City: Tuscany
Top Things to do in Tuscany
Top Hotels in Tuscany
Countries
10 Things to do in Tuscany That You Shouldn't Miss
Tuscany (/ˈtʌskəni/ TUSK-ə-nee; Italian: Toscana, pronounced [toˈskaːna]) is a region in central Italy with an area of about 23,000 square kilometres (8,900 square miles) and a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants (2013). The regional capital is Florence (Firenze).
Restaurants in Tuscany
1. Duomo di Siena
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11,597 reviews
The magnificent complex of the Cathedral of Siena, its Duomo, houses a series of some of the most important monuments of the European artistic panorama. With its more than one million visitors every year, the Cathedral without a doubt represents the fulcrum of the entire complex, while other significant elements include the Crypt, the Baptistery and the Museo dell'Opera, all part of the impressive mass formed by the "Duomo Vecchio" (Old Cathedral), and the "Duomo Nuovo" (New Cathedral). Visitors will travel along a memorable itinerary to the discovery of self and the truth of faith through culture and art, the result of more than a millennium of Western history.
Reviewed By Iowares - Des Moines, United States
We walked over to the ticket office to get the tickets for the Duomo, museum, Baptistry and Crypt, and we were blown away with our tour guides! We have seen all the major churches and Cathedrals in Italy, and many of the lesser-knowns, too, and nothing comes anywhere close to this one! Each has it's own unique style, but this one was the most memorable for me! The interior tour was brilliantly executed and our tour guides made us feel like private guests getting a unique inside tour! I could go back every day and see something new! They cover different parts of the floor at different times, so one would need to go at different times to see it all.
2. Val d'Orcia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 423 reviews
Reviewed By SJWilson - Rome, Italy
Here’s a nice, winding, country walk we did from Gallina to Montichiello in beautiful Val d’Orcia, which you can do if the Orcia is pretty dry and is easy to cross. There’s nothing much in Gallina, but you might be in an agriturismo nearby, you never know, there are so many. All references to Google maps! Right, so walk straight up Via del Colombaio with the local church there on your left. Keep going up, cross the road that curves back right towards the industrial area, and follow the country track round to your right, passing a ruined house to your left. Follow the track all the way up to a nice-looking agriturismo called Locanda in Tuscany and turn left there along the country road between fields, heading towards another agriturismo called La Rimbecca, passing the driveway in front of you up to agriturismo Poder Nuovo and turning right. Yes, lots of agriturismos round here! Walk up to Rimbecca, another nice looking place, head right towards the main gate, then cut left across the car park, where you’ll find a nice long, straight tree-arched alley running down left, probably once the original driveway, and walk straight down it towards the River Orcia. Follow the curve of the road left, passing what looks like an old mill on your right, and you’ll come to the river bank. We did the walk in summer, so there wasn’t much river, just a few large puddles. Climb down into the riverbed and head left, after about 200 metres on the opposite bank you should see an exit point. We had to paddle across one of the puddles, very refreshing on the toes. About 10 metres up this track you’ll find two paths heading left, both going in the direction you want, the first running closer to the river, the second skirting the trees. Take your pick! They meet up near the river, where you continue along the main path and at a certain point, on the right, you’ll find another long straight path heading up towards the main road, Strada Provincial 53 and, yes, another agriturismo/farm called Le Checche. Cross the road and head up past the farm, the road curving round right behind it, then curving back left as you follow it up towards Villa Il Tiglio and a lovely property called Casanova, with a beautiful plump blonde horse and his sheep mates in residence if you want to say hello and nobody objects. But the main road passes under these properties, with a small body of water on your left, following a really lovely country path, my favourite of the day. You’ll come to a bend with a driveway to a house on your right, follow the bend round left and you’ll see a road heading right that goes up past two very nice little properties, highly covetable. After the second of these, when we were there, the actual road seems to vanish into a field with a hedgerow on your right, and the path should continue up to the right of that hedgerow, on the other side. But we found it pretty overgrown, so carried on up the fields with the hedgerow to our right, to the road that passes Aurora Festival on the right, where a nice lady refilled our water flasks. Continue straight on, till you pass Agriturismo Fonte Senesi on your left. Take the second road on your left, which leads down towards the main road, Strada Provinciale 88. Then all you have to do is follow that up as it evolves into Viale Marino Cappelli, which curves round left and leads you up to the main gate into the lovely little town of Montichiello! It was a very very hot day when we walked there so we immediately stopped at the nice little garden bar on the right just before arriving at the gate and had some very welcome cold beer and ice-cream.
3. Gallerie Degli Uffizi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37,499 reviews
One of the great museums of the world, the Uffizi houses the premier collection of Italian Renaissance art, featuring works by such masters as Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo and da Vinci.
Reviewed By sanju_222323 - New Jersey, United States
If art interests you, then Uffizi Gallery is one place that you should not miss on your Florence tour. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Florence, Italy. Situated in the Piazza Della Signoria, it can be covered together with the L shaped beautiful square. With the world’s preeminent collection of Renaissance paintings from artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, Da Vinci and more, this is the obvious go-to museum for one day in Florence. However, it’s also enormous, with 101 rooms bursting with art. it still displays the Medici family's prominent art collection, which includes such masterpieces as Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," Raphael's "Madonna of the Goldfinch" and Titian's "Venus of Urbino." *** The 10 Most Important Artworks at The Uffizi Gallery ( just so that you don’t miss this, I did miss a few and found out when I was reading about it) The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli Coronation of the Virgin by Fra Angelico Laocoön and his Sons by Baccio Bandinelli Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino Portrait of Pope Leo X with Two Cardinals by Raphael Head of Christ by Unknown Tuscan Master Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Verrocchio Medusa by Caravaggio Doni Tondo by Michelangelo Venus of Urbino by Titian It houses a collection of awesome Renaissance time paintings of Botticelli, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Giotto, and Michelangelo to name a few. A minimum of 2-3 hours is needed to explore all the paintings and sculptures. Don’t miss the courtyard outside. It houses statues of Galileo, Dante, Da Vinci and other greatest of Renaissance times. Online Reservation of tickets is available and I suggest buy skip the line ticket. This is a must-visit place in Florence and it will easily take 4-6 hours. Just to know Uffizi's place is among the handful of world's top art museums. So don’t regret if you come across something and think, S**t, I was there, why I did not see this.
