10 Best Things To Do In Tuscany: Find A Little Bit Of Everything In Tuscany - Updated 2024

10 Best Things To Do In Tuscany: Find A Little Bit Of Everything In Tuscany - Updated 2024
Gabriel
Gabriel 
Updated
| 5 min read

Italy is all about delicious food and fabulous wine. It offers a stunning landscape and fascinating history. It boasts beautiful architecture and pleasant weather. In no other place is this truer than in lovely Tuscany. Here is how to make your trip one to remember. Check out the best experiences and things to do in Tuscany.

ETIAS

Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for a good reason. Between da Vinci and Rome there is something for everyone to explore. Before heading to Italy you need to be aware of the country’s travel regulations. ETIAS visa for Italy will be implemented in 2021 alongside all the other countries within the Schengen Area. This will be introduced with the aim of making traveling safer. The ETIAS is a simple online application form that travelers will fill out and then receive confirmation electronically.

By receiving confirmation of the ETIAS it will be established that you meet the ETIAS requirements and as such you are eligible to visit Italy for short-term stays. The ETIAS is valid for three years. The ETIAS, alongside your valid passport, should then constitute your travel documentation. For an exhaustive list of travel rules and regulations, it is best to check the official sources online.

10 things to experience in Tuscany

1. Leaning Tower of Pisa (from USD 98.0)

It’s iconic and it’s a must. Climb the 300 steps and enjoy the spectacular view of Piazza Dei Miracoli. The Piazza is where the edifice is located and serves as the bell tower of the Cathedral of Pisa. It is the last component of a series of landmark buildings that turned the region into a popular tourist destination. With an original height of 60 meters (197 feet), it now stands at 56.67 meters (186 feet) on the higher side and 55.86 meters (183 feet) on the lower end. Through advanced engineering, the leaning action has stopped and was straightened at a safe angle, about 4 degrees from the perpendicular.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy

Website: Leaning Tower of Pisa

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

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Skip-the-line Leaning Tower of Pisa Guided Small-Group Tour

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

43 reviews

2. Thermal springs in Saturnia

Saturnia Hot spring
Source: Pixabay

This is a magical sight that is as soothing as it is beautiful. The huge thermal hot springs contain adequate amounts of sulfur in the waters that run through it. The healing effects of the waters are commonly sought by people suffering from various skin diseases, arthritis, throat, and nasal infections. The hot springs have waters that warm to 37 degrees Celsius (98 degrees Fahrenheit). This site is one of the reasons why visitors love going to Saturnia. Others come over just to relax and have fun with their families and friends. This is surely a refreshing way to spend a vacation in Tuscany.

Thermal springs in Saturnia

Address: Via Della Follonata, 58014 Saturnia GR, Italy

Website: Thermal springs in Saturnia

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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Tuscany Tour Guide

Sara Pallabazzer

Sara Pallabazzer

I am a lively well-spoken tour guide and tour leader from Florence, and a person who has the ability to motivate different sets of audience; to communicate effectively and possesses a high degree of energy and enthusiasm.I am able to manage multiple tasks, self-motivated team player with excellent communication skills. I am proficient in Italian, English and Norwegian and possess a strong love for art and culture and enjoy passing on this passion for our land to my guests in an exciting and educational manner which will leave them not only with a lasting memory of the country that they have visited but also of myself and the company I am working for.Come with me and explore the best Florence has to offer. From world class museums and galleries to famous sites such as Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and the Palazzo Vecchio! I will ensure guests get the most out of their visit. I can show off Florence and Tuscany's hidden treasures such as narrow medieval street, hidden gardens, unique shops, and the quirky details that make a tour memorable while discovering Florence's past, present and future.I am very adaptable and flexible with guests' interests and taking into account any special events or the weather. With me as a private guide, guests will have the time to fully experience Florence - stopping to take the perfect photo or popping into one of the shops, cafes or pubs.I am also an enthusiastic well-spoken language teacher who has the ability to motivate different student ranges and a freelance translator for English and Scandinavian languages! I have a great passion for art and cooking, and consider cooking to be a high art form, so I suggest how to pair food and wine, while also looking for the right setting, as eating should be an all-around experience. I love cooking and make my own pasta, bread and pizza!

