7 Excellent Day Trips From Florence, Italy And How To Get There

While you could spend all of your time in Florence, we suggest taking some day trips from Florence to see more of Italy. With Florence as your home base, there are several nearby places you could explore. These are our top 7 excellent day trips from Florence, Italy. Use public transportation for the majority of these to keep your costs low (one will require a car).  Keep reading to find out more about day trips from Florence. Explore more of Tuscany, visit the seaside region of Liguria, or head to the  Emilia-Romagna region.

Short Journeys and Big Experiences Near Florence:

• Hike in the Cinque Terre (or visit the coastal villages by train and skip the hike)
• Wine tasting in Tuscany
• Climb the Leaning Tower in Pisa
• Tuscan charm in Lucca
• Eat Bolognese in Bologna
• See the gate of heaven in Siena
• Visit the hilltop town of Arezzo
• FAQs about day trips from Florence, Italy

Many travelers prefer to have a home base location and to take day trips to nearby cities. These are our 7 favorite day trips from Florence, Italy.

1: Hike the Cinque Terre (or visit the coastal villages by train), a day trip from Florence

Visit the Ligurian region of Italy and head to the Cinque Terre for the day. You won’t believe your eyes when you see the blue of the Mediterranean Sea as you hike the coast. We only recommend this in the shoulder months; otherwise, you are looking at a very hot hike that is packed with other travelers like you. 

There are many ways to enjoy the Cinque Terre; a popular favorite is hiking.  We have hiked from Manarola to Vernazza and Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare. We also walked the newly reopened Via dell’Amore, which connects Riomaggiore to Manarola. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the 5 villages. There is a train that goes between each city of the Cinque Terre. There is a ferry option that goes between most cities. The train and ferry options make it convenient to hop from city to city without the hiking. Grab some seafood, gelato, or white wine in the cities you pass along the way. Some of our favorite spots to make your taste buds happy: Bar e Vini a Pie de Ma (Riomaggiore), Da Aristide (Manarola), Gelateria Vernazza (Vernazza), Enoteca Internazionale Monterosso Al Mare (Monterosso Al Mare).

Planning a visit to the Cinque Terre? See our tips on what you need to know about Cinque Terre.

How do you get to the Cinque Terre from Florence?

You can journey there on your own by train/bus or car and find an entrance to the hiking trails. A train from Florence will take 2.5 to 3 hours because you’ll need to change trains a couple of times. If you choose to take the train, you’ll want to leave early in the morning so you can make the most of your time. There is a train station and an entrance to a trail in all 5 cities in the Cinque Terre, now that the Via dell’Amore is open! You’ll also find a welcome center in each village. If you need help understanding train travel in Italy, we’ve got you covered; see our tips post about navigating Italy by train.

Renting a car and driving to the Cinque Terre is NOT ideal. You won’t be able to park inside any of the villages. You would need to park in a lot just outside/near the village, or further away, and walk in. We’ve read horror stories about how long people have waited to park and how difficult it was to park. The lots are small and fill up early in the morning. Additionally, the roads are steep and narrow to get there. 

Still, if you want to drive, the drive from Florence to Riomaggiore is 2 hours and 20 minutes without traffic. The route will have tolls, and your directions may lead you to a road that you’re not authorized to be on. To rent a car, you’ll find the best deals on DiscoverCars, trip.com, and Expedia.

Pro tip: If you’re staying overnight in the Cinque Terre, your hotel may be able to get you approval for parking lots or roads that you aren’t allowed to drive on. Contact your hotel for more information.

Use Omio to find a bus that will take you to La Spezia Centrale. From La Spezia, you can take a 6-minute train ride to the southernmost town of the Cinque Terre – Riomaggiore. You can also use Omio to book train tickets. We prefer to book our train tickets directly, but that is because we are comfortable with the Trenitalia site and app. Many prefer Omio because the interface is the same no matter where they are in the world.

