12 Best Day Trips from Florence, Italy + Helpful Tips

I may have traveled around the world, but to this day, some of my most treasured travel memories have been on day trips from Florence, Italy.

From zipping through the countryside on a vintage Vespa and exploring medieval hilltop towns, to devouring delicious farm-to-table feasts in Chianti, there’s no place like Tuscany. 

If youโ€™re visiting Florence soon, youโ€™re in the right place! In this post, I’m sharing the 12 best day trips from Florence – exploring the region of Tuscany, and beyond.

Maddy enjoying a glass of wine while visiting a farm in Tuscany. Going on a wine tour is one of the best day trips from Florence, Italy.

Whenever I visit Florence, I always stay for at least a week so I can schedule a few day trips. I have personally done each of these day trips at least once, so know that you can trust these recommendations!

Some of these Florence day trips are organized guided tours. Because, sometimes, you just want a local travel expert to handle the logistics for you!

Beautiful city of Lucca with a view of lush hills beyond - one of the best day trips from Florence

But if youโ€™re feeling extra adventurous, you’ll also find my top recommendations for self-guided day trips from Florence (via trains and rental cars). 

No matter which one(s) you choose, itโ€™s impossible to go wrong. Here are the 12 best day trips from Florence, Italy!

12 Best Day Trips from Florence, Italy

1. Tuscany in One Day: Siena, Chianti, San Gimignano & Pisa

If this is your first time in Tuscany, then this classic Tuscany in One Day Tour is a non-negotiable must-do!

On this Tuscany in One Day Tour from Florence, you’ll visit three of Tuscanyโ€™s most endearing destinations: Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa. Plus, you’ll enjoy a long and leisurely farm-to-table lunch and wine tasting at a family-owned vineyard in the Chianti Hills.

I have done this tour twice, so I can confidently say that this is the most comprehensive day trip from Florence. (And thousands of other 5-star reviews back me up.)

Here are some of the highlights of the Tuscany in One Day Tour:

Siena (1st Stop)

First up on the Tuscany in One Day Tour is Siena. Despite its proximity to Florence, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features its own unique culture, heritage, and traditions. Youโ€™re going to love it!

Youโ€™ll kick off your day with a guided historical tour of the city center, and learn all about Palio; this biannual festival (first held in 1482!) includes a horse race in the main Piazza del Campo, as well as a parade, horse-blessing ceremonies, flag throwing, and historical costumes. If your day trip falls in July or August, then you may be lucky enough to witness this hallmark of Sienese culture – or at least feel the buzz in the atmosphere!

View of the front of the Duomo in Siena, one of the best day trips from Florence

Next up, the best part. Youโ€™ll see the dazzling Duomo di Siena, featuring Renaissance art by the likes of Michelangelo, Donatello, and Pisano. This Romanesque-Gothic cathedral is a true stunner!

And finally, you’ll have free time to roam the charming medieval streets and sip an espresso in one of the coffee bars. Siena is also famous for its panforte di Siena (fruitcake), spiced with cinnamon and black pepper; make sure to try it! 

The views atop the bell tower, Torre del Mangia (in the Piazza del Campo), are also worth the climb!

Maddy holding a glass of wine with an amazing view of Tuscany on a day trip from Florence

Lunch in the Chianti Region (2nd Stop)

Ready for my favorite part of the Tuscany in One Day Tour? Lunch at a Chianti vineyard!

Before a long, leisurely farm-to-table lunch, you’ll walk the vineyards, learn about the farmโ€™s olive oil and wine-making processes, and savor incredible views of the Tuscan countryside.

Maddy drinking red wine and overlooking vineyards in Tuscany, on a day trip from Florence

The garden salad, fresh pasta, local cheeses, cured salami and prosciutto, homemade bread, artisanal olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and many bottles of wine go down easily here…

A beautiful view of a small town in Tuscany with rolling hills and vineyards beyond

San Gimignano (3rd Stop)

Next on the Tuscany in One Day Tour, youโ€™ll visit San Gimignano. This medieval hilltop town was originally founded by the Etruscans in the third century B.C.! 

Known as โ€œthe Manhattan of the Middle Ages,โ€ San Gimignano features 14 stone towers (but there were 72 originally!), narrow cobblestone streets, and the most incredible views of green rolling hills, Cypress trees, and terracotta roofs.

Towers of San Gimignano with green Tuscan hills in the background. A visit to this place is one of the best day trips from Florence that's worth the effort.

There, youโ€™ll see the bustling Piazza della Cisterna, cute enoteche (wine shops) offering wine tastings, a plethora of quaint restaurants, and a few craft leather shops, in case you’re looking for a stylish souvenir.

But the town’s real claim to fame? Gelateria Dondoli. This small gelato shop has won the gold at the Ice Cream World Championships multiple times!

With creative flavors like Pink Grapefruit & Sparkling Wine and Gorgonzola & Walnuts, it’s near-impossible to choose! But me? I love their pistacchio; classic and so good. The long line moves very fast, so donโ€™t let it deter you!

Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy

Pisa (4th Stop)

And finally, the last stop on the Tuscany in One Day Tour is Pisa. 

Obviously, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is the main attraction here. 

But beyond the tower, Pisa is unexpectedly charming (albeit, touristy). Youโ€™ll have time to stroll along the Arno River, pop into some shops, or stop by a wine bar before the journey back to Florence.

This day trip sounds pretty epic, doesnโ€™t it? Click here to book your Tuscany in One Day Tour from Florence. This tour sells out every single day, so donโ€™t wait.

READ MORE: Tuscany in One Day Itinerary: Siena, Chianti, San Gimignano, Pisa

Maddy with a rental car while taking wine tours and the best day trips from Florence

Self-Driving Tours of Tuscany

Feeling adventurous? If you’d rather ditch the guided Tuscany in One Day Tour and drive yourself, it’s totally doable.

Renting a car gives you the most flexibility of any other Florence day trip option – and leaves room for spontaneity! Plus, many of Tuscanyโ€™s hidden gems are inaccessible by train.

There are endless combinations for a self-driving day trip from Florence. But here are my top three recommended self-driving routes, by region!

2. Self-Drive to Eastern Tuscany: Lucca, Pisa

My top pick for a day trip to Eastern Tuscany is the beautiful medieval walled city of Lucca. I love Lucca. Itโ€™s peaceful, quiet, super green, and so underrated.

While in Lucca, explore the city streets, climb up Torre Guinigi, and have lunch at Sottosotto.

Holding up a glass of wine with a view of the Tenuta Adamo winery. Exploring wineries is one of the best day trips from Florence.

Then, hop in your car to reach this winery experience, 15 minutes from the city. I learned SO MUCH about wine on this tour; itโ€™s a very intimate experience! The wine was delicious too. Click here to book it!

Next time, I want to check out a certified organic and biodynamic vineyard called Fabbrica di San Martino. Go, and let me know how it is!

And finally, before driving back to Florence, savor a fantastic multi-course dinner and some more wine (if youโ€™re not the driver!) at the local farm/vineyard Fattoria Sardi. Further afield, Antica Locanda di Sesto is another super tasty dinner option. Either way, you must make a reservation. 

Talk about a perfect day trip from Florence!

Note: The sights in/around Lucca can easily occupy a whole day, so I donโ€™t think Pisa is worth going out of your way for. But if you really want to see the Leaning Tower, you can visit both cities in one day.

Printable Florence day trips guide

Want a printable PDF of this Florence Day Trips Guide?

Ancient underground cellar in Montepulciano, Tuscany
Dramatic sunset behind the mountains dimming the vast view of Cortona, Italy. Self-driving to this place is one of the many day trips from Florence.

3. Self-Drive to Southern Tuscany: Cortona, Montepulciano, Montalcino

Want to visit some of the lesser-visited gems of Tuscany? Then head south instead!

