Tuscany is exactly as I pictured it. Movies like Under the Tuscan Sun and Eat Pray Love set the scene pretty accurately. Relax, wine, “find yourself,” rolling hills, green landscapes, old old villages, aging population, it really does make for a very calming vacation.
We only had three nights here on a recent Euro trip, but that was enough to learn one important thing: Tuscany is beautiful. Logistics matter here. This Tuscany travel guide covers how to get there, whether you need a car, where to go, food and wine, and some practical things I wish I knew before visiting.
In true American fashion, I added Tuscany to a euro backpacking trip where I also visited Paris, Florence, Zagreb, and Ljubljana, Slovenia – check out my other posts!
Jump to a Section
- How to Get to Tuscany
- Best Airports for Tuscany
- Getting to Tuscany by Train
- Do You Need a Car in Tuscany?
- Driving in Tuscany: ZTLs, Speed Cameras & Tolls
- Private Transfers
- Things to Do in Tuscany
- Wine Tasting
- Biking Through the Countryside
- Horseback Riding
- Cooking Classes
- Hot Springs
- Golf
- Vespa Rentals
- Best Places to Visit in Tuscany
- San Gimignano
- Florence
- Siena
- Pisa & The Coast
- Where to Eat in Tuscany
- How Many Days Do You Need in Tuscany?
- Our Three-Night Tuscany Trip
- What to Pack for Tuscany
- Money & Payments in Italy
- Tuscany Travel FAQs
How to Get to Tuscany
Getting around Tuscany is a little different from traveling between Italy’s major cities. Tuscany is a large region, and many of the places people actually want to visit are small towns, wineries, countryside properties, and hilltop villages.
Your transportation choice matters more here than it does in somewhere like Florence or Rome.
Best Airports for Tuscany
Tuscany has two main airports:
- Florence Airport (FLR)
- Pisa International Airport (PSA)
Which airport makes the most sense depends on where you’re staying.
If you’re building a larger Italy trip, you could also consider flying in or out of:
- Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome
- Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
- Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
There are typically no direct flights from the U.S. to Florence or Pisa, so expect a European connection.
Getting to Tuscany by Train
Italy’s high-speed trains are excellent between major cities, and Trenitalia is the main operator.
The catch is that trains are much more useful for getting between major cities than they are for exploring the Tuscan countryside. Once you’re visiting smaller villages and rural properties, you’ll likely need a car or an arranged transfer.
Do You Need a Car in Tuscany?
If you’re staying in the Tuscan countryside, I strongly recommend renting a car.
You can absolutely travel around Tuscany by train and bus, especially if your trip is focused on Florence, Siena, or other larger towns. But many of the places that make Tuscany feel like Tuscany, like wineries, agriturismos, tiny villages, and countryside restaurants, are much easier to reach by car.
Taxis won’t service most rural properties, and Uber and Lyft aren’t reliable options for getting around the countryside.
Having a car also gives you the freedom to stop whenever you see a vineyard, viewpoint, village, or suspiciously perfect cypress-lined road.
Renting a Car in Tuscany
If you’re driving in Italy, obtain an International Driving Permit before arriving if you’re a U.S. driver.
Also be aware of:
- Speed cameras
- Toll roads
- Narrow rural roads
- Limited parking in historic centers
- Restricted traffic zones
Driving in Tuscany: ZTLs, Speed Cameras & Tolls
This is probably the most important logistical warning in this entire article. Historic city centers throughout Italy often have ZTLs, or Zona a Traffico Limitato, meaning restricted traffic zones.
Historic centers like Florence and Siena have ZTLs. Do not drive into one unless you are authorized. The problem is that these zones aren’t always obvious to a first-time visitor. You can accidentally drive somewhere you shouldn’t and receive a fine months later.
Pay attention to the signs. Also watch for speed cameras and toll systems when driving between destinations.
Private Transfers
If you don’t want to rent a car, private transfers are another option, especially if you’re traveling with several people and can split the cost.
Private airport transfers can cost up to around $280 each way, depending on the route and vehicle. These must be booked in advance.
Things to Do in Tuscany
Tuscany is one of the most culturally rich regions in Italy. Wine, Renaissance history, medieval villages, food, agriculture, and countryside landscapes are basically everywhere.
There are plenty of ways to experience it beyond simply driving around taking pictures of cypress trees.
Wine Tasting
I visited Tamburini Emanuela, right in the heart of the local wine country.
While there, I saw an old man pruning the vines. It made me realize/remember the Italian programs that encourage young people and more foreigners to move to rural areas. They need a younger population and it’s super evident in Tuscany.
Other well-known wineries include:
- Villa Pillo
- Agricola Tamburini
- Chianti Corbucci
Biking Through the Countryside
Biking Tuscany Tour Castelfalfi offers battery-assisted e-bikes so you can glide past vineyards and cypress-lined roads without exhausting yourself on the hills. The most cinematic ways to experience Tuscany.
Horseback Riding
Ride through quiet trails with La Grotta dell’Eremita. Golden hour on horseback in rural Tuscany feels almost unreal.
Cooking Classes
Cucina Giuseppina offers hands-on cooking experiences where you can learn to make fresh pasta or tiramisu. It’s a good way to connect with Italian culture, and you leave with a skill, not just photos.
Hot Springs
Consider visiting Rapolano Terme, including:
- Terme di San Giovanni
- Terme Antica Querciolaia
Rapolano Terme sits between Arezzo and Siena. The springs at Rapolano Terme have been used since the Roman era.
