7 best day trips from Florence

Day trips compared

The day trips

75 km · About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus

1.Siena

Siena's shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Gothic cathedral with its inlaid marble floor and the frescoes of the Palazzo Pubblico make it the classic day trip from Florence. The Palio horse race takes over the Campo on 2 July and 16 August, when the town is packed.

Getting there

Express bus or regional train from Florence

Best for

Culture, First-timers, Couples

85 km · About 1 hour by train

2.Pisa

The Leaning Tower stands with the cathedral, Baptistery and Camposanto on the lawns of the Piazza dei Miracoli. The tower climb is by timed ticket; the rest of the city, along the Arno and around Borgo Stretto, is quieter and pleasant for lunch.

Getting there

Regional train from Santa Maria Novella to Pisa San Rossore or Pisa Centrale

Best for

First-timers, Families, Culture

80 km · About 1 hour 20 minutes by train

3.Lucca

Lucca's intact Renaissance walls carry a tree-lined path of about 4 km that you can walk or cycle all the way round. Inside are the oval Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, built over a Roman amphitheatre, the Guinigi Tower with oak trees on its roof and Puccini's birthplace.

Getting there

Regional train from Santa Maria Novella

Best for

Families, Couples, Quiet stays

55 km · About 1.5–2 hours by bus

4.San Gimignano

A walled hill town of medieval tower houses, more than a dozen still standing, above vineyards producing the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Day-trippers crowd the main street at midday, so arrive early or stay for the evening light.

Getting there

Train or bus to Poggibonsi, then local bus

Best for

Couples, Culture, First-timers

30 km · About 1 hour by bus or 40 minutes by car

5.Chianti (Greve and Panzano)

The hills between Florence and Siena are planted with Sangiovese vines and olive groves. Greve in Chianti has an arcaded market square, Panzano is known for its butchers, and many estates offer tastings by reservation. A driver or tour makes tasting easier.

Getting there

Bus to Greve in Chianti, hire car or winery tour

Best for

Food lovers, Couples, Quiet stays

8 km · About 20–30 minutes by bus

6.Fiesole

The hill town above Florence was an Etruscan settlement long before Florence existed and keeps a Roman theatre and baths in its archaeological area. The view back over the city from the terrace below the Franciscan convent is one of the best around Florence.

Getting there

City bus 7 from San Marco

Best for

Couples, Quiet stays, Families

100 km · About 40 minutes by high-speed train

7.Bologna

Italy's great food city is a quick hop across the Apennines: arcaded streets, the Two Towers, Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero lanes selling mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh tortellini. It is easy to combine with a long lunch.

Getting there

Frecciarossa or Italo train from Santa Maria Novella

Best for

Food lovers, Culture

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• Buy tickets at tobacconists or through the official app before boarding, then validate once on the bus.
• Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN) is the main station, with high-speed trains to Bologna, Rome and Milan and regional trains to Pisa, Lucca, Arezzo and Siena.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask