Destination Guide: Florence & The Highlights Of Tuscany, Italy

For travelers on their first trip to Italy, highlights often include the Tuscan cities of Florence, Pisa, Siena and then one or two small hill towns. Those returning tend to venture further afield to places like Lucca, Monteriggioni, Volterra or Cortona. Start trip planning now with this Tuscany guide.

In this post, I’ll share more about Florence, Italy, some of the other popular destinations in Tuscany and where to stay, eat and enjoy all of them.

Florence: Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat

Tuscany is a veritable traveller’s dream. Tiny mountain hamlets with outstanding views of the golden hills vie for itinerary time with Florence, Pisa, and Lucca, former capitals and communes of ancient republics.

Florence is a common highlight of Italian vacations. Brunelleschi’s Duomo, an engineering marvel, and its adjacent campanile tower over the city’s red-tiled roofline. The old city centre is compact, making it relatively easy to determine where to stay (as opposed to say, Rome) and where to eat. Major attractions in Florence include Michelangelo’s David, at the Galleria dell’Accademia, and Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, housed at the Uffizi Galleries. Across the Arno River, at Palazzo Pitti, art enthusiasts can view an extensive Raphael collection as well as works by Titian and Caravaggio. The Boboli Gardens lies just behind the Palazzo and offer wonderful views of the rooftops of Florence. Of course, there are plenty of other works of art and sculpture at these famous galleries.

The best way to see Florence’s many museums is to purchase the Firenze Card, either online prior to your visit or at a local kiosk. This card allows skip the line access to holders at most museums and the Duomo.

Related: How To Get From Milan Malpensa Airport To Florence

Hotels In Florence, Italy

In addition to tiny pensions, AirBnBs, and small luxury hotels like Hotel Brunelleschi or Lungarno Collection, there are also several brand name hotels in Florence. The Four Seasons (no loyalty program) is located on within a walled garden just east of the Galleria dell’Accademia. Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte property, is at Piazza della Repubblica. For Marriott fans (formerly SPG), The St. Regis and Westin Excelsior lie across a square from one another, mere minutes from the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Uffizi Galleries. On a more mid-range scale, there is an AC Marriott near Santa Maria Novella train station. Of these hotels, it’s the furthest from the major sites, but still within walking distance.

• Learn More About Hotel Credit Cards With Sign-up Bonuses Here.

Where to Eat in Florence, Italy

As in all major tourist cities, the closer you are to the attractions the more likely you are to get ripped off – or at least have a not-so-great meal. I tend to stay away from restaurants that have menus with pictures or options in five different languages. For me, the smaller the better, and I always keep an eye on who’s dining there. Is it the right time for locals to eat? If it is, and the restaurant is busy, chances are good that it’s a local favourite. Some of my best meals in Italy have resulted from my wandering with a very empty stomach, waiting to find a bustling restaurant at 9pm.

All of the luxury hotels in Florence have excellent restaurants. For wanderers, my rule of thumb is to go at least two blocks from the major tourist attraction. As my brother says, all restaurants in Rome are touristy. He may be right, but the chances of a better meal for a better price go up the further you walk. Head for Oltrarno, south of the river, for local osterie and trattorie.

Types of Restaurants in Tuscany

It can be confusing to eat out in Italy. What is a trattoria? How does it differ from an enoteca, or an osteria? Are they all considered ristoranti? These labels denote the type of restaurant it is. An osteria often serves simpler, home-style meals. Don’t expect white tablecloths and fussy waiters; there’s usually not even a printed menu. They may even sell meats, cheeses, and more in the front of the building. A trattoria is more formal than an osteria, but less formal than a ristorante. There still may not be a printed menu, but the food and service will be a step above.

A ristorante is the pinnacle of dining. White tablecloths, gleaming silver, polished wine glasses, and great service set a ristorante above the others. Both the Four Seasons and St. Regis boast Michelin-starred restaurants. An enoteca is more accurately a wine shop, where visitors can taste local varietals and which may (or may not) serve food. (And a gelateria is a place to buy ice cream!)

Related: 4 Great Gelato-Making Classes In Italy

Lucca and Pisa, Day Trips or Destinations?

