San Gimignano

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San Gimignano
No. 17 of Best Things to Do in Tuscany

San Gimignano

6.6
4.5/5
53 reviews
San Gimignano is a medieval hill town. The ancient pilgrimage route to Rome once passed through the city, and caravans and pilgrims brought prosperity to its trade. Local families accumulated great wealth through saffron and wine, and they took their rivalry to the skies—nobles competed to build towers. At its peak, there were over 70 stone towers in the city. Today, more than 10 still stand among the red-tiled roofs. Such a cluster of towers is hard to find elsewhere in Tuscany, which is why people call this small town the "medieval Manhattan." The old town is completely enclosed by 13th-century walls and gates. Entering through Porta San Giovanni, the cobblestone Via San Giovanni is lined with stone mansions and small shops. As you walk gently uphill, it leads to two core squares: the triangular Piazza della Cisterna, centered around an ancient well, where towers and medieval houses create a quiet atmosphere; and the adjacent Piazza Duomo, where you can climb the Torre Grossa, which stands about 54m tall next to the town hall. Standing on the observation deck at the top, you can take in the entire cluster of towers, red-tiled roofs, and the rolling vineyards and olive groves outside the city. The cathedral by the square is easily overlooked, but the interior is filled with medieval biblical frescoes and is worth a closer look. The entire old town can be traversed on foot, making it suitable for a half-day excursion when traveling round-trip between Florence and Siena. If you want to take panoramic photos of the tower cluster, you can walk to the slopes outside the city walls and look back at the ancient city. The local white wine, Vernaccia, has been famous since the Middle Ages, and using saffron in cooking is also a long-standing local tradition.San Gimignano · 47m from downtown
Siena Cathedral
No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Siena Cathedral

7.9
4.7/5
143 reviews
Located in the historical, artistic and cultural center of Siena, the Cathedral is an example of Italian Roman and Gothic churches. As one of the largest churches in Italy, Siena Cathedral is still a church that is not fully completed according to its design. The marble floor in the church depicts history and biblical stories. These 56 floors were completed by many artists. The earliest sculpture was made of white carved marble filled with black stucco. The precious floor is only in Exhibited at certain times of the year. The exterior walls of the building are dominated by stripes of white and dark green marble, and the front is decorated with ornate façade statues, but most of these are replicas, and the originals are kept in the Opera Museum in the cathedral. The stained-glass windows in the cathedral are also very beautiful, but the important one from Duccio di Bonissegna is now in the Opera Museum. The Piccolomini Family Library (Libreria Piccolomini) is another highlight in the cathedral, with a series of frescoes depicting Piccolomini's life, which is very impressive. Next to the library is the Baptistery of St. John (BattisterodiSanGiovanni). The frescoed crypt (Cripta), located below the pulpit, was not discovered until 1999. Cathedral Opera Museum The Cathedral Opera Museum (Museodell'Opera) is one of the earliest private museums in Italy. The location of this church should be the original design of the nave corridor, but because it was not completed, a wall was built into a museum. Many original works of art in the cathedral are collected in the museum, and from here, you can climb the 131 stairs to reach the half-built vertical wall (Panoramadal Facciatone) to enjoy the panoramic view of the whole cathedral. Church masterpieces Some masterpieces in the cathedral: P. Lorenzetti (PietroLorenzetti): "Birthof the Virgin" (Birthof the Virgin), Duccio di Buoninsegna (Ducciodi Buoninsegna): "Sacred Cathedral of Siena" "(Maestà del Duomo di Siena), Donatello (Donatello): "Madonna of Forgiveness", are stored in the Cathedral Opera Museum.Siena · 28.5km from San Gimignano
Gallery of the Academy of Florence
2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

9.5
4.5/5
565 reviews
The Gallery of the Academy of Florence was established in 1784 by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of Tuscany through the reorganization of Florence's art education institutions. It is located on the former sites of the San Matteo Hospital and the San Niccolò Monastery, with its origins tracing back to the Academy of Drawing Arts founded by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1563. The gallery's collection initially served as a teaching resource for students to copy original works. In 1873, to protect Michelangelo's David from exposure to the elements in Piazza della Signoria, the statue was secured on a wooden cart and transported through the center of Florence to the gallery. As the dedicated exhibition hall was not yet completed, it remained sealed in a wooden crate for nine years until the Tribune of David, designed by architect Emilio De Fabris, was finished and opened to the public. Today, David stands bathed in natural light from the skylight above, drawing countless visitors who come specifically to see it. The museum also displays a concentrated collection of Michelangelo's four unfinished sculptures, "The Prisoners," originally carved for Pope Julius II's tomb, along with the equally incomplete "St. Matthew." The human figures appear to be breaking free from the rough stone, offering a direct experience of his "unfinished" sculptural language. At the center of the Hall of the Colossus near the entrance stands Giambologna's full-scale terracotta model for the marble group "The Rape of the Sabine Women," created for the Loggia dei Lanzi. Surrounding it are 15th- to 16th-century Florentine paintings by Botticelli, Perugino, Filippino Lippi, and others. The 19th-century hall, originally a women's hospital ward, now replicates the studio of Lorenzo Bartolini, displaying plaster models. The museum also houses a musical instruments section, featuring a Stradivari viola and cello once owned by the Medici family, as well as early keyboard instruments made by Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor of the piano. The visitor route extends from the Hall of the Colossus at the entrance to the Hall of David at the end. Most travelers turn back to the exit after seeing "David," leaving the painting galleries and the musical instrument department on both sides with sparse crowds, making them great places for quiet art viewing. The museum is not large and has a clear layout. Long queues at the entrance are common during the peak season, but the painting galleries and musical instrument exhibition areas are less crowded and worth visiting as well.Florence · 38.5km from San Gimignano
Historic Center of Siena
No. 16 of Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Historic Center of Siena

