Table of Contents:
Climate and weather of Tuscany
Why to go to Tuscany
Tuscany is a region of Central Italy, which is traditionally associated with the endless Tuscan fields and major tourist centers of attraction, such as Florence, Pisa, Lucca and others. In addition, Tuscany is also famous for its spacious sandy beaches, which Italy, in general, is not spoiled with. It is not surprising that the prestigious beach resorts of Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore, Punta Ala, Marina di Grosseto and many others are located here in Tuscany. There are also several thermal resorts in Tuscany, which, unlike beach resorts, are in demand all year round – these are Montecatini Terme and Saturnia, for example.
In general, Tuscany is an area of Italy that is ideal for travelling, and vacations here can be very diverse – from visiting historical and architectural monuments to trips to natural attractions; add here an intense beach holiday with developed infrastructure or relaxation in natural thermal springs, and you get picture of a perfect vacation. The administrative center of the Tuscany region is the city of Florence; the local shore is washed by the warm waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea; the Italian island of Elba is located a few kilometers from the shore, and in the south of the region you can also find the Monte Argentario peninsula. It is convenient to travel around the region by public transport or car.
Climate and weather of Tuscany
The climate of Tuscany is typical Mediterranean. The shore, on one side, is washed by the warm Tyrrhenian Sea, on the other, covered by the Apuan Mountains, which prevent winds and cyclones from reaching the shore. That is why beach holidays in Tuscany are quite long, starting in May and ending in October, and lasting longer than anywhere else in Italy. In the summer months, the weather in Tuscany is quite hot, the thermometer often rises above +30 C (or 86 F), so some tourists prefer to visit beach resorts in the end of the swimming season – in September-October.
Off-seasons in Tuscany are mild and perfect for excursion tourism. In addition, during the “low” season, the concentration of tourists in cities such as Florence, Pisa or Lucca decreases, which makes visiting top attractions more comfortable. Rains are not uncommon in November-December and March, but more often they are not prolonged. In general, Tuscany is far from the rainiest region in Italy; in summer, rains happen quite rare.
How to get to Tuscany
Pisa has its own international airport named after Galileo Galilei. The airport is located 5 km from the center of Pisa; you can get to the city center by train or taxi. Electric trains operate on schedule from 6 am to midnight every day, every 10 minutes. You can check the flight schedule to Pisa on different search services:
Aviasales is an online search service for 728+ more airlines and ticket sellers in the world.
If you travel with a lot of luggage, then it makes sense to order a taxi. A taxi is also useful at night. The travel time from the airport to the city by taxi takes about 10 minutes. In order not to look for a taxi car upon arrival, you can order it in advance; reservations can be made via various specialized services:
Kiwitaxi is a system for ordering taxi transfers from airports, train stations and hotels around the world;
Intui.Travel is a system for self-booking tourist transfers to/from hotels via the Internet.
One more popular option to get to Tuscany is to fly to Florence. Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport is located 5 km from the city center; you can get to the center by a special express bus that runs daily from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Public transport in Tuscany
Getting around Tuscany is quite convenient by train. The distances between the cities are small, so the travel time does not take much time. Train schedules between specific towns can be checked on the Raileurope ticket service. In all directions there are both regional (slower and cheaper trains) and high-speed (fast, but usually more expensive) trains. All major cities are connected by rail, as are most beach resorts. However, there are also resorts that cannot be reached by train, for example, Punta Ala or Saturnia. In such cases, you need to make a change from the train to a regular bus.
An approximate list of distances between towns in Tuscany is presented below:
| Route | Distance (in km) |
| Pisa-Florence | 90 km (see on the map) |
| Pisa-Lucca | 18 km (see on the map) |
| Florence-Arezzo | 82 km (see on the map) |
| Pisa Montecatini Terme | 54 km (see on the map) |
| Pisa-Viareggio | 24 km (see on the map) |
| Viareggio Forte dei Marmi | 14 km (see on the map) |
| Pisa-Punta Ala | 135 km (see on the map) |
| Rome-Orbetello | 144 km (see on the map) |
| Pisa-Grosseto | 158 km (see on the map) |
The specificity of the towns of Tuscany is that almost all of them are small in size, which means that a wide network of town public transport is not required. Even in the largest cities, such as Florence and Pisa, the main attractions are concentrated in one area and it is quite possible to move between them on foot.