4. Leaning Tower of Pisa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23,329 reviews
It is called the Leaning Tower or the Tower of Pisa but actually it was never used for defending the city; it is part of the religious complex in the Duomo Square and acts as its bell tower. It played an active role in both human and divine timekeeping with its seven bells – one for each musical note – the largest of which, cast in 1655, weighs a full three and a half tonnes! It is known throughout the world for the beauty of its architecture, for its extraordinary tilt, which makes it an authentic miracle of statics, and for the fact that it stands in the universally renowned Piazza dei Miracoli, of which it is certainly the prize jewel. And this is why it is one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Reviewed By NickWood - Epsom, United Kingdom
We got a early train from Rome 6.25 up to Pisa. Train was pre-booked and a short walk from where we staying. Train station was easy to navigate and get on right train. We got there around 9ish and then walked 15mins to the Tower. We were lucky with good weather and the sun was out. It was not too busy at this time so you get a better chance to get a clear view to take you mandatory "holding/pushing" the tower. We went up the tower for a good view. Stairs are a little tight but fine for the average person. Good view out across Pisa at the top. We didn't book any of the other buildings so not sure if we missed out there or not but the Leaning Tower was the highlight. Got a 2pm'ish train back to Rome. Helped break up our trip and really glad we planned this in and feel like we ticked it off the bucket list in an efficient way by grouping with Rome visit
5. Piazzale Michelangelo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33,242 reviews
This 19th century piazza has undoubtedly the best panoramic view of Florence. The square is decorated with copies of Michelangelo's sculptures, but it's the view people come here to see.
Reviewed By 224lorie - Bonita Springs, United States
Many friends recommended that we get some food, a bottle of wine and go to the top of the Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset and see the fantastic views of Florence as the sun sets and the lights of Florence go on. It did not disappoint. We walked there and found it to be a good walk but don't recommend walking it if you're not a walker. While it was very crowded, that did not take away from the experience. We are very happy we had this experience!
6. Cascate del Mulino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,183 reviews
Reviewed By Imaculate2006 - Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
This is one reason i want to go back to Italy every yeAr.It is just unbelievable and amazing how our earth was put in place for us to enjoy the beauty of every creation.Italy is such a a diverse and beAutiful country and very lucky to have spots like this one. My 5star rate is for the Cascate itself and not for the crowd and how the their system works there.Everywhere you look is just pure chaos.I get it that to go and experience this place is free but going to parking space is where every confusion starts.To all drivers please be aware that there is a traffic light before you can enter the parking area.The toilet and the shower area are in the same corner so ask what are you queueing for before getting in as you can’t use the shower without the token which you have to go in line again in the line where they order all the foods and drinks.Prepare €1 for this and for this amount ,the shower only last for 2-3minutes so just be careful you don’t put too much shampoo or conditioner on hair if you don’t have enough tokens and just be aware also that there is no changing rooms. And for the cascate itself, you will not enjoy this place much if you are very picky as there is no place to put your things as every space is occupied by visitors.The place is heaving and you have to ask one companion to look after your things before you go and have your soak. You can’t have a decent photograph of yourself as well so just photoshop everyone that’s blocking your pose????????. I think it is best to come very early in the morning or very late at night as it is open for 24hours. Anyway just go and block everything that is negative and be careful.Don’t forget your swimming shoes and don’t mind the wriggly worms,they are very friendly. Another off my bucketlist!
7. Le mura di Lucca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,271 reviews
Reviewed By Amethyst627 - York, United Kingdom
Whether you walk or cycle around the walls you will get a real feel for the scale and attractions of Lucca. Some of the underground areas are also worth dropping down for a view.
8. Terrazza Mascagni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,872 reviews
Reviewed By Britalian83 - Livorno, Italy
The most iconic place in Livorno: its checkered tiles and white bannister make it a simply unique promenade by the sea. From here you can watch the sun set until the sky turns red and the Gorgona Island becomes a black silhouette towards the horizon, all the while listening to the sound of the crashing waves and to the banter of locals. People from Livorno come here night and day, rain or shine, for a stroll, for a quick dip during the lunch break, to take a moment for themeselves. This is where I come when I need to clear my mind; there's something intimate yet glorious about this piace. Great for families with children, the Acquarium is close by. There are a lot of cafes, bars and restaurants around, as well as a dance club and an american diner/music venue. In the summer weekends, after the pub or club, people often come here with an ipod and speaker to dance the night away, creating amazing impromptu parties.
9. Costiera di Calafuria
10. Carnival of Viareggio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
The Carnevale di Viareggio is a carnival held in the city of Viareggio, Tuscany, Italy. It is one the most popular carnivals in Europe. The tradition of the carnival goes way back to 1873, when the first parade was held. This parade with colorful floats is held on the Viale Regina Margherita and its favorite subjects are caricatures of popular people. The Italians themselves love the Viareggio Carnival and despite the more and more curious tourists, the event holds an authentic Italian character. During the whole month you can enjoy some of the finest Italian culture with colorful night-parties, masked balls, and theater shows.
