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Places to visit near Florence offer a captivating mix of Renaissance charm, medieval heritage, and rolling Tuscan hills, all at an easy distance from the city. From hilltop hamlets and ancient castles to scenic vineyards and natural hot springs, these sites enhance your travel experience in Italy. Places near Florence are filled with villages and hidden gems that balance the urban creativity of the city with country serenity beautifully. From vineyards to ancient landmarks and fertile valleys, these destinations will enrich and deepen your Tuscan adventure.
10 Places To Visit Near Florence
Discover 10 amazing places to visit near Florence, from medieval towns and vineyards to UNESCO sites, perfect for history buffs, nature lovers, and culture vultures seeking unmissable Tuscan escapes.
1. Fiesole
Photo: Hagai Agmon-Snir / Wikimedia Commons
Perched on a scenic hillside a short drive from Florence, Fiesole is one of the top places to visit near Florence, offering a peaceful retreat that blends ancient heritage with natural beauty. This scenic town offers dramatic panoramic vistas of Florence and the Tuscan landscape, and is a photographer’ and day-trippers’ favorite. Fiesole’s ancient past is evidenced in its breathtaking Etruscan and Roman archaeological remains, including an intact Roman amphitheater and thermal baths. The town’s historic ambiance is carried forward with its narrow alleys filled with charming cafés, artisan shops, and stately villas amidst olive groves.
Major Attractions: Roman Theatre, Badia, panoramic terraces
Cost: €5 / ₹502
2. Pisa & The Leaning Tower
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
World-renowned everywhere for its famous Leaning Tower, Pisa is one of the most beautiful places to see near Florence, offering iconic architectural landmarks paired with a rich medieval atmosphere. The city’s crown jewel is the stunning Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to not only the famous tower but also the stunning Duomo, Baptistery, and serene Camposanto Monumentale. Climbers can scale the Leaning Tower for a view not found anywhere else of the city or simply stroll through its medieval streets, lined with ancient buildings, craft shops, and quaint cafés. The Riverfront promenade along the Arno offers a peaceful spot to sit and take in the ambiance.
Major Attractions: Leaning Tower, Duomo, and Baptistery
Cost: €20 / ₹200 for the tower ascent
3. San Gimignano
Photo: WikiRomaWiki / Wikimedia Commons
This “Medieval Manhattan” town, set atop a hill, is a charming return to the past. With 14 of its original medieval towers remaining, it has a skyline and character unlike any other, recalling a bygone era and visible for miles. The cobblestone streets of the town curve through stunningly well-preserved houses of stone, into which one is guided to stunningly lovely sights like the Collegiate Church of San Gimignano, whose walls are adorned with colorful frescoes. Climbing up the Torre Grossa, the highest tower gives you panoramic vistas of the rolling Tuscan hillside. The destination is a perfect blend of architecture, art, local flavor, and timeless atmosphere, a day out from Florence in perfection.
Major Attractions: Torre Grossa, Collegiate Church, Dondoli Gelato.
Cost: €13 / ₹1300 for the tower
4. Chianti Region & Wine Tasting
Photo: Adbar / Wikimedia Commons
The Chianti countryside, between Florence and Siena, is the quintessential Tuscan landscape, with rolling hills, roads lined with cypresses, olive groves, and a sea of vineyards. Renowned globally for its Chianti Classico wine, the area offers an unforgettable day out full of sensory delights and rural charm. Visitors can opt to go to traditional villages such as Greve, Radda, and Castellina, which are replete with old-world charm, hidden restaurants, and artisan shops. Wine-tasting excursions leave from family-run estates where travellers sip full-bodied reds accompanied by local pecorino cheese, salumi, and newly pressed olive oil. Apart from wine, the region has something to share with its dramatic views, serene walking paths, and cosy cellar-door deals that are individualised and real.
Major Attractions: Vineyards, wine cellars, tastings
Cost: €20 – 30 / ₹2000 – 3000 for tasting
5. Siena
Photo: Paolo Menchetti / Wikimedia Commons
Siena is a wonderfully preserved medieval city that fascinates visitors with its timeless beauty, history, and architectural splendor. As one of the most captivating tourist attractions near Florence, Siena offers a rich cultural escape into Tuscany’s historic heart. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, one of the most striking public squares in Europe, is the very center of the city, famously home to the heart-stopping Palio horse race. Close by, the imposing Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) shines with its striped marble exterior, elaborate carvings, and an awe-inspiring interior filled with artworks by Michelangelo and Donatello. Its crooked, cobblestone streets yield secret courtyards, artisanal shops, and Gothic structures that seem to date back to another world.
