Tuscany is Italy at its most iconic. Home to cities beaming with history, art, and culture; and charming hill towns combining scenic beauty, architecture, preserved archaeological ruins and fortifications, and their own rich histories; Tuscany is a top destination for travelers. Let’s explore together a this self-guided 7-day Tuscany itinerary that lets you explore the best of this beautiful region.
While it’s easy to spend much more time in Tuscany, it’s possible to see the best of Tuscany in 7 days. This Tuscany itinerary allows you to explore the churches, museums, and culture of Pisa, Florence, and Siena; the scenery and well-preserved fortifications of Monteriggoni, San Gimignano, Volterra, and Lucca; and venture just outside of Tuscany to picture-perfect Cinque Terre.
You can easily extend or shorten this trip by adding day trips from and walking tours of the places featured on my Tuscany itinerary.
How to Get Around Tuscany: Car, Train or Bus
Tuscany is highly accessible by car, train and bus and each offers a different experience. While your choice of transport will change the pace of your 7-day itinerary, understanding the logistics of each will help you maximize your time.
Traveling by Car: Maximum Flexibility
For an itinerary that covers 8 iconic stops in a single week, renting a car is the most efficient choice. Driving gives you the flexibility to visit “out-of-the-way” hilltop gems like Volterra and San Gimignano on your own schedule. By cutting out the logistical time spent waiting on train platforms or navigating bus transfers, you can easily fit two locations into a single day without feeling rushed.
Traveling by Train: The Relaxed Alternative
The Italian rail network is fantastic for connecting major hubs like Florence, Siena, and Pisa. While it is a more relaxed way to travel, achieving this full 8-stop circuit by train is more difficult. Some smaller towns require secondary bus connections that can eat into your sightseeing time. If you choose the train, you may need to pick 4 or 5 “anchor” cities rather than visiting all 8 stops.
Traveling by Bus: Reaching the Hilltop Towns
While the rail network connects the major cities, reaching smaller, iconic hilltop towns like Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, and Volterra will require using the local bus system if you decided not to rent a car. These locations are not directly served by trains, meaning you will typically need to transfer to a bus from rail hubs like Siena or Poggibonsi.
However, for travelers who prefer not to drive, combining trains and buses makes this entire itinerary perfectly doable. It requires a bit more attention to schedules, but it allows you to enjoy the scenery without the stress of navigating narrow Tuscan roads or finding parking.
1. Florence (Days 1 and 2)
Panorama of Florence at night seen from Piazzale Michelangelo
See my photos from Florence Tuscany
Considered Tuscany’s most important city, Florence is the first destination on the Tuscany itinerary. Spend your first day visiting Florence’s churches, including the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Croce, and the Medici Chapels. The churches are architectural wonders with impressive artworks. Across the Arno River, the Palazzo Pitti is home to five museums and the Boboli Gardens.
Devote your second day in Florence to visiting the Uffizi Galleries and the Accademia. The Uffizi Galleries feature works from Italian artists Sandro Botticelli, Caravaggio, Giotto, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. The Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s David. Wrap up the Florence portion of the Tuscany itinerary by taking in a panoramic view of the city at sunset from the Piazzale Michelangelo, located on the Arno River’s west bank.
Plan Your Trip to Florence
Stay in Florence. We stayed outside of the city center since we had a rental car and needed free parking. Plus, dealing with Florence traffic and finding parking in the old city center is really, really difficult. So, we stayed at the very reasonable Novotel Florence North. This hotel has a free shuttle that takes you straight to the Florence train station where you can start exploring. You can also find other budget hotels in Florence.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) is the main station in Florence and the ultimate logistical hub for your trip. It offers excellent, frequent connections to Siena and Lucca, in addition to the 3-4 trains running hourly to Pisa (with travel times between 55 and 85 minutes).
Explore Florence with my in-depth self-guided Florence walking tour, complete with step-by-step walking route and printable map.
2. Siena (Day 3)
Piazza del Campo in Siena seen from Palazzo Publico
See my photos from Siena Tuscany
The next destination on the Tuscany itinerary is the medieval city of Siena. From Siena’s central train station, a 25-minute walk takes you to the beautiful Piazza del Campo, the heart of the city. The cobblestoned Piazza each year hosts the famous Palio de Siena horse races in July and August.
