Location: San Gimignano
Top Things to do in San Gimignano
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The 10 Best Things to do in San Gimignano, Tuscany
San Gimignano, known as the "city of beautiful towers," had 72 towers in its heyday. Now 14 remain, and, rising above Tuscany's Elsa Valley, they make the town look like a medieval dreamscape. Take in the fresco-covered Collegiate Church, the Civic Museum and the views from atop 177-foot Torre Grossa. Daytrippers from Florence tend to fill up the streets during the day, so for a more up-close-and-personal look at the town, spend the night.
Restaurants in San Gimignano
1. Guardastelle Vineyard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 694 reviews
Welcome in our house! Walking distance from San Gimignano, one of the most important towns of Tuscany, during the wine tour you'll discover a part of Tuscany that few people knows. You'll understand how is the countrylife in this part of the world. Please check our website for detailed info and email us for reservation and/or questions and special requests. We wait to welcome you, as private or group. Reservation required to tour the farm.
Reviewed By 301karimam
We were so well taken care of by Fausto and Rikkaa. This is a family owned vineyard that makes some incredible wines. We had a great stay here for 2 nights and wished we had booked longer. Fausto helped us with everything from making reservations to recommending masseuses and restaurants. Rikkaa is very well versed sommelier who gave us great winery recommendations as well. However, with all the wines we tried in the region, we liked Guardastelle's wine the best and already bought 6 bottles shipped home!
2. Fattoria Il Piano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 206 reviews
Come and relax in the fresh air with social distancing with our wines and good food.The vineyards and winery have been lovingly tended by the Carlesi-Zucconi family since 1973. Begin with a stroll through the vines on your guided tour of one of this region's most traditional wineries. See how we make and mature our wines in the underground cantina; then afterwards relax with breathtaking views of San Gimignano and the surrounding bucolic Tuscan countryside while enjoying our premier wines accompanied by local cuisine.
Reviewed By mlamp2013 - Medina, United States
YOU have got to go see this winery/vineyard!!! It is the BEST...and David is wonderful. You can really tell that he cares about wine/food/people. It is an awesome tour of the vineyard and family chapel and then you are served a WONDERFUL lunch! We had about 1.5 hours before checking into our AirBnB, and David let us just stay outside, having some wine and enjoying the Tuscany sun. It was wonderful!!! We bought 2 bottles of his DELICIOUS wine. If you are anywhere near San Gimignano, don't miss this vineyard. It is the BEST!!!!
3. Torre e Casa Campatelli
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 244 reviews
Located in San Gimignano, Campatelli is an 18th-century building that features one of the town’s famous medieval towers. The residence of a high-ranking family in the 19th and 20th centuries, Casa Campatelli reconstructs - through its fornitures, decor, paintings and private mementos - the ambience and history of a traditional Tuscan family and society of a bygone age, set against the background of 1000 years of history, recounted with sophisticated digital technology that encapsulates the origin of the legend of San Gimignano, givin visitors a deeper insight unto the town.
Reviewed By g0rd0n250 - San Gimignano, Italy
It is well worth visiting this house early on if you are visiting san Gimignano for the first time- and don’t miss the excellent video presentation. This gives a brief insight into the history of both the house and the town and helps put much of what you see later ( such as the frescoes in the duomo) into context.
4. Podere La Marronaia- Sosta Alle Colonne
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 647 reviews
Podere la Marronaia, a family story behind a bottle. Podere la Marronaia is a small familyrunned farm involved in the biodynamic method of cultivation of grapes and olives. Podere la Marronaia produces white, red and rosè wines and extra virgin olive oil. Wine and olive oil tastings are possible as well as farm visit.
Reviewed By durango2x - Wall Township, United States
the experience was wonderful, the staff(( Family ) wine tasting fresh homemade food , the charming family dogs , all perfect ….would recommend to family and friends …..Can't wait to go back
5. Piazza della Cisterna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,525 reviews
San Gimignano's main square has the town's 13th-century cistern, or well, in the center surrounded by some of the town's majestic towers.