Quick note: We didn’t tell you the complications of getting to the Cinque Terre on your own to scare you. We just want you to know what you’re up against and why we recommend a tour for this instead.

2: Wine tasting in Tuscany, a day trip from Florence

Escape the bustle of the city for a bit and spend a day in the countryside visiting wineries, tasting wine, and eating amazing Tuscan food. It’s a real treat to enjoy local wines and learn about how Italian wine, especially Chianti, is made. We recommend a tour that offers transportation, because you really shouldn’t be driving yourself to enjoy wine tasting. On the upside, it’s easier to enjoy the countryside out the window if you’re not the driver! 

If you’re looking for something truly unique, exclusive, or even private that you just can’t find by searching your favorite search engine, try Winedering. Winedering is becoming our favorite go-to for those unique food and wine experiences. This wine tourism marketplace has built relationships with wineries all over Europe. Winedering has an extensive list of tours and tasting experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.

• Private Art & Wine Tour in Cortona & Montepulciano, with Lunch & 2 Wine Tastings: Experience the perfect blend of art, history, and wine on this private tour through the iconic Tuscan towns of Cortona and Montepulciano, set in the heart of the Val d’Orcia. Begin your day by discovering the medieval beauty of Cortona, a hilltop town rich in Etruscan and Renaissance heritage.
• Private tour Savor Exquisite Wines – Brunello & Nobile Wine Tour: Discover the magic of Val d’Orcia, where rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, and sun-drenched vineyards create the quintessential Tuscan landscape. This private tour combines stunning views, historic villages, and the finest local wines for an unforgettable day immersed in the heart of Tuscany.

We’re trying to keep this short, but we can’t resist mentioning these 3 wine tours too:

• This is a special tour for vendemmia (grape harvest) in the Chianti area and is only available in September during harvest season. Bring clothes that can get dirty because you will harvest grapes alongside the wine producers as you learn about the tradition. Your hard work will be rewarded with a Tuscan lunch paired with wine. 
• Visit San Gimignano & Volterra on a Day Trip from Florence with Food & Wine. This is a full-day tour where you’ll taste wine, have lunch, and eat some award-winning gelato. You’ll walk the narrow streets of Volterra and enjoy a tour and free time in the UNESCO-listed San Gimignano. You have the option to book the small group tour or get a private tour for your group.
• A Wine Bliss in Montalcino, Montepulciano, Val d’Orcia. This 12-hour tour is a full day of exploring and includes lunch and wine tasting. You’ll taste Brunello wine in Montalcino, enjoy a light lunch (pasta, local cheese, wine, and olive oil), and have a wine tasting in Montepulciano. The views of the hills of the Val d’Orcia are what inspired many Renaissance artists and are probably giving you FOMO in your social media feed. Your tour guide will take you on a walking tour in Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. This is the kind of day that you remember forever. For years to come, you and your companions will say “remember that wine tour from Florence,” and it will be followed by a moment of silence while you all revel in the memories.

Val d’Orcia a day trip from Florence; wine tasting in Tuscany, Italy

How Do You Get To Tuscan Wineries From Florence?

Get a driver! The truth is that you are not going to take public transportation to a winery. To get to a winery in Tuscany, you either have to drive yourself, have a private driver, or book a tour that includes transportation. Driving yourself is not something we recommend if you want to try the wine; instead, sit back and relax while someone else drives. If you would like to hire a driver, you can submit a request for a quote for a chauffeur on Kiwitaxi or shop for hourly chauffeur rates on GetTransfer.com.

3: Climb The Leaning Tower Of Pisa, A Day Trip From Florence

One of the most common questions we get about Pisa has to be, “Can you really see the lean in person as much as you do in pictures?” Yes! But you’ve got to just go and see it for yourself. If you aren’t into climbing tall towers in narrow spaces, you can still admire it from outside. The complex of the Field of Miracles offers tickets to see everything (the baptistry, cathedral, museum, and Camposanto- the most elegant cemetery we’ve seen). You can select from a few different combinations of tickets; some include climbing the tower, and others don’t. 

