Florence is one of those cities that you will want to include in any Italy itinerary. The charming town, friendly to locals and tourists alike, is a perfect destination for a day or two and an amazing base point for travelers wishing to explore the stunning Tuscany region, with its endless vineyards scattered around low, undulating hills and valleys.
In this article, you’ll find the best places to see near Florence once you’re done exploring all the amazing things to do in Florence. And although it might rightfully look as if you can never be done visiting Florence, trust me when I tell you that there are amazing landmarks nearby that you won’t even dream of missing when exploring Italy.
So here you have the most fantastic day trips from Florence that will take your Italy experience to a whole new level; take a look!
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Florence is located in the center of Italy, making it extremely easy for travelers to catch a train to visit not only the rest of the Tuscany area but other Italian regions as well.
1. Pisa
Probably the most popular day trip you can take from Florence is the one that takes you to discover the spectacular leaning tower of Pisa.
The town is very pedestrian-friendly, featuring easy and well-marked access to the most important sight in town, its impressive leaning tower right in the center of Miracles’ Square (or Piazza dei Miracoli).
The tower is located on a big green square close to the Cathedral of Pisa and the Baptistry of Pisa. Something not everybody knows is that the Tower of Pisa is, in fact, the cathedral’s bell tower!
Featuring a unique style of Romanesque architecture, known as Pisan Romanesque, the religious complex dates back from the 1090s.
Getting there: Pisa is a medium-sized university town located about 94 kilometers from Florence. The trip by car usually takes about an hour and a half.
You can also get to Pisa by train with Trenitalia. There are trains leaving from two different stations: Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the main train station in the city (this trip takes about an hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes), and Firenze Campo di Marte (this trip is about 1 hour and 30 minutes).
Both trains will leave you in Pisa Centrale, Pisa’s train station, and from there it is about a 20-minute walk to the leaning tower. The train ticket costs around €10.
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Your first excursion from Florence could be to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Photo credit: Iryna_Rasko/DepositPhotos.com
2. San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a unique gem of a medieval town, situated on top of a hill.
Beautiful San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a collection of more than ten antique tower houses that have gained the nickname Medieval Skyscrapers of Italy.
Also in town, it is possible to check unique Gothic churches and other interesting buildings.
San Gimignano can also be an excellent day trip destination for those interested in the local Tuscan wines.
The amazing Vernaccia di San Gimignano is made in the area with a local grape variety that has been cultivated in the region for hundreds of years.
Getting there: San Gimignano is located about 57 kilometers from the center of Florence (about one hour by car), and it can be reached by bus traveling on the national highway that connects Florence and Siena.
By Bus: You need to catch the bus 131 (50-minute ride) at Autostazione Busitalia Firenze to Poggibonsi train station, and, from there, change to bus 130 (another 25-minute ride).
By Bus/Train: Alternatively, you can take the train to Poggibonsi and then catch the 130 bus to San Gimignano.
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Take a day from Florence to explore San Gimignano, UNESCO World Heritage Site
3. Bologna
Known also as La Grassa, meaning the “fat one,” Bologna is a place where good food and excellent wines account for any day trip that you take to the area.
But there is more to Bologna as well; the city is home to the oldest European university, attended by dozens of important historic figures as well as modern politicians, philosophers, and artists.
When visiting Bologna, it is a good idea to spend some hours wandering the unique streets of the city’s historic district.
This will allow you to admire the spectacular Piazza Maggiore with imposing colonnades, dozens of historic cafes, and medieval buildings surrounding the area.
Getting there: Bologna is located about 118 kilometers from Florence (about an hour and a half by car).
By Train: The best way to get there is by train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella. The fast train will take you to Bologna in about 40 minutes, while a regular train might take a bit more than an hour.
Tickets range from €11 to €40, depending on the train you choose.
There is also a train connecting Florence to Bologna that leaves from Firenze Campo di Marte train station.
Alternatively, if you prefer to drive across the Italian vineyards, you get to Bologna by driving on the E35 highway.
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Indulge in a marvelous day trip to Bologna from Florence – you won’t be sorry!
4. Chianti
The most remarkable wine region in Tuscany, and arguably in the rest of the country, is just a stone’s throw from Florence.
Chianti, home to the most famous wine produced in Italy, is a fantastic region situated about 35 kilometers from Florence, and it is an excellent destination to spend the day indulging in delicious local wine and amazing Tuscan cuisine.
On the hills of Chianti, you can discover dozens of ancient wineries and farms that open their doors to tourists interested in their production.
Getting there: I do not recommend you travel to the area by train as there are several connections and you would need double the time that it would take by bus.
Traveling by bus is easier; you will need to take the bus from Florence to the small town of Radda and then travel by taxi or local bus to get to the other smaller towns you might want to visit.
