Looking for the best day trips from Florence?

From charming medieval hilltop towns and rolling hills, to coastal escapes and vibrant cities, this guide has you covered!

Updated November 2023

The stunning Renaissance city of Florence is a dream to discover slowly. Yet whilst we could easily dedicate weeks to its art, its history and its culture, we appreciate that many who visit Italy do so on shorter trips, wishing to maximise their time and cover as much ground as possible.

For this sort of trip, Florence is ideally located.

Less than an hour’s drive will bring you to many of Tuscany’s most famous treasures, whilst the high-speed train that leave from the city centre connects to several of Italy’s most beautiful and sought after cities and coastal destinations.

In this guide you’ll find a personal pick of our favourite day trips from Florence, including all the information you need to reach them independently, alongside our recommendations for the best tours.

step back in time in Siena

Stepping foot in Siena is like taking a step back in time.

A powerhouse to rival the great cities of Europe before the Black Plague’s kiss of death in the 14th century, Siena is home to a wealth of medieval history, art, and culture; for many, it’s the embodiment of a medieval city.

Composed of copper-red brick, soft-pink marble, Gothic-grey cobbles and icons draped in gold, it winds its way up on a pilgrimage to the gorgeous crescendo of its Humbug-striped Duomo - a Cathedral to rival any in Italy for beauty and intricate craft.

That this glorious Sienese skyline has changed so little in the last 600 years or so is remarkable but, come summertime, it serves merely as the backdrop for the song and dance of a thousand small birds.

A popular day trip from it longtime rival - nearby Florence - Tuscany’s compact ‘second city’ is certainly more than deserving of a few slow nights on its own merits, but the highlights can be discovered in a full-day’s sightseeing.

Here are some of the things you shouldn’t miss:

Piazza del Campo (maps) | This piazza is the centre of Siena life with restaurants, shops, and bars lining the shell-shaped square. On any given day you’ll find tourists trying to capture the city’s beauty, and locals going about their business or enjoying some downtime. In the middle of the square sits the Fonte Gaia, designed by Jacopo della Quercia.

Torre del Mangia (maps) | Forming part of the piazza, this tower offers the chance to view Siena from a different vantage point - if you’re prepared to walk the 400 steps to reach it! Your ticket will allow 30 minutes of viewing time, and we recommend getting your ticket as soon as you arrive to ensure you can secure a slot at a good time.

Duomo di Siena (maps) | Whilst Forence’s Duomo is undeniably beautiful, Siena’s provide some stiff competition, with a marble facade designed by Giovanni Pisano, frescoes by Pinturicchio and sculptures from Michelangelo, Donatello and Bernini. Unmissable!

Santa Maria della Scala (maps) | The oldest hospital in Europe now operates as a museum bringing together frescoes, relics and art collections from Tuscany’s past.

Read our guide to Siena for lots more inspiration + information.

Do it independently

Siena is 51 km south of Florence and very easy to reach with public transport.

There are hourly direct trains to Siena from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station (maps). The journey time is around 1.5 hours, and a single ticket costs €9.80. Please be aware that Siena train station is located in the new part of the city (here on Google Maps), around a 20 minute walk into the historic centre.

Alternatively, you could hop on Bus 131R which departs from Florence’s bus station. Taking 80 minutes, it is a little quicker than the train, but just be sure to catch the rapida bus and not the ordinaria, which takes a bit longer. You can check the bus timetable here.

As the entire of Siena’s centro storico is designated a ZTL (zona a traffico limitato), visiting by car - whilst possible, and offering up a very scenic drive - is not advisable. If visiting on a road trip or requiring a car for other reasons, you’ll need to park outside the old city walls and walk in.

You can find full details on how to reach Siena from Florence in this guide - ‘How to Travel From Florence to Siena | The Four Routes’.