6.7
4.5/5
127 reviews
Historic Center of Siena sits at the intersection of three hills. In the Middle Ages, it became a pivotal city in Italy thanks to banking and trade, and it long rivaled neighboring Florence. This competitive spirit is etched into the city's bones—while its rival embraced the Renaissance, the people of Siena insisted on continuing the Gothic ideal, allowing the old town's medieval character to be preserved almost exactly as it was. The architecture of the old town is highly uniform, with ochre-red brick walls set against distant grey-green hills. Narrow alleys rise and fall with the terrain, and Gothic arcades and ancient fountains at street corners form a continuous landscape. The heart of the city is the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, where the brick paving is divided into nine sections that slope gently toward the town hall. The Palio horse race is held twice every summer on this slope, with riders representing their respective districts racing around the track, a city tradition that has continued for hundreds of years. You can climb the town hall and the towering Torre del Mangia next to the square to overlook the layers of red roofs and the Tuscan countryside. The Fonte Gaia by the square is a public water source passed down from the Middle Ages. Continuing up the slope, you will find the Siena Cathedral, where the black and white marble stripes are taken from the city's coat of arms, and the magnificent facade and striped columns are unforgettable. The Great Plague in the mid-14th century brought the ambitious expansion project to an abrupt halt, and the remaining unfinished facade has instead become a unique footnote to this ancient city.Siena · 28.5km from San Gimignano
Giotto's Bell Tower
No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Giotto's Bell Tower

7.8
4.6/5
321 reviews
Giotto's Bell Tower is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, standing close to one side of the cathedral. Together with the cathedral's facade and the octagonal baptistery, it forms the Piazza del Duomo. Designed by the painter Giotto, construction began in 1334. At the time of his death, only the ground floor was completed. The work was subsequently continued by Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti, and the tower was completed in 1359. The tower features Florentine Gothic style with a square plan and stands approx. 85 m tall. Its exterior walls are adorned with geometric patterns in white, red, and green marble, color-coordinated with the cathedral's facade. The tower body is divided into 5 layers: the bottom layer is a closed structure without windows, decorated with relief panels on all sides depicting the origins of humanity and various crafts such as farming, weaving, astronomy, and medicine, like an illustrated encyclopedia carved in stone; the niches in the upper layer contain white marble statues of prophets and sibyls, with all currently seen being replicas; the several layers above were added later and feature large window openings. The bell tower has no elevator, and reaching the top requires climbing over 400 steps. The staircase is narrow, and during peak times, you can only move slowly, so it's advisable to assess your physical condition. However, once you stand on the tower's top platform, you'll have a panoramic view of Florence's old town with its red-tiled roofs and a close-up look at the cathedral's iconic red dome. This spot also offers a rare angle for an overhead shot of the cathedral's full view.Florence · 38km from San Gimignano

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Featured Culture & history in San Gimignano

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Florence: S. Gimignano, Siena, Chianti Wine Tasting & Lunch
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4.7/5
· 1.1k reviews
Duration: 11 hrs
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Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano with Lunch & Wine Tasting at a Winery
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4.6/5
· 5.2k reviews· 26 booked
Duration: 12 hrs
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Private Tour in San Gimignano
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5.0/5
· 20 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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Tuscany: Monteriggioni + Siena + San Gimignano [Florence departure with lunch]
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Duration: 8.3 hrs
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Tuscany Small Group Tour: Siena & San Gimignano with Winery Lunch
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4.9/5
· 1.2k reviews
Duration: 10 hrs
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From Florence: Chianti Wine Tour with 2 Wine Tastings
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4.4/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 5.5 hrs
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From£ 40.81

Featured Food & drink in San Gimignano

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Tuscany Experience: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Wine Tasting
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4.7/5
· 638 reviews· 79 booked
Duration: 690 mins
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92.6% of travelers recommend
From£ 44.27
From Florence: Chianti Wine Experience with Tastings & Views
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4.3/5
· 647 reviews
Duration: 330 mins
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Private Tuscan meal with Wine and EVO oil tasting
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4.8/5
· 21 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
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5 Wine Tastings in San Gimignano
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4.9/5
· 10 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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From Florence: 1-day tour to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano (with lunch)
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3-hour Tuscan Cooking Class with Wine & Oil Tasting
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4.6/5
· 14 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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Featured Spa & wellness in San Gimignano

