Things to Do in Tuscany That Will Surprise You (In the Best Way)
I could never get over Tuscany!
Even after leaving, I kept thinking about it. The rolling hills. The cypress trees. The hilltop towns that look like they were designed for a movie set.
And the fact that you can have a perfect pasta lunch, drink wine in the sun, then drive ten minutes and be in a medieval village that feels completely untouched.
The first time I visited Tuscany, I realised something pretty quickly.
Most people do it wrong.
They fly into Florence, spend a day or two rushing around, do one Chianti tour, then leave thinking they “did Tuscany.”
But Tuscany is not one place. It’s a whole region. And the best parts are the ones you don’t see unless you slow down, pick a base, and actually give yourself time to explore beyond the obvious.
So if you’re planning a trip and want the best things to do in Tuscany for first-timers (and return visitors), this is the guide I’d send my own friends.
Don’t have time to read it all?
Here are the top 5 activities from Tuscany that we recommend
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. This means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click on or make a purchase through these links.
Where is Tuscany?
Tuscany is in central Italy, which is exactly why it’s such an easy region to include in almost any Italy itinerary.
It sits perfectly between northern Italy and the south, and it’s connected really well by train if you’re staying in major cities like Florence, Siena, Pisa, or Lucca.
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the most common base for first-time visitors. It’s beautiful, walkable, and full of iconic sights, but I’ll say it again…
Tuscany is so much more than Florence!
👉 Read next: Travel Guide to Visiting Florence (First Time Tips + Itinerary)
Best Time to Visit Tuscany (And What It’s Like in Each Season)
Tuscany looks good year-round, but it feels very different depending on when you go.
Spring (April to June) is one of the best times. The countryside is lush, green, and full of wildflowers. It’s also warm enough to enjoy vineyard lunches without melting.
Autumn (September to October) is my other favourite. It’s harvest season, the colours get richer, and the vibe is peak Tuscany. You’ll also get fewer crowds than summer.
Summer (July to August) is beautiful, but it’s hot, crowded, and the most expensive time to visit. It’s also the season where you really need to book tours and accommodation well ahead.
Winter (November to March) is quieter and more relaxed. Hilltop towns can feel chilly, but if you’re trying to avoid crowds and want a calmer trip, winter is underrated.
Unsure what to pack? What to pack for a trip to Italy – Packing List for Summer and Winter
How to Get to Tuscany
Tuscany is easy to reach, and you’ve got a few good options depending on how you’re travelling.
Flying
The main airports are Florence and Pisa. Pisa is often cheaper and has more flight options, especially if you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe.
Train
High-speed trains connect Florence to Rome, Milan, Venice, and beyond. If you’re doing Italy without a car, Tuscany is one of the easiest regions to do by train.
Driving
If you want freedom and you’re planning to explore smaller towns (which is where Tuscany really shines), renting a car is the best way to do it.
The biggest mistake people make is leaving car hire too late, especially in spring and summer when automatic cars can sell out fast around Florence.
👉 I’d recommend comparing Tuscany car hire early here so you get better prices and more options
Where to Stay in Tuscany (The Easiest Way to Plan It)
This is what I recommend if you’re planning Tuscany for the first time.
Pick one base, maybe two if you have time, and explore from there.
If you try to switch towns every night, you’ll spend half your trip checking in and out, dealing with parking, and dragging luggage through cobblestone streets.
Florence
Best if it’s your first time in Tuscany and you want museums, famous sights, restaurants, shopping, and easy train connections without needing a car.
Florence also works really well if you’re planning day trips instead of driving yourself.
Accommodation here books out surprisingly early in spring and autumn, especially around the historic centre.
👉 Read next: Where to Stay in Florence (Best Areas + Hotels)
Pisa
Good as a short stop or base for coastal trips, but personally not where I’d stay the longest in Tuscany.
Siena
Perfect if you want medieval vibes, quieter evenings, and easier access to Val d’Orcia and Tuscany’s countryside.
Siena feels much slower and more atmospheric once the day-trippers leave.
👉 Read next: Things to Do in Siena (First-Time Visitor Guide)
Lucca
One of the most underrated bases in Tuscany.
It feels calmer, more local, and is perfect if you like slower travel, cycling, smaller cafés, and fewer crowds.