Take a tour

Whilst getting to Siena with public transport is relatively straightforward, if you’d prefer to visit with a tour - especially if you’d like to cover a lot of ground, get deeper into the city’s layers of history and visit more than one popular place within the nearby Tuscan countryside - then there are a number of excellent options available from Florence:

Siena & San Gimignano | Get a taste of the Tuscan countryside on this full-day tour from Florence which includes a guided walking tour of Siena, a chance to explore the medieval hill town of San Gimignano and lunch at a family-owned winery, paired with local wines. Find out more here.

Siena, San Gimignano, & Monteriggioni Day Tour | This incredibly popular full-day tour (it has thousands of excellent reviews), covers a similar itinerary as above but instead of the lunch, there’s a wine tasting. It’s also longer allowing extra time to explore Siena and San Gimignano. Find out more here.

Tuscany Day Trip | Our final highly-rated tour recommendation includes a guided tour of Siena, free time in San Gimignano, a chance to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, lunch and a wine tasting in the Chianti Hills.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to make your own way to Siena and then join a guided tour of the highlights to maximise your time, we can recommend this one - it includes a two-hour walking tour and skip-the-line Duomo tickets.

Plan // 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Siena

find the view in Fiesole

On the hills five miles northeast of Florence, there sits an idyllic hilltop village by the name of Fiesole. Spanning the centuries, it has passed between Etrucsceans, the Romans and finally the Florentines, becoming a home for the city’s elite in the 14th century.

It is where Leonardo da Vinci tested his theory of flight, the setting for Boccaccio's Decameron, and the place from which Milton and Galileo surveyed the stars.

Importantly, for visitors craving a respite from the busy streets and city life, the Renaissance style village also offers up a spectacular and sweeping view of the area below; lush rolling hills, red roofs atop white-washed buildings, rows and rows of cypress trees and finally, the beautiful Florence herself.

The best view can be found here, from the Convent San Francesco (be sure to pop inside to see the art collections from Egypt, China and Florence), and history buffs shouldn’t miss the Etruscan-Roman Archeological Area (maps) which houses the remains of the ancient Etruscan town walls, a Roman Theatre and a temple.

Do it independently

Fiesole is super close and can be reached by bus in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect day trip from Florence! Take Bus Route 7 from Santa Maria Novella train station (the stop is called ‘Stazione Nazionale – Largo F.lli Alinari’) or San Marco Square. Tickets cost €1.50 each way and can be bought onboard or in advance.

Alternatively, if you have a car, it’s an easy 25 minute drive. There’s plenty of parking in the archeological area here and in the Piazza del Mercato here.

If you don’t mind a little exercise, it’s also possible to walk to Fiesole. It should take a relatively fit person around 1.5 hours from the centre of Florence - begin along Via Boccaccio and follow the panoramic Via Vecchia Fiesolana to Fiesole. It’s a well established hiking trail, rather than going along a highway!

Take a tour

If you are looking for a more unique way to explore Fiesole, consider joining this guided tour on a Vespa which begins with a quick jaunt around the best sites in Florence, heading out to the countryside for a tour of Fiesole. Find out more here.

Alternatively, this four-hour e-bike tour, covers everything you need to see in Fiesole (alongside a farm visit) and is led by a very well-informed guide. The only downside is that you will still need to travel to Fiesole independently in order to begin it.

Take in the tower of Pisa

Home to perhaps the world’s most famous tower, Pisa really needs no introduction.

And whilst you could happily spend a few days in this surprisingly pretty city, its relatively close proximity to Florence and the fact that its most famous treasures can be found in one outstandingly beautiful square - the Campo Dei Miracoli - make Pisa an excellent day trip option.

If visiting independently, be sure to set off nice and early to enjoy views of the tower before the crowds arrive and then take your time to explore the spectacular Duomo, the Battistero di San Giovanni and the Camposanto Monumentale.

Do note that there is a slightly complicated ticketing process to access each of these monuments - you can find full details on how to book and prices here, or alternatively book your skip-the-line tickets here.