If you are in Pisa long enough to grab a bite to eat, we suggest walking away from the Campo dei Miracoli (it’s quite touristy). We do have one recommendation that is close to that area, though: Quarto d’Oro (it’s really delicious napoletana-style pizza). For local pici pasta, head to La Grotta Pisa or Ristoro Dantesca. If you’re craving tacos (we know, not Italian, but tacos are life); go to TacoRRiendo de Lupita – the owner is from Acapulco, Mexico, and the tacos are legit. We’ve had day trips to Pisa just for these tacos!

How Do You Get To Pisa From Florence?

You can get to Pisa in 1 hour to 1 hour and 40 minutes by train from Florence. There are a few train options, some with the end of the line at the main station in Pisa and others that continue on. You can get off at Pisa Centrale to walk through the historic center and make your way to the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), or you can select a train that stops at Pisa S. Rossore. At Pisa S. Rossore, you are a 9-minute walk from the Piazza dei Miracoli. We like to start from Pisa S. Rossore and make our way through the historic center, ending at Pisa Centrale and leaving Pisa from there.

Renting a car and driving is always an option, although not our favorite because we feel that it takes you out of vacation mode. Without traffic, it will take 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to the Pisa Tower Parking lot. There are several areas to park in Pisa; this one has the best reviews and is close to the Piazza dei Miracoli.

4: Tuscan Charm in Lucca, a day trip from Florence

We recommend spending at least a few nights in Lucca (but we’re biased); you can absolutely day trip to Lucca from Florence. You may have heard that this city still has a complete city wall surrounding the historic center. The walls’ construction dates back to the Renaissance period, and did you know it’s a park too? Rent a bike from one of the many bike rental shops and ride around on top of the famous wall. It takes about 30 minutes to bike the full circle of the wall. Bike rental shops are both inside and outside the walls. 

In Lucca you’ll want to see Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, maybe do some shopping, and try the popular dish tordelli. If you’re interested in wine, try something from the Colline Lucchesi (Luccan hills) or Montecarlo while you are in Lucca. We particularly enjoy the wines from Montecarlo, one of the hills with its own separate geographic recognition. For details on things to do in Lucca, read our recommendations for the best things to do in Lucca and how to do them. If you’re in town, let us know ahead of time; maybe we can meet up for an apericena! 

We have spent a lot of time eating in Lucca; we live here. For our recommendations on what to eat in Lucca, read: Lucca Travel Guide: Soak Up Tuscan Charm In Lucca.

Lucca, Italy, a day trip from Florence

How Do You Get To Lucca From Florence?

Lucca is about 1 hour and 20 minutes by train from Florence. Make sure you take a direct train, or you will waste a lot of time changing trains in Pisa. There are a few trains between Lucca and Florence each day, and more that go between Florence and Viareggio with a stop in Lucca. Once you arrive in Lucca, you are just a few minutes’ walk from the walled city center. 

If you would like to rent a car and drive, it will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes (barring any major traffic around Florence). Park at Parcheggio Palatucci in Lucca and you’re a few minutes’ walk from entering the walled historic center through Porta San Donato. We prefer public transportation because driving can take you out of vacation mode quickly!

5: Eat Bolognese in Bologna, a day trip from Florence

The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region is often referred to as the culinary center of Italy. While this may be debatable, it is certainly a great place to eat. Have some Bolognese (anywhere serving pasta will have it). Being a university town, there is a young and energetic vibrance in the medieval streets of this old city (and some inexpensive street food). 

