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Table of Contents:
When to travel to Montepulciano
How to get to Montepulciano from Rome
How to get to Montepulciano from Siena
Where to stay in Montepulciano
When to travel to Montepulciano
Montepulciano is a medieval town in Tuscany, which has a very beautiful historical center with many architectural attractions. Montepulciano is located on a hill, sandwiched between several picturesque valleys. A mix of architectural and natural sights make the town a popular tourist destination.
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 Montepulciano. 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 Montepulciano.
I would recommend visiting Tuscany during the period from April until November when the countryside is full of colors and the weather is warm enough. If you choose to visit Montepulciano in winter, it is also ok, because town architecture is inspiring any time of the year. The weather in winter may be a little bit rainy, but you can always warm up in local cafes and restaurants with authentic Tuscan dishes and drinks.
How to get to Montepulciano
Where do you fly into to get to Montepulciano? Montepulciano is located in Tuscany, a half way between Siena and Rome. There are direct flights from all over the world to Rome. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. As I found out, the distance between Rome and Montepulciano is about 180 km. You can get from Rome to Montepulciano by public transport or by rented car. Unfortunately, there is no train station in Montepulciano.
How to get to Montepulciano from Rome
By bus: Montepulciano is located away from the railway station, so you can only get here by bus or by car. From Rome it is more convenient to travel by train to the town of Chiusi, from which there are direct buses to Montepulciano. The travel time from Rome to Chiusi takes about 1.5 hours. Trains run three times a day – at 10.30, 12.40 and 15.40. The travel time from Chiusi to Montepulciano by bus takes about 45 minutes. Buses run every half an hour throughout the day.
By rented car: It is much more convenient to travel around Tuscany by rented car. Since many interesting places in the region are located away from the railway stations, and bus service operates irregularly, a car remains the only comfortable means of transportation in the region. You can find rental offices in any major city in Italy, including Rome. To register a car for renting, you need to have a passport (or ID card), an international driver’s license and a bank card to pay for services. You can book the desired class of car in advance using specialized services, for instance, Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Based on my experience, both online services have a decent search so I would recommend comparing them to choose the best available option. The distance between Rome and Montepulciano is 180 km. They are connected with highway No. A1/E35. The travel time is approximately 2 hours(see on the map).
How to get to Montepulciano from Siena
By bus: Montepulciano is located away from the nearest railway station, so you can only get here by bus or by car. For example, there are direct buses from Siena, although according to a schedule – only 4 times a day, and the travel time is about 3 hours.
By rented car: You can also book a car in Siena to travel around Tuscany and get to Montepulciano. To rent a car, you need to have a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card. You can book the desired class of car in advance using specialized services, for example, Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. According to my map research, the distance between Siena and Montepulciano is 65 km. They are connected with #SS715 road. The travel time is about 1 hour (see on the map).
Where to stay in Montepulciano
Montepulciano is a small town, but very popular among travelers and among all of those people who are in love with Italian culture. In Montepulciano you can stay in hotels of various categories, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, and you can also rent apartments. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the popular accommodation places in Montepulciano include:
Il Rondo Boutique Hotel 3*: this boutique hotel is located within walking distance from the historical center of Montepulciano. The hotel is surrounded by a garden. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Each room has a coffee pot or a kettle. Breakfast is included in the price. Free private parking is available on site. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services;
Hotel I Due Cigni 3*: the hotel is located in a picturesque place, 1 km from Montepulciano. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, and a swimming pool nearby. Guests can stay in standard and superior rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is provided on site. The front desk serves guests 24 hours a day;
La Terrazza Di Montepulciano 2*: the hotel is located in the very “heart” of the town. You can stay in single, double or triple rooms; breakfast is included in the price. The hotel has a garden and a cozy terrace. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Free public parking is also provided on site. The front desk serves guests 24 hours a day;
Osteria Del Borgo B&B: the hotel is located within the walls of a historic building and is located in the very “heart” of Montepulciano. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Some rooms have a terrace and views on the town and valley. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free public parking nearby is provided upon reservation;
Dimora Dell`Erbe Rooms: the hotel is located in the town center. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, each with a coffee pot or a kettle. Breakfast upon request is paid additionally. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Luggage storage services can be found at the front desk.
What to see in Montepulciano
As I discovered, the historic center of Montepulciano is pedestrian. Having arrived in the town by car, you will need to leave it in a special parking lot, and then go up the hill on foot (the exceptions are local residents with special passes for cars and tourists who have permission from the hotels with parking lots where they are staying).
The old center of Montepulciano is located on a hill, so you should be prepared for a lot of walking uphill. The main tourist paths of Montepulciano can be found in Gracciano nel Corso Street (it is full of souvenir shops and cozy cafes) and in Cathedral Square. The Cathedral can be considered as a true “pearl” of Cathedral Square. Its construction dates back to the 17th century. The facade of the building is simple and laconic and devoid of any decorations, but the interiors are authentic and inspiring.
The Palace of the Commune, located near the Cathedral, on the contrary, gives the impression of a soaring, very light and elegant building. The palace is decorated with a small tower. However, its height is quite enough to climb and see with your own eyes the picturesque Tuscan landscapes in the surroundings of Montepulciano.
Undoubtedly, the Town Fortress also makes an impression. According to my research, its construction dates back to the 9th-11th centuries. To explore the fortress, you have to climb almost to the very top of the hill, on which, in fact, Montepulciano is located. But it’s worth it. From here you have stunning views of the surrounding area. The fortress is located on the territory of a cozy landscaped park, and art exhibitions can be found inside the building.
Another architectural “pearl” of the town is the Church of San Biagio. Unlike many other buildings in Montepulciano, the church is not made in the Gothic style, but in the Renaissance one. Its construction dates back to the 16th century. The church has elegant white facades and domed shapes. The cathedral is definitely worth visiting from the inside because it is richly decorated with frescoes and sculptures and gives an almost floating impression.
In addition to its architectural attractions, Montepulciano is also the center for gastronomic tourism. There are many wineries in the area surrounding the town, which often offer free tasting tours. During winery tours, travelers are told about the drink’s production technology. If you are planning a tasting tour of Montepulciano, then take note of such wineries and cantinas (wine cellars) as Avignonesi, Cantina Ercolani, Cantina de’ Ricci, Cantina Fattoria della Talosa and others.
There are also mineral baths in the surroundings of Montepulciano. All springs here have a temperature within +35 degrees. As I found out, the local thermal complex operates from March to December inclusive and offers visitors a varied range of procedures to restore and strengthen well-being.
In general, I can say that Montepulciano is a popular tourist destination due to its undeniable advantages, including great architecture, magnificent landscapes, authentic gastronomy, as well as mineral springs, located nearby.
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: Anna & Michal
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…