From the Piazza del Campo, a three-minute walk down Siena’s charmingly narrow streets takes you to the Duomo. A Tuscany itinerary highlight, the green and black striped cathedral features frescoes by Pinturicchio and artworks by Pisano, Donatello, and Michelangelo.
Plan Your Trip to Siena
Book a local tour. Enjoy a beautiful walking tour of Siena led by a local guide, who will take you to Siena’s attractions and give you a glimpse into its intricate history.
Stay in Siena. If you have a rental car, stay at Castello Delle Quattro Torra in a beautiful location close to Siena. If you want to be very close to the old town, look at the beautiful Villa de STR which has great location and a great price. Or you can look for other budget hotels in Siena.
Get to Siena by train. For the most efficient train transit between Florence and Siena, prioritize a direct train departing from Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN); these runs avoid the mid-trip connection at Empoli and typically take about 1h and 40 min. With approximately 34 daily departures, the frequency is high enough that you can usually skip advanced booking. Just be sure to double-check the schedule to ensure your selected departure is truly direct—saving you a 20-minute logistical headache—and always remember to validate your physical ticket at the platform kiosk before boarding to keep your journey stress-free and fine-free.
Siena Walking Tour
3. Monteriggioni (Day 3)
The old walls at Monteriggioni date from the early 13th century
See my photos from Monteriggioni
Perfect for a short stop along the Tuscany itinerary, you can visit the town of Monteriggioni enroute from Florence to either Siena. Originally a castle and overlooking the Siena hills, Monteriggioni lies within a well-preserved, fortified, towered wall. The Romanesque Gothic Church of Santa Maria Assunta is in the central Piazza di Roma.
Plan Your Trip to Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni is a village with a medieval fortress. While beautiful to visit, Monteriggioni is remote and difficult to reach without a car. If you don’t have a car, consider skipping Monteriggioni or connect it with your visit to Siena allowing at least an hour for the bus trip. Getting to Monteriggioni by bus from Siena, while possible, adds lots of complexity to your trip.
Book a local wine tasting tour from Siena including Monteriggioni. This is the easiest way to visit the Tuscany wine country including Monteriggioni.
From Siena’s Via Tozzi bus stop, pick up AT Bus #130 to Monteriggioni Scuole make the gorgeous 35-minute trip to Monteriggioni through Tuscany hills. Then it’s another 10 minutes walk to the medieval fortress.
From Florence’s Firenze Autostazione bus station, AT Bus #131 makes two daily afternoon trips to Monteriggioni, with a bus switch required in Poggibonsi. The total travel time is 1h and 15 minutes.
4. San Gimignano (Day 4)
Beautiful old stone arches and towers in San Gimignano
See my photos from San Gimignano
San Gimignano is the definition of a Tuscan hill town, as you will see upon arriving from Monteriggoni. As you walk along the narrow streets from the Porta San Giovanni to the Piazza del Duomo and marvel at the well-preserved walled town and its 14 towers, you quickly realize why San Gimignano is part of the Tuscany itinerary.
The Piazza del Duomo is where you will find the Duomo di La Collegiata, San Gimignano’s main church. The Duomo has several beautifully painted frescoes. Before continuing with the Tuscany itinerary, take time to marvel at the Torre Rognosa, Torre Grossa, and Salvucci twin towers.
Plan Your Trip to San Gimignano
Since San Gimignano doesn’t have a train station, you must rely on a different mode of transportation in order to visit this beautiful medieval village. The easiest way to visit is to book a local tour from Siena or Florence.
From Siena: Local tour to San Gimignano and Volterra. Easiest way to visit these two medieval villages, plus a short stop in Monteriggioni.
From Florence: Local tour to Siena and San Gimignano. Easiest way to visit Siena and San Gimignano from Florence without the hassle of logistics.
Stay in San Gimignano. Hotel Bel Soggiorno has amazing location, right inside the medieval walls, so within easy walking distance from anywhere. For more of a budget option but still close to Gate San Giovanni, try Il Feudo, which is also an excellent option. You can also find other budget hotels in San Gimignano.