Tours by Sara

Tuscany Tour Guide

Joanna

Joanna

Hello, my name is Joanna. I was born and raised in Poland but then I fell hopelessly in love with Tuscany and have been living in Florence for 20 years. Wisely enough, I decided to turn my passion into work and became a tour guide. Now I can share with you my immense love for the beauty, history and art of these enchanted places. I am particularly passionate about the Middle Ages, history, sculpture, nature and sports. In my spare time, I travel, read, go to concerts, play sports and do a lot of hiking. I work mainly in Florence and Siena but I love going to Lucca, less known Tuscan beauty and Pisa. I can also organize a food tour, a wine tasting or a day trip in Tuscany.

Tours by Joanna

3. Vespa Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Il corner Vespa Club d'Italia del Museo Piaggio si arricchisce! Ecco la parete ricoperta di stickers provenienti da tutti i Vespa Club del Mondo! ?

Posted by Museo Piaggio on Sunday, April 18, 2021

This is a bit out of the ordinary when it comes to museums perhaps but nonetheless a fun experience. The Museo Piaggio is home to an extensive exhibit of one of Italy’s prominent vehicles, the Vespa scooter. This place is more popularly called the Vespa Museum. Museo Piaggio showcases exhibits about the history of the company that manufactures Vespa. The exhibit area displays about 100 Vespa scooters and is located in the original tool room of the factory. All classic models are included with the Dali, Siluro, and Monthlery drawing the most attention and interest from guests. This is one iconic experience you should not miss.

Vespa Museum

Address: Viale Rinaldo Piaggio, 7, 56025 Pontedera PI, Italy

Website: Vespa Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

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4. Olive oil

New oil and old oil
Source: Photo by Flickr user Gabriele Cantini used under CC BY 2.0

Enjoy a tasting of the elixir of life and learn about its origin as well as the different vintages. Tuscan olive oil stands among the best in the world. A combination of ideal climate, rich land, and skilled farmers are what contribute to producing top-quality olive oil. This has become Italy’s most prized food export and the Tuscan region is at the forefront of it all. Relying on the old way of preparing olive oil, Tuscan producers cold press the olives to extract the oil at its purest. These olives are picked from the groves and washed. These are milled using large millstones when the ambient temperature does not go over 18 degrees Celsius (64.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

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5. Hot air balloon ride (from USD 295.0)

This panorama viewing of vineyards in Tuscany is a truly unique experience. Going on a hot air balloon ride allows you to experience a magical flight. The scenery includes endless miles of grape vineyards and olive groves. The Chianti Hills are always a sight to behold from high above. Ancient and historic villages are also easily visible from the balloon. You will get to the chance to see some of the iconic cities of Tuscany, including Florence. When the weather permits, a hot air balloon is the best way to see the region. It is best to have your camera charged and loaded as this experience will take you on a wild ride you’ll surely want to capture.

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Tuscany Hot Air Balloon Flight

Duration: 3 hours

155 reviews

6. Michelangelo's David

'David' by Michelangelo JBU14
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jörg Bittner Unna used under CC BY 3.0

One of the world’s masterpieces may be found at the Galleria dell’Accademia and it is one of the Master’s most notable works. David, by Michelangelo is one of the revered works of art from the Renaissance period. The sculpture of David, a biblical hero holding a fustibal, stands 5.17 meters (17 feet) high. David is one of the favorite subjects in Florentine art, as evidenced by the size of the sculpture. It is also the very first time a nude sculpture of that size was ever made during that period. To this day, it remains a wonder how a single man was able to craft such a huge structure during the Renaissance.