However, moving from one town to the other can be a bit complicated since the buses run infrequently, and you don’t want to spend the whole day on the road.
The best thing to do if you don’t want to use public transport is to join a tour that takes you from Florence to Chianti including winery stops, not just for wine tasting but also for an interesting and didactical insight into local winemaking.
Chianti is an easy day trip from Florence to go see the vineyards of Tuscany
5. Val d’Orcia
Not as famous as Chianti but certainly equally charming, the amazing green landscape of Val d’Orcia.
This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and fantastic day trip that you can enjoy easily from Florence.
In the area, you can tour a series of enchanting towns that have played a remarkable role in Italy’s wine history, such as Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano.
This is another great gastronomic destination in Italy, perfect for wine tasting.
Besides, one of the most delicious local cheeses in Italy, Pecorino Toscano, is also produced in the area.
Getting there: It is possible to travel by bus, which leaves from Florence central bus station. The ticket is €12, and the trip takes about two hours.
It is also possible to take the train, and although the journey might take a bit longer, the views of the Tuscan countryside are worth the experience.
If you’re all for being told and explained everything about wine and cheese production, then a full-day organized tour might suit you better.
6. Siena
Another fantastic town not to miss in the area near Florence is the city of Siena.
Also a bastion of Medieval history and architecture, Siena is a gorgeous Italian town with a beautiful old quarter dotted with typical ancient houses that feature incredibly beautiful red-tiled roofs that have made the town famous.
Siena is home to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy, the famous Duomo di Siena, which is an interesting medieval church dating from the 1260s. The building has a high and imposing dome featuring a work by the artist Bernini.
This distinctive black and white church was built between 1215 and 1263, and it features an imposing dome and magnificent bell tower that is even older than the church and has six impressive iron bells.
Getting there: Located about 50 kilometers from Florence, it is possible to get there by bus (one hour and 15 minutes—ticket €9) or train (one hour and a half—ticket €14).
Take in the stunning medieval architecture in Siena – a perfect day trip from Firenze
7. Cinque Terre
One of the most fantastic destinations you can check out in Italy is, of course, the Cinque Terre, the five lands that face the Ligurian Sea.
Nestled on the narrow Ligurian coast, the Cinque Terre are five amazing coastal villages with typical architecture, pastel-colored houses, and small beaches where you can swim and relax.
The region of Liguria is also known for its amazing gastronomy, and the wines produced in this particular region are simply delicious.
You can easily make the Cinque Terre a day trip from Florence and spend the whole day hiking from one little town to the next one.
You can also discover the five villages traveling with the Cinque Terre train that connects all settlements with just one ticket.
Getting there: The best way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre is by train.
The train does not depart from Florence’s Central Train Station (Santa Maria Novella), but from Firenze Campo di Marte (the second station in town).
You must take the train to La Spezia Centrale train station and, over there, get your train ticket to explore the Cinque Terre.
The route Florence to La Spezia is about one hour and 45 minutes, and the ticket price ranges from €10 to €45 depending on the train and class you choose.
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Take a day trip from Florence to the coast and visit beautiful Cinque Terre
Final Thoughts
It is not difficult to plan a day trip to the region of Tuscany or to other Italian regions from Florence. You need to keep in mind that the city has several train stations; the most important one is Firenze Centrale, known as Santa Maria Novella.
This station is situated in the historical center of Florence, and at the station you can catch the Eurostar train (to Milan, Turin, Venice, and Rome), as well as some local trains. When arriving at this station, it is possible to visit the historical center of Florence without taking a taxi or a bus.
Firenze Campo di Marte is a secondary train station that mostly caters to nearby towns but also receives travelers from some main cities in the country, including Rome and La Spezia, as well as some trains to Bologna and Pisa. The train station is located 3 km from the center of Florence, and there are trains connecting both stations every 5 minutes.
Always check beforehand when and from where your train departs.
Although driving in the region is not as stressful as it can be in bigger cities such as Rome or Milan, chances are that you will be sipping a good amount of Tuscan wines during your day trips.
In that case, driving is not the best idea. In fact, you can get a hefty fine if you drink and drive in Italy. Joining an organized tour is the best alternative you have to enjoy the best wine region in the country!
More Places to See in Italy
How to Spend One Day in Florence
Top 10 Things to Do and See in Florence
Guide to Amalfi Coast and Best Things to Do
Traditional Italian Food by Region
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About the Author
Gabi Ancarola is a translator and travel journalist living in Crete. She regularly writes about Europe for several magazines about travel, gastronomy, and hospitality. She has published several travel guides about Greece and plans customized trips to the Greek islands. She loves cooking local dishes, taking photos, and driving on the mountain roads of Crete.