Italy Villas in Tuscany
($) Agriturismo Poggio Pistolese (authentic countryside villa with pool near San Gimignano)
($$) Villa Montalbano (classic Tuscan style with vineyard views near Florence)
($$$) Borgo Santo Pietro (luxury 5-star estate with spa and fine dining near Siena)
How Many Days in Tuscany
If Tuscany is just one stop in a bigger Italy itinerary, you can do the highlights in 3 to 4 days.
But if you actually want to explore Tuscany properly, I’d aim for 5 to 8 days.
That gives you enough time to:
- spend time in Florence without rushing
- explore 2 to 3 hill towns
- do a Chianti wine day
- drive Val d’Orcia
- relax in hot springs
- and still have time for slower travel moments
If you’re planning a full trip across Italy, Tuscany fits perfectly into a bigger route.
👉 Read next: The Perfect 2 Weeks Italy Itinerary (For First-Timers)
Getting Around Tuscany (This Is the One Thing That Changes Everything)
You can visit Tuscany without a car, but you’ll mostly be limited to major towns.
If you want the countryside, vineyards, scenic drives, hidden villages, and those famous rolling hill views, renting a car changes the whole experience.
Those drives through Val d’Orcia are not just transport.
They genuinely become one of the highlights of the trip.
👉 Compare Tuscany car rental prices here
I’d honestly recommend booking your rental car before arriving in Italy because smaller automatic cars often sell out first during peak season.
If you don’t want to drive, day trips from Florence are the next best thing and they’re incredibly easy for first-time visitors.
Try this day trip to see a few tours in one day. Day Trip to Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti.
Is Tuscany Expensive?
Average Travel Costs Tuscany can be moderately expensive, especially in popular tourist areas.
Budget travellers can manage with $50-$70 per day.
Mid-range travellers might spend $100-$150 per day.
Luxury travellers can expect to spend upwards of $200 per day.
This would be for food, drinks, activities, and transportation, but not including accommodation. Compare hotels here.
Paying for Things and Using Credit Cards
Credit cards are widely accepted in Tuscany, especially in cities and tourist areas. I had no issues using my international card.
However, it’s always good to carry some cash for small purchases, tips, and places that may not accept cards, such as smaller town cafes and restaurants.
The Best Things to Do in Tuscany (That Feel Like the Real Tuscany)
Explore Florence Properly (Not Just the Highlights)
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the easiest place to start.
You’ve got the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and the Accademia Gallery, but Florence is also about the slower moments.
It’s wandering through side streets, finding little wine windows, sitting in piazzas with a coffee, and watching the city slowly come alive at sunset.
If you’re heading to Florence, don’t miss my full guide here:
👉 Read next: Travel Guide to Visiting Florence
And if you’re planning to see Michelangelo’s David, book it early.
This is one of the attractions people underestimate, then end up waiting in huge lines for.
👉 Book your Michelangelo’s David Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket here. They call sell out weeks in advance.
Where I stayed in Florence
👉 Watch our hotel review staying at Hotel Silla in Florence.
Hotels with a View of the Florence Cathedral
($) Hotel Davanzati
($$) Hotel L’Orologio
($$$) Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel
👉 Read Next: Hotels with a View of Florence Cathedral You’ll Want to Book Early
Do a Val d’Orcia Road Trip (This Is Peak Tuscany)
If you’ve ever seen a photo of Tuscany and thought “I need to go there,” it was probably Val d’Orcia.
This is the Tuscany everyone imagines.
Rolling hills.
Golden fields.
Cypress-lined roads.
Tiny villages sitting on hilltops.
The best way to experience it is slowly, by car, stopping whenever something catches your eye.
The main towns you’ll want to visit are:
- Pienza
- Montepulciano
- Montalcino
- Bagno Vignoni
If you’re planning this route, don’t rush it.
This is the part of Tuscany where the journey becomes the experience.
Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa is one of those places people love to dismiss… then still end up loving once they visit.
Yes, it’s touristy.
Yes, everyone takes the same leaning tower photo.
But climbing the tower is still a really iconic experience, and the whole Piazza dei Miracoli area is genuinely beautiful.
If you want to climb the tower, definitely reserve your ticket ahead of time because entry times regularly sell out during busy months.
Book your Reserved Entrance to Leaning Tower of Pisa & Cathedral
Eat Your Way Through Tuscany (Yes, This Counts as an Activity)
Tuscany is one of the best regions in Italy for food.
If you’re not sure what to eat, start with:
- ribollita
- pappa al pomodoro
- panzanella
- bistecca alla Fiorentina
- and anything truffle if you’re there in autumn
And yes, gelato belongs on the itinerary.