Michelangelo's David

Address: Galleria dell'Accademia, Via Ricasoli, 60, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Website: Michelangelo’s David

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 8:15am - 6:50pm (closed on Mon)

Tip from tour guide

Joanna

Joanna
Tuscany

Michelangelo's David at Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze

Photo of Michelangelo's David at Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze shared by Florence tour guide, Joanna.

Tip from tour guide

Joanna

Joanna
Tuscany

Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze
Aside from the famous David sculpture, there are many other masterpieces to unveil at Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze. Check out the very impressive Gypsoteca area, which has many works by Lorenzo Bartolini. He was an amazing marble sculptor who created many busts, statues, and tombs of famous people.
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7. Truffle hunt (from USD 203.0)

In San Miniato, it is possible to go on a treasure hunt as well as learn the best way to get the maximum taste experience from this exclusive produce. Tuscany is blessed to have two places where these nuggets are found. The first is San Miniato which is perfect for hunting truffles. Families are known to host these hunting expeditions with the help of dogs. Another place is San Giovanni d’Asso. The Siena landscape is perfect for hunting the rarer white truffle. The fungus is so revered that a festival is held in its honor during mid-November. So get ready for a hunting expedition like no other.

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Truffle Hunting Experience with Lunch in San Miniato

Duration: 3 hours

335 reviews

8. Walk around Florence

Italy - Florence - view from Piazzale Michelangelo
Source: Photo by Flickr user Harshil Shah used under CC BY-ND 2.0

A walking tour is often an underappreciated way of exploring a city which is a shame. By walking you will get to see parts of a city that might not be revealed otherwise. A little planning is involved as you need to identify Florence’s places of interest that you would like to visit. Because Florence is a small city, you get to see all of its interesting destinations in a day or two. Not to be missed are San Miniato, Piazzale Michelangelo, the Oltrarno, and the Centro Storico. Along the way, you have the chance to see other interesting places that are not listed on websites and brochures. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water during your walks.

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9. Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio by night
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Petar Milošević used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Home to one of the most infamous families in Italy, the Medicci’s, Palazzo Vecchio is a true architectural masterpiece. This is Florence’s town hall which provides a beautiful view of Piazza Della Signoria, where a replica of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, can be found. Built for the Priors, the original building was constructed by the famed architect, Arnolfo di Cambio. Several sculptures done by masters are displayed out front. Among its most photographed areas is the front door where a figure of Christ stands between two lions. Several important additions and renovations were done during the 1400s and the 1500s. The interior courtyard is now a favorite venue for exhibits.

Palazzo Vecchio

Address: Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Website: Palazzo Vecchio

Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 9am - 10pm; Thu: 9am - 2pm

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10. The secret Boboli Gardens

Boboli Gardens
Source: Photo by Flickr user Colby Blaisdell used under CC BY 2.0

16th- to 18th-century sculptures create the backdrop of this experience and they are surrounded by stunningly beautiful nature. The Boboli Gardens is one of the awe-inspiring places to see in Tuscany. The perfect mix of art and nature make this place a haven. Visitors troop to this open museum that shows the artistic culture of Florence. Oak trees that have lasted for centuries and fountains provide a cooling effect from the sweltering sun. The greenery is simply stunning and should not be missed by visitors to the city. It inspired many other garden architecture structures throughout Europe, including the famous Versailles.

The secret Boboli Gardens

Address: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening hours: 8:15am – 6:30pm (daily)

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Travel to Italy and discover Tuscany

Good Morning Tuscany
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Thomas Fabian used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Tuscany is a wonderful destination filled to the brim with exciting experiences. The suggestions made here are a great way for you to start exploring this amazing area. Add to the list based on your own interests and make sure that you sample the local cuisine as well. Bel viaggio!

This article is sponsored by ETIAS.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Introducing Gabriel, affectionately known as Gabby, a dedicated enthusiast of writing, travel, and gastronomy. With these three passions as guiding stars, life takes on new heights of fulfillment....Read more

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