4 incredible day trip from Florence

Florence is considered the gateway to Tuscany, but to truly experience the region and enjoy all the charm we see in movies and photos, it's essential to visit the small towns around it. So, in the next few lines, I’ll share with you 4-day trip suggestions from Florence so you can make the most of Tuscany!

First of all, I’d like to say that Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, and you probably won’t be able to see everything in just one trip. So, the ideal plan is to divide your trip by regions (south and north), to avoid going up and down the country, wasting time and money, okay?!

Another important tip is how to plan your days to fit in the day trips from Florence while also exploring the city’s charms. I’d say that 2 days in Florence is a good amount of time, and then you can plan 1 day for each day trip (depending on the destination, it’s even possible to combine two places into one day).

Day trip from Florence

I always say that for a day trip to be enjoyable, travel time shouldn’t be too long, you’ll want enough time to actually explore the place you’re visiting.

So my advice is to choose destinations that are no more than 2 hours and 30 minutes away from your base city (in this case, Florence). Another important tip: consider the size of the city you’re planning to visit, if it’s a big place, it might be worth staying longer and spending the night.

Siena

I’ll start with what’s probably the most classic of all day trips from Florence, a must-do! Siena has charming medieval buildings and breathtaking landscapes. It’s impossible not to feel like you’re in a movie when walking through the narrow streets of the historic center!

Distance from Florence: Just 75 km. You can get there by bus (about 90 minutes) or by car (about 60 minutes). Taking the bus is very easy, so I don’t see the need to rent a car for this particular trip.

When to go: Siena can be visited at any time of the year. However, if you want to witness a traditional event in the city, plan your trip for July 2 (Feast of Our Lady of Provenance) or August 16 (Feast of the Assumption), which are the days of the Palio di Siena, a historic horse race held in the Piazza del Campo since the 13th century.

What to do: Spend a few hours exploring the entire Siena Cathedral complex (absolutely stunning!); visit the Palazzo Pubblico; stroll through the Piazza del Campo; wander the streets of the Historic Center and admire every architectural detail. Oh, and I don’t recommend combining this day trip with another city, Siena deserves a full day!

Pisa

This city is home to one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks , the Leaning Tower of Pisa! The destination itself is small and can be paired with another nearby town or enjoyed at a relaxed pace. If you’re traveling by car, consider adding Lucca to your itinerary, another small town close to Pisa that's worth visiting.

Distance from Florence: the city is located 90 km from Florence and can be easily accessed by train, bus (almost 2 hours), or car (90-minute drive). If you plan to visit Cinque Terre, I recommend spending a night in Pisa, as the city is on the way between Florence and La Spezia (base for Cinque Terre).

When to go: any time of the year.

What to do: the main attraction is visiting the Leaning Tower and its surroundings (Piazza dei Miracoli, the Baptistery, Pisa Cathedral, etc.). Also, make sure to visit Piazza dei Cavalieri.

Arezzo

This is another city in Tuscany that’s worth visiting on a day trip from Florence. Just like Pisa, it’s not a large destination, and many people combine it with a visit to Cortona, a province of Arezzo located about 30 km away by car.

Distance from Florence: only 76 km between the two cities, and it’s possible to go by car or train, both take approximately 60 minutes. If you want to combine this visit with other destinations, driving is ideal.

When to go: any time of the year.

What to do: stroll along Via del Corso and admire the changing scenery as you walk uphill; visit the Duomo Square; Piazza Grande; and the Basilica of San Francesco.

Val d’Orcia

It’s the Tuscany you see in the movies! If you need to choose just two day trips from Florence to include in your itinerary, one of them must be to Pienza (the birthplace of Renaissance urbanism), Montalcino, and Montepulciano, together they form the famous Val d’Orcia.

Distance from Florence: To visit all three destinations, you’ll drive approximately 300 km, and it’s essential to rent a car so you don’t have to rely on guided tours.

When to go: Any time of year, but spring and autumn are especially charming.

What to do: Honestly, the drive itself is the highlight, but be sure to stop at each destination and get lost wandering through the narrow streets.

So, did you like my suggestions for day trips from Florence? My advice is to do at least two of them, don’t limit yourself to just Florence. As beautiful as the city is, there are so many enchanting spots nearby (as you’ve probably noticed throughout this post)! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below!

Kisses and see you soon!