There are so many cities to visit close to Florence that aren’t worth staying overnight. This is why I did this perfect day trip from Florence. This way, I was able to explore more of the Tuscany region while having a fixed home for a couple of days.
This itinerary is also possible if you are staying in Vinci. This is where my Airbnb was at. It was the same distance as Florence, that’s what made this day possible!
PS: You need to rent a car to be able to do this day trip. Bonus point is that you will see some incredible views while driving!!
Pisa
Your first stop is Pisa. You want to get there early, so there aren’t too many tourists. The main reason for your stop in this city is the Tower of Pisa. It should take you 1 hour to walk in the cobbled streets of Pisa and admire the leaning tower.
- Don’t forget to bring a hat. There are not many shadows to hide from the sun. It can get very hot in the summer.
- Take some clichés pictures!!
From Florence to Pisa, it should take about 1h15 (79 km).
San Gimignano
Your second stop is San Gimignano. It’s a medieval city that is fortified by medieval walls. The city is known for its architecture. It should take you 2 hours to explore the inside of the medieval walls.
You need to try the gelato at Gelateria Dondoli. They were the Gelato World Champion in 2006/2007 – 2008/2009 & Tuscany Best Gelato in 2015.
From Pisa to San Gimignano, it should take about 1h15 (70 km).
Siena
Your third and final stop is Siena. It is also a medieval city, but a lot more known than San Gimignano. I spent an afternoon there (4 hours). It was enough to visit the Fontebranda (medieval fountain), Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico (a church), Siena Cathedral and walk in the beautiful center of the city full of cobbled streets.
From San Gimignano to Siena, it should take about 40 minutes (35 km).
From Siena back to Florence, it should take about 1h (78 km).
In total, you will spend 5 hours in the car. It may seem like a lot, but don’t forget you will be exploring 3 towns, so the time on the road is split during the day. + You will visit 3 extremely cool cities in the Tuscany region.
