A visit to Tuscany usually starts from its capital city, Florence. It is the most famous town of the region with plenty of beautiful medieval and Renaissance buildings that deserve to be seen. Once in town, don’t miss the famous Duomo and Uffizi Gallery, with the statue of Michelangelo’s David, two hot spots of Florence.
Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy, +39 055 230 2885
This big square is known for hosting the Palio di Siena, a horse race that is held twice each year, on 2 July and 16 August, where all the wards of the city are represented and race against each other. The piazza is one of the largest and most beautiful medieval squares in Europe. Once here, climb to the top of Torre del Mangia to admire the square and the city from on high.
Just few minutes from Siena, Val d’Orcia is one of the most romantic areas of Tuscany, famous for its cypress trees, natural landscapes, medieval castles and ancient hamlets. The area is also known for its abundance of natural hot springs, so it is a great place to spend a relaxing day.
Often overrated by tourists in search of famous spots, Terrazza Mascagni is one of the most beautiful terraces of Tuscany located in the coastal town of Livorno just in front of the Tyrrenean Sea. Take a stroll along the terrace and watch the sunset.
Terrazza Mascagni, Viale Italia, 139, 57127 Livorno LI, Italy, +39 0586 894236
If you think the only islands that deserve to be seen in Italy are Sicily and Sardinia, you are very wrong. Just two hours by ferry from the city of Livorno, and you can easily be in Elba, the third largest island in Italy, known for its beautiful beaches, with plenty of things to see and do.
In the south of Tuscany, there is one of the best-preserved Etruscan archaeological sites, Populonia. This big area offers plenty of well-preserved ancient ruins and offers spectacular views over the surrounding sea.
If you want to escape from the world for a while and drift away into the bliss of a spa treatment, head for the natural hot springs of Saturnia. These are the most famous Tuscan springs situated in a natural location perfect for rejuvenating your body and mind.
Another beautiful town to visit in Tuscany is Lucca, just few minutes from Pisa. Lucca is not as touristy as Florence, Pisa or Siena, but it’s totally worth visiting. Don’t forget to go to Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and walk through the city’s ancient walls.
The city centre of San Gimignano looks like a magical place with fountains, ancient palaces and towers. The city is called the New York of the Middle Ages because of the numerous towers and once here, you’ll understand why.
A cool location mostly frequented by the rich and famous is Forte dei Marmi. This coastal town is one of the most charming locations in Tuscany and is much more pleasant to visit during the colder months as it is often crowded and expensive during the summer.
Did you know that Pistoia, a city just 30 minutes from Florence, has been nominated as the Italian capital of culture for 2017? Well, if not, you need to go there asap before everyone finds out how gorgeous it is!
Tuscany has plenty of gorgeous beaches but if you are looking for a truly beautiful place, you need to avoid the popular locations, such as Viareggio, and go to San Vincenzo instead. This sandy beach is in the Maremma area, which is one of the wildest of Tuscany.
If you want to create some romantic moments with your partner, there is no better place to go than Volterra. This lovely town in the province of Pisa has recently become popular and crowded thanks to the Twilight saga, but it still has its charm.
Did you know Tuscany has ski resorts? Okay, so they don’t look like the Dolomites or the Alps, but if you are in the region in the winter months and want to ski, you only need to go to Abetone, a mountain destination close to the border with Emilia Romagna, to take your pick of ski-worthy slopes.
If you love to spend most of your time surrounded only by nature, Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi is a great choice. This is a heaven for trekking enthusiasts and it is easily reachable from Florence with just a 90-minute drive.
Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, 52015 Pratovecchio Province of Arezzo, Italy
Between Lucca and Abetone, there is a spectacular bridge, the Ponte della Maddalena, also called the Devil’s Bridge. It is one of the most photogenic spots of Tuscany so if you want to get some Insta-worthy shots, you need to come here.
Ponte della Maddalena, Via del Brennero, 55023 Borgo a Mozzano LU, Italy
Mugello is only one hour from Florence and is home to some of the most important artists of Italy, such as Giotto, Beato Angelico and Cimabue. It is the perfect place to soak up some culture and enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings, so it’s one for you if these are on your list when you travel.
Another small island located in the Tuscan archipelago, Giglio is a place frequented only by connoisseurs. It’s not touristy at all, and this is the first reason why you should visit it. Other reasons? It is simply beautiful and filled with romantic spots, hidden beaches and pristine clear waters. What more could a visitor to Tuscany want?