While you’re in Bologna, you can:

• See the Basilica di San Petronio in Piazza Maggiore
• Enjoy Neptune’s fountain in the Piazza del Nettuno, adjacent to the Piazza Maggiore (where the Basilica is)
• See the city’s two towers, Garisenda and Asinelli*. 
• Visit the clock tower (Torre dell’Orologio) overlooking Piazza Maggiore for panoramic views of the city
• Stroll through the Quadrilatero area (the medieval market) alongside Piazza Maggiore. Shop, enjoy traditional dishes or have an aperitif.
• Basilica of Santo Stefano (also known as the Seven Churches). The Basilica is unique because it is composed of several buildings that were built over the centuries; architecturally intriguing.
• Walk the world’s longest portico to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca (Portico di San Luca). 4 km and a UNESCO site to reach the sanctuary of San Luca. Since the path is covered by the portico, you can do this rain or shine. The Portico di San Luca leaves from the city center, or you can take the San Luca Express Train from the Piazza Maggiore to get to the sanctuary. The sanctuary is a walking destination for locals and a source of pride. The sanctuary is on a hill, and this is an uphill walk to get there. It’s not super steep, but it is not flat.

*At the time of writing this, the Asinelli Tower is closed for maintenance. Check to see if it is possible to climb the 498 steps to the top while you are there for a view of Bologna that you won’t forget. If the tower is closed, you can get a panoramic view by climbing the clock tower in Piazza Maggiore.

View of Torre Garisenda from Torre Asinelli, Bologna, Italy; a day trip from Florence, Italy

How Do You Get To Bologna From Florence:

Take the train, and you’ll be at Bologna Centrale in about 40 minutes. From the station, you’ll walk south for about 10 minutes before you reach the edge of the historic center. 

If you want to drive, it will take an hour and 45 minutes, and then you have to park – take the train!

6: See The Gate of Heaven in Siena, a day trip from Florence

Visit the 13th-century Gothic cathedral, a Sienese masterpiece, Duomo di Siena. The cathedral is famous for its Gate of Heaven (Porto del Cielo), the marble black-and-white stripes (both inside and outside the cathedral), its facade, and Duccio’s Stained-Glass Rose Window. The stained glass window in the apse of the Duomo is a replica. You can see the real thing in the adjacent cathedral museum. 

Climb the Torre del Mangia at the Palazzo Pubblico (town hall), and take in those quintessential views of the Tuscan countryside. After your visit to Palazzo Pubblico, enjoy lunch in the Piazza del Campo. The Piazza del Campo is home to a 17th-century tradition in Siena, the Palio di Siena.

Palazzo Pubblico from the far side of Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy. A day trip from Florence, Italy.

Il Palio is a horse race that takes place twice a year in Siena. The race involves 10 horses (each representing a ward or neighborhood of Siena), and the horses are ridden bareback. There are 17 wards in Siena, and only 10 are represented in the race; this is certainly a source of rivalry and camaraderie amongst the locals. Catch a glimpse of this rivalry on Sundays between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in September. On Sundays, you may witness the Contrada’s Awakening (Il Risveglio Delle Contrade). 

During the awakening, each contrada (neighborhood) does a “giro,” or turn. The giro is a procession (sometimes performed twice a day). The Contrada winds its way through the medieval city center, complete with costumes, flags, and drums, and during the procession, they stop to sing at the oratories of the other Contrada. The song they sing at the oratories is a song dedicated to the Virgin called “Te Deum.”

As we previously said, it’s worth some extra time in Siena just to eat there. Some of our favorite places: Ristorante Numero Unico for something fancy yet surprisingly affordable. We loved Bar Caffetteria 4 Cantoni for our morning pastry and cappuccino. We adored Bottega Roots Siena; they have live music and a single pre-fix menu if you are dining in. Make a reservation if you want a table, or just get a drink and snacks at the bar.

How Do You Get To Siena From Florence?

You can rent a car and drive, take a bus, or take a train to get to Siena; we recommend a bus. If you drive, you need to be cautious not to enter the ZTLs. There is paid parking at Stadio-Fortezza and Santa Caterina. The drive takes just over 1 hour; from each parking garage, you are about a 10-minute walk from the Duomo of Siena (from Santa Caterina, it is mostly an uphill walk). We recommend public transportation because driving a car can take you out of vacation mode real quick!

