Are you searching for the best day trips from Florence? This guide has every single day trip from Florence that’s worth the effort!
Not far from Florence, there are so many Italian cities that are worth a visit. San Gimignano is known for its gelato, Chianti is known for its wine, and Rome is known for its history – and you visit all of them as day trips from Florence!
If you are following our seven days in Italy itinerary or our two weeks in Italy itinerary, these day trips from Florence would make amazing additions to your time in the Tuscany region.
From day trips from Florence that are within 1 hour in the city’s limits, to those that stretch to 2 plus hours away, we highly encourage you to go beyond the city and explore the beauty Italy has to offer!
Make sure to check out our list of the Best Places to Stay In Florence!
19 Best Day Trips From Florence Worth The Effort
Best Florence Day Trips Within 1 Hour
Arezzo
Arezzo is one of Italy’s hidden gems. Filled with fortresses, monuments, churches, and even the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater, Arezzo pretty much has all the sights you would want to see in a large Italian city, just without the crowds and the tourist traps.
If you are looking for the best viewpoints, we highly recommend visiting the beautiful hilltop Arezzo Cathedral. This is a great place to just take in the views, or if you’re a photographer, to take a few photos! There is also the Basilica di San Domenico contains the 13th-century “Crucifix” painted by Cimabue which is still in fantastic condition and a wonderful work of art to see.
To get to Arezzo from Florence, you can drive or take a train. Both options take roughly an hour.
Book Here: Arezzo Private Walking Tour
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is another picturesque Tuscan city. Between the cobblestone streets and delicious gelato shops, it’s a wonderful day trip from Florence.
Believed to have originally been built in the 3rd century B.C., San Gimignano has a lot of history within its borders – and you can experience a taste of it! This quaint town boasts half a dozen stunning piazzas, towering entrance gates known as Porta San Giovanni and Porta Sensese, and even a castle from the 1300s called Rocca di Montestaffoli.
If history and architecture don’t really suit your interests, consider experiencing the culinary side of San Gimignano. San Gimignano is known across Italy for its gelato, and Gelateria Dondoli claims to have the best gelato in the world! If you’re looking for an adults-only treat, this little Italian town also has its fair share of wineries that you can visit.
To get to San Gimignano from Florence, you can drive, take a train, or take a tour. If you choose to drive, it’ll take just an hour. By train, it’ll take about two hours. And if you don’t want to figure out transportation, a San Gimignano tour may be the option for you!
Book Here: Chianti and San Gimingnano Full-Day Tuscan Wine Tour
Chianti
Everyone knows Chianti for its wine, so obviously one of the best things to do in Chianti is visit a winery. While there, you can learn about the wine making process, enter into wine cellars, and enjoy a fabulous wine tasting. Plus, unlike many wine regions around the world, Chianti is open to visitors all year round!
While you can visit Chianti by car or by train, if you want all of the details figured out for you, consider taking a tour. Then, you won’t have to figure out which wineries to visit or how to get to them, as that’ll already be taken care of for you.
Book Here: Chianti Authentic Wine Tasting Experience From Florence
Pistoia
If you truly want to get off the beaten path, Pistoia is one of the best day trips from Florence for that. Despite its under-the-radar feel, Pistoia is known for its beautiful flowers and artisanal Italian chocolate. (Basically, it’s like Valentine’s Day in a city.) And because no one really knows about Pistoia, you’ll have the flower stalls and chocolate shops all to yourself.
Plus, just like any other Italian city, you can of course get your little taste of Italian history and religion. The Cathedral of St. Zeno is located in the center of town and was built in the 12th century. The bell tower and colorful facade make for a stunning architectural design. San Giovanni Fuorcivitas is one of the prettiest buildings in Pistoia and you shouldn’t miss it.
To get to Pistoia for your Florence day trip, you’ll either have to drive or take a train. That said, once you reach this little town, you can take a private walking tour to learn as much as you would like about Pistoia.
Book Here: Pistoia Private Walking Tour
Bologna
Bologna is one of the most interesting cities in all of Italy. Half of the city is high tech and modern, and the other half has strongly held on to its historical roots and buildings.
First, you should check out the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s competition. That’s right, Bologna has its own leaning tower – two as a matter of fact. Asinelli and Garisenda are situated right next to each other. And if you dare, you can climb to the top of these towers to get amazing views of the city.