Rent a car in Italy. San Gimignano is located in the Tuscany countryside and as such it is reached easiest by car. The drive from Florence to San Gimignano is gorgeous.
Read more. Read my detailed self-guided San Gimignano walking tour article.
By bus from Monteriggioni, AT Bus #130 runs eight times daily from the Colonna di Monteriggioni bus stop to the Porta San Giovanni bus stop. The bus trip takes an hour, making nine stops along the way.
By bus from Florence, take AT Bus #131 from the Firenze Autostazione to Poggiibonsi, then transfer to AT Bus #130 to the Porta San Giovanni bus stop. The travel time is between an hour forty minutes and two hours fifteen minutes.
5. Volterra (Day 4)
Steep narrow street Volterra leading to the ancient Porta all’Arco
See my photos from Volterra Tuscany
Southwest of San Gimignano lies the walled hill town of Volterra, the next destination on the Tuscany itinerary. Entering Volterra from the sandstone Porta all’Arco gate, it is a five-minute walk to the Piazza dei Priori, where grand medieval houses and palaces, including the Palazzo Pretorio, line the square.
From the Piazza dei Priori, a four-minute walk takes you to the ruins of the Roman Theatre, one of Italy’s best-preserved theatres. As you walk through Volterra, take in scenic views of Volterra’s architecture, the Etruscan walls, and the Cecina Valley, a great way to remember this portion of the Tuscany itinerary.
Plan Your Trip to Volterra
Just like San Gimignano, Volterra doesn’t have its own train station. As a consequence, the best way to visit Volterra, if you don’t want to drive your own rental car is to book a local tour from Siena or Florence. Use the planning section from San Gimignano to pick favorite local tours.
By bus from San Gimignano. There is no direct bus service between San Gimignano and Volterra. From San Gimignano, take AT Bus #130 to Colle di Val d’Elsa, then transfer to CTT Bus #770 to Volterra. The journey takes an hour fifty minutes, with buses running four times daily.
By bus from Florence, take AT Bus #131 from the Firenze Autostazione to the Colle Val D’Elsa bus stop, where you will transfer to AT Bus #770 to Volterra. The journey between Florence and Volterra is five hours.
7. Lucca (Day 5)
The beautiful Amphitheater Square in Lucca was built on the ruins of the old Roman Amphitheatre
See my photos from Lucca Tuscany
Lucca, a fortress city, shows it belongs on the Tuscany itinerary by greeting you with the intact Renaissance Wall that forms a ring around the city and its six entry gates. Besides the Renaissance Wall, the oval-shaped Piazza Anfiteatro serves as a reminder of Lucca’s history, as it was originally an amphitheater where gladiator games were held. Cafes and restaurants surround the Piazza, making it ideal for people watching.
The childhood home of opera composer Giacomo Puccini, at the Piazza Cittadella, is a museum devoted to his life and works. Finish up your time in this stop on the Tuscany Itinerary by walking seven minutes to the impressive Duomo di San Martino, where frescoed arches and Renaissance paintings adorn the Gothic cathedral.
Plan Your Trip to Lucca
From Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, 1-3 trains each hour take the one hour twenty-minute to one hour fifty-minute trip to Lucca’s train station. The closest entry gate is Porta San Pietro, west of the train station. Alternatively, AT Bus #DD runs sixteen times daily between Florence’s Leopolda bus station and either the Lucca train station or Piazzale Verdi. Travel time via bus is an hour fifteen minutes.
6. Pisa (Day 6)
Seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a must on your Tuscany Itinerary
See my photos from Pisa Tuscany
We begin our Tuscany itinerary in Pisa, a city filled with history, art, culture, and food. A 25-minute walk from the Pisa Centrale train station takes you to the Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to Pisa’s most historic and significant buildings and landmarks.
At the Piazza dei Miracoli, you will find the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Romanesque Pisa Cathedral, the Gothic Baptistry of St. John, and the beautifully impressive Monumental Cemetery. Since there’s so much to see in one place, you quickly realize why Pisa should belong on your Tuscany itinerary.
For details for planning your visit to Pisa read my in-depth self-guided Pisa walking tour article.
