9 Amazing Things You Need To Do in Tuscany Italy

Tuscany, Toscana, is a beautiful region in Italy.

And there is a long list of amazing things you need to do in Tuscany.

That’s the problem — there are so many awesome things to do in this heavily visited region that you don’t know what to do.

Well, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite Tuscan experiences. 

Take from them what you want. 

Add your own — and share them with me. 😊

You really can’t go wrong with doing anything, seeing anything or experiencing anything in Toscana!

But before we get into this list, let’s first put Tuscany and these experiences on the map.

Placing Tuscany on the map

Below you’ll see where Tuscany is and where these things to do are.

One item is missing and that’s number 5 because it applies to all of Tuscany.

You’ll see what I’m talking about when you get to this one.

But you can see that Tuscany is in the middle of Italy, at least when it comes to north to south.

It’s an easy train ride from Rome to Florence, the regional city.

And you can do some of these thing using public transportation.

However, having a car is a great way to get around all the nooks and crannies of Tuscany.

Walk or cycle around the walls of Lucca

Lucca is a town that I think gets overlooked a lot because it sits away from so many of the hill towns around Siena and the Val d’Orcia.

But it’s a wonderful destination to explore.

And one of the amazing things you need to do in Tuscany is to walk or bike around the walls of this fabulous town.

You see, the town walls are from the Renaissance times.

And these walls are still very much intact.

While these walls started out as a defensive mechanism, they soon became a pedestrian promenade where the locals would walk

So now you can actually walk on these walls or even rent a bicycle and cycle around. 

It’s about 4.2km so about 2.6mi. 

I cycled around it a couple of times.

There are some lovely green spaces, trees and places to sit with benches spread out along the route.

So you can take your time and enjoy the views of the city and the surrounding Tuscan landscape.

Explore the Roman ruins of Volterra

Volterra is definitely one of my favorite towns in Tuscany.

It’s an excellent town to wander about.

But exploring the Roman ruins may be the best thing to do in Volterra.

I have to admit, I didn’t get up close and personal with these ruins, called Vallebuona.

It’s on the list for the next trip to the area.

But these ruins are quite impressive.

There is a theater as well as the remains of some thermal baths.

You know me, I love ruins. 

That’s why exploring Vallebuona is on the list of amazing things you need to do in Tuscany.

Delve into the Renaissance in Florence

The first time I traveled to Florence I didn’t set foot inside a church or museum.

Walking around and taking in the architecture, the piazzi, the streets … that was enough for me.

I was mesmerized by the home of the Renaissance.

When I returned on my second visit, I did go into a couple museums — the Uffizi, the Accademia and the overlooked Galileo museum.

I wandered up to Piazzale Michelangelo with its views across the city.

And I wandered down wee streets away from the crowds.

Everywhere there it was — the Renaissance.

If you visit one city in Italy, I truly believe it is Florence. 

You know me, I’m not a city a person.

But I LOVE Florence! 

Spending time in this gorgeous city is one of the most amazing things you need to do in Tuscany.

Wine tasting in Montalcino

Montalcino is home to some of the best wine in all of Italy.

Strike that, the best wine in the world!

The well aged Brunello di Montalcino is made here as is its little brother the Rosso di Montalcino.

So tasting some wine in town — or at one of the wineries in the landscape around the town — is definitely one of the best things you need to do in Tuscany.

Well, that is if you are a wine drinker.

While I think visiting a vineyard and going to the source is always a good idea, I might recommend starting with tasting wine at one of the shops in Montalcino.

There are a few where you can have tastes of different wines from different vineyards. 

It’s a fun way to figure out what wines appeal to you.

Then, if you have a favorite, you may want to go to the winery and take a tour and do more in-depth tasting.

Or for something a bit unique, do a wine tasting in the Fortezza of Montalcino.

It’s a lot of fun!

Tasting wine in the Montalcino area is definitely one of the most amazing things you need to do in Tuscany.

Stay in an agriturismo

One of the most amazing things you need to do in Tuscany is to stay in an agriturismo — a farm stay.

