When is the best time of year to visit Tuscany?

Spring is the best time of year to visit Tuscany!

Many travelers visit Italy in the summer; kids are out of school, and it’s the perfect time to go to the beach. It’s also been about 6 months since the holiday vacation, so people want to escape work for a little while. However, if you can manage it, the best time of year to visit Tuscany is in the spring. This article will give you all the reasons you need to schedule your Tuscan getaway in the spring.

You can do the regular tourist things in the spring, but there are some things that just can’t be enjoyed any other time of year. The flora and fauna of Tuscany in the spring are breathtaking. The gardens provide a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the main streets. Some of the gardens in Tuscany are only open in the spring, and they really shouldn’t be missed! 

Garden at Palazzo Pfanner in Lucca, Italy

These tips for Tuscany in the spring focus on what to do in the spring in Tuscany; specifically, the experiences that are better or can only be had in the spring. For guides that dig deeper, see our Florence Travel Guide and our Lucca Travel Guide. These guides include information about how to get there, where to stay, day trips to escape the city, things to do indoors, what food to eat, and where to eat it.

Skip to Section: When is the best time to visit Tuscany?

• Why is spring the best time of year to visit Tuscany?
• Know before you go
• Getting there
• Where to stay
• Getting around Tuscany
• Must-See
  • Florence
  • Pisa
  • Lucca
  • Siena
  • Arezzo
• What to do indoors when it starts to rain
• What to eat and where to eat it
• Day and half-day trips in Tuscany
• A few of our favorite resources

Why is spring the best time of year to visit Tuscany?

Most of Italy and southern Europe are very hot in the summertime. This heat is also met with humidity. For Americans, this can be especially difficult because air conditioning is not common everywhere. We always recommend coming in the fall or early to mid-spring. Temperatures in the spring are typically high 60s to mid/high 70s, with some rain intermittently. 

Spring in Tuscany is especially nice because all the flowers are blooming instead of fading away like they do in the fall (although there is something special about the colors of the fall foliage). By mid-spring, you do start to see the early travel crowds. We recommend escaping to a garden or a smaller town outside of the big cities. 

Tuscany in the Spring: Know before you go

In Tuscany, it rains in the spring, which is why everything is so luscious and green. Tuscany also gets plenty of days that are filled with sunshine. When you come to Tuscany in the spring, just bring an umbrella and maintain flexible plans.

The green hills that surround Lucca, in Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany in the Spring: Getting There

How you get to Tuscany will depend on where you are arriving from. Most Americans will find that the least expensive flight is to Milan or Rome. From Milan or Rome, you can take a train to get to Tuscany (typically Florence, Pisa, or Lucca). You might find, though, that in the end, it saves you time to fly to Florence or Pisa. You should consider the cost of trains from Milan/Rome to Florence and the additional transportation time. Does flying to Milan or Rome mean a hotel for the night before you depart for Tuscany? You may find that you aren’t saving much by flying to Milan/Rome after you pay for train tickets and a hotel for the night. 

Arriving in Florence: At the airport in Florence, you can take a tram (T2 line) to the center of Florence (just outside of the main train station). From here you can walk to your accommodation or get in the taxi queue at the train station. If your destination is outside of Florence, the second-to-last stop on the T2 is just outside the main train station, Santa Maria Novella. From the Santa Maria Novella train station, you can take a train to just about anywhere in Tuscany you want to go.

Arriving in Pisa: You can fly into Pisa if you are coming from another city in Europe (likely on Ryan Air, EasyJet, or Transavia). From the airport, you can take the Pisa mover to the main train station in Pisa. From Pisa Centrale, you can walk, catch a bus, or take a taxi to your accommodation. If Pisa is not your first destination, then you can take a train from Pisa Centrale to where you are headed or meet a driver from your pre-arranged transfer service.

Arriving in Lucca: Lucca does not have an airport. Lucca is 1.5 hours by train from the main station in Florence, and less than 30 minutes from the main station in Pisa. There are train routes from Milan that will take you through Florence to get to Lucca. Or you can opt for a route that goes through Genoa and down the coast of the Italian Riviera. The line that takes you down the coast will cost less, take a little longer, but offer beautiful views of the sea. 

Tuscany in the Spring: Where to stay

We recommend Lucca, but we’re biased; we live here. Lucca is a great option because you can day trip to so many places from Lucca. You can take a day trip to Florence, Pisa, the Cinque Terre, or the coastal town of Viareggio. Lucca isn’t nearly as busy as Pisa or Florence, and many of the day trippers who visit for the day are gone in the evenings; You’d have this charming town all to yourself.