We’ve written several guides to the city, including this comprehensive post on visiting the Leaning Tower, alongside the best things to do in the Pisa, so we highly recommend checking them out before planning your visit.

Do it independently

Pisa is just over an hour’s drive from Florence but like most Italian cities, it's a no-car zone in many central streets. If you are driving in, we recommend parking in Via Pietrasantina (maps) and taking the commuter bus to the Campo dei Miracoli. Parking is free and the bus costs just €1 per person.

Travelling by train is likely the better option, with multiple departures every hour (varying from 50 minutes in duration to 2.5 hours so confirm before purchasing) from Santa Maria Novella Station. Tickets cost €9.30 each way.

Take a Tour

Our recommendation for the best Florence to Pisa tour is this popular six-hour option, which includes round-trip transport, a guided tour of Pisa and Campo dei Miracoli as well as tickets into the Duomo and the Leaning Tower. Find out more here.

If you don’t want to climb the tower, consider this well-this well-rated shorter tour instead.

Alternatively, if you’d like to combine Pisa with other popular destination in Tuscany, consider the doing this Tuscany Day Trip. This tour packs a lot in, but is an option for those with limited time in this part of Italy. It includes a guided tour of Siena, free time in San Gimignano, a chance to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa, lunch and a wine tasting in the Chianti Hills. Find out more here.

If you’re happy to make your own way to Pisa but would like to join a tour of the city and the Campo dei Miracoli once you arrive, this is the one to book!

Head to The Hilltop town of San Gimignano

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, the walled medieval town of San Gimignano offers much of what makes Tuscany so special in one perfect little photogenic parcel.

Known as the ‘Manhattan of the Middle Ages’ for its many red-brick medieval towers (thirteen of which remain today), its hilltop location offers far-reaching views of lush valleys, cypress trees and verdant vineyards and its historic streets a labyrinth of hidden churches and quintessential Tuscan charm.

Its compact nature also makes San Gimignano an day trip from Florence - both as a slow travel experience by itself, or in combination with some of the other beautiful little villages nearby.

Visiting doesn’t require a strict itinerary, but some of the sights not to miss include:

Via San Matteo (maps) | Take a stroll up this narrow but busy street for all the best shopping. You’ll find great leather goods, souvenirs, and local produce.

Piazza del Duomo (maps) | Lined with the towers for which San Gimignano is famous, Torre Grossa is the only one open to the general public. At 54 metres high it offers fantastic views over the Tuscan countryside, but be warned, the steep 218 steps are not easy.

Explore the markets | A perfect introduction to Italian life, if you time your visit well be sure to make a beeline to the local markets: Thursday is primarily a craft market with local artisans and food vendors while Saturday is for local fresh produce.

Do not skip the Duomo (maps) | Often overlooked by tourists, from the outside, Duomo Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta is a fairly modest affair. Step through the door however and you will be confronted by an incredible display of the most perfectly preserved frescoes, dating all the way back to the 1300s - and as bright as they were the day they were painted.

Do it independently

The easiest way to reach San Gimignano is by car, with a journey time of around an hour. You cannot park within the historic centre, but there are multiple small car parks outside of the walls. We recommend heading here.

To get to San Gimignano by public transport, you’ll need to make take the bus or train heading in the direction of Siena (see the Siena section for further details of this), and change at Poggibonsi to Bus 130 direct to San Gimignano.

There are regular connections between Florence and Poggibonsi, and frequent buses between Poggibonsi and San Gimignano, with a journey time of around 20 minutes.

Take a tour

While no tour just focuses on San Gimignano, there are some really popular tours from Florence which combine this destination with other popular places in Tuscany:

San Gimignano & Volterra Day Trip with Food & Wine | Spend the morning in San Gimignano with a wine tasting before driving to a local winery for lunch and ending the day in Volterra. It’s limited to just 4 people so you’ll have plenty of time to see the sites you want. Find out more here.