Bologna is also home to San Petronio, the 10th largest church in the world by volume. Situated in the famous Piazza Maggiore, San Petronio took nearly 100 years to complete, and, just like the city, it’s look is a little split. While the top half of the church is plain brown brick, the bottom half is made of stunning, colorful marble.
To get from Florence to Bologna, you can take either a train or a car and get there in just under an hour.
Book Here: Bologna City Center Walking Tour
Best Florence Day Trips Under 2 Hours
Val d’Orcia
If you’re looking for that picturesque Tuscan countryside, Val d’Orcia is the perfect day trip from Florence. It’s a particularly great place to drive through on a Tuscany road trip.
While in Val d’Orcia, one of the best things to do is visit the Tuscany Groves. While you are in this region, you will pass by these very unique and interesting shaped trees. They are the traditional cypress trees, but they’re planted in a circle. It’s truly a picturesque sight.
The Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta is another wonderful stop in this region of Tuscany! Once you are finished with the Tuscany Groves, head to this tiny chapel located among the rolling hills. This little chapel just so happens to be a fantastic place for sunset.
To get to Val d’Orcia, your best bet is to drive about two hours.
Pisa
Everyone knows about the leaning tower of Pisa, and, because it’s so close, it makes for a great day trip from Florence. It is pretty quick to get from Florence to Pisa and you can go on a tour, renting a car and more.
Now, of course, you can’t stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa without taking one of those extra cheesy photos in which you pretend to try to push the tower back up. We promise we won’t judge you! You are going to want to book your entrance for the Leaning Tower of Pisa in advance, so you beat the lines, especially if you are visiting during the summer months!
But don’t make your trip to Pisa all about the leaning tower. There are so many other amazing things to see and do in in this lovely Italian city. Make sure to stop at Pisa Cathedral, Pisa Baptistery, and Knight’s Square during your day.
Because so many people take day trips from Florence to Pisa, there are lots of transportation options. Both driving a car and taking a train take just over an hour. Plus, you can also take a tour that includes transportation from Florence to Pisa.
Book Here: Skip The Line For The Leaning Tower Of Pisa
Book Here: From Florence Day Tour Of Pisa
Livorno
Known primarily as the port city of Tuscany, Livorno is often overlooked. That’s truly a shame because there’s so much to see within this Italian town.
Since Livorno is the port city, consider spending some time at the port. This waterfront area is filled with colorful buildings and beautiful boats. As an alternative, check out Nuovo Venezia, or “new Venice.” This little part of Livorno – near the famous fortress, Fortesso Nuova – has quite a few canals that you wander around.
One of the coolest things Livorno has to offer is a waterfront castle. Castello del Boccale is one of the most unique castles in Tuscany. Constructed by the Medici family in the 16th century Catello del Boccale sits right on a rugged cliff on the Mediterranean Sea. Since this castle was recently transformed into apartments, you can’t explore the interior, but you definitely can admire the exterior.
To get from Florence to Livorno, it takes about an hour and a half by train or by car.
Lucca
Many visitors to Italy find themselves traveling between Florence and Pisa. Little do they know that on that journey, they pass the gem of a town known as Lucca.
Lucca has its fair share of stunning churches. The Lucca Cathedral and San Michele in Foro are both architectural highlights, both located in the city center. And, just like many other Italian towns, Lucca also has its fair share of towers. Torre delle Ore and Guinigi Tower both offer stunning views of the city. Guinigi Tower even has a garden on the top, making for quite a peaceful atmosphere.
One sight that Lucca has that most Italian cities don’t is a completely intact aqueduct. It was once used to carry water from the mountains into the city for nearly two miles! For its time, it was an engineering marvel. While you can choose to explore all of these amazing sights in Lucca on your own, consider taking a tour with a local guide to get the inside scoop.
To get from Florence to Lucca, it takes about an hour and a half by train or by car.
Book Here: Lucca City Center Walking Tour
Siena
If you find Florence to be a little too crowded for your taste, Siena will make for a fantastic day trip. This Tuscan city has a lot to offer without the swarms of people.
The first thing you should do is explore the historic city center. This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases the beauty of a preserved Gothic city. The Duomo, also known as the Siena Cathedral, is also found in this area and is a must-see. Finally, if you love palaces, Palazzo Chigi-Saracini is the place to be.
