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Table of Contents:
How to get to Pienza from Florence
How to get to Pienza from Rome
When to travel to Pienza
Pienza is a medieval Tuscan town, the historical center of which is listed as a UNESCO Heritage site. It is not surprising that every year Pienza attracts a considerable number of tourists from all over the world. The town has completely Renaissance features, and this is no coincidence, because the town was designed by Bernardo Rossellino, a famous Italian architect.
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 Pienza. 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 Pienza.
You can visit Pienza at any time of the year as its main attractions are architectural and available at any season. Nevertheless, some months are better for visiting, some ones are not as good. For example, July and August can be really hot and over-crowded. The winter season is characterized by rainy and sometimes cloudy and foggy weather. So, I would recommend travelling around Tuscany during the March-July period and from September till the late autumn. To my mind, those months are the best in terms of weather conditions.

How to get to Pienza
Where do you fly into to get to Pienza? Getting to Pienza is possible from the nearest major cities that are Florence or Rome. There are direct flights to Florence and Rome from different cities of the world. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. I often use this online service as it helps me a lot to compare different flight options and to choose the optimal one.
How to get to Pienza from Florence
By public transport: Pienza, like most other Tuscan towns, does not have its own train station, so there are few options to get there by public transport, including regular buses from Siena, Montalcino and Montepulciano. If you plan to come here from large cities such as Rome or Florence, you will need to change trains in the town of Chiusi. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. Bus transportation is carried out by the Italian company called Tiemmespa.
By rented car: A rented car can also be a convenient way to travel around Tuscany. If you plan to actively explore the region, then a car is such a good choice! Traveling by public transport is complicated by the lack of railway connections and not always convenient bus schedules, so tourists often opt for a car. You can rent a car in any major city in Italy be it Pisa, Florence, Siena or Rome. Rental offices can be found even at the airport after arrival. To register a car rental, you need to have a passport (or an identity card), an international driver’s license and a bank card for a deposit and payment for the service. You can book the desired class of car for your trip in advance using specialized services, for example, via Discover Cars, Economybookings etc. Based on my experience, both online services have a very convenient search and I would recommend comparing them to find out the best available options.

How to get to Pienza from Rome
By public transport: As we mentioned before, Pienza does not have its own train station, so there are few options to get there by public transport. There can be regular buses from Siena, Montalcino and Montepulciano. If you plan to come to Pienza from larger cities such as Rome or Florence, you will need to change trains in the town of Chiusi. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. Bus transportation is carried out by the Italian company Tiemmespa.
By rented car: A rented car is also a good option to travel around Tuscany. If you plan to discover the region, then a car is simply irreplaceable. Traveling by public transport is complicated by the lack of railway connections and not always convenient bus schedules, so tourists often choose a car. You can rent a car in any major city in Italy, including Rome. Rental offices can be found at the airports of Rome or at any city area. To register a car rental, you need to have a passport (or an identity card), an international driver’s license and a bank card for a deposit and payment for the service. You can book the desired class of car for your trip in advance using specialized services, for instance, via Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
Some useful information for travelling to Pienza by car that I discovered:
- Rome – Pienza: 185 km, highway No. A1/E35; travel time – 2 hours 10 minutes (see on the map);
- Florence – Pienza: 121 km, highway No. A1/E35; travel time – 1 hour 40 minutes (see on the map);
- Pisa – Pienza: 210 km, highway No. A11/E76 and A1/E35; travel time – 2.5 hours (see on the map);
- Siena – Pienza: 60 km, highway no. SR2; travel time – 1 hour (see on the map).

Where to stay in Pienza
Pienza is a very small town, even by Italian standards. However, here you can find a dozen 4* and 3* hotels, as well as several bed and breakfast hotels and guest houses. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the following accommodations in Pienza regularly get high ratings from tourists:
Relais Il Chiostro Di Pienza 4* is located within the walls of a historic building, in the very “heart” of Pienza. It features a garden and a terrace with views of the Val D’Orcia valley. The hotel also features an outdoor pool and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Luggage storage services are provided at the front desk;
Hotel Residence San Gregorio 3* is located in a picturesque place, within walking distance of the historical center of Pienza. The hotel has a traditional Tuscan restaurant and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Each room has its own coffee pot or kettle. Offered meal type is breakfast, half board or full board. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Free private parking is also provided. Luggage storage services can be found at the front desk;
Piccolo Hotel La Valle 3* is located within walking distance from the town center and has a panoramic terrace with views of the Tuscan valley. There is a bar at the hotel. Guests can stay in single and double rooms; breakfast is included in the price. Each room is equipped with a coffee pot or a kettle. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Free private parking is available on site;
Albergo Rutiliano 3* – the hotel is located near the town center. A seasonal swimming pool and a relaxing garden can be found on site. Guests can also enjoy a spa area with a sauna and massage services. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is offered free of charge. Guests can also use free private parking on site;
La Bellavita B&B is conveniently located in Pienza and offers comfortable rooms and a terrace with town views. You can stay in rooms of various categories; some rooms have a balcony. Breakfast is included in the price. A coffee pot or a kettle is also available in each room. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.

What to see in Pienza
Pienza is a surprisingly picturesque town located in the surroundings of the Val d’Orcia. The town was built in the Middle Ages by order of Pope Pius II, and the design of Pienza was carried out by Bernardo Rossellino, the most famous architect at that time. The town turned out to be surprisingly elegant, festive, with characteristic Renaissance features. Today, the historical center of Pienza is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
To my mind, tourists should start exploring the town from its main square called Cathedral Square. Here is a sophisticated Duomo (cathedral) with a round rose window and a gable roof that are typical features of the Renaissance. The construction of the cathedral dates back to the 15-16th centuries, and the author of the project is Bernardo Rossellino. The facade of the building is covered with travertine and has light beige shades, giving the building some airiness, while the interior of the building is designed in a typical Gothic style.
Being next to the Cathedral, in my opinion, it is worth paying attention to the other buildings in the area. These are the Piccolomini Palace and the Palazzo Communale. Both buildings are unique, and here’s why. Palazzo Piccolomini once served as the personal chambers of Pope Pius II and was also commissioned by the architect Rossellino. The building is so picturesque and textured that great works of Italian directors have been filmed here more than once. As I found out, the palace building is open for observing; authentic interiors have been preserved inside out; in some places you can even see antique pieces of furniture. On the south side there is a garden with picturesque views of the Tuscan valley.

Palazzo Communale, in turn, was built in the 15th century and has a red brick tower, which allows the building to be considered as one of the tallest in Pienza. The tower is decorated with an astronomical clock. From its top there are also magnificent views of the surrounding area. Other interesting architectural sites of Pienza also include the Church of San Francesco, the Borgia Palace and some other objects.
Pienza becomes amazingly beautiful even at sunset. Since most of its buildings are made in yellow and beige shades, the town is completely transformed in the rays of the setting sun. In my point of view, it will be no less interesting to watch the Val d`Orcia valley at sunset, which is visible from many vantage points in the town. In general, I can say the beauty of Pienza is difficult to overestimate; it is exactly in such small towns that you can truly feel the spirit of Tuscany.

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: Bob Denaro

Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…