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Saturnia: Terme di Saturnia Hot Spring Pools Park Day Ticket
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4.5/5
· 39 reviews
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Calidario Terme Etrusche: Natural Spring 3h + Express Mask
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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Chianciano Terme: Theia Thermal Pools Entrance Ticket
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4.6/5
· 22 reviews
Duration: 10 hrs
English
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All For You Admission to Terme di Saturnia
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Florence: Relax Pass for Asmana Wellness World Spa & Drink
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Montecatini Terme Thermal Pool Entrance Ticket
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3.8/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 1 hr
Italian
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Florence: Asmana Spa, Frescobaldi Wine Tasting & Transfer
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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Chianciano Terme: Sensory Spa Admission Ticket
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5.0/5
· 1 review
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What travellers say about San Gimignano

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sculptor14 February 2021
4.0
The ancient city of San Gimignano is an Italian hill town southwest of Florence. Its old town, surrounded by 13th-century walls, is renowned for its medieval architecture, unique in that about a dozen tower houses have been preserved. Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, outstanding examples of secular buildings and churches.

San Gimignano

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Dreamer200227 October 2026
5.0
⛪ Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence 🇮🇹 — A Renaissance Wonder! ✨Visiting Florence’s magnificent cathedral, also known as the Duomo, was an unforgettable experience! ❤️ Its breathtaking marble façade, intricate details, and iconic red dome make it one of Italy’s most beautiful architectural masterpieces. 🏛️😍What impressed me most was Brunelleschi’s extraordinary dome, an engineering achievement that still inspires admiration centuries later. The atmosphere of Piazza del Duomo is equally magical, especially in the early morning. 🌅📸💡 Travel tip: Cathedral entry is free, but climbing the 463 steps to the dome requires a paid reservation. The panoramic views over Florence are absolutely spectacular! 🏙️❤️ A must-see destination where art, history, and Renaissance architecture come together beautifully!#Florence #SantaMariaDelFiore #DuomoDiFirenze #ItalyTravel

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

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Blessed by God28 September 2022
5.0
such a lovely place, the duomo or cathedral is very big that I cannot take a picture of the whole cathedral. Even if I have seen it several times I always love to visit and see it again and again.

Piazza del Duomo

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_We***6030 October 2026
5.0
Eva's explanations were witty, humorous, and easy to understand. She's an expert in Western art history, and none of my questions were stumped. We had a very pleasant and successful afternoon. The Uffizi is definitely worth visiting! Florence is so beautiful.

Uffizi Gallery

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Reddineyeo11 September 2026
5.0
An absolute fairy-tale experience — great value booking with Trip!Booking our Siena Cathedral + OPA SI Pass through Trip was fantastic and offered a much better deal than purchasing tickets separately.A key tip: make sure to collect your physical ticket before heading in. Once you have it, you get fast-track access with little to no queue, so we walked straight through the entrance ,such a huge bonus!The pass also gives you access to the Museo dell’Opera and the Facciatone. My top recommendation is to head straight upstairs to the Facciatone queue first. You can expect about a 30-minute wait to go up, but it is 100% worth it. Climbing the narrow spiral staircase leads to the most magnificent panoramic views over Siena that truly took my breath away.Another handy tip: download Rick Steves’ free Siena audio walking tour podcast beforehand! It provides rich historical context while you wander around without paying for an expensive guide.Siena is stunning, and we will be coming back!

Siena Cathedral

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Anonymous user24 October 2026
4.0
It is worth a visit if you want to see David and you are into Christianity painting, sculpture and stuffs

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

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蓝篮~4 April 2026
5.0
It's worth a visit. Although I don't know much about Florence, I just wanted to check it off my list and get a feel for it. I recommend splitting your time between visiting the Pitt Palace and the Uffizi Gallery. You can go to the Pitt Palace around 8 am and spend most of the day exploring it at your own pace. Because of time constraints, we didn't get to see much of the Boboli Gardens. Our accommodation near the train station was quite convenient. This was my second time in Florence, and I'd probably come back for a third time if I had the chance.

Pitti Palace

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fooler080919 October 2020
5.0
It is exactly the same as I imagined, a medieval old town with a sense of vicissitudes. The main color of the buildings is yellow, and the color of the cathedral looks very alternative. It is very convenient to come here from Florence.

Historic Center of Siena

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Nath117620 September 2026
4.0
You certainly need to be reasonably fit to manage the steps to the top of the tower, walked past quite a few people struggling for breathe 🤣 At the moment there is scaffolding around the tower which does impact some of the views but still worth a visit. The ticket also gives you access to the museum, cathedral and the baptistery so provided good value for money and a good way to spend a few hours

Giotto's Bell Tower

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What are the must-do things in San Gimignano?

Don't miss these attractions in San Gimignano: San Gimignano, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and Piazza del Duomo. If you like Culture & history, try Florence: S. Gimignano, Siena, Chianti Wine Tasting & Lunch. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Tuscany Experience: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Wine Tasting.

You can give Tuscany Experience: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Wine Tasting and From Florence: Chianti Wine Experience with Tastings & Views a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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