Lucca and Pisa are both west of Florence by about an hour; to each other they are only twenty minutes apart by car. This proximity means that you can easily stay in Florence and take a regional train into both towns for a day trip. However, part of the charm of Tuscan towns happens in the evenings, when the daytime tourists are gone. The passeggiata, Italy’s answer to the evening stroll, happens in the late afternoon or early evening. Cafes and bars fill up with locals enjoying aperitivo, a pre-dinner drink with small plates of bar snacks, and the streets are full of people, from toddlers to grandparents. Personally, given the choice, I would stay in Pisa or Lucca to experience this Italian tradition.

In Pisa, the most visited attractions are the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo and the Baptistery, all located within the Piazza dei Miracoli. Also known as Cathedral Square, it is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tuscany. The medieval town is very charming and worth exploring on foot. Borgo Stretto, which begins at the Piazza Garibaldi, is lined with medieval porticoes, designer shopping, bars and restaurants.

Lucca is the capital of the Province of Lucca; during the 13th century, as a city-state, Lucca rivalled Florence. It is most well known for its intact Renaissance city walls, which remained despite the city’s expansion. Each segment of the wall – which can be walked – has a different tree species planted atop it. This “street” is known as Passeggiata delle Mura Urbane, or Walk of the Urban Walls.

Hotels in Pisa and Lucca

There are few luxury or brand name properties in either Pisa or Lucca. There are, however, plenty of small boutique bed and breakfasts.

Siena, San Gimignano and Sangiovese: Wine Tasting in the Tuscan Hills

Siena, once the true rival to Florence, lost its prominence in the 16th century when the Republic of Siena surrendered to Spain – and was promptly handed over to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Today, it’s famous for its Piazza del Campo, a seashell-shaped piazza in the centre of town. Il Campo hosts the Palio, a famous horse race held twice annually in Siena. This is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Starwood Preferred Guest points users have one choice in Siena: the Four Points Sheraton. Otherwise, hotel choices are limited to boutique properties. There are some luxury resorts in the region, but none within walking distance of the town centres.

Wine tasting is the premier activity in the Tuscan hills. Visitors will find enotecas in every small town where they can sample the local vintages. In this region, the main red grape varietals include Sangiovese, Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino.

In San Gimignano, a town located northeast of Siena, the white grape Vernaccia grows on the hillsides. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts well-preserved city walls, intact medieval buildings, and a variety of Romanesque and Gothic structures. There are nearly a dozen medieval towers still standing. This lead to the town’s nickname of The Town of Fine Towers. San Gimignano is a highlight for many visitors as its a popular place to do a day of wine tasting.

How To Get To Tuscany

The gateway for most visitors into Tuscany is either Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR) or Pisa’s Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA). PSA is connected to the Pisa Centrale rail station by the Pisa Mover airport shuttle. FLR is connected by bus to the Santa Maria Novella train station.

While PSA is the larger of the two airports, it sees primarily budget airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling, and others. Pisa Airport does have flights to Munich with Lufthansa and London-Heathrow with British Airways, as well as Alitalia flights across Europe. FLR, by contrast, gets the majority of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air France, Swiss International Air Lines, and Alitalia, among others. Therefore, those using SkyTeam miles will likely fly into Florence, rather than Pisa.

Always use a credit card with no foreign transaction fee to reduce my travel expenses.

How to Get Around Tuscany

Getting around Tuscany is easiest with a car. Anyone wishing to drive in Italy must have an International Drivers Permit (IDP), although most car rental companies and insurance companies won’t ask you for it. If the police catch you, however, it’s a different story. I always advise my clients that driving in Europe is way different than driving in the US. The roads are smaller and windier, and the locals drive like crazy. If you can afford a driver, then you have the luxury of your own car without having the do the actual driving!

• Learn more about using the Italian train system here!

There are rail stations at most of the major towns in Tuscany, namely Florence, Pisa and Siena. To get off the beaten path though, you really do need a car to explore the hill towns. All in all, though, Tuscany is a wonderful destination, regardless of how you explore it. It makes a great honeymoon destination, it’s perfect for families, and renting a villa with friends is an unforgettable adventure.

**

Do you have a destination you want to know more about? Each week I’ll post a new place, but you can always email me with destination suggestions!

*

Sarah is a luxury travel advisor and avid traveller. When she isn’t writing for Point Me To The Plane you can find her crafting custom itineraries for clients or exploring the far reaches of our wonderful planet. Read more about her adventures at The Girl With the Map Tattoo.