Siena, San Gimignano & Chianti Day Trip with Lunch | This full-day tour gives you the freedom to explore Siena and San Gimignano as you see fit with the option of joining a guided tour. Also includes a traditional Tuscan lunch in the Chianti Hills with wine pairing. Find out more here.

Siena, San Gimignano, & Monteriggioni Day Tour | With this super popular tour you get around 8 hours to explore all three areas. Siena is guided, but in San Gimignano, you are free to explore as you see fit. Also includes a Chianti wine tasting! Find our more here.

Siena, Pisa & San Gimignano | Whilst we feel that this tour may be squeezing in a little too much, it is incredibly popular and very highly rated - a good option if you’re very short on time and want to see as much as possible. Find out more here.

Walk the porticoes in Bologna

Having now visited Bologna twice (first for four wonderful spring days, and then for a week-long summer language school) we may be a little biased, but honestly, this city painted in orange, pinks and golds is spectacular.

It’s the home of endless porticoes and old family towers, a rich food scene, of grand old buildings and even grander squares and, due to its university (the oldest continually used in the world), a vibrant student scene.

We would return again in a heartbeat (and even did a podcast episode on it!)

So, whilst we honestly believe that Bologna is a place that deserves to be discovered a little slower, if you’re looking for a day trip from Florence to what we believe to be one of the best cities in Italy, this is an excellent choice.

Sights and experiences not to be missed include:

Portico di San Luca | The longer covered walkway in the world (and once a pilgrimage route), it stretches all the way to the stunning Basilica Di San Luca.

Basilica di San Petronio | Despite building having begun in 1390, this church remains oddly unfinished (rumour has it that the Pope didn’t want it to be bigger than Rome’s!). Still beautiful, with a pink and white marble facade.

Eat tagliatelle al ragù | Once you realise that spaghetti bolognese doesn’t exist, this is what (meat-eaters) will be indulging in - Bologna’s signature dish!

Climb the Asinelli Tower | Yep, all 498 steps of it. Trust us, the view is more than worth it!

Visit the Teatro Anatomico | Bologna plays host to the oldest university in the world, and is as historically impressive as that may suggest. One spot within not to be missed is the beautifully ornate anatomical theatre.

Hidden canals | During your wander, see if you can find the hidden canals. Unlike Venice, Bologna’s canals are hidden behind buildings. Head to Via Piella (maps) and peek through the windows for these unexpected sites.

Do it independently

The easiest way to access Bologna independently is with public transport, namely the regular inter-city train which travels between Santa Maria Novella and Bologna Centrale in just 40 minutes. Tickets start at €12 per person - read our guide for essential tips about train travel in Italy.

Take a tour

We are unable to find any specific tours which transfer you between the two cities, therefore we recommend those wishing to visit on a day trip do so with the train, and then join a guided tour in Bologna. These are two excellent options:

Bologna Walking Tour | This popular, highly-rated and good value two hour guided tour covers Bologna’s main sites and provides a great introduction to the city. Find out more here.

Bologna Food Tour | This 4.5 hour guided tour is ideal for those that prefer to experience a new city through their food. Includes stops at six historical shops and restaurants to try local specialities such as tortellini, ragù, Parmigiano Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico di Modena, mortadella, and regional wine. Find out more here.

Escape to the Chianti Hills

The Chianti Hills, an attractive landscape between Florence and Siena dotted with olive groves and woods of chestnut and oak, are famous for their wines. It should come as little surprise then to discover that one of the most popular day trips involves visiting the various vineyards and wineries that have been producing these wines for more than 700 years.

Aside from the wine tours, there are a few villages you can explore:

Greve (maps) | 30 kilometres from Florence, the small medieval town of Greve is famous for its triangular-shape square which has for centuries played host to a charming Saturday market. It’s also the home of the Chianti Expo where local vendors showcase their wines.

