Tuscany is a land that conquers the heart. It doesn’t matter where you come from: whoever visits this region of Italy is struck by its timeless beauty, by its landscapes that seem to come out of a painting, from its medieval villages perched on the hills and from its cities of art that keep centuries of history. But Tuscany is also much more: it’s a lifestyle, it’s right slowness, it’s flavour, it’s human warmth. And that’s exactly why those who visit it once dream of go back there.
Describing this land in a single article is impossible, it would be reductive. Let’s at least try to discover together the most fascinating cities of Tuscany, the hidden villages that are worth visiting, the things to do absolutely, the most suggestive places to see. We’ll do it with curious eyes, as if we are preparing a special trip. And after all, every trip to Tuscany is a special experience.
Tuscany: a mosaic of emotions
Talking about Tuscany means evoking one of the most iconic regions of Italy. Located in the centre-north of the country, overlooking the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian seas, is famous in the world for its artistic heritage, its culture, the breathtaking landscapes and an enogastronomic tradition that is a real national pride.
There is no single way to experience Tuscany: there are those who cross it by car, stopping in the more suggestive villages; those who travers it by bike along the white roads of the Crete Senesi; those who get lost among the hills of Chianti in search of the best wine; who instead lives it for his cities, where every corner tells a story; those who even walk along ancient paths, like that of the Via Francigena.
And it is precisely the Tuscan cities that are the heart of this trip. Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Lucca, Pisa, Livorno, but also the less well-known ones like Pistoia, Grosseto or Prato. Each with its own soul, its own voice, its own beauty.
Things to do in Tuscany
The activities to do in Tuscany are really endless. It all depends on your interests and the time at disposal. But some experiences are a must-see.
- Visit a winery in the Chianti: enjoy a glass of Sangiovese directly where it’s born, it’s an experience that involves all the senses.
- Walk through the streets of Florence: admire the majesty of the Brunelleschi’s Dome, the magnificence of Piazza della Signoria, walking along the Arno and crossing Ponte Vecchio is like visiting an open-air museum.
- Take a tour on a Vespa or on an old 500 between the hills: a romantic and authentic way to explore the Tuscan countryside.
- Participate in a cooking class: learn how to make traditional fresh pasta, like Tuscan pici, or to prepare the pappa al pomodoro will make you take home a piece of Tuscany.
- Attend a traditional events such as the Palio di Siena, the Calcio Storico of Florence or the Bravìo delle Botti in Montepulciano will make you leap back in time, to relive, now as then, these typical events.
- Trekking in the Apuan Alps, on the Amiata or on the Via Francigena, walking along old and historical paths, it’s a fascinating solution for those who love nature and the breathtaking views.
Tuscany offers art, culture, good food, nature and spirituality. It’s the ideal place for those looking for genuine and profound experiences.
Best towns in Tuscany
Every city in Tuscany has something unique to offer. Here are some to include in a trip:
- Florence: cradle of the Renaissance, it’s a concentrate of beauty, art and history. Suffice it to think to the characters who contributed to making it great, such as the supreme poet Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli, the Medici family and many others.
- Siena: a medieval masterpiece, with its Piazza del Campo, the Cathedral and the districts that animate the Palio.
- Lucca: elegant and quiet, with its perfectly preserved Renaissance walls, the quiet alleys and panoramic towers.
- Pisa: known worldwide for its Leaning Tower, but also for the wonders of the Cathedral and Baptistry.
- Arezzo: city of gold, with many companies and artisans who carry on a goldsmith historical and of excellence tradition.
- Pistoia: a hidden pearl rich in Romanesque art and authentic life. Renamed the “little Santiago” as it was a crossroads of the main paths of Europe.
- Volterra and San Gimignano: two mediaeval jewels that seem suspended in time, with towers, walls and unique atmospheres.
These are some of the cities that, each with different characteristics, represent the soul of Tuscany.
Florence meaning
Florence is not just a city: it’s a symbol. Its name comes from the Latin Florentia, which means “flourishing”, “prosperous”, and this already gives an idea of the role it has played over the centuries. Cradle of the Renaissance, home of great artists, is a city that has literally changed the course of history of art and European thought.
But Florence is also poetry, fashion, craftsmanship. It’s the scent of leather in the shops of Santa Croce, is the breathtaking view from Piazzale Michelangelo, it’s the sound of the bells of the Cathedral that chimes the hours. It’s the Florentine elegance, made of sober beauty and discreet charm.
How big is Florence
Florence is not a metropolis. It has a perfect size to be explored on foot, with a population of about 370.000 inhabitants. But its cultural and historical importance is immense, so much so that it’s perceived as much bigger. The historic centre, however, is relatively compact, but every street, every square, every building enclose centuries of art and culture.
It’s precisely this “human” scale that makes Florence so special: you can really know it only frequenting it day after day, without haste. Walking along the Arno or in the Boboli gardens, you realise that Florence is not just to be visited: it’s to be lived.
Best places to visit in Tuscany
There are places in Tuscany that, more than others, tell the soul of this land. Here is an unmissable selection.
- Val d’Orcia: UNESCO heritage, it’s a dream landscape. Rolling hills, cypresses, villages like Pienza, Montalcino, San Quirico d’Orcia are just a few segments of these enchanted landscapes.
- San Gimignano: the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages”, with its towers that overlook the valley.
- Montepulciano: famous for its wine, but also for its cobbled streets and Renaissance palaces.
- Cortona: famous for the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, offers spectacular views and a fairytale atmosphere.
- Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano: the “cities of the tuff”, carved out of volcanic rock, mysterious and charming.
- Bagni San Filippo and Saturnia: natural thermal baths immersed in vegetation, perfect for relaxing.
- Elba and the other islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: for those who love the sea and the untouched nature.
These places show the variety of Tuscany, a region that is a surprice with sea, mountains, hills, villages and cities.
Tuscan villages to visit
Next to the main cities, there are dozens of small villages that seem to came out of a postcard.
Real treasure troves of beauty where time has stood still:
- Anghiari: a medieval village overlooking the Valtiberina valley and known for a famous battle painted by Leonardo.
- Buonconvento: at the entrance to the Val d’Orcia, with perfect walls and an authentic historic centre.
- Barga: in Garfagnana, surrounded by greenery and rich in culture.
- Lucignano: with a unique elliptic shape with concentric rings and a historic centre with great attention to details.
- Poppi: in the heart of Casentino, a village included among the most beautiful in Italy, with its perfectly preserved medieval castle.
- Montemerano: also included among the most beautiful villages in Italy, a stone’s throw from the thermal baths of Saturnia.
- Castiglione della Pescaia: for those looking for a seaside village with lovely beaches.
Visiting these villages means experiencing the most authentic Tuscany, meeting genuine people, enjoy traditional dishes, get lost in quiet alleys.
As we can see from this small, very small cross section, Tuscany is an invitation to discovery. It’s a land that knows how to welcome, that fascinates and that remains in the heart. Every city, every village, every landscape tells a story worth listening to. For those who dream of a trip to Italy that combines culture, beauty, emotion and authenticity, Tuscan cities are the answer.
And for those who dream of getting married in Tuscany, these cities are not only beautiful destinations: they are the perfect background for the best day of your life. But this is another story… that we at Emozioni tell every day, with love.