While driving from Florence takes about an hour, we highly recommend taking a train instead. You’re not allowed to drive in downtown Siena (which is old town Siena), but your GPS doesn’t know this! You can get a hefty fine! So to just avoid the hassle altogether, it’s a lot easier to just take a train from Florence to Siena.
Book Here: Siena Walking Tour With Duomo Skip The Line Ticket
Volterra
Volterra is one of Italy’s prettiest small towns. Pretty much all of the buildings in Volterra date back hundreds of years. Some are from medieval times while others are from the Etruscan period.
In the 13th century, Volterra was under the rule of the Republic of Florence, and there are several medieval structures from that time, including the Palazzo dei Priori and the Palazzo Pretorio. The Palazzo dei Priori is the oldest town hall in Tuscany, although the tower is a bit newer since it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 1800s and then rebuilt. If you visit, you can tour the interior and even climb the bell tower.
Nearby the Palazzo dei Priori and the Palazzo Pretorio lies the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which dates back to the 12th century. That said, this building does have quite a lot of Renaissance influence, as its interior was modified during that time.
If you’re interested in Etruscan history, this small town in Italy has a ton of it! Volterra boasts The Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, the walls and gates, and an Etruscan acropolis. Volterra is full of Roman history as well. There is a Roman amphitheater and Roman baths that date back to the 1st century and 4th century, respectively.
Finally, if you are visiting this small Italian town, you’ll likely spot the Medici Fortress which rests high above Volterra on hilltop. The older part of the fortress was built in 1342, and the New Fortress in 1475. Although today it is a high-security prison, it is lovely to view from the outside.
To get to Volterra, it takes about an hour and a half by car, which is the most efficient mode of transportation. You can also get to Volterra by train, but it takes two and a half hours at minimum.
Verona
Verona is most well-known as the setting of Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet. But that Shakespeare reference isn’t all that this picturesque Northern Italian town has to offer.
One of the most popular things to do in Verona is visit Northern Italy’s version of Rome’s Colosseum, aptly named Arena Di Verona. While it never gets quite as busy as Rome’s Colosseum, you should still consider purchasing a ticket to skip the line. You can also climb up the Torre Dei Lamberti, a tower that took almost 700 years to build, and escape the crowds at the beautiful Giardino Giusti.
Since Verona is the town of Romeo and Juliet, we definitely can’t forget a visit to Casa di Giulietta, “Juliet’s House.” Casa Di Giulietta is believed to be the home of Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (although Shakespeare himself never explicitly specified where Juliet lived). This house was used in 1968 Romeo and Juliet film, which means you’ll be able to see Juliet’s iconic balcony while at Casa Di Giulietta.
To get from Florence to Verona, you can drive or take a train for just under two hours.
Book Here: Arena Di Verona Skip The Line Tour
Book Here: Verona Card Priority Entrance
Rome
As the capital of Italy, Rome is a fantastic day trip from Florence. As expected, there are so many must-see sights and must-do activities in Rome.
The first thing that should be on your list of things to do in Rome is visit the Colosseum. Be sure to buy tickets in advance since you’ll only be in Rome for one day, and you don’t want to spend all of your time waiting in line. And don’t forget to add Fontana Di Trevi, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican to your list of things to see in Rome.
To get from Florence to Rome, the most efficient form of transportation is a high-speed train, which takes two hours. If you’d like to take a car, your drive will take around three hours.
Book Here: Colosseum Skip The Line Tour
Book Here: Vatican Museums And Sistine Chapel Fast Track Entry
Book Here: Reserved Entrance For Saint Peter’s Basilica
Milan
Milan is an amazing Florence day trip city, because you can do everything in Milan in one day. You can start by shopping (or window shopping) at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, then visit the amazing Milan Cathedral just steps away. And if you have time, you can check out the Castello Sforzesco, a castle that’s been through hundreds of years of destruction, construction, siege, and reconstruction.
While in Milan, consider taking a bus tour to help you see all of the sights. Not only will this bus tour take you to the sites we’ve recommended, but it’ll also highlight other noteworthy sites while giving you some fun facts about them.
To get from Florence to Milan, your best bet is to take a train. The high-speed train can get you to Milan in two hours. (For comparison, it takes four hours by car.)