If you’re in Florence, don’t skip the viral spots if you’re curious.
Vivoli affogato is genuinely worth it.
All’Antico Vinaio is chaotic but iconic.
Visit Siena (It’s One of the Most Beautiful Cities in Tuscany)
Siena is dramatic in the best way.
It feels medieval, it’s incredibly walkable, and the historic centre has that “how is this real?” feeling.
The two essentials:
- Piazza del Campo
- Siena Cathedral
If Siena is on your route, I’d plan at least half a day, ideally a full day.
Go Wine Tasting in Chianti (Even If You’re Not a Wine Person)
Chianti is one of the easiest wine regions to visit because it’s so close to Florence.
And honestly, even if you’re not usually into wine, Tuscany somehow changes that.
There’s just something about sitting at a vineyard overlooking the countryside with a long lunch and a glass of Chianti Classico that makes you slow down instantly.
If you don’t want the stress of organising transport yourself, doing a guided wine tour is honestly the easiest option.
👉 Book this Chianti wine tour from Florence here
Wine tours in Tuscany book out surprisingly early during harvest season, especially September and October, so I wouldn’t leave this until the last minute.
Ride a Vespa Through the Tuscan Hills (My Favourite Tuscany Experience)
If you do one core-memory experience in Tuscany, make it this.
Riding through the Tuscan countryside on a Vespa genuinely feels like a movie scene.
The vineyards.
The winding roads.
The little villages you pass through.
It ended up being one of my favourite experiences in Italy.
I personally think guided tours are the easiest option unless you’re already very confident driving scooters in Italy.
This was the exact Vespa Tour I did and recommend.
👉 If you’ve thought about renting a Vespa in Florence, here’s what my experience was like.
Relax in a Tuscan Hot Spring
Tuscany has natural hot springs that feel like a secret, even though they’re not.
If you want the famous one, that’s Saturnia.
If you want something a bit more “hidden”, you’ll love Bagni San Filippo.
Go early. These places get busy, and they’re much nicer when they feel peaceful.
Do a Cooking Class in the Countryside
Tuscany is one of the best places in Italy to do a cooking class because the setting becomes part of the experience.
You’re usually in a farmhouse or countryside villa learning how to make fresh pasta while drinking wine and overlooking the hills.
It’s touristy… but honestly in the best way.
If you’re staying in Florence, this is one of the easiest half-day experiences to add to your itinerary.
Try this cooking class in Florence.
Stay in a Tuscan Castle Hotel
If you want the full fantasy version of Tuscany, castle stays are such a fun splurge.
Tuscany is full of medieval fortresses, countryside estates, and castle hotels that honestly feel unreal.
Even if you only stay one night, it completely changes the vibe of your trip.
👉 Castle Hotels in Tuscany you’ll LOVE!
($) Castello di Bibbione (Chianti countryside, rustic charm)
($$) Castello di Gargonza (medieval village experience near Arezzo)
($$$) Castello di Velona Resort (luxury spa castle near Montalcino)
Things I’d 100% Pre-Book in Tuscany
Tuscany is one of those places where people assume they can “just wing it” then end up missing out on the experiences they actually wanted to do.
These are the things I’d genuinely recommend booking before your trip:
Michelangelo’s David skip-the-line ticket
Rental cars if you need an automatic
Popular Florence hotels during spring and autumn
It makes the whole trip so much less stressful once you arrive.
FAQ: Tuscany Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
What are the best things to do in Tuscany for first-timers?
Florence, Chianti wine tasting, Val d’Orcia road trip, Siena, and a hill town like San Gimignano.
How many days do you need in Tuscany?
5 to 8 days is ideal if you want both cities and countryside without rushing.
What is the best base in Tuscany?
Florence for convenience, Siena for medieval vibes, Lucca for slower travel.
Is Tuscany expensive?
It can be, but you can manage costs by using trains, staying outside the centre, and booking fewer tours.
What is Val d’Orcia and why is it famous?
It’s a UNESCO-listed valley known for cypress-lined roads, rolling hills, and classic Tuscany scenery.
Are Chianti wine tours worth it?
Yes, especially if you’re staying in Florence. It’s one of the easiest wine regions to visit.
What is the best time of year to visit Tuscany?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) for the best weather and countryside views.
PIN THIS PAGE FOR LATER
Add comment