Reviewed By amysun2016 - Fairfield, United States
This town gets a lot of good press and vibe, it’s very crowded compare to some of “sleepy” medieval towns nearby. They all are very similar to me, relatively. Definitely a fun place to visit as there are good crowds, restaurants, and the vibe is good.
6. Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di San Gimignano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 959 reviews
Reviewed By K7787FEbrunol - Singapore, Singapore
Definitely one of the highlights of San Gimignano. Painted walls are just extraordinary and you can spend quite a while paying attention to all the details - special mention for the Hell one...
7. San Gimignano 1300
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 703 reviews
This is the town of San Gimignano, re-created in miniature, as it appeared in medieval times. It is accompanied by historical dioramas and a fascinaating timeline of the town's history.A new and exciting activity through the streets of the medieval town, solving puzzles, riddles and pitfalls.The protagonists will receive a kit that includes a map of the city as it was in the 1300s, a pen and a 14 page booklet where they will find not only the riddles for the hunt but also detailed explanations on all the towers that still exist today,on the 4 “Contrade” or neighborhoods and the most important families of that period.The treasure hunt is available in Italian, English and French.
Reviewed By dantefortysix - Cleveland, United States
This exhibit was clearly made with love and historical expertise. Today San Gimignano, said to be Italy's most perfectly preserved medieval hill town, has only 14 of its original 75 family towers built in the 13th and 14th centuries. This exhibit, based on some of the city's oldest records, is a model reconstruction of what the city was like around the year 1300. Just fascinating!
8. Palazzo Pubblico e Torre Grossa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 535 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Beautiful San Gimignano, a small walled village about halfway between Florence and Siena, is famous for its fascinating medieval architecture and towers that rise above of all the other buildings offering an impressive view of the city from the surrounding valley. At the height of its glory, San Gimignano's patrician families had built around 72 tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Although only 14 have survived, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance. The most famous and highest preserved tower is, the Torre Grossa. There are very few destinations in the region that are as awe-inspiring as the Torre Grossa, the highest tower of San Gimignano. It is located in Piazza del Duomo, on Palazzo del Podestà's right side, and has always been the symbol of civic pride. The construction of the Torre Grossa started on August 21, 1300, four months after Dante Alighieri visited the city. Municipal authorities wanted to enrich San Gimignano with a tower that would become the city's symbol. The building fulfilled a military function, as a watchtower, and a civil one as a bell tower. The Palazzo Comunale, the former Town Hall, is also located in Piazza della Duomo. The Palazzo, which was used historically as the residence of the Podestà (the Mayor) and the meeting place of the Public Council, was constructed between 1289 and 1298. Today it serves as the historical seat of the Musei Civici (the Civic Museums founded in 1853) and houses the Pinacoteca or Picture Gallery. Ouer tour of the Palazzo Comunale takes us through the various Council Chambers decorated with beautiful frescoes and artwork of the Florentine School. In the “Sala di Dante“, the ancient Council Hall named in honor of poet Dante Alighieri, It is located Lippo Memmi’s wall-covering 14th century fresco titled Maestà (Majesty).
9. San Gimignano Bell Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,386 reviews
Reviewed By AlbertSalichs - Manresa, Spain
San Gimignano Bell Tower is the highest tower in this great medieval town, located in Tuscany Region. It is located in the center of the old town, close to Piazza dei Duomo (Cathedral Square). In fact you can see it from the old town or from far of the town on road, because is the highest tower. We visited it in August-2019 with my 3 years old daughter. We go up and see the some expositions about the history of the tower and the town. It is very interesting and also there is some videos to learn a lot. When you arrive at top, you can see wonderful views of the old town and surroundings. Really incredible! Also my daughter enjoyed a lot with go up and down stairs and seeing views, so a very recommendable visit! Top in Tuscany and in Europe!
10. Historic Centre of San Gimignano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,347 reviews
Reviewed By radostinas527
Visiting the historic center is a must - it will take you back in time and you will feel the authenticity of this beautiful town. The view is picturesque and the towers are magnificent. Pizza in one of the small restaurants and ice cream at the plaza will make your day very special! There are many shops where you can buy souvenirs, leather, delicious pastry and unique coffee.