Car rental in Tuscany
The car is another popular means of transportation in Tuscany. Renting a car will help you out in many cases, for example in the case of transfer from the airport (you can rent a car right at the arrival terminal), and in case you need to get to places where public transport does not go, and if you want explore natural attractions that are also difficult to reach by public transport. Tuscany has both a network of expressways and classic roads, all of them are of good quality; you can move along them quickly and comfortably.
Having a car at hand allows you to travel at your own pace and rhythm, without adjusting to the public transport schedule, which is not always convenient. It’s worth renting a car if you plan to move around the region a lot. To travel only around the city, you should not take a car, because in many cities, in particular Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Arezzo, you will have to pay extra money to enter the historical center. In addition, there is also a problem with parking in Tuscan cities (there are few of them, and those that exist are not always available). However, we repeat, the car is ideal for active trips between cities.
In order to rent a car, you need to have a passport, an international driving license and a bank card to pay for services. You can book the desired class of car even before arriving in Tuscany, through special services. So, you can save your time from unnecessary paperwork and guarantee the availability of the necessary car class. Such services, in particular, include the following:
Discover Cars is a service for searching, comparing and saving on car rentals;
Economybookings is a search service for cheap car rentals around the globe.
Most often, tourists rent a car immediately upon arrival in Tuscany. This can be done, for example, at Pisa airport or at Florence airport, where more than 20 different rental companies have offices. The cost of renting a car starts from 17-23 euros/day. In addition to the renting, it is also worth including fuel (approximately 1.5-1.55 euros per liter) and payment for travel on toll expressways (if you wish, you can drive on free classic roads, but at a lower speed).
Distance list and route numbers for road trips from Pisa:
| From | To | Distance | Route |
| Pisa | Marina di Pisa | 15 km | Route No. SP224 (map) |
| Pisa | Viareggio | 24 km | Strada Statale 1 Via Aurelia (map) |
| Pisa | Forte dei Marmi | 38 km | Route No. A12/E80 (map) |
| Pisa | Lido di Camaiore | 27 km | Strada Statale 1 Via Aurelia (map) |
| Pisa | Montecatini Terme | 47 km | Route No. A11/E76 (map) |
| Pisa | Lucca | 18 km | Routes No. SS12 and SS12 radd (map) |
| Pisa | Arezzo | 160 km | Route SGC Firenze – Pisa – Livorno and A1/E35 (map) |
| Pisa | Florence | 87 km | Route SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno (map) |
| Pisa | Rome | 357 km | Route No. A1/E35 (map) |
Towns of Tuscany
The cities of Tuscany are famous for their rich historical heritage, so the flow of tourists coming to the region for excursion purposes does not end all year round. The most visited cities in the region are undoubtedly Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena and Arezzo. Beach resorts are also popular, but their popularity is seasonal, mainly from May to October. So, let’s talk about each city in more detail.