On a day trip from Florence, you’ll have time to visit two or three of the destinations listed below:

  • Consider visiting the charming town of Cortona (featured in one of my favorite movies ever, Under the Tuscan Sun). Make sure to dine at Osteria del Teatro – oh my goodness, the food here is amazing.
  • Then check out the famous wine-making town of Montepulciano. The streets and shops are lovely, but you must explore underground, too! This Montepulciano Cellar Tour includes a guided walk through a vast, ancient cellar, followed by tastings of six different wines, including Rosso di Montepulciano and Nobile. Also, make sure to stop into La Vineria di Montepulciano for a seriously fantastic and well-priced tagliere misto (meat and cheese board) and a glass of local Montepulciano wine!
  • The nearby hilltop town of Montalcino, known for its premium wine – Brunello di Montalcino – is the treasure of Tuscany. This wine tasting tour at Castello Tricerchi is fabulous, but Sanlorenzo and Camigliano also offer tastings worth considering!
  • As you drive, youโ€™ll be awestruck by the views of the Val dโ€™Orcia. Itโ€™s one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Italy!
  • If you have even more time (which is highly unlikely), then you can explore the stunning medieval city of Arezzo and have dinner at Trattoria Cavour 42 before you drive back to Florence. Or, better yet, split this day trip up into two days; stay the night in Arezzo (at La Corte Del Re!).

Hot tip: If youโ€™d rather go on a guided tour to this region, check out this Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano & Val D’Orcia Semi-Private Tour from Florence. (Note: I have not been on this one before.)

4. Self-Drive to Central Tuscany: San Gimignano, Vineyards, Siena

For a classic Tuscany day trip, rent a car and drive yourself to the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano, a vineyard in the surrounding countryside, and the beautiful city of Siena

Kick off your day of explorations in San Gimignano. Then, outside of the town walls, visit this organic family-run winery and have a typical lunch; it includes tastings of eight organic wines paired with the local olive oil, cheeses, cold cuts, and other artisanal products. Click here to book it!

Maddy admiring the beautiful view of lush farmlands in San Gimignano, Italy

Some other options for a farm-fresh lunch and wine tasting include Fattoria Poggio Alloro or Azienda Agricola San Quirico. Wherever you visit, you must book in advance!

However, if want to dine in San Gimignano, then don’t miss Le Vecchie Mura. The views, food, and service are *chef’s kiss!*

Maddy on a day trip to Siena. In this guide, you'll discover the best day trips from Florence, Italy.

Then, make your way to Siena. Make sure to go on this Siena guided walking tour, which includes a skip-the-line ticket to the magnificent Duomo! I recently went on this tour and it was fantastic.

Oh, and grab a sandwich at Il Bocconcino!

Hot tip: Have more time? Break up your grand tour of Tuscany into two days and spend the night at a romantic agriturismo (farm stay). I recommend either Agriturismo Mormoraia or Tenuta Sovestro!

Lush vineyard in Italy on a sunny day
Important Tips for Self-Driving Day Trips from Florence
  • This is the website I recommend for finding great deals on rental cars in Italy. 
  • Select a compact car! Roads around Tuscany can be tight.
  • Rental car shops at the Florence airport open earlier and close later than the ones in the city center do. Ideally, youโ€™d pick up your car from the airport no later than 8 AM and return it as late as 11 PM (but this depends on the company you book with). This strategy maximizes your time for having fun!
  • Arrive at the car rental shop as early as possible (i.e. 10 mins before it opens) to avoid waiting in a queue to get your car.
  • Generally, you canโ€™t drive into/park inside medieval city centers (they are โ€œZTLโ€ zones). Find free or paid parking outside the historic center, and then walk in. 
  • To that point, never drive down a street signposted with โ€œZTL attivaโ€ or โ€œZTL closedโ€. Youโ€™ll get a big ticket!
  • Before you leave your home country, get an international driverโ€™s license! We were recently pulled over in a traffic stop in the Dolomites and my fiancรฉ was fined โ‚ฌ282 for not having one.
Colorful village of Cinque Terre on the foot of the mountain by the sea. A visit to this place is one of the fantastic day trips from Florence.

5. Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking

Iโ€™ve embarked on this Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence twice, so I can say with certaintyโ€ฆ Visiting the colorful seaside towns of Cinque Terre will be a highlight of your Italy vacation!

If you didnโ€™t already know, the Italian word cinque means five. On this Cinque Terre Day Trip, you’ll explore all five wondrous villages of Cinque Terre – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso – in one day.

Howโ€™s that possible? Via a combination of hiking trails (optional), very quick regional trains, and even a scenic boat ride!

