best known for its 15th century stone-paved Piazza Papale where you can find ancient ruins from the primitive era as well as beautiful churches and art galleries.
Pienza is the perfect destination for travelers looking for a chance to visit Italy’s oldest town. This quaint and picturesque village is surrounded by nature and while it has plenty of simple, rustic restaurants and shops, it also offers access to some of Italy’s most notable sites. Pienza is way up in the mountains on the banks of the Chiana River, making it a popular destination for hikers and cyclists as well.
It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site- “The Hill of the Etruscans.” It has beautiful views overlooking the valley and at night, it looks like you are looking at stars from this spot. You can take a day trip from Florence and see Pienza.
It’s known for its many historic buildings and beautiful views. One of these buildings is the Church of Sant’Antimo, which dates back to the 11th century. The church is made up of multiple different parts, including the nave, the presbytery, crypt, and apse.
Viareggio
Viareggio is a peaceful town near the coast, and it is a popular seaside destination. This historical town makes for excellent exploration in that it has beautiful architecture, lively nightlife, and many seafood restaurants. It’s also rich in culture and artistic traditions.
It is considered the birthplace of the Italian navy. The city is now a popular destination for tourists who want to see its picturesque views and romantic architecture. This is one of the many reasons why Viareggio is known throughout the world.
It is a wonderful old town with many churches, museums, and shops. There’s also an impressive fortress to explore. In addition, there are plenty of things to do in Viareggio as well as other nearby towns. Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with buildings that date back to the 13th century. Most of the original homes have been turned into shops and restaurants, but some have remained as residences.
Volterra
It is known for its fortifications that have protected it from invaders for centuries. It was founded by the Etruscans and later renamed after the battle between Volusian and Tuscan forces against Etruscans. The surrounding area is 35 square kilometers with an average height of 300 meters above sea level, making Volterra one of the highest towns in Europe.
The town is filled with charming cafes, restaurants, and shops that provide the perfect view of the mountains and countryside. It has some great spots to visit including the Cathedral, the Palazzo Ducale, and the Villa di Medici. It lies on hills adjacent to the sea, and its walls date back to the 10th century BC. The town was built upon a rock promontory that rises up from the sea and extends into hills with vineyards descending toward the shore.
If you are interested in wonderful landscapes and castles, then Volterra is the place for you. This town is full of history, with a few of the things to see including an authentic Etruscan necropolis that was discovered in the 1800s. You can also find out more about the legends of Juliet, who died here and was supposedly buried in a church.
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is a small town in Tuscany. It is located close to the city of Siena and was an important center for trade with the cities of Florence and Rome. The whole area around Montepulciano is filled with vineyards producing one of Italy’s most famous wines, Chianti. Today, tourists come here to enjoy wine tasting as well as some of the best food that Tuscany has to offer.
It’s known for its history, beauty, food, and wine. There are plenty of places to visit in Montepulciano that are worth visiting. You can visit the church which was built by Brunelleschi and see his frescoes. You can also visit the medieval tower that offers 360-degree views of the city. They are famous for their bread and cheese which has been around since the 12th century when monks would make it from scratch with water from a nearby spring.
When you visit Montepulciano, you won’t be disappointed. It has the highest level of luxury and sophistication, but it is also known for its proximity to nature. You’ll find plenty of walks near the city that lead you through vineyards and forests, too.
Final Thoughts
The Tuscany countryside is a magical place. There are so many different things to see and do in Tuscany that it can sometimes seem overwhelming to plan for your trip. If you are going to be in Tuscany, Italy, I recommend checking out these spots while you are there. Some of these places are well-known and some of them might be new to you.