Florence is famous for its museums and architectural and historical monuments. Must-see attractions include the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori, the Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio, the basilicas of San Lorenzo and Santa Croce, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti palaces, Boboli Gardens and much more. In a word, in Florence, every building is some kind of important landmark. The city was founded back in the first century BC. It is not surprising that the historical heritage of Florence is huge and will require more than one day to study and explore;
Pisa remains one of the most visited cities in Tuscany, and this is connected, first of all, with such an outstanding attraction as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The town itself, or rather its historical part, is small, and it will take no more than one, maximum two days to explore. Among the must-sees, in addition to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, are Cathedral Square, the Pisa Baptistery, and the Cathedral. Conveniently, all these attractions are located next to each other, i.e. within walking distance;
Lucca is the ideal place to imagine the scenery of the Middle Ages. Narrow streets, fortress walls, towers, cathedrals, low-rise colorful houses and lush palazzos – all this creates a unique atmosphere for all lovers of history and architecture. And to see the red tiled roofs of the city from a bird’s eye view, it is enough to climb to the observation deck of one of the towers of Lucca; the views from there are undoubtedly magnificent;
Siena is another town where you can feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The city is truly elegant, sophisticated, and many local buildings here have been preserved in their original form, which is why the historical heritage of the city is difficult to overestimate. The absolute must-sees of Siena include Piazza del Campo, the Siena Duomo (similar to Milan), the Basilica of San Domenico, the Torre del Mangia and numerous palazzos;
Arezzo is a little less famous than previous cities, but this does not negate its significance and value. Piazza Guido Monaco, the House of Petrarch, the Medici Fortress, Prato Park, the Cathedral, various palazzos, churches, basilicas, abbeys – this is what makes Arezzo a truly unique city. If you only have a couple of days left in Tuscany, then experts advise that you definitely spend one of the days in Arezzo;
San Gimignano, the town of “towers”, as the locals call it, became famous thanks to its 15 towers located in the historical part. Here you will also be enveloped in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, and the Cathedral Square and numerous palazzos will definitely not leave you indifferent, not to mention the magnificent Tuscan landscapes that open in the closest surroundings of San Gimignano;
Montepulciano and Montalcino are two sophisticated Tuscan towns with beautiful scenery, thermal springs and food tours. Both cities combine a lot of opportunities for tourism – sightseeing, tasting and relaxing. Montepulciano and Montalcino are excellent holiday destinations for those who want to feel the vibes of real provincial Tuscany;
Volterra consists of a fortress, a castle, a cathedral, several squares, as well as an ancient gate that was considered to be the main entrance to the city – all this is Volterra in all its splendor. And its location on a hill makes the place an excellent viewing platform for those who want to admire real Tuscan landscapes;
Pienza is not just another spectacular Tuscan town, but also a real UNESCO heritage. The architecture of the city is amazing, and its author can be called the famous Italian architect Bernardo Rossellino. The elegant Renaissance city will not leave tourists indifferent with its exquisite architecture and great historical heritage.
In addition to its historical cities, Tuscany is famous for its beach resorts, which literally come to life when the weather warms up. Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore, Marina di Grosseto, San Vincenzo and others are pretty popular among holidaymakers from all over the world.
Beaches in Tuscany
The Tuscan shore is famous for its beaches. Here, like nowhere else in Italy, you can find spacious sandy beaches equipped with everything you need. The shore of Tuscany is washed by the warm Tyrrhenian Sea, and the swimming season lasts almost six months (from May to October inclusive). Off the shore of Tuscany, the entrance to the sea is gentle, the water is clean, there are no big waves, the place is perfect for both relaxation on your own and relaxation with children.
At the same time, it is worth keeping in mind one feature of Italian beaches (not only in Tuscany) – they charge a fee. Most of the beaches in Italy are divided among hotels, which clean the area and equip it, so entry to such beaches is paid (the price varies). Tuscany, in this sense, is no exception. But if you wish, you can always find free sites; you can “recognize” them by the absence of any equipment – sunbeds or umbrellas.