Radda (maps) | A quintessential Chianti hilltop village, full of medieval charm. The surrounding countryside has been producing wine for more than 1,000 years!

Castellina (maps) | A little bigger than Radda, Castellina is one of the main destinations in the Chianti region. Don’t miss the impressive fortress that dominates the town and is home to the Museo Archeologico del Chianti Senese, which showcases the Chianti’s Etruscan’s roots.

Do it independently

As one would probably expect, heading into the Chianti Hills is not easy with public transport, and to properly explore the region, you really do need your own rental vehicle - just make sure you assign a designated driver first!

This post has a great Chianti wine route to follow, with recommendations for the best wineries to visit.

Take a tour

Whilst the region is accessible to those with a car, if your main objective is for everyone in the group to sample the wines, we’d recommend taking a tour of the Chianti Hills.

Chianti afternoon Wine Tour |With a wine-expert guide, this tour takes you through the Tuscan countryside for two tastings and to learn winemaker’s secrets. Find out more here.

This small-soup experience is a good alternative option too, with fantastic reviews across the board.

Chianti Wine Tasting Day Trip with Food | Another for the Chianti lovers, this tour has a huge number of excellent reviews. Enjoy a guided wine cellar tour, wine tasting (paired with regional meats and cheeses) and time to roam the streets of a medieval village. Find out more here.

Useful Tips for Travelling Independently

We’ve travelled around Italy extensively using both buses and trains, alongside several region-specific road trips.

The difficulty with being based in Florence - or stopping off for a few days on a dedicated Tuscany road trip - is that large parts of the city are off-limits to cars, and entry down the wrong road could result in a hefty fine.

There are two ways around this.

The first is to find an accommodation with parking, the majority of which are in the Otranto section of the city, south of the river (but still within short walking distance to the main sights).

The second is to begin your trip in Florence, and only hire a car once you begin the road trip proper.

We rarely go direct when hiring our road trip vehicles, instead preferring to use two popular rental aggregators to compare costs and find the best deal. The two companies we use are AutoEurope and RentalCars - both of which we have had excellent experiences with.

If you’re planning on renting a car during your time in Italy, we highly recommend reading our post ‘Nine Essential Car Rental Tips for Travellers’, for general tips on how to save money on your car hire and avoid some common vehicle rental mistakes.

Now, on to train travel.

The train network in Italy is extensive, reasonably priced and regular. For any inter-city day trips you may wish to take, it’s almost certainly the best option.

There are however some quirks that you need to be aware of before boarding your first train - all of which we’ve covered in this comprehensive guide to train travel in Italy.

Walk the walled city of Lucca

Unlike its neighbours to the south and the north, little Lucca doesn't pull millions in each summer with famous photo opportunities, world-class museums, or a history filled with renowned Renaissance men.

But that doesn't really matter.

In this small walled city, you can instantly feel at ease. You can ride your bicycle along ancient walls, stop for a mid-morning espresso, amble along cobblestone streets toward nothing in particular, and bask in the cultured approach to life and seek out those small joys.

As the surprising location for Europe’s biggest comic book convention and one of Italy’s best summer music festivals, it’s also got a lot more going on than one may assume.

Weave in all the signature experiences of an old northern Italian city - the medieval towers, the palazzos and piazzas, the temptation of local flavours, artisans, and romance - and you've got a pretty special place.

We’ve written a comprehensive guide on the best things to do in Lucca, so recommend checking that out before planning your day trip.

However, you shouldn’t miss the following:

Follow the City Walls | Lucca is known as the ‘walled city’ so any visit should include a walk or a cycle atop their perimeter for wonderful views, both over the historic centre, and out to the countryside beyond. An ideal first thing to do when you arrive.

Climb Torre Guigini (maps) | There are a lot of towers to be climbed in Italy, however, we think this might be the only one to have trees growing out the top.

