Twelve villas and two gardens together form the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany. Their significance also lies in the connection between architecture, gardens and the surrounding landscape: the villas are considered an early example of this interplay and became an enduring model for princely residences in Italy and Europe. Those interested in architecture will therefore encounter not just individual buildings, but an idea that brings design and setting together.
Renaissance and urban history in different forms
The concept of the Renaissance took shape in the historic centre of Florence. Museums, churches, buildings and artworks of immeasurable value shape this centre’s cultural heritage. In Siena, the city’s history is reflected in an exceptionally well-preserved medieval and Renaissance cityscape. Ancient fortification walls enclose the historic centre; built between the 14th and 16th centuries, they follow the contours of the city’s three hills and include bastions, towers and gates.
A different architectural impression awaits you in Piazza del Duomo in Pisa. Four masterpieces of medieval architecture stand in close proximity there: the cathedral, baptistery, bell tower – also known as the Leaning Tower – and cemetery. They were built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Viewing all four buildings together brings the square’s distinctive spatial layout into focus, as well as their different functions.
In San Gimignano, thirteen surviving towers define the historic skyline. The Palazzo Comunale, also known as the Palazzo Pubblico, currently houses the Museo Civico and the Pinacoteca of San Gimignano; opening arrangements may vary. The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience – La Rocca combines tastings of wine and local products with a multimedia tour exploring the history of wine.
Cultural landscapes and nature by the sea
The Val d’Orcia in the province of Siena is a rural agricultural landscape that has preserved much of its Renaissance layout, character and aesthetic. The World Heritage Site’s boundaries coincide with those of today’s Val d’Orcia Park, the Parco Artistico Naturale e Culturale della Val d’Orcia. Here, the cultural landscape and protected area therefore have the same geographical boundaries. In the Parco della Maremma, six easy walks pass through different Mediterranean natural environments and their wildlife; they often follow the coast or lead to the sea. Check current trail conditions before setting out. A marine protected area has been established in the sea off Capraia to protect and preserve the natural habitat.
Routes and experiences to suit your interests
For longer routes through Tuscany, the Via Francigena offers a clearly structured guide: it crosses the region over nearly 400 kilometres, divided into 16 stages. Conditions and services may vary from stage to stage. The Via di Francesco follows a different idea: this network of walking routes links numerous places associated with the life of St Francis of Assisi. The two routes offer different thematic perspectives, and should not be mistaken for the same trail.
Cycling trips can also be assessed using specific details. Tuscany offers numerous cycling routes with signposted trails and carefully developed services; check the conditions and services before setting out. The Anello delle terme della Valdinievole is one example with published details: the MTB route is 17.6 kilometres long and has a moderate physical and technical difficulty rating. This circular route connects Montecatini Terme with Grotta Giusti. The Strada dell’Olio dei Monti Pisani runs through the territories of five municipalities: Buti, Calci, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano and Vicopisano; here, too, check the latest route information before your trip.
For wine enthusiasts, enotourism experiences organised by Movimento Turismo del Vino include e-bike tours, visits to historic villages, vineyard picnics and vertical tastings of different vintages. At the Grotte di Equi, visitors can try a cable car ride over the stream, climbing on a wall set up on the rock face at the cave entrance, and a caving adventure route, depending on the season. Grotta Giusti extends for more than 200 metres underground and includes chambers with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
When looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide what you’re most interested in: historic cityscapes, a preserved agricultural landscape, or outdoor routes and experiences all offer different ways to explore Tuscany. Choose your base for further planning according to what you’d like to discover on your trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Elba, Arezzo, Florence, Grosseto, Lucca, Massa-Carrara, Pisa, Siena, Livorno, Pistoia, Prato.
For the overview of destinations: Italy.