Viareggio is considered to be a “paradise” among resorts. Its golden sandy beaches, coupled with the warm sea and mild Mediterranean climate make the place extremely popular in the summer. In addition, the infrastructure of Viareggio is considered to be one of the most developed on the shore. For a comfortable stay there is almost everything, including accommodation for every taste, all kinds of entertainment, attractions, cafes, open-air bars, restaurants, promenades, festivals and celebrations that are held annually. In a word, you definitely won’t be bored in Viareggio. But the cost of a holiday here, on average, is higher than in neighbouring resorts;
Forte dei Marmi is another tourist center of attraction, along with Viareggio. The beaches of Forte dei Marmi are one of the most comfortable, clean and environmentally friendly places to relax. In addition to passive relaxation on the beach, in Forte dei Marmi you can also engage in sports tourism, go shopping or explore local attractions, such as the 18th-century marble fortress. Forte dei Marmi is considered to be a fashionable and popular resort, so the price tag here is also slightly higher than in the other resorts nearby;
Grosseto is located on the southern tip of Tuscany and is administratively divided into the historical part with its many attractions and the beach part. The beach part of the resort is called Marina di Grosseto. Unlike other resorts of the Tuscan Riviera, in Grosseto you can find quite a lot of preserved historical monuments, including fortress walls, cathedrals, churches, and museums. In addition, in the surroundings of the resort there is the Maremma Natural Park with its various natural attractions. As for the beaches, in Grosseto they are fine sand, with a gentle entrance to the sea, and are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay;
Lido di Camaiore is a resort located next door to Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi, but it is calmer compared to its “neighbors”. The shoreline of Lido di Camaiore stretches beyond the horizon, the beaches here have a pleasant golden color, and there are significantly fewer tourists here, even in the “high” season. Lido di Camaiore is also perfect for a family holiday, since there are 3 amusement parks open here. If you are a big nature lover, then from Lido di Camaiore it is convenient to go for a walk in the Apuan Mountains Natural Park;
San Vincenzo is a small but respectable resort with 10 km of sandy beaches, sports and wellness centers, tennis courts, a yacht pier, golf courses, beautiful gardens and parks for walking and cycling. The town also preserves several historical monuments including squares, towers, cathedrals, and the ruins of a fortress. In the surroundings of San Vincenzo there is the Rimigliano Natural Park, which includes moving dunes, coniferous forests, marshland, glades, rare species of plants and trees and secluded sandy beaches. The island of Elba is also close to the shores of San Vincenzo. It is, perhaps, the best diving site in Tuscany;
Punta Ala is a separate resort located on the cape, and it has all the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable stay, including sandy beaches surrounded with coniferous forests, a yacht harbor, diving and surfing opportunities, water skiing, golf courses, tennis courts and much more. In addition, it is in Punta Ala that sailing regattas are held annually;
Pietrasanta is a “paradise” of the northern part of the Tuscan shore. On one side, Pietrasanta is surrounded with the Apuan Mountains and pine groves, on the other it is washed by the sea, and sandy beaches stretch along the resort. In addition to a beach holiday, in Pietrasanta you should definitely stroll around the old part of the town and explore the local attractions. In your free time, you can go hiking to the Versiliana and Apuan Mountains Natural Parks;
Follonica is located in the province of Grosseto, in Southern Tuscany. The local area is famous for its spacious beaches; the beaches of Follonica are marked with the Blue Flag sign as one of the cleanest beaches in the world. Walking along the shore, you can stumble upon an ancient fortress, one of the sides of which is located directly in the sea. As an entertainment option, you can take a ferry from Follonica to the island of Elba; it won’t take much time here. In general, the main advantage of the resort is, of course, its countryside;
Orbetello is a very small resort town that all the locals adore. Its feature is three sand spits leading to the Monte Argentario peninsula. Orbetello will captivate you with its lagoon, its historical monuments and, of course, its unforgettable natural views. Foreigners know little about the resort, so you have a chance to become a “pioneer”.
Baths of Tuscany
The Baths of Tuscany is another significant component of holidays in the region. The thermal resorts of Tuscany are open year-round and are in great demand among vacationers.
Montecatini Terme is one of the most-known spa resorts in Tuscany. There are four large thermal springs on the resort area; all of them have different properties and are actively used for healing. There are more than nine different thermal baths in Montecatini, each of which specializes in something different. Thus, some are suitable for drinking, while others are only suitable for swimming. The most famous are the thermal complexes of Tettuccio, Redi and Excelsior. You can diversify your holiday in the historical quarter of Montecatini Alto, where many interesting architectural monuments have been preserved. In addition, Montecatini is located close to cities such as Pisa and Lucca, which can be easily reached by train;
Saturnia is a resort located in the southern part of Tuscany and has outdoor cascading pools with mineral waters. The natural pools of Cascate del Mulino and Cascate del Gorello are in demand in the summer, while in winter hotels with spa areas offer their services using mineral waters of local springs as the basis for their care. Another feature of Saturnia is its countryside. The resort town is surrounded with green forests and low mountains, and it is located in a cozy valley, so the air here is always fresh and the views are stunning.
