Planning a trip to Tuscany but wondering what the key attractions are and where to find them? Look no further than our handy and compact guide to help you coordinate a perfect itinerary once you find a dream villa in Tuscany with us!
Florence
As the Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is home to a bunch of the most popular tourist attractions in Tuscany. Basing yourself in a holiday rental in Florence is a great idea as it will allow you to see these attractions and plan day-trips elsewhere, though it is also easy enough to head into the city for a day or two to see some highlights, if you find a vacation rental in Tuscany elsewhere.
There are endless things to see and do in town but these are the main attractions that you won’t want to miss:
Michelangelo’s David
Located in the Bargello Museum, Michelangelo’s iconic statue of David is the most famous piece in its collection. Other incredible works of art are also on display, including other sculpted works by Michelangelo and other pieces by greats such as Bernini, Donatello, and Giambologna as well as a collection of some painted works. The Bargello’s other major boon, however, is an extraordinary decorative arts collection from the ancient world through the Renaissance that is made up of ceramics, textiles, tapestries, ivory, nielli, medals, silver, armour, coins, and more from around the world.
The Uffizi Museum
The Uffizi, meanwhile, is famous as a museum as a whole, with hallowed halls full of works by the likes of Botticelli (including his iconic paintings, the Birth of Venus and Primavera), Michelangelo. Raphael, Titian, Giotto, da Vinci, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and many other incredibly famous and beloved artists.
The Duomo
Visible all around the city, Brunelleschi’s dome for the cathedral is an irreplaceable part of the skyline. Santa Maria del Fiore, the duomo or cathedral, of Florence is the third-largest church in the world and an architectural wonder steeped in history and full of extraordinary objects and works of art. Gazing over the city from the top is an unforgettable experience for those willing and able to brave the climb.
Piazzale Michelangelo
If you would prefer to see the duomo in the skyline and from afar, the pretty Piazzale Michelangelo is the best place to take in sweeping views over the city and the most famous vista of Florence.
Pisa
Of course, after Florence, Pisa comes to mind for many as home to the other most iconic and famous attraction in Tuscany, the Leaning Tower of Pisa but that is not all there is to the city, here are the other things we think you should see if you have found a villa in Pisa or are visiting for a day...
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is, certainly, unmissable if you are in Pisa but is also part of a complex of other extraordinary religious buildings that are well-worth visiting. Visitors can pay to access one ore more of the buildings and discover these stunning architectural gems including the cathedral, baptistery, burial grounds, and more.
Tuttomondo
Keith Haring painted this mural alongside local kids on the side of a former church not long before his death and the colourful and striking work remains as a beautiful addition to Pisa and a legacy for the great New York artist.
Palazzo Blu
This charming blue building stands out along the Arno in Pisa and offers an interesting permanent collection with pieces by Benozzo Gozzoli, il Cigoli, Artemisia Gentileschi, and more, while also often playing host to incredible temporary exhibitions featuring the works of the likes of Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Chagall, Picasso, Hokusai, and others in recent years.
Siena
Another of the most famous towns in Tuscany is Siena, best-known for hosting annual traditional horse races each summer in its picturesque historic centre. Those who book a villa in Siena and are going to be around for this race, the Palio di Siena, should definitely check it out but if you are visiting at any other time of the year, wandering around the charming medieval town and taking it all in is well-worth your time. Be transported through time and space to a place that seems almost frozen and revel in its good looks...
Piazza del Campo
This stunning square is the very one that hosts the Palio each year and is also one of the finest examples of an extant medieval town square in Europe. Ringed by places to eat and drink and an incredible looker, it is the heart of the town and one of its main sights.
Siena’s Duomo
A Gothic masterpiece using polychromatic stone with elaborate sculptural exteriors and sumptuous interiors, Siena’s cathedral is one of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in Tuscany.
Biblioteca Piccolomini
Part of the cathedral complex, this astounding little library is painted in exquisite frescoes and is a stunning jewellery box of a building.
San Gimignano
Known as the medieval town of towers, San Gimignano is another breath-taking gem that is well-preserved. In fact, it preserves fourteen of these tower houses from the total of around 72 that once existed, built in San Gimignano and elsewhere in the Middle Ages by wealthy families who were competing to display their power and influence. Another town to wander and admire, those who find a vacation rental in San Gimignano are sure to fall in love with the fairy-tale charm of the place.
Piazza della Cisterna
Another pretty medieval town square featuring an old well for which it is named, this is a key spot to congregate in the heart of the town.
Torre Grossa
Several of the aforementioned towers in town can be visited but Torre Grossa, as the name suggests, is the tallest. Heading up to the top, if you’re up for the climb, allows sweeping views over the town and the lush surrounding landscape.
Vernaccia is an indigenous grape variety used to make San Gimignano’s Vernaccia Wine, a must-try for foodies who visit town. And for the more serious wine-lover, there is even a Vernaccia Wine Museum where you can learn all about this local vintage.
Lucca
Known for its ancient walls that still stand, Lucca is the other major preserved medieval town of great renown in Tuscany. A hub of excitement and celebrations, it hosts major festivals at Christmas, Italy’s large comic-con event each summer, and more. It also boasts some great places to eat and drink, giving you plenty of reasons to consider a holiday rental in Lucca for a Tuscan vacation!
The Walls
The impressive Renaissance walls around this medieval town are, in fact, so large that there are walking and cycle routes that can be enjoyed along them. Rent a bike or head for a stroll and peer down at the town and the surrounding scenery.
Piazza dell’Anfiteatro
Built over the site of an ancient Roman amphitheatre, this town square is especially picturesque as it boasts a unique elliptical shape.
Chianti
Chianti is familiar to many as one of Italy’s most famous wines and is also the name of a large area of Tuscany that includes endless vineyards and pretty little towns producing these incredible vintages, which include some of the best wines in the region. Those who find a villa in Chianti can spend their days wandering the lush and lovely landscape, along winding country roads, stopping off to visit various wineries – both those that are large and famous and smaller hidden gems – and indulging in delicious local dishes. For the foodies among you, a visit to the Chianti area during a holiday in Tuscany is a must!
Another famous swathe of the Tuscan countryside is the Orcia Valley. It is here that you will find the most picturesque rolling green hills, winding roads lined with cypress trees, pretty little villages, and perfect scenery. It is here that many of the most iconic pictures of Tuscany’s remarkable landscape are taken. So, if you want to see those famous rolling hills for yourself, find a vacation rental in the Orcia Valley or come drive around the area for a day!