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro (maps) | Part ancient amphitheatre, part piazza, this central square is an architectural curiosity. Within its arcaded-walls, there are lots of bustling restaurants and cafes to enjoy a drink or lunch in the open-air. During the day, there are artisanal wares or produce stalls set up, whilst at night it’s got a pleasant social atmosphere to go with the unique setting.

The best way to explore the city is on two wheels, just as the locals do! It also means you can cover more ground, which is ideal on a day trip. You can find full details on bike rental and other things to do in our Lucca guide.

Do it independently

Trains leave for Lucca from Santa Maria Novella train station every hour and take an hour and 15 minutes. Tickets are €9 each way.

Alternatively, Lucca is an hour and 10 minute drive from Florence by car. We recommend parking outside the city walls. Most of Lucca is a ZTL meaning no cars are allowed and parking inside can be very expensive. Parcheggio Carducci (maps) is a good option.

Take a tour

If you want to focus your day’s adventures purely on Lucca - but still take a tour - your best bet is to hop on the train from Florence but then join a day tour. For example, this two-hour historic centre walking tour provides a great introduction to the city, whilst also allowing you free time to explore more slowly.

To maximise your sight-seeing activities, we can recommend this Pisa & Lucca day tour as an excellent alternative. It includes guided tours of both Pisa and Lucca, entry to Pisa Duomo, plus the chance to try buccellato (a traditional Lucchese cake) at the end! Find out more here.

Start planning with our guide to Lucca.

Discover the Picture Perfect Val D'Orcia

Stretching between Siena and Grosseto is the stunning Val D'Orcia, a UNESCO Site of Outstanding Beauty and quite possibly the setting for an image that drew you to Tuscany in the first place!

A verdant valley filled with endless vineyards, olive groves, abandoned homesteads, abbeys and medieval castles, it is quite literally picture-postcard pretty.

Val d’Orcia is a large area which could be explored slowly on its very own road trip, but some places to consider visiting include:

Bagni San Filippo (maps) | Whilst not nearly as well known as the insta-famous spot of Terme di Saturnia, the thermal springs of Bagni San Filippo are just as beautiful - especially as they’re located in a natural forest.

Buonconvento (maps) | This beautiful walled medieval town was a resting place for travellers making their way to Rome and a key trading town back in medieval times.

San Quirico d'Orcia (maps) | Just outside of San Quirico d'Orcia is the famous copse of cypress trees for which the valley is famous. Beautiful any time of day, the scene really comes alive at golden hour. Inside the town take the time to explore the streets, stop for lunch and visit the Collegiata of the Saints Quirico and Giulitta.

Montepulciano (maps) | Overlooking Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana, sits the quintessential Tuscan hilltop town of Montepulciano. Discover steep medieval streets, fantastic views over the surrounding countryside, beautiful churches, museums and the stunning Piazza Grande - plus, it’s home to one of our favourite Italian red wines, the eponymous Montepulciano.

Pienza (maps) | One of the largest towns in the Val d’Orcia, Pienza was once the summer residence of Pope Pius II - but it’s perhaps more famous recently as the setting of the Netflix series, Medici.

Do it independently

Val d’Orcia is not somewhere that can be reached with public transport, and instead will require you to rent a car. It's an hour and 50 minutes drive through the Chianti Hills, but allow extra time as there are plenty of places to stop off for pictures.

Take a tour

We recommend this Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour. It is a long tour lasting almost twelve hours but it has heaps of great reviews and includes trips through Pienza, Montepulciano and a wine estate in Montalcino.

Delve into the Cinque Terre

A UNESCO World Heritage site of famous colourful coastal village clusters which tumble toward the waves in a perfect pastel patchwork, the Cinque Terre isn't a place full of museums, ruins, or attractions, but rather one to savour for its natural and man-made treasures.