If you decide to stay in Lucca, you will most likely want to stay inside the walls in the historic center. Almost everything you do in Lucca will be in the center (anywhere inside the walls is a good location). However, there are a couple of surrounding neighborhoods that you may find less expensive. We like the Sant’Anna neighborhood, which is west of the wall. Within a short walk to the wall are a few vacation rentals, boutique hotels, and B&Bs. We loved Lucca In Villa – Villa San Donato B&B. We stayed there several times while we were getting our apartment ready. This is an affordable boutique hotel with a mix of modern and old-world furnishings. Luca (the manager) was very helpful, tell him we sent you! 

The second neighborhood we would recommend is San Concordio. The neighborhood is south of the train station and also a short walk to the historic center. If your feet can’t take you where you want to go, Lucca has an efficient bus system. You can use Google Maps to plan your bus route, but it often isn’t aware of any detours or changes. It’s always a good idea to double-check the route with the “at Bus” app (autolinea toscana).

Florence is a great option if you want to go to Siena, Arezzo, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, or the Chianti region. Florence is the most walkable city in the world, and if you stay anywhere in the historic center, you will be in a good position. The Oltrarno is a great area. Oltrano means “the other side of the Arno” and is the opposite side of the river from the train station. The Oltrarno area has a bit more of a locals vibe and some great restaurants in the Santo Spirito neighborhood. If you want to be near the train station, stay near the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella (this is not the Duomo, but is a beautiful church that you should see if you have time). We also like the neighborhood just north/northeast of the Piazza Santa Croce.

Siena is divided into 17 small neighborhoods (contrade). The historic center of Siena is safe and walkable, so you really can’t go wrong. We liked the Tartuca (tortoise) neighborhood because it’s a little quieter and just a short walk to the Duomo and the main square. The Torre (tower) neighborhood is separated from the Tartuca neighborhood by the Onda (wave) neighborhood. The Torre del Mangia (the tall tower in the main square, Piazza del Campo), is in the Torre neighborhood. This neighborhood is probably the most lively of the 17 neighborhoods in the historic center. This is not to say that any of the other contrade aren’t good locations: Leocorno (unicorn), Aqulia (eagle), Civetta (owl), or Silva (forest), to name a few.

The city of Arezzo is another great option. The train ride from Florence to Arezzo is beautiful. Arezzo is a smaller and quieter town with tons of Italian charm. You can easily day trip to Siena or Florence from Arezzo, or find a wine tour to connect with. Arezzo is not formally divided into neighborhoods. Stay in the historic center and you’ll be just a few minutes walk to everything you want to see. From the historic center, you are probably a 10-15 minute walk from the train station if you plan to take a day trip.

Recommended neighborhood in Arezzo, the historic center (red), and the main train station (red arrow)

Tuscany in the Spring: Getting around Tuscany

You can absolutely travel by train or bus to get from one city to another. You can also use local buses to get around any of the less walkable towns (spoiler alert, it’s pretty easy to walk all over Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, and Arezzo). Autolinea Toscana (at Bus) is the app for all bus transportation in the Tuscan region. This will include Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and Arezzo. You can purchase tickets on the app or simply look up your route. Use ‘tap to pay’ when paying on the bus (don’t forget to tap when you get off too). The Autolinea Toscana buses can get you around town or from one town to the next.

All of the cities that we’ve listed to stay in (above) will not require you to have a car. However, if you want to go off the beaten path and see the hidden gems of Tuscany (such as Bagni di Lucca, Garfagnano, and small towns of the Chianti region), you will want a car. You can find a regional train or bus to get you to these hidden gems; however, without a car, you will be limited once you arrive.

Tuscany Travel Pro Tip 1: Rent a car if you want to enjoy the hidden gems. Check out DiscoverCars; they offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations and have a high customer satisfaction rate.

Tuscany Travel Pro Tip 2: If you haven’t done it before, it’s best to learn a little about train travel and booking tickets before you arrive in Italy. If you plan to travel by train, read this travel tips article and learn to navigate train travel like a pro!

Tuscany In the Spring: Must-See

The Best Time of Year to Visit Tuscany is In the Spring: Must-See

Okay, now that we have the logistics out of the way, let’s get to the fun stuff. As I mentioned, the best thing about Tuscany in the spring is the flora and fauna. There are so many lovely gardens to spend your time in. Here are just a few of our favorites in places where you can get a good mix of culture, art, and regular tourist activities (in between your garden visits and daily gelato). 

Florence

See the irises at Giardino dell’Iris. This garden is only open from April 25 – May 20. The dates that the garden is open coincide with the Iris blooming season in Italy. Entry to the garden is free, but I do believe that they take donations. At this one-of-a-kind garden, you can see all the different types of Irises from all over the world. The Garden hosts an international iris contest and is the perfect place to enjoy a sunny morning or afternoon. 