8. Cinque Terre (Day 7)
Beautiful Vernazza harbor in Cinque Terre
See my photos from Vernazza
The Cinque Terre is a beautiful, rugged, traffic-free, popular group of charming mountainside villages on the Ligurian Sea that’s also a national park. While the Cinque Terre is in Liguria, you can easily add it to the Tuscany itinerary, as it is an hour forty-five minutes from Lucca via train.
Get an early start and take the train to each of the Cinque Terre’s villages, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. Visit Corniglia last, as a steep zig-zag footpath with 385 steps connects the train station to the mountaintop village.
Spend 1-2 hours in each village admiring the churches, castles, and architecture; hiking the local trails; enjoying the beaches; or tasting wines made with mountainside-grown grapes. The scenic and popular Sentiero Azzurro, a series of coastal paths, attracts hikers, especially the Via dell’Amore path between Riomaggiore and Manarola. You may say at the end of the day that the Cinque Terre was the best destination on the Tuscany itinerary.
Check the official Cinque Terre website for current status of all the trails.
Plan Your Trip to Cinque Terre
From Lucca, trains travel hourly or twice-hourly to the La Spezia Centrale station, with a transfer required at Viareggio. The trip takes an hour forty minutes.
Once at the La Spezia Centrale Station, express trains stop at each Cinque Terre village. From 8 AM to 8 PM (0800-2000 hours), trains operate every 10-30 minutes. It takes nine minutes to travel between La Spezia and Riomaggiore, and 25 minutes to travel to Monterosso al Mare.
Returning to Pisa from the Cinque Terre, trains run up to four times an hour between La Spezia Centrale Station and the Pisa Centrale station. Travel times vary from 40 minutes on a super-fast Frecce train to an hour twenty-five minutes on a regional train.
Tuscany Itinerary Templates: 1 to 6 Days
To maximize efficiency and avoid the hassle of switching hotels, it is best to use Florence as your hub for all these itinerary options. Its central location and excellent transit connectivity make it the ideal logistical base for exploring the region.
1-Day Option: Florence Highlights
- Morning: Focus on the “Duomo Complex” (Cathedral, Baptistry, and Medici Chapels).
- Afternoon: A self-guided walking tour of Florence to see the Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio.
- Evening: Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo for the classic city panorama.
2-Day Option: Florence & Siena
- Day 1: Florence full day.
- Day 2: Siena full day. If you’re driving to Siena you will have time to stop in Monteriggioni.
3-Day Option: The Big Three (Florence, Siena, Pisa)
- Day 1: Florence full day.
- Day 2: Siena full day.
- Day 3: Pisa full day. After Piazza dei Miracoli, you will have time to stroll to the Arno River using my self-guided Pisa walking tour.
4-Day Option: City Hubs + Hilltop Gems
- Days 1–2: Florence and Siena.
- Day 3: Pisa full day.
- Day 4: San Gimignano and Volterra. Logistical Note: This day requires a car to efficiently combine both remote hilltop towns. Start early in San Gimignano to avoid the midday crowds before driving to Volterra. You can rent a car or book a local tour from Florence to visit both San Gimignano and Volterra.
5-Day Option: The Comprehensive Circuit
- Days 1–2: Florence 2 full days.
- Day 3: Siena full day
- Day 4: Pisa full day
- Day 5: San Gimignano and Volterra (Car recommended).
6-Day Option: The Fortress Add-on
- Days 1–5: Same as the 5-day circuit.
- Day 6: Lucca full day. Use my self-guided Lucca walking tour to find ideas for organizing your day in Lucca.
Can You See Tuscany in One Week?
You can see Tuscany and the Cinque Terre in one week. By following the Tuscany itinerary, you’ll explore the culture, history, and art of Pisa, Florence, and Siena; see iconic sites like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and renown works like Michelangelo’s David, take in the beauty, architecture, and archaeological past of Tuscany’s hill towns; and soak in the gorgeous views from the Cinque Terre’s villages, hiking trails, and beaches.
More Self-Guided Tuscany Tours
- Self-Guided Pisa Walking Tour
- Charming Walking Tour of Florence
- Amazing Churches of Florence
- Best Things to Do in Siena
- Best of San Gimignano
- Charming Volterra
- Best Things to Do in Lucca
- Is Cinque Terre Overrated?