It's about salty sea swims and the taste of just-fried local anchovies from a greasy paper cone, hiking trails by handpicked ancient vines, stolen sunsets at postcard-pretty viewpoints, and imbuing every sense with that feeling of joy which only comes with an Italian sunshine escape.

We spent a week exploring the five villages a couple of summers ago, and strongly believe that they are more deserving of simply a day trip, especially considering the over tourism issues that face this small Italian destination.

However, they remain a popular quick stop on many an itinerary, especially on a day trip from Florence. To prevent spreading yourself too thin, we recommend day-trippers focus on one or some of the following:

Spending a few hours at Monterosso beach (maps) | Who says all-day trips from Florence have to involve tours and climbing towers? Sometimes we just want to rest our feet and spend the day at the beach - and Monterosso’s is particularly photogenic!

Hike | Cinque Terre has an abundance of hiking trails, but the most popular is the ‘Blue Trail’ which connect Monterosso al Mare with Corniglia. See our guide to hiking in the Cinque Terre for full details.

Take to the seas | This day trip is the perfect opportunity to break away from city life and find some tranquillity on the ocean. We recommend a kayak tour for those feeling active or, this Cinque Terre tour by speedboat which leaves from La Spezia.

Taste the local specialities | This means greasy fried seafood from a paper cone (our favourite was in Riomaggiore) and Cinque Terre wine - you could even join a wine tour.

Explore the Villages | Whilst we know it would be incredibly tempting to try and visit all five villages, we’d recommend you consider focussing only on two or three.

See our complete guide for more ideas on the best things to do in the Cinque Terre. Alternatively, if you have more time to spare, we have specific guides for each village

Monterosso al Mare // Vernazza // Corniglia // Manarola // Riomaggiore

Do it independently

It’s theoretically possible to reach the Cinque Terre villages with your own vehicle, but we don’t recommend it for several reasons. Instead drive 1.5 to 2.5 hours to La Spezia, park up then take a train to the villages.

Public transport is also unfortunately not without its issues though: there are trains from Florence to La Spezia (from where you’d need to change onto the 5T Express Train) however the direct option only departs every couple of hours, and could make returning a little tricky - or result in a very long day.

This is why, for those that only have time to visit Cinque Terre on a day trip, we recommend taking a tour.

Book a tour

Cinque Terre Day Trip | This full-day tour is one of the best-rated because of its flexibility. It covers all five villages and gives you the option to hike and join the group for lunch. Find out more here.

Alternatively, this tour is also popular, at a similar price-point but doesn’t include the option to add on lunch or hike as a group - ideal if all you really want is transport without having to negotiate the trains from Florence.

Visit Venice, the floating treasure

Like Florence, Venice is one of Italy’s touristic behemoths; to fully understand them both you need to spend weeks exploring all the museums, churches and sites, learning about their extensive histories, the political, religious and cultural movements, and the people who pioneered them.

For Venice, there’s the added layer of understanding its geography and the complex canal system that allowed the city to thrive.

And whilst we strongly believe that this floating treasure chest of a city is very much deserving of at least a couple of days of your Italian escape (and day trips adds to its overtourism problem), we appreciate for many, time is rather limited and reducing bases and taking short trips is more practical.

We have a dedicated article - 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Venice - but should you choose to visit Venice as a day trip, we recommend that your itinerary includes the following:

The Doge’s Palace | The seat of Venetian power (and home to the Doge) from around 810 AD, this building adorned in pastel pink and white diamond tiles and perfect porticoes overlooking the water, is a must visit. Just be sure to get your tickets sorted in advance.

The Bridges | A city of bridges, you’ll encounter many simply exploring on foot, but be sure to include Rialto Bridge, The Bridge of Sighs, and Ponte dell'Accademia on your route around Venice.

Ride a Gondola | Is there a more Venetian activity than a ride along the canals in a gondola? Not cheap, but likely something high up on a many a bucket list. You can find everything you need to know in our guide to taking a gondola ride in Venice.

