Day trips from Florence: which are worth the drive, and which are not
TLDR
- •Chianti is the best day out of Florence: villages, a long lunch and a cellar, close enough to do slowly
- •Siena deserves a whole day of its own, not half of one
- •San Gimignano before 10:00 or after 17:00, never at noon in August
- •Lucca is the easy, gentle day, on the train
- •The Val d'Orcia and the Cinque Terre are better as nights away than as day trips
The best day trip from Florence is Chianti, and the second best is Siena. Both are close enough to do slowly, which is the whole secret of a good day out of the city. The rest depend on when you go and how long you are prepared to sit in a car.
Chianti, slowly
The wine country starts almost at the edge of the city. Go for one village, one long lunch and one cellar, not five of each.
Panzano is the village for eating: Dario Cecchini's Officina della Bistecca serves at single sittings, so book. Volpaia, above Radda, is a fortified hamlet that is also a working wine estate, with its cellars inside the village. Greve has the market square and the practical shops.
If somebody wants to drink properly, do not drive it. A wine tour that collects you from Florence is the one day the hire car should stay parked.
Siena, for the whole day
Siena's historic centre is a World Heritage Site in its own right, and it is a city to walk, not to tick. Give it a whole day: the Campo in the morning before the groups arrive, lunch in a side street, and the cathedral in the afternoon.
Siena has a restricted zone with cameras on its gates, like Florence. If you drive, park outside the walls and walk in.
San Gimignano, at the right time
The town of towers is beautiful and it is also the most crowded small place in Tuscany. Arrive before 10:00 or after 17:00, and never at noon in August, when the main street is one slow queue between the gates. Early or late, it is a different town.
Lucca, the gentle day
Lucca is flat, walled and easy, with a promenade along the top of its walls that you can walk or cycle all the way round. It is reachable by train from Florence, which takes the parking question away entirely. A good day for a group that has had enough of hairpin bends.
Pisa, honestly
Most people go for one photograph and leave. If that is what you want, combine it with Lucca rather than giving it a day of its own.
Better as a night than a day
The Val d'Orcia is the calendar landscape of cypress lines and hill towns, and it is far enough from Florence that a day trip spends most of the light in the car. Stay a night in Pienza or Montepulciano and see it at both ends of the day, which is when it looks the way you have imagined it.
The Cinque Terre is a long way west, on another coast. It is a trip of its own, not an add-on to Florence.
One day, one thing
The mistake on every day out of Florence is the same: four towns in one day, two hours of each, all of them at the busiest time. Choose one good thing and give it the day. You will remember the long lunch. You will not remember the third car park.
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Day trips from Florence
Farm To table Experience on an organic hilltop estate in Tuscany
For a day you will get away from the crowds, heat, noise and queues. Enjoy a day of nature, incredible views, friendly people, great food and wine! Our experience starts in Florence Santa Maria Novella Central Station where you will meet and we will help you buy the train tickets to San Miniato. The train ride to San Miniato will take 40 minutes. The name of our farm is Agriturismo Tenuta Chiudendone. Upon arrival, we'll walk around the estate so you can see our vineyard and olive grown. We'll visit the gardens to gather ingredients for our lunch, which we'll prepare together. You'll find out how traditional Tuscan cuisine is simple, fresh, and delicious. Depending on the season, we might pick grapes, olives, wild asparagus, wild herbs, or even hunt for prized white truffles in autumn....PLEASE NOTE! When booking you need to leave a active Whatsapp number so that we can contact you 48 hours before with the instructions to meet us. THIS EXPERIENCE IS ONLY FOR EXTROVERTED SMILING PEOPLE
Private daytrip to Siena & Chianti wine country, with wine tasting from Florence
Private is just for you and your party, so the top in terms of flexibility, comfort, and privacy. Your knowledgeable English speaking driver, will discuss with you all the different options of the chosen itinerary, so you will be able to customize your day, to perfectly suit your needs and focus just on the attractions/activities you are interested in. Start your day with a relaxing visit of Greve in Chianti to learn about the country lifestyle, admire the beauties of the Chianti wine road and see postcard views, discover the secrets of the Chianti red wine, taste genuine products, and conclude your experience with a visit of Siena, Tuscany's second most important art city.
Tour Cinque Terre and Pisa Leaning Tower from Florence Private
Private (up to 8 people) Cinque Terre and Pisa leaning tower tour in a Black Mercedes Minivan. Visit the Cinque Terre and experience all the true magic of this enchanted coastline.
Private Tuscany Horse Ride, Wine Tasting and local food at Estate
No previous riding experience is required. The guests will have the chance to escape from the city crowd and experience the authentic Florence life style held on the worldwide known Chianti region A one-of-a-kind approach to our horses will allow even the novice riders to naturally enjoy the rolling hills near Florence and after the ride the wine and gourmet tour at the historic winery will make the fully relax while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of our landscape.
Private Day Tour from Florence to Pisa, Chianti and San Gimignano
Explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside with a private driver and customize your itinerary to visit Pisa, San Gimignano, Chianti and Piazzale Michelangelo. History, art, culture and breathtaking landscapes blend perfectly in one unforgettable day.
VIP Brunello Montalcino, Montepulciano & Val d'Orcia with Lunch
This is an experience for true wine lovers, selecting the best boutique wineries including a guided lunch and wine tasting of Brunello di Montalcino, listed as one of the best wines in the world by the prestigious magazine Wine Spectator. All this while visiting 3 UNESCO's site and the famous Gladiator movies sceneries, crossing breathtaking hills and charming medieval small villages. This tour offers a small group experience for a maximum of 6 people for a unique atmosphere. The Tour guide will assist you during the entire day to satisfy all your request and show you the most beautiful part of Tuscany. So relax while you enter the heart of real Tuscany with medieval villages of incomparable charm, an ancient farming tradition that produces wine, cheese, cold cuts and excellent meat. This experience will give you the chance to try one of the best wines in the world.
Prices, durations and ratings are Viator's, shown as Viator published them on 2026-11-04. They change. Booking goes to Viator, not to us, and we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best day trip from Florence?
Chianti, done slowly: one village, one long lunch and one cellar. Siena is a close second and deserves a full day of its own.
Can you do Siena and San Gimignano in one day?
You can, but you will do both badly. If you combine them, see San Gimignano early in the morning and give Siena the afternoon and evening.
Is the Val d'Orcia a good day trip from Florence?
It is a long one. Most of the light goes on the drive. A night in Pienza or Montepulciano lets you see the landscape early and late, when it is at its best.
Can you visit Lucca from Florence by train?
Yes, and it is the easiest day out of the city for that reason. Lucca is flat and walled, and the walk round the top of the walls is the thing to do.