It’s so awesome to sleep in the peace and quiet of the rural landscape.

There are agriturismi (the plural of agriturismo) all over Tuscany.

And they run the gamut from very simple places to more luxurious.

But to be an agriturismo it must have a working farm as part of it.

So there must be some sort of food or drink produced.

It could be wine, fruit, honey or even meat from cows, chickens or rabbits. 

To me, no trip to Tuscany is complete without a stay at an agriturismo.

Drive around the rural roads of Val d’Orcia

If I had to choose my top 3 amazing things you need to do in Tuscany, spending time in the Val d’Orcia would be one of those 3. 

The Val d’Orcia is a UNESCO World Heritage site that lies just south of Pienza and Montalcino.

It’s the most beautiful piece of Tuscany, in my opinion.

And taking a drive through this landscape is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in it.

Take wee roads through the hills and valleys.

Stop at the little villages for a bite to eat. 

It’s truly stunning!

Watch the sunset from Montepulciano

First of all, I’d say Montepulciano is another of the towns you need to spend some time in.

Wander about, get a bit lost and stop for food and wine as there is a lot of uphill here.

But do stay for sunset.

There’s a spot near Orfanotrofio Antoniano and a guesthouse called La Locanda di San Francesco where you have a view to the west across the Tuscan hills.

This is a fantastic place to watch the sun go down.

There are some other spots here and there as well.

Osteria del Borgo is a restaurant that has a patio out back that faces west where you might get some views.

But if you simply want to watch the sun go down on your own terms, the spot just down Via Ricci from Piazza Grande is a gem!

Definitely one of the most amazing things you need to do in Tuscany.

Slow down in the wee town of Casole d’Elsa

There are so many beautiful, interesting and charming towns in all of Italy and Tuscany definitely has a lot of them.

Casole d’Elsa is one you won’t find in many guidebooks.

But if you want a little slice of Tuscan life, I recommend taking a wander through this village.

It’s not too far from Siena, a perennial favorite of many travelers.

But it’s worlds away.

Slow down.

Wander about.

You won’t get lost as it’s a small village.

The streets are narrow and lovely.

You may find some art work in nooks and crannies along the way.

Observe the locals at the cafe or gelato shop.

Stop and have a drink.

Take in views to stunning views of the Val d’Elsa.

I love this wee town.

Slowing down here is one of the best things to do in Tuscany.

Wander the streets of Pitigliano

Often overlooked is the southern part of Tuscany.

This is unfortunate as this piece of Tuscany is beautiful and a bit different than the areas further north.

Here you’ll find these towns more on cliffsides.

And this is exactly what Pitigliano is.

Stop and take in the views of this town before you wander around it.

It’s magnificent.

Then wander about.

There used to be a strong Jewish community here as it was a place between the Grand Duchy of Florence and the Papal States of Rome.

So Jewish folks escaped persecution in Rome and settled here.

The town’s walls and gates are still intact and the narrow streets are a treat to wander.

Then there are the views from the town across the southern Tuscan landscape which are awesome.

So don’t skip the southern part of this region.

So there are 9 amazing things you need to do in Tuscany

There are many more.

But these are some of my personal favorite things to do in Tuscany.

I might add spending time in some churches, eating in a small osteria (family run restaurant) and sitting in a piazza in any large or small town.

Tuscany, Toscana, is an amazing destination in Italy and definitely one that sees a lot of visitors.

So I encourage you to find some of your own things to do in Tuscany.

Then feel free to share them with me!

Please note that Wander Your Way is only recommending international travel to those who are vaccinated and feel comfortable doing so. While travel to Europe is getting easier, we are still not out of the woods with COVID.

If you do decide to travel internationally, please do your research or use a travel planning service such as Wander Your Way. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC.

I am continuing to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about places. And hopefully make that bucket list! This way when we can all fully travel again, you’ll be ready to go. 

And if you are ready to go soon, please contact Lynne for any assistance you may need.

 

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