This Cinque Terre tour is jam-packed with incredible vistas, stunning swimming spots, gelato shops, beachfront wine bars, and delicious foodโ€ฆ

Boats roaming around the deep blue waters of Cinque Terre. Going on a boat ride is one of the best day trips from Florence.

After all, pesto was invented here, in the Liguria region! Plus the seafood is amazing

This day trip is about 14 hours, so youโ€™ll be exhausted when you get back to Florence. I certainly was!

But you simply have to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site – its sparkling azure waters, rocky cliffs, lush terraced farms, and rainbow-colored houses – with your own eyes.

Click here to book your Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence.

Maddy sitting and looking at the view in Cinque Terre

P.S. Because Cinque Terre is so beautiful, itโ€™s very crowded. Especially between May and September. (Thanks, Instagramโ€ฆ) But I promise, youโ€™re going to love it anyway.

Note: I do NOT recommend going on a self-guided day trip to Cinque Terre. Between trains, ferries, hiking trails, and national park tickets, there are a lot of details to coordinate. Itโ€™ll probably be more stressful than fun. Plus, dealing with the crowds will be overwhelming. However, in my guide, How to Take the Perfect Day Trip from Florence to Cinque Terre, I explain how to go on a self-guided day trip.

READ MORE: How to Take the Perfect Day Trip from Florence to Cinque Terre

Maddy enjoying a glass of wine while visiting a farm in Tuscany. Going on a wine tour is one of the best day trips from Florence, Italy.

6. Wine Tasting on a Chianti Wine & Cheese Safari

Itโ€™s SO hard to choose, but I think this is my favorite day trip from Florence!

Wine lovers, you can’t visit Florence and not embark on this epic wine tour, known as the Chianti Wine & Cheese Safari!

On this amazing Florence day trip, youโ€™ll go off-roading in a 4X4 through Chianti’s rolling hills – past olive groves, rustic farms, and ancient monasteries – to visit some of Tuscanyโ€™s most luxurious and historic Renaissance-era villas and wine estates.

Elegant villas of Chianti, Tuscany

Youโ€™ll feel like royalty as you stroll through the estatesโ€™ vineyards, drink Chianti Classico in their cellars, and taste all kinds of traditional Tuscan food. 

My fiancรฉ and I recently went on this wine tour, and it exceeded our expectations. Throughout the day, we tried so many incredible local wines – from Chianti Classico to Super Tuscan to sparkling rosรฉ – that I lost count of how many we tasted… at least thirteen! 

Along the way, our expert wine guide taught us a lot about the wine-making process – and what sets Chianti wine apart from the rest. 

Young grape vines in a vineyard in Italy. Going on wine tours is one of the magical day trips from Florence, Italy.

We also tasted many artisanal foodie specialties, from local cheeses, cured meats, and olive oils, to bruschetta, black truffle ravioli, and cinghiale (wild boar) pappardelleโ€ฆ Complete with wine pairings, of course!

Not to mention, the scenery the entire time was so gorgeous. My eyes kept tearing up as I stared out the window of the 4X4. (Yes, even before having any wine…)

This wine, cheese, and lunch tour is the most magical day trip from Florence. It’s an experience youโ€™ll never forget!

Click here to book your Chianti Wine & Cheese Safari.

7. Eat Your Way Through Bologna: Italy’s Food Capital

Foodies, listen up! Bologna is the undisputed food capital of Italy. And lucky for you, this delicious (young, lively, and cool) city is just a 40-minute, high-speed train ride away from Florence.

On a day trip from Florence to beautiful Bologna, your main objective should be to try as many Bolognese dishes as possible! Including:

  • Tagliatelle al ragรน alla Bolognese;
  • meat-filled tortellini with ragรน alla Bolognese;
  • tortellini in brodo (in broth);
  • ricotta-spinach-stuffed tortelloni in sage butter;
  • lasagna verde alla ragรน Bolognese (green lasagna, thanks to spinach in the pasta sheets!);
  • mortadella (a delicious pork cold cut);
  • premium, aged balsamic vinegar from nearby Modena; and of course,
  • Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano from nearby Parma.

I highly recommend booking this Bologna Walking Food Tour to taste as many of Bolognaโ€™s top dishes as possible in one day. All while learning about the cityโ€™s history and food culture!

I was completely stuffed (and so very happy!) after this food tour.