St Mark’s Square | Quite possibly Venice’s most famous site, no visit would be complete without a wander through the square. If you have time, also consider heading up the campanile and into the Basilica.

Eat Cicchetti | A tapas-like style of food that is ubiquitous in these parts, you’ll find every bar, restaurant and cafe serving up cicchetti but we’d recommend heading to Al Squero or Cantine del Vino già Schiavi.

Do it independently

Although it’s theoretically possible to drive to Venice, for a variety of reasons we’d wouldn’t recommend it - so instead, jump on the high-speed train that connects the two cities.

The journey time is a very reasonable two and a quarter hours, and there are regular departures throughout the day from Santa Maria Novella train station. Ticket price increases the closer to departure you book, with the same day purchase costing €50, and tickets bought two weeks in advance coming in at €30.

You can check prices and availably here.

Book a tour

There are limited tours online offering this specific day trip from Florence, but for those wanting to visit Venice, consider joining this well-rated, full-day trip which includes transport, and is self-paced with a guide nearby to give you tips and advice.

Roam Around Rome

A delightful mix of Roman ruins, show-stopping art and spirited street life, Italy’s vibrant capital is one of the world’s most romantic and charming cities.

We’ve visited twice now, and have barely scratched the surface (there’s grand plans to return for a two-week trip to really get under its skin), such is the abundance of activities to entice the tourist.

For this reason, we actually wouldn’t be recommending you visit as a day trip, except for three salient points:

It’s well connected to Florence by a high-speed train
If it’s your first time in Italy, and you likely won't be back for a while, you’ll almost certainly want to add this to your itinerary
Many of the city’s biggest attractions can be found in a relatively small area of the city.

If you were to visit for the day, we’d recommend the following:

The Colosseum (maps) | The Colosseum is probably the most famous attraction in Rome. Spend a little time exploring the tunnels.

Roman Forum (maps) | The beating heart of Ancient Rome, the Forum was the city’s main piazza and the centre of public life. Although various sections have become severely ruined, the collection of streets, arches, temples and towering columns give an incredible insight into life in this most important of Roman cities centuries ago.

Climb Palatine Hill (maps) | Across from the Colosseum is Palatine Hill, an area of ruins that was the founding site of Rome. After a short climb you are rewarded with a great city view with the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance.

Explore St. Peter’s Square (maps) | No visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the Vatican. Depending upon how early you leave Florence, you may have time to explore St Peter’s Square in addition to visiting the Sistine Chapel and Basilica - especially if you book a skip-the-line ticket in advance.

The hour-long walk between the the Forum (and its associated buildings) to The Vatican can lead you past many of the city’s other important monuments including the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps - and, if you go a little out of your way, the Pantheon. Just don’t linger too long as you’ve got a lot to squeeze in!

Do it independently

As with Venice, whilst you could drive to Rome from Florence, we wouldn’t recommend it. The journey times are too long, there’s lots of tolls and parking is expensive.

Instead, we recommend taking the train which leave Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station for Rome regularly throughout the day. Journey time is approximately 1.5 hours (just make sure you jump on the fast train!) and tickets cost as little as €20 if booked in advance. Booking on the day will see prices increase to around €50 per person.

Book a tour

We are unable to source a specific tour that includes transport from Florence to Rome, so your best bet is to make your way independently by train and then join a guided tour of the city of the city itself.

Do be aware however that as the Vatican is technically in a separate country to the rest of Rome’s attractions, you will not be able to source a tour to cover all the highlights we have mentioned above, instead we’d recommend these two:

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill | This incredibly popular guided tour with a Roman history expert covers the three main attractions, as well as skip-the-line access. Find out more here.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica | This excellent and highly-rated three-hour tour covers the main Vatican highlights, led by a specialist guide. Also includes fast-track entrance - essential when trying to cover the area in a short amount of time. Find out more here.