Where to stay in Tuscany
Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist regions in Italy; it is not surprising that the tourist infrastructure here is mature and developed. You can stay in Tuscany in classic hotels, apartments, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and even hostels. There are also more luxurious options such as club hotels or villa rentals.
In large cities such as Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Arezzo, bed and breakfast hotels predominate, because tourists rarely stay here for more than a few days. Such hotels have all the necessary set of options, and at the same time they have affordable prices for accommodation. The resorts of the Tuscan Riviera are characterized by other accommodation conditions. Often these are apart-hotels or separate apartments, because travelers stay here for longer periods. Of course, in the beach resorts of Tuscany there are also standard hotels of all-star categories.
A recommendation for booking accommodation in Tuscany is to search and book early, because local resorts are quite in demand, and all the best options in terms of price and quality are sold out the fastest, especially on the eve of the “high” summer season. You can find a suitable hotel/apartment on the Tuscan shore or in the cities of the region, as well as check availability for specific dates, using specialized online services for finding hotel offers, which are convenient because they compare the maximum number of available accommodations.
Hotels in Tuscany, as a rule, meet all European requirements; there are no regional peculiarities here. Depending on your needs, you can always find hotels here with parking, Wi-Fi or included meal options (although there are not many all-inclusive hotels here; mostly offering only breakfast or half board). The related infrastructure in the cities and resorts of Tuscany is also very well developed; you can always find cafes/bakeries/restaurants/supermarkets nearby.
Food in Tuscany
Shopping in Tuscany can be quite varied, depending on your own desires. Some tourists do not limit themselves to a set of standard souvenirs and go shopping at local outlets, of which there are slightly fewer in Tuscany than in the surroundings of Milan. The largest outlets in the region are Designer Outlet (suburbs of Florence), The Mall Outlet (also around Florence), Urban Outlet (near Siena), Maria Sartini non solo cashmere Outlet (suburbs of Pisa), as well as Dolce & Gabbana Outlet, Valdichiana centers Outlet Village, Fashion Valley Outlet and Lorenzo Lori Outlet (Arezzo area).
In addition to outlets, you can find shopping streets in any major city in Tuscany. For example, Florence is famous both for its mono-brand boutiques and large shopping centers. Famous Florentine shopping spots include the Gigli and La Rinasctnte department stores, and the porcelain gallery near the Ponte Vecchio is also interesting. In Pisa, Borgo Stretto and Corsa Italia are considered to be the shopping streets, which are famous for their mono-brand stores of clothing, shoes, accessories and perfume. Among the major shopping centers in Pisa is the Coin department Store. In Siena, for quality shopping, you should visit Via Dei Montanini, Via di Citta and Banchi di Sopra; in Lucca – Via Fillungo; in Livorno – Via Grande.
Tuscany is considered to be a region of respectable holidays, so in “high” season prices for accommodation and related services may rise, but not so much. In addition, with proper planning, you can always find budget accommodation, food outlets, etc. In order to find affordable accommodation for a holiday in Tuscany, it makes sense to consider resorts with less well-known names.
Next door to a popular resort you can always find a quiet, calm resort, whose quality of service and offered conditions will be no worse, but there will be no need to overpay for the image of a respectable resort. In general, holidays in the southern resorts of the Tuscan Riviera are slightly cheaper than in the northern ones, because they are still little “promoted” among tourists.
Tuscany is famous for its cuisine, and you can try local delicacies not only in gourmet restaurants; you can buy fresh products at local markets and cook your own food. The closeness of the sea allows Tuscany to fully enjoy fresh sea fish and seafood at affordable prices.
As a snack, Tuscany offers tourists a huge selection of pizza varieties. Pizzerias can be found here at every turn. Dishes that are worth trying in Tuscany include, in particular, Florentine steak, crostini appetizers, Panzanella salad, Ribollita vegetable soup, and Acquacotta thick bread soup. Tuscany is also famous for its wines – these can be red, white, or rosé varieties.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out a travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerged medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase an 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
The author is Julia Mam
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…