A large platter of cold cuts and cheese in Bologna, Italy - the food capital of Italy - and an easy day trip to take from Florence

Before/after your Bologna Walking Food Tour, there are a few more activities you shouldnโ€™t miss in this beautiful city! My favorites include strolling under the Portico di San Luca up to the Sanctuary of San Luca; seeing the leaning Two Towers; exploring the magnificent Santo Stefano complex; browsing the many artisanal food shops; and having a cocktail in lively Piazza Santo Stefano.

No matter what you do, youโ€™ll love strolling along the cityโ€™s beautiful portico-covered terrazzo sidewalks! 

Oh, and in addition to this food tour, make a reservation at Vicolo Colombina. Order the โ€œroasted rabbit with its side dishes.โ€ Itโ€™s incredible.

They donโ€™t call Bologna โ€œLa Grassaโ€ (โ€œThe Fat Oneโ€) for nothing. Itโ€™s time to eat!

Maddy on a Vespa day trip from Florence
Riding a Vespa while following a Fiat 500 car

8. Florence Vespa Tour: Tuscan Hills and Italian Cuisine

What could be more quintessentially Italian than cruising through the Tuscan countryside on a vintage Vespa to a farmhouse lunch?

This Vespa Tour of Tuscany is bucket list material – and one of the most unique things I’ve experienced in Italy!

On this amazing Vespa tour of Tuscany, you’ll stop by a beautiful 11th-century church and cemetery, offering the best secret viewpoint of Florence. Then, you’ll ride by centuries-old castles, medieval towers, and other historic monuments, little villages, endless rolling hills, olive groves, and wildflowers.

All under the Tuscan sun.

The entire experience is wildly beautiful and so freeing!

Vespa day trip tour from Florence

The experience peaks with a luscious farmhouse lunch including a beautiful antipasto platter of local cheeses, bruschetta, cured meats, artichokes, and olives, pasta, bread, and more. And of course, local red wine! (Not too much, though!)

And then, you drive back to Florence.

After many trips to Italy, to all different regions, I can honestly say that this Florence day trip is one of the best things Iโ€™ve ever done in Italy! You’re going to love it.

Click here to book your Florence Vespa Tour of the Tuscan Hills.

Zipping through the streets of Tuscany on a Fiat tour. Exploring the Tuscan countryside is one of the best day trips from Florence.

9. Self-Drive Vintage Fiat 500 Tour from Florence

If driving a Vespa isn’t your thing, no worries. You can embark on the exact same guided tour I mentioned above… But in a vintage Fiat 500 car instead of a Vespa!

You can’t trust me to drive anything (successfully) on two wheels. If I hadn’t been the passenger on our Vespa, I would’ve booked this tour Fiat 500 Tour of Tuscany instead.

Click here to book your Self-Drive Vintage Fiat 500 Tour from Florence.

Printable Florence day trips guide

Want a printable PDF of this Florence Day Trips Guide?

Maddy enjoying a glass of wine and a beautiful view of the Tuscan countryside

10. Cooking Class in the Tuscan Countryside

If you’re a foodie like me, then you’ll jump at the chance to take a cooking class, led by an expert Italian chef, at a farm in the Tuscan hills!

And yes, sipping on Chianti wine over amazing views is a key part of the experience. Obviously.

Raw pizzas being cooked inside a wood-fired pizza oven

I have two amazing class options for you to choose from; it just depends on what you want to learn to make!

Best Cooking day trips from florence
  • On this 7-hour day trip, you’ll visit a historic, local market in Florence to collect fresh ingredients to make your 4-course Italian feast! Then, out at the farmhouse, you’ll learn to make pasta from scratch, along with porchetta (this is a pretty impressive thing to know how to make at home!), bruschetta, and tiramisรน. Click here to book your Tuscan Farmhouse Cooking Class and Market Tour.
  • On this shorter, half-day trip, you’ll skip the market and head straight for the hills. There, you’ll learn to make pizza and gelato from scratch! I opted for this class, and it was so much fun! As a group, we made 14 different gelato flavors! Then we crafted our pizzas; we kneaded out our dough, added our favorite toppings, and watched the expert pizzaiolo fire them in the wood-burning oven. And finally, we savored the flavors and views over unlimited Chianti wine. Heavenly! Click here to book your  Pizza and Gelato Farmhouse Cooking Class

Both of the cooking classes above include a digital recipe booklet so you can recreate an amazing Tuscan feast at home!

