Location: Volterra
Top Things to do in Volterra
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Volterra, Italy
Volterra is a walled mountaintop town in the Tuscany region of Italy of which its history dates to before the 7th century BC and has substantial structures from the Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval periods.
Restaurants in Volterra
1. Palazzo Viti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 328 reviews
Palazzo Viti is one of the finest private residential building in Italy. The twelve rooms tht are open to the pubblic are fitted with furniture, porcelains, alabaster collection and other valuable items representing Italian, European and Oriental Art. The Palace is still inhabited by descendant of the Viti family.
2. Piazza dei Priori
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By Keramslon - Florence, Italy
Really worthwile a visit, high situated in the middle of Tuscany, beautiful medieval town, not to busy, Amphitheatre, lot of shops selling the local alabaster...if you are in the neighbourhood a real relaxed atmosphere both monuments, nice shops, local produce. When we were there there was "bike race going" on adding to the positive atmosphere.
3. Porta all'Arco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
Reviewed By David D - Wexford, Pennsylvania
We learned about the unique history of this gate as we meandered through the streets of Volterra. It has survived since the 4th century BC...with the Romans rebuilding it in the 1st century BC. The gate had another significant date in history in 1944 during WWII. When the Germans were about to siege to the city. The quick-thinking Volterran residents prevented the gate structure from being destroyed by completely filling it overnight with stones...this not only helped with the structural support, but also saved it from being blown-up as a target during the war.
More than 2000 years old and still quite picturesque and substantial. Definitely a must-see to stop and appreciate when visiting the city of Volterra.
Overall Ratings
4 based on 360 reviews
Reviewed By REED E - Savannah, Georgia, USA
This 12th/13th century Cathedral is graced with magnificent art. The five wooden polychromed figures (the Deposition) is considered the finest of its type in Tuscany and a near-by alter painting with a della Robia surround echoes it. Nichodemus with tongs having just pulled the spike from Christ's foot on the cross is shocking.
The domb paintings and side alters are wonderful and the terrazzo and carved serpentine and alabaster burial vault covers superb. Well worth a visit.
5. Palazzo dei Priori
Overall Ratings
4 based on 696 reviews
Reviewed By EMatthews7 - Westminster, United Kingdom
What great views and artwork on show. Caution... avoid being up the tower on the hour mark as you will be deafened- was funny though.
6. Museo Etrusco Guarnacci
Overall Ratings
4 based on 620 reviews
This museum houses one of Italy's best collections of Etruscan artifacts.
Reviewed By TucsonTeeter - Tucson, Arizona
We visited with a group and had a local guide who explained the history of the area and the importance of these urns. If you don't have a guide, I would recommend the audio tour.
7. Teatro Romano (Roman Theater & Baths)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 629 reviews
Reviewed By olive c - Cape Town, South Africa
Volterra has medieval ramparts and the best preserved Roman Amphitheater in the country....You pay 4 euro to walk around it but you can't get very close or into any of the surrounding rooms...felt a bit cheated really because you can get an arguably better view from a public road about 50ms above it so DON'T waste your money....see it in all it's glory from the road...
8. Baptistery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 229 reviews
Reviewed By Serviceprof - Naples, Florida
Building sits across from Duomo. Only one of the sides has green and white marble. Green/white marble was a feature of Pisano buildings but this one probably designed by a follower of his. Above Baptismal font is statue of St. John the Baptist, very symbolic. The water receptacle is an old Roman sarcophagus. Peaceful setting.
9. La Cantina di Fabio
Overall Ratings
5 based on 49 reviews
La Cantina di Fabio is an authentic wine cellar, operating since 1968 in a perfectly located area just out side the main city walls. Coming from the famous etruscan walls, “le Balze” and the church of San Giusto, specifically positioned to provide easy accessibility for foreign buyers, who can load up directly outside the shop. Without traffic restrictions, our unique cellar offers foreigners wine tasting and “operatif” hors d’oeuvre platters, but also we cater to high demand retail suppliers and can sell good quality wine by litre. Our main clients are restaurant owners and foreign clients who stock up while on tour, but also curious tourists who stop by to try local specialities, volterran products and try our wide selection of cold meats, cheese and organic olive oil.La Cantina di Fabio is locatedin B.go S: Stefano, coming from the famous Etruscan walls "Le Balze" and the church of S.Giusto, 300 meters from Porta S.Francesco right there, in a break while walking up into the historic center.Booking Tasting for group.It is possible book group wine tasting and buy products from our shop directly. On site Tasting for a few people.
Reviewed By Elizabeth E - Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
After a little difficulty finding this place, mainly because it is on a one way street, we spent a fantastic couple of hours trying local wines, meats, cheeses and oils. The whole family rallied around to look after 7 of us and with their limited English and our very limited Italian we all made it work! Nothing was too much trouble and we tried red, white, rose and sparking wines followed by a dessert wine and finally honey grappa. To accompany this we had bread, meats, cheeses, chutneys and a selection of oils. The charge was 13 euros per person at the table but it was worth every euro. There was also a full range of other local produce for sale. The setting was delightful and I would highly recommend this experience.
10. Pinacoteca e Museo Civico
Overall Ratings
4 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By nOtCelotpie - Hampshire
Of all of the 6 museums that were included as part of the Volterra Card, this was not the top of the list for a visit. To be honest, after a week in Italy, i had been totally religious-arted out and was beginning to empathise with what the Goths thought when they sacked Rome. However, this place was a complete delight. The ground floor and basement were taken up with photographs of pop icons from the 60s (some classic Bowie and Stones prints in full glory) as well as some still from some iconic films. The upper floors had more religious art, but it had been interspersed with modern pieces (as part of the Rosso Fiorentino exhibition that is running across the city). Thoroughly enjoyed this museum and would go back again.
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