Florence is the Tuscany region’s capital city and is located in central Italy. The populous city has over 1.5 million people living in the metropolitan area and is a top-rated tourist destination due to the city’s historical significance as the birthplace of the Renaissance. The Historic Centre of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; however, the entire town still embraces an air of Medieval times with dozens of museums, preserved architecture, monuments, and statutes. The fashion industry also calls Florence one of its fashion capitals of the world. There are also many modern sites to see shopping malls, theaters, adventure parks, and fantastic dining. There is no shortage of accommodations in Florence either from five-star hotels to hostels; anyone who wants to stay overnight in Florence can take day trips to many surrounding places.
Arezzo
Arezzo is a hilltop town in southeastern Tuscany that sits at the juncture of four valleys and is known for its ancient archaeological importance.
Bologna
The University of Bologna is the oldest university in Europe and named after its home city of Bologna. There are also many historic archaeological sites such as the first century Teatro Romano, and the ancient town of Marzabotto, among others.
Chianti
Most people recognize the name Chianti as a wine; however, it is a region that extends from Florence to Siena and is full of vineyards and olive tree groves.
Cinque Terre
Five towns—Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Monterosso, and Vernazza, make up the Cinque Terre region on the north end of the Italian Riviera.
Cortona
Visitors to Italy who want to experience an iconic hillside Tuscan town can visit Cortona , where the only way to travel through the town is uphill or downhill, and only one single road runs horizontally.
Fiesole
A few of the most popular attractions to see in Fiesole include Badia, an ancient cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace where St. Andrew Corsini lived for a time, and died, as well as the Church of Primerana where St. Andrews’s death was prophesized. A Medici Villa can also be toured as well as many other historic homes.
Greve
Greve offers covered sidewalks that lead visitors past restaurants, boutiques, shops, and galleries. The town can be traveled by foot with great attractions, including Santa Croce Church where the original 14th-century fresco Virgin Mary with Child by Lorenzo di Bicci is found. Next door is the Museum of Sacred Art, and the Wine Museum is nearby as well.
Livorno
Visitors to Livorno can explore the New Venice district that is surrounded by 17th-century canals and merchant homes and warehouses that have been turned into shops, restaurants, and bars that have boat docks instead of parking lots. There are also fortresses from the 16th century and historic churches that can be seen in Livorno.
Lucca
Lucca is a great town for people with mobility issues to spend the day because it is not built in the hills like so many other historic Tuscan towns. Some of the most popular ancient attractions to visit in Lucca include the Piazza dell’ Anfiteatro, 12th-16th-century villas, the pedestrian promenade made from the ancient city walls, and the Basilica of San Frediano. There are many other historic churches including the Church of Saints Giovanni, from the 12th century.
Montalcino
Some of the most popular places to visit in Montalcino are the historic religious sites such as the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, the Neoclassical Cathedral, Sanctuary of Madonna del Soccorso, and Church of Sant’ Agostino. The town hall also dates to the late 1200s and many surrounding buildings that are centuries old. Montalcino is also known for the production of Brunello wine, honey, extra-virgin olive oil, and cheeses, so culinary tours are a significant draw for visitors.
Montepulciano
One of the best times to visit Montepulciano is during the annual barrel-racing competition in August. Montepulciano is less than two hours from Florence and a top center for wine tasting, culinary tours, and visiting the south of Tuscany.
Pienza
Today, visitors come to Pienza to see the remarkable 15th-century architecture at Piazza Pio II, Palazzo Piccolomini, and Palazzo Borgio as well as many other buildings. Annually in September a cheese festival is held, and visitors come from all over the Mediterranean and Europe to enjoy pecorino cheese.
Pisa
Some of the best places to visit during a day trip to Pisa include the University of Pisa, Knights Square, Medici Palace, The Royal Palace, many museums, and Italian Villas. Pisa is also famous for Cecina, a gluten-free bread that is found at restaurants and vendors. Only an hour and a half from Florence, Pisa is perfect for day trips towards the coast.
Pistoia
Families can spend the day at Pistoia at the Zoo of Pistoia, Pinocchio Park, Garzoni Botanical Garden, and the Fattoria di Celle outdoor sculpture garden. Many annual festivals and events that are significant tourist attractions in Pistoia including the Blues Festival, an equestrian tournament called Giostra dell’ Orso, and the Dialogues on Man, which celebrates contemporary anthropology.
Porto Venere
The streets in Porto Venere are narrow and wind through the town where there are many galleries, boutiques, artisan shops, and other great places for visitors to see.
Prato
The Piazza Duomo, where the Cathedral of Santo Stefano is located, is another popular tourist spot where Pope Francis has orated from and also where ancient Frescoes and relics are housed. Prato Civic Museum, Castello dell’Imperatore, and the many restaurants and bakeries are also notable stops for a day in Prato.
Ravenna
When spending a day in Ravenna, visitors will find most of the popular attractions at the Piazza del Popolo, where there are historic buildings such as the 15th-century town hall, columns, and many cafes with outdoor patios. To see the mosaics Ravenna is famous for, visitors can go inside the Basilica di San Vitale, and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, among others. The museums in Ravenna, as well as the Rocca Brancaleone fortress and the tomb of Dante Alighieri, are found in Ravenna.
Rome
Italy may be best known for the city of Rome, which is just a three-hour drive from Florence. The eternal city is one of the longest surviving ancient metropolitan places n the world dating back to 753 BC, according to Roman mythology. Visitors from around the world flock to Rome to see the historic monuments and landmarks.
San Gimignano
Some of the best things visitors can see in San Gimignano include the Civic Museums, Porta San Giovanni, the former Podesta Palace, Medieval Fountains, the Public Library, Piazza Sant’Agostino, Piazza Duomo, and Rocca of Montestaffoli. Sacred art dating back centuries is on display at several churches in San Gimignano.
Siena
Siena has many historic landmarks that are popular tourist attractions, including the Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia, The Civic Palace, which dates back to the 13th-century, and the Civic Museum. The museum houses Sienese paintings, frescoes, and secular paintings from the Middle Ages.
Val d'Orcia
Some of the other great places to visit in Val d'Orcia include Palazzo Piccolomini, Castiglion d’Orcia fortress, Radicofani, which is a hillside city with a castle tower, and the walled medieval town of Montalcino. Most people traveling through Val d’Orcia also stop at Abbey of Sant’ Antimo, which is one of the most impressive examples of medieval monastic building design.
Venice
The top attractions in Venice include Palazzo Ducale, The Ghetto, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute, Museo Correr, the Guggenheim, and many historic cathedrals and churches.
Volterra
Many important historic sites that can be visited in Volterra including the Acropolis, Roman Theater that dates to the first century AD, and the historical town center where there are shops, cafes, and gift shops that offer alabaster souvenirs. The Palazzo dei Priori is also the oldest town hall in all of Tuscany and a popular tourist attraction for history lovers. One of the best times to visit is during the August Medieval fair that happens annually.