The Giardino dell’Iris, Florence, Tuscany, Italy, in the Spring

The most beautiful views of Florence are from Giardino Bardini. The wisteria in the spring is delightful. In the garden, there is also a villa (Villa Bardini) that typically houses art and photography exhibits. You can pay extra if you want to see the villa and the current exhibit. Entry to the garden is €10 & includes the well-known Boboli Gardens. If you want to see the exhibit at the Villa Bardini, it is €10.

Boboli Gardens first opened to the public in 1766 and are one of the first examples of the Italian Garden. Located behind the Pitti Palace in the Oltrarno area. The garden has several fountains, grottos, sculptures as old as the Roman age, an amphitheatre, a network of pathways, and large tree-lined boulevards. Meander the pathways and reflect on what life must have been like for the wealthy class in 16th-century Florence. Could you see yourself whispering to friends or stealing a kiss from a love interest in the garden? Entry is €10 and includes the Girardino Bardini. Or you can get the combined ticket with entry to Pitti Palace for €22 (includes the Giardino Bardini). If you do go to Pitti Palace, don’t miss the costume museum!

Pisa

The first university botanical garden in the world is in Pisa. Orto e Museo Botanico is only a 6-minute walk from the Leaning Tower (Torre di Pisa). Entry is €4 to the garden & €2 for the museum. Spend a day in Pisa strolling around the garden, learning something at the museum, and brushing against history when you climb the leaning tower.

Lucca

Walk amongst mythological gods and citrus trees in Lucca at the garden of Palazzo Pfanner. There are statues of mythological gods, elegant pathways, a bamboo grove, and a stunning fountain in this quintessential Italian baroque garden. The Palazzo Pfanner is located amongst the medieval streets of Lucca. It’s amazing how you can duck into the garden and forget that you are in a city center. Entry to the garden is €8, and entry to the Palazzo is also €8. It’s better to get the combined ticket for €10 and do both. Visit the Palazzo to see the museum with medical-surgical instruments, old world furnishings, and more. 

Lemon trees and Mythological Gods decorate the lovely Palazzo Pfanner in Lucca, Italy

Tuscany Travel Pro Tip 3: You can also stay at the Palazzo Pfanner. Check their website for pricing and availability (under “Palazzo” on the navigation menu select “stay at the palazzo”). 

For €6, you can visit the Botanical Garden in Lucca. At the botanical garden, you can see flowers, plants, and herbs while you enjoy the shade of the trees. Be sure to spend a little time at the pond, where you can see the turtles go about their day. 

Botanical Gardens in Lucca, Italy; photo taken from on top of the wall of Lucca

Just a few steps from the entrance to the botanical garden is one of the access points to the Wall of Lucca (Mura di Lucca). Don’t forget that the wall is a park too! On the wall, locals and tourists enjoy bike rides, meeting with friends, an afternoon passeggiare, or a run. From the wall, you will see beautiful views of the lush green hills that surround Lucca. Walking the entire loop takes about an hour, while a bike ride is about 30 minutes. Or take your time and sit on one of the benches along the wall to people watch, have a snack, or read a book.

Siena

Tuscany in the Spring: What to do indoors when it starts to rain

If it starts to rain, duck into the nearest caffè, wine bar, art gallery, museum, or palazzo. For more on what to do in Tuscany, see our Florence Travel Guide and our Lucca Travel Guide. Both have information about what to see, do, eat, where to eat, and day trips within Tuscany.

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Tuscany in the Spring: What To Eat And Where To Eat It

Tuscany is particularly proud of its meats, so try some cured meats, steaks, wild boar, and even crostini toscani (the local chicken liver pate). For more on what to eat in Tuscany, please check out our Florence Travel Guide and Lucca Travel Guide. Both guides discuss regional dishes and dishes specific to the city, along with recommendations about where to enjoy the dish.

Tuscany in the Spring: Day and half-day trips in Tuscany

Within Tuscany, there are many day trips that you can take from your “home base.” Perhaps a day of wine tasting in the Chianti, sightseeing in Siena or Arezzo, hiking in the Cinque Terre (just outside of Tuscany), or climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa interests you. Read more about these day trips in our Florence Travel Guide, Lucca Travel Guide, and What You Need To Know About Cinque Terre tips.

Grab a book, pack an umbrella & mingle your garden delights with Italian food & wine, for the perfect relaxing trip to Tuscany in the spring! 

We hope this Spring in Tuscany Travel Guide has you excited for a spring trip to Tuscany. You might also enjoy our Florence and Lucca Guides, Italy Itinerary, and inspiration pages. If you have any questions, you are welcome to comment below or send us an email. We’re happy to share any insight we might have. If we haven’t written a guide about it yet, it doesn’t mean that we don’t know the area. If we left something out that you love to do in the spring in Tuscany, please comment below to share with everyone!

If you’re not excited about spending 15-30 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 page.

-XO, The Twins

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Contact us by email at thetwins@twicethetraveler.com