The train will take almost 2 hours, including the time it takes you to ride a bus from the train station in Siena to the historic center (or walk about 25 minutes uphill instead of waiting for the bus). You may be able to get a taxi at the train station if you prefer. 

Take a bus from Florence instead, and you’ll be in the historic center of Siena in about 1 hour. Catch the 131R from the Florence bus station by the Santa Maria Novella train station. You need to go inside the building to find where you get on the bus; it does not stop on the side of the road. Take the bus to the end of the line and get off at Via Tozzi in Siena; from there you’re a 10-minute walk from the Duomo of Siena.

It’s worth mentioning that while you can day trip to Siena, it’s also a lovely place to spend a couple of days. Sure, you can see the town in a day, but there are so many fantastic restaurants and cafes in Siena that you’ll never want to leave.

7: Visit The Hilltop Town Of Arezzo, a day trip from Florence

Arezzo is a fun town to walk through, up and down the hilly streets. You will find plenty of fantastic food in Arezzo. We particularly enjoyed the lunch we had at a small restaurant called Taste (get the peposo, roasted potatoes, and some red wine, of course). If you’re looking for an exceptional dinner, we relished ours at Osteria dei Mercanti, where the octopus was great. 

Pass through Piazza Grande on your way up to the hilltop Arezzo Cathedral before making your way over to Parco il Prato (Prato Park). At Prato Park, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside. Beyond Prato Park is the Medici Fortress and Prato (lawn). 

Arezzo was once the home of Giorgio Vasari and was the main filming site for Roberto Benigni’s “La Vita e Bella.” If you aren’t familiar, Giorgio Vasari designed and built the Uffizi complex and the Vasari Corridor in Florence, as well as the Palazzo della Carovana in Pisa. Vasari was a famous architect and artist. Giorgio Vasari designed and started to paint the largest fresco in the world; Vasari died while he was painting “The Last Judgement,” inside the dome of the Duomo in Florence. The fresco was completed by Federico Zuccari.

When you are in Arezzo, you can visit Vasari’s house. See the frescoes and paintings there, and make sure to take a few minutes to admire the garden. While you are in the neighborhood, stop into Pasticceria F.lli Bruschi for an espresso and a sweet treat or breakfast pastry.

“Maria! La Chiave?!” A scene from “La Vita e Bella,” when a man shouts up “Maria! La Chiave?!” and a key to the building falls from the ‘sky,’ takes place just outside the town’s main piazza, Piazza Grande. In the movie, it becomes a bit of a joke and is repeated. Throughout Arezzo, you can spot signs depicting scenes from “La Vita e Bella,” in the same spot that the scene was filmed.

Tuscan countryside, taken from Parco il Prato in Arezzo, Italy.

How Do You Get To Arezzo From Florence?

By train, you can reach Arezzo in just 30 minutes from Florence (this depends on which train you take; some are closer to an hour). Once you arrive, you are only a few minutes’ walk from the historic center of Arezzo.

Driving to Arezzo will take about an hour and a half from Florence. Parking can be expensive, starting at €2 per hour. Try Parcheggio Arezzo Centro or S. Agostino Parking in Arezzo.

Arezzo Christmas at the Fortress Pro Tip: Make sure to bring cash if you go; there isn’t a strong enough wifi signal for them to charge a card up there

This guide for 7 excellent day trips from Florence should help you round out your time in Florence. Still aren’t sure where to go from Florence? We’ve got some travel inspiration photos to help you with that!

Do you have any questions about these 7 excellent day trips from Florence? Please ask in the comments below. Or, if you’ve been to Florence before, tell us in the comments what your favorite day trip from Florence is.

If you’re not excited about spending 40 hours planning an amazing trip, we get it. If you would rather have someone do the research, planning, & booking for your custom travel itinerary, visit our Custom Travel Planning site.

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-XO, The Twins

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Contact us by email at thetwins@twicethetraveler.com

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