Book Here: 1-2 day Hop On Hop Off Tickets
Best Florence Day Trips Over 2 Hours
Terme di Saturnia
Terme di Saturnia is a wonderful day trip from Florence. As one of the best natural hot springs in Tuscany, Terme di Saturnia hot springs are a must-see. The bubbling water seeps through our Earth’s crust in a stretch of land that extends from Mount Amita to Talamone. The waters of the Saturina hot springs are extremely rich in minerals. Just a fair warning though, because the waters contain a lot of sulfur, you might experience a slight “eggy” smell!
And it doesn’t matter what time of year you choose to visit Terme di Saturnia, the temperature will always be around 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (or 37.5 degrees Celsius). That means in the cold winters, this hot spring is the perfect place to go to warm up. Do know that Terme di Saturnia can get quite busy later on in the day, so if you want to have the hot springs to yourself for a little while, be sure to get there early in the morning.
The only way to reach Terme di Saturnia from Florence is by car. The drive is just under three hours, which means it’ll make a fantastic day trip from Florence.
Cinque Terre
There are so many things to do in Cinque Terre, making it the perfect day trip from Florence. It’s also the perfect place to go for a day of colorful buildings, beautiful beaches, and relaxation.
While in Cinque Terre, you can pick exactly what type of day you’d want to have. While you can soak in the sun on a beautiful beach, you can also have a blood-pumping experience hiking the Monterosso Footpath. On top of that, you can also wander around Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre or take a relaxing boat ride around Cinque Terre’s five cities. Basically, you won’t be disappointed by a day trip to Cinque Terre.
To get to Cinque Terre from Florence, you can drive for just over two hours, take a train for just under three hours, or take a tour that includes transportation.
Book Here: Florence Day Tour to Cinque Terre
Venice
Most people don’t realize that a day trip from Florence to Venice is completely possible! If you take the fastest train available, you can travel the 160 miles between the two cities in just under two hours. Then, you’ll be able to make the most of your one day in Venice.
If you have just one day in Venice, you’ll have to pick and choose from all of the amazing things to do in this one-of-a-kind city. Consider visiting St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, exploring the glass-making island of Murano, and taking a gondola ride. And you certainly can’t forget to take in the many bridges of this canal-filled city, including the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge, one of the most Instagram-worthy places in Venice.
There are many ways to get from Florence to Venice. The quickest way is to take a train, which, if you take the fastest one, can get you there in just under two hours. You can also drive from Florence to Venice, which takes about three hours. Lastly, you can take a tour from Florence to Venice with transportation included.
Book Here: Day Trip from Florence to Venice
Ravenna
Located in Northern Italy, Ravenna is an art lover’s paradise. Ravenna is most well-known for its beautiful historic mosaics and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
First, we’ll start with the mosaics. Both the Mausoleum of Galla Placida and the Basilica of San Vitale are must-see stops for mosaic fans. These two stops include irreplaceable, intricate art pieces from the fifth and sixth centuries. There are also dozens of mosaics found beneath the House of Stone Carpets, so that is quite a sight to see as well.
Then, there are the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. All of them are collectively covered by the title, “Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna.” These sites include the aforementioned Mausoleum of Galla Placida, the Basilica of San Vitale, the Neonian Baptistry, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, and more!
To get from Florence to Ravenna, it takes just over two hours by car or by train.
Book Here: Ravenna Guided Sightseeing Tour
Bagni di San Filippo
While Terme di Saturnia is a rather famous hot spring in Tuscany, the hot springs of Bagni di San Filippo are just as amazing. As a matter of fact, it may be one of the most memorable things to do in Italy.
The first pools you will find near the path just beyond the town of Bagni di San Filippo is shallow, and, consequently, don’t maintain heat for long periods of time. But, if you keep along the path, to the left, there are huge waterfalls and rocks composed of calcium and even more springs you can explore. This is often referred to as “White Whale” and is where the water of the hot springs meets the water of the river, giving it a white-blue color that is picturesque and unbelievable!
If you follow the path toward the right, you might find quite a few new pool areas that have been created by locals. Here you can enjoy pure water as it pours down from waterfalls in a protected area. Because there is no calcium nearby either, you can help avoid any scents that may distract you from your relaxation!
The only way to reach Bagni di San Filippo from Florence is by car. The drive is just over two hours, which means it’ll make a fantastic day trip from Florence.
As you can tell, there are so many amazing day trips from Florence. You can do just about anything you’d like, from sailing on the canals in Venice to sipping on exquisite wine in Chianti. So pick a couple of these fantastic Florence day trips and begin your adventure!
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