HOT TIP: If you plan to book this Vespa tour or this Fiat tour, then I recommend NOT booking one of these cooking classes! Simply because they’re held at the same farmhouse. The experiences are totally different, but you may not want to go to the same place twice.

Instead, consider this Florence Cooking Class & Market Tour, held in the city center. I have done this cooking class too (I still use the recipes to this day!), and it is 100% awesome.

Maddy holding a truffle during a truffle hunting activity. Going truffle hunting is one of the best day trips from Florence.

11. Hunt for Truffles in the Tuscan Countryside

And finally, the most unique day trip from Florence: a Truffle Hunting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside

In our rental car, we drove out to San Miniato (50 minutes east of Florence) to Francescaโ€™s beautiful hilltop villa. There, her family has been truffle hunting and growing grapes and olives for four generations!

Alongside her expert truffle dog, Ciocco, we roamed the forest in search of black summer truffles. And to my surprise, we found at least 20 truffles in about 30 minutes. Some of them were massive!

Just, wow. That’s all I have to say. (Oh, and now I want to become a truffle farmer!)

Beautiful hilltop villa at San Miniato

Then, we returned to Francescaโ€™s for a traditional, truffle-focused three-course meal. As youโ€™d expect, everything was covered in fresh truffle shavings! Plus, truffle olive oil, truffle salt, and even truffle balsamic vinegar were on the table to up the ante.

And of course, we drank plenty of the delicious wine Francescaโ€™s family produces too! 

If you love food, wine, dogs, and nature, you will love this Truffle Hunting Experienceโ€ฆ Click here to book it! 

Hot tip: This Truffle Hunting Experience is only about 3 hours long, so if you go via rental car, I recommend combining it with a visit to one or two of these nearby destinations: San Gimignano, Volterra (Twilight fans, New Moon was filmed here!), and/or Siena.

Looking for quieter, less touristy spots? Check out Monteriggione and Colle di Val d’Elsa.

Note: You can also take a combination of public transportation and taxis to reach San Miniato if you donโ€™t want to rent a car!

A bird's-eye view of the city of Verona. Verona is one of the best day trips from Florence.

12. Day Trip from Florence via High-Speed Train

As mentioned in #7, Bologna is my top pick for a day trip from Florence via high-speed train. However, there are other destinations in Northern Italy and beyond within day-tripping distance:

  • Pistoia (33 minutes)
  • Pisa (1 hour)
  • Arezzo (1 hour)
  • Lucca (1.5 hours)
  • Siena (1.5 hours; this is a regional train, so itโ€™s faster to drive/take the bus)
  • Verona (1.5 hours)
  • Roma (1.5 hours)
  • Milan (2 hours)
  • Venice (2.25 hours)

Note: Iโ€™ve only included destinations with direct train routes (no changes). Book high-speed trains where possible!

HOT TIP: The easiest way to purchase train tickets is via the Trenitalia website or app. Remember to check-in/validate your tickets in the smartphone app before you board (you can be fined if you donโ€™t!).

Maddy strolling along a bridge in Florence

12 Incredible, Can’t-Miss Day Trips from Florence, Italy

From strolling along the Arno River at sunset and savoring Bistecca alla Fiorentina over full glasses of wine, to admiring the breathtaking medieval architecture and Renaissance art, Florence itself is incredible.

But if your Florence itinerary doesnโ€™t include time to explore the Tuscan countryside (and beyond!), then you’ll miss out on this regionโ€™s unparalleled beauty and charm. On truly magical experiences.

So please, when you visit Florence: Take. It. Slow. Leave plenty of time to leave the city and take a few day trips. If I were you, Iโ€™d stay a week in Florence, and take a couple of day trips.

Whether you’re into food, wine tasting, medieval history, art, cooking, hiking, architecture, or vintage Vespas, there’s a Florence day trip for you. Andiamo!

Maddy on a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre

Best Florence Day Trips: FAQs

What day trips can you do from Florence, Italy?