Major Attractions: Piazza del Campo, Duomo, Torre Mangia
Cost: €15 / ₹1500 (Cathedral complex)
6. Lucca
Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons
Lucca is a charming and elegant Tuscan town renowned for its faultlessly preserved Renaissance city walls, now blanketed in lush pedestrian and cycle paths. Wide, shaded ramparts encircle the entire historic center, offering a serene and idyllic way to navigate around the town. Within the walls, Lucca boasts a delightful combination of medieval towers, Romanesque churches, and picture-postcard piazzas. Most notable of the landmarks is the Guinigi Tower, with its rooftop garden of oak trees that provides a bird’s-eye view of red-tiled rooftops and hills. The egg-shaped Piazza dell’Anfiteatro in town was built on top of a Roman amphitheater and today contains vibrant cafes and artist boutiques.
Major Attractions: City walls, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, Torre Guinigi
Cost: €8 / ₹800 for the tower
7. Arezzo
Photo: Luca Aless / Wikimedia Commons
Arezzo is a lovely Tuscan hill town that beautifully blends medieval refinement with vibrant local life, making it one of the most charming places to visit near Florence. Once a great Etruscan city, today it boasts a wealth of historic treasures, from grand piazzas to ancient churches and magnificent fortresses. The Piazza Grande is the town’s central area, a sloping square that is surrounded by medieval architecture and charming arcades, generally bustling with activity, particularly on the famous monthly antiques market. Tourists can visit the Cathedral of Arezzo with its stunning stained-glass windows, see Piero della Francesca’s frescoes in the San Francesco Church, or stroll along Corso Italia, the town’s busy main street lined with shops and cafés.
Major Attractions: Piazza Grande, San Domenico, the fortress
Cost: €5 – €7 / ₹500 – 700
8. Vinci
Photo: Bo&Ko / Wikimedia Commons
The picturesque hill town of Vinci, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, is renowned as the birthplace of the great Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci. A visit here is a rare opportunity to learn about the life and work of one of history’s greatest thinkers. The Museo Leonardiano, which occupies the ancient Castle of the Count Guidi, boasts intricate scale models of Leonardo’s machines, sketches, and engineering treasures, providing glorious insight into his genius. Just a short distance away in the hamlet of Anchiano, visitors can explore Leonardo’s childhood home, where interactive exhibits bring his story to life. The peaceful setting and surrounding countryside reflect the inspiration behind many of his nature-themed sketches.
Major Attractions: Museo Leonardiano, Leonardo’s house
Cost: €10 – €12 / ₹1000 – 2000
9. Monteriggioni
Photo: WikiRomaWiki / Wikimedia Commons
Monteriggioni is a remarkably preserved medieval walled town nestled in the hills of Tuscany. Built in the 13th century by the Sienese to defend against Florentine forces, it is surrounded by a circular stone wall punctuated by 14 original towers. This iconic fortification offers visitors a chance to walk along portions of the ancient walls, taking in views of vineyards, olive groves, and the serene Tuscan countryside. Inside, quiet cobbled streets lead to a quaint piazza, artisan shops, and the Arms Museum, which displays medieval weaponry and armor. Monteriggioni is a must-visit for history lovers and tranquility seekers alike.
Major Attractions: City walls, tower fortresses, and a museum
Cost: €4 / ₹400
10. Val D’orcia
Photo: Anna.Massini / Wikimedia Commons
Val d’Orcia is one of Tuscany’s most stunning landscapes and a top place to visit near Florence. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s known for rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, golden fields, and scenic vineyards. The Renaissance town of Pienza offers charming streets, grand palaces, and famous pecorino cheese. Nearby, Montalcino boasts a medieval fortress and is celebrated for its world-renowned Brunello di Montalcino wine. Visitors can explore wine cellars, enjoy tastings, and wander cobbled lanes. Best visited from spring to fall, Val d’Orcia is a haven for art, wine, and nature lovers seeking authentic Tuscan charm.
Major Attractions: Pienza town, cheese shops, vineyards
Cost: €5 / ₹500 for cheese tasting & €8 / ₹800 for fortress
From Renaissance towns to vineyard-draped valleys, these places to visit near Florence offer a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Explore medieval hilltop villages, Romanesque cathedrals, and the rolling Tuscan countryside dotted with wine estates and thermal springs. Florence’s central location also makes it easy to explore nearby countries like Switzerland, France, and Austria. Whether you’re seeking cultural depth or rural tranquillity, plan your getaway with TripXL for unforgettable experiences in Tuscany and beyond.
Cover Photo: Jamie Brammer / Unsplash