Golf
Scenic courses in Castelfalfi and Ugolino offer dramatic countryside views.
Vespa Rentals
Hire a Vespa from a local provider like Bellini Bruno and ride through vineyard-lined roads. The most “Italian summer” thing you’ll do on the trip.
Best Places to Visit in Tuscany
There are far more places to visit in Tuscany than I could reasonably fit into one trip, but these are some of the easiest destinations to combine with a Tuscany itinerary.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town known as the Town of Fine Towers. It’s famous for its medieval architecture and preserved tower houses, which create one of the most recognizable skylines in Tuscany.
If you’re driving through the countryside, San Gimignano is an easy place to add to a day of exploring.
Florence
Florence is the heart of the Renaissance, a city where art, history, and architecture are everywhere you look.
I’ve been to Florence twice, and it easily deserves at least two full days on its own. If you’re planning a larger Italy trip, read more about Florence in my separate guide.
Siena
Siena feels preserved in time.
It’s an easy addition to a Tuscany itinerary and can also be visited as a day trip from Florence.
Siena Highlights
- UNESCO historic center
- Piazza del Campo
- Medieval architecture
- The famous Palio horse race
Pisa & The Coast (66–70 km)
- Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Pisa): Romanesque masterpiece begun in 1063 and consecrated in 1118, located right next to the Leaning Tower.
- Leaning Tower of Pisa: Famous freestanding bell tower begun in 1173 and completed in 1372.
- Beaches at Calambrone: Long sandy beaches.
Where to Eat in Tuscany
A few restaurants worth knowing about:
- Big Osteria Italiana Contemporanea: very seasonal menu, refined and comforting.
- Ristorante Fuoriluogo: Tuscan cuisine.
- Osteria del Castagno: open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Italian Dining Culture
A few things that can be surprising if you’re coming from the U.S.:
- Meals are slow. Servers aren’t ignoring you, they’re giving you space. Signal when you need something.
- Expect a small charge labeled “coperto” on your bill. This covers table service.
- Water is typically bottled and charged.
- Tipping is modest. Two euros is fine.
- Cappuccinos are generally a morning drink. Espresso after dinner is standard.
- Dinner is late, often around 8–9pm.
How Many Days Do You Need in Tuscany?
You could spend weeks in Tuscany, doing all the things. “Finding yourself”
Though, three nights can give you a good introduction.
If you have three days, I’d focus on a few destinations that are geographically close together rather than spending the entire trip driving from one side of the region to another. You cannot cram it all in.
Our Three-Night Tuscany Trip
We had only three nights in Tuscany as part of a larger European trip, so this wasn’t a comprehensive Tuscany itinerary.
It was more of a “let’s see what we can realistically do in three nights” situation.
Our trip also included Florence, Paris, Zagreb, and Ljubljana, so Tuscany was one stop in a much larger itinerary.
If I were planning a dedicated three-day Tuscany trip, I’d prioritize:
Day 1: Tuscan Countryside + Wine
Spend the day exploring the countryside, stopping at a winery, and visiting a smaller village such as San Gimignano.
Day 2: Siena + Surrounding Countryside
Visit Siena and spend the rest of the day exploring the surrounding area.
Day 3: Florence or Pisa
Choose based on your interests and where you’re staying.
If you’re more interested in Renaissance art, architecture, and museums, choose Florence.
If you’re traveling through western Tuscany and want to see the Leaning Tower and the coast, Pisa makes more sense.
The important thing is not to spend your entire three-day vacation sitting in a rental car.
What to Pack for Tuscany
Tuscany involves more walking and uneven surfaces than you might expect, especially in medieval hill towns.
I’d pack:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light layers
- Sun protection
- A light jacket
- Portable charger
- Reusable water bottle
- A small bag for churches and museums
- An International Driving Permit if you’re renting a car
If you’re staying at a countryside property, check whether you’ll have easy access to restaurants and stores before assuming you can just walk somewhere.
Money & Payments
- Use ATMs in Italy for euros.
- Always pay in euros, not USD, if given the option.
- Visa works most places; carry some cash just in case.
Tuscany Travel FAQs
Do you need a car in Tuscany?
Not necessarily, but a car is extremely useful if you’re staying in the countryside or want to visit wineries, small villages, and rural properties.
If you’re staying primarily in Florence or another major city, you may not need one.
How many days do you need in Tuscany?
Three days can give you a good introduction to Tuscany, but there is enough to see and do that you could easily spend much longer.
For a short trip, focus on a few destinations rather than trying to cover the entire region.
What airport should you fly into for Tuscany?
The two main airports serving Tuscany are Florence Airport (FLR) and Pisa International Airport (PSA). The best choice depends on where you’re staying and what else you’re visiting in Italy.
Can you visit Tuscany without renting a car?
Yes. But, I wouldn’t. Trains and buses connect many of Tuscany’s major cities and towns. The countryside is more difficult without a car, however, particularly if you want to visit wineries, agriturismos, and smaller villages.
Is Florence part of Tuscany?
Yes. Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region and one of its major cultural and historical destinations.
What are the best places to visit in Tuscany?
Popular destinations include Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, and the Tuscan countryside. The best combination depends on how much time you have and whether you’re interested in cities, medieval towns, wine, food, or rural scenery.
Planning ahead absolutely matters in Tuscany, I hope these tips help, enjoy!