There are all kinds of day trips to experience from Florence. Unsurprisingly, most of them revolve around wine tasting and eating incredible food. And of course, roaming the cobbled streets and historic monuments of Tuscany’s many medieval hilltop towns and charming cities (like Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa).

This post details the 12 best day trips to take from Florence. Many of them are organized group tours, but I have also included suggestions for self-driving day trips and day trips from Florence by train – if you’re feeling adventurous!

Is Cinque Terre a day trip from Florence?

Yes, Cinque Terre is an easy (albeit long) day trip from Florence. Visiting this beautiful national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site can be accomplished in one day via this Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking. You’ll have the opportunity to see all five of the colorful seaside towns, hike from town to town via a beautiful cliff-side trail, take a boat ride along the azure riviera, and taste local delicacies from pesto to wine to calamari. This is one of the best day trips from Florence, sure to be a day you’ll never forget! I know I won’t!

Where is easy to get to from Florence?

Florence is one of Italy’s main hubs and tourist destinations, so it’s easy to travel to plenty of places throughout Central Italy, in no time!

If you want to take some Florence day trips, the options are endless. You can go wine tasting in the Chianti hills. Explore the medieval town of San Gimignano and try the world’s best gelato! See the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa and witness the famous Palio horse race in Siena. (This Tuscany in One Day Sightseeing Tour from Florence takes you to all of these places in a day!)

You can also explore romantic cities like Arezzo and Lucca or hilltop villages like Montepulciano and Montalcino.

What are the best day trips from Florence?

To sum it all up, here’s a quick list of the best (guided/organized) day trips to take while in Florence!

Tuscany in One Day Sightseeing Tour from Florence
Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking
Florence Vespa Tour: Tuscan Hills and Italian Cuisine
Self-Drive Vintage Fiat 500 Tour from Florence
Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence
Pizza and Gelato Farmhouse Cooking Class
Chianti Wine & Cheese Safari
Truffle Hunting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside

If you’d rather drive yourself and leave some room for spontaneity, then rent a car through this website (they offer the best deals throughout Europe), and head to places like Siena and San Gimignano, Pisa and Lucca, or Cortona, Montepulciano, Montalcino, and/or Arezzo!

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  • Get an eSIM FOR YOUR PHONE: Instantly connect your phone up to a local data plan with an eSIM. It’s cheap and super easy!
Medieval houses and rooftops in Florence, Italy

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4 Comments

  1. Hi Maddy,

    I did an online search for “day trips from Florence” and came across your website.
    We’re going to be in Firenze from 17 December through 21 December, then spend the next nine days in Rome.
    This will be our fourth trip to Italy, but never during Christmas (I’m so excited!).
    Based on your recommendation, I just booked the Tuscany in One Day – Full Tour + Leaning Tower Tickets, through Viator, linked from your website.
    I was glad to read that you’ll get a commission, because it was from your experience that we booked this tour.
    Also, without having read any other information from your site, you may have mentioned this already, but if you get the chance, go to Amalfi. This is my heart. Learn to make Limoncello from Vittorio, at Antichi Sapori D’Amalifi and have a lemon cream filled cornetto at Bar Pasticceria Leone, life doesn’t get any better.
    Anyway, thank you for your website and may your travels always be safe and fun.

    Yours,
    Bob

  2. Hi Maddy, my husband Mark and I would like to do a 7 or 8 day trip of Tuscany including the cinque terre. We have been to Italy including Florence years ago. We are not sure if we should stay in one hotel/ Airbnb in Florence and use it as our home base or stay in several areas along the way? We usually book our own trips and a rental car but wouldnโ€™t mind having some help this time along with some guided tours and transportation. We are 56 yo and very active so we donโ€™t mind being on the move but it might be nice to have some help along the way . Please let us know your suggestions. Thank you , Lisa Borosky

    1. Hi Lisa,

      Perhaps you could look at staying in Florence for the majority of the time, taking some of the guided day trips above so you donโ€™t need to rent a car. Thereโ€™s so much to do in Florence, and all of the above day trips are incredible, so itโ€™s the best of both worlds. Then take the train to Cinque Terre and stay for 1-3 nights. You could choose to move around to different villages each night, or stay in one village and explore the other 4 villages via a combination of trains, boats, and hiking. I hope that helps!

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