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Table of Contents:
How to get to Montalcino from Siena
When to travel to Montalcino
Montalcino is a small but very colorful Tuscan town located in the very center of Italy. Montalcino is well-known for its cozy countryside vibes, picturesque natural landscapes and unique gastronomy. The town is famous not only for its medieval fortress or the typical Tuscan landscapes around, but also for its wineries. It is in Montalcino that the famous Brunello wine is produced. For all travellers who prefer gastronomic tourism, excursions to local wineries are often held here.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Montalcino. I figured out how to get to the town, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Montalcino.
Tuscany is a region with a quite mild climate that is why you can visit it all year round. During the winter time it can be rather rainy, but the other seasons are usually warm, sunny and unbelievably picturesque. If you want to enjoy viewing famous Tuscan fields, then come to Montalcino in the period from May to October when the countryside will be most picturesque.
How to get to Montalcino
Where do you fly into to get to Montalcino? Montalcino is located among the inspiring Tuscan landscapes. The nearest major city is Siena. There also are direct flights from all over the world to such cities as Pisa or Rome. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. As I found out, the distance between Siena and Montalcino is about 45 km. You can get from Siena to Montalcino by regular bus or by rented car. Unfortunately, there is no train station in Montalcino.
How to get to Montalcino from Siena
By bus: Montalcino lies far from any railway station, so you can only get here by road, using regular bus or rented car. The nearest large city is Siena, from where direct buses run regularly to Montalcino. You should focus on the buses of the local Tiemmespa company. Buses No. 114 run on the Siena – Montalcino route, scheduled up to 6 times a day. The current timetable can be viewed on the carrier’s website. The travel time from Siena to Montalcino is just over an hour. There is no direct bus service from other major cities of Tuscany like Pisa, Florence, Lucca, Arezzo; in that case, you need to make a change in Siena.
By rented car: One of the most convenient ways to travel around Tuscany is by car. Since many of the regional picturesque towns are located away from the railway connections, they can sometimes only be reached by bus or car. Siena and Montalcino are connected with highway No. SR2; the distance is 42 km; the approximate travel time is 40-50 minutes. You can find car rental offices in any major city in Tuscany or in airports. In the summer, it is advisable to book a car in advance due to the demand for the service.
You can find the nearest rental office or book the desired class of car in advance using various specialized services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Based on my experience, both online services have a very convenient search and I would recommend comparing their results to find the best available option. The travel time from Pisa to Montalcino takes approximately 2 hours, from Florence – 1.5 hours, from Rome – 2.5 hours (see on the map).
Where to stay in Montalcino
Montalcino is a very small town, even by Italian standards. To feel the atmosphere of the town and fully participate in wine tours, tourists often stop in Montalcino for a couple of days. Among the available accommodation options, you can find 2* and 3* hotels, bed and breakfast hotels, and guest houses. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the following accommodations gets high ratings from tourists:
Si Montalcino Hotel & Restaurant 3* is located in a picturesque place with magnificent Tuscan landscapes, a 5-minute drive from the center of Montalcino. The hotel offers a restaurant, a bar and a seasonal swimming pool. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast or half board is included. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Free private parking is provided on site. Luggage storage services can be found at the front desk;
Hotel Dei Capitani 3* is located in the center of Montalcino, in a historic building with its own garden. The hotel has a seasonal swimming pool with panoramic views of the Tuscan landscapes. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories; breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. Free public parking is available nearby. Guests can also relax on the cozy terrace with sun loungers;
Scalette di Piazza B&B is located in the center of Montalcino. There is a bar at the hotel. You can stay in double rooms; breakfast is included in the price. Each room is also equipped with a coffee pot or a kettle. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Free public parking is available nearby;
Dimora delle Muse has a picturesque location. Guests are offered rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free public parking is provided nearby. The hotel is surrounded with gardens and has a sun terrace for relaxing.
What to see in Montalcino
In Montalcino, the historical center is a must-see. The most iconic attraction here is the 13th century fortress. The fortress has been preserved in fragments, including walls, a tower, and a small chapel. In my opinion, it’s worth coming here because it offers the best views of the surrounding area.
Other historical attractions of the town include the churches of St. Peter and St. Francis, the Church of San Agostino, the Montalcino Cathedral and some other places. All of them have preserved authentic facades, as well as interior decoration; sculptures and frescoes are especially interesting.
Montalcino is situated in the center of a wine region where the wine traditions are extremely popular. It is not surprising that one of the main attractions for tourists here is tasting wine and participating in excursion tours to local wineries. There are more than 300 wineries in the closest surroundings of Montalcino. The most popular kinds of wine here are Brunello, Rosso and Moscadello, all of which are made from the local Sangiovese grape variety.
In my point of view, it is also worth remembering that Montalcino is located in the Orcia Valley, which is recognized as a Natural Park in Italy. If you have a car, exploring the park will not be difficult. Here are vineyards and Tuscan fields, small hills and picturesque plains. As I discovered, in the surroundings of Montalcino there is one more interesting architectural landmark called the Abbey of San Antimo. The building is made in the Romanesque style, and the period of its construction dates back to the 12th century. The abbey is located in a beautiful place in the middle of the Tuscan plains and is a popular destination for tourists exploring the region.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: CK Golf
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…