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Table of Contents:
How to get to Volterra from Pisa
When to travel to Volterra
Volterra is another small but extremely picturesque place among the Tuscan towns. Volterra reached its heyday during the Etruscan times, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds. For tourists, Volterra is interesting for its architecture – castles, fortresses, gates, cathedrals and squares that have been preserved here. It is a special pleasure to stroll along the narrow streets of the old town in the afternoon, when the sun begins to slowly set and color this “yellow” town with its rays. The Tuscan fields and hills in the surroundings of Volterra are no less picturesque.
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 Volterra. 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 Volterra.
Frankly speaking, you can visit Volterra all year round as its architecture is gorgeous no matter what. Even on very cloudy and chilly days Volterra remains beautiful. “High” tourist season lasts from April to October incl. in Volterra. I must say, it can be quite hot here during July-August period though. The other months are also good because Tuscany region has a rather mild climate any season of the year.
How to get to Volterra
Where do you fly into to get to Volterra? Volterra is located near the western shore of Italy, among the picturesque Tuscan landscapes. The nearest major city is Pisa, where there are direct flights from all over the world. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. As I found out, the distance between Pisa and Volterra is about 70 km. You can get from Pisa to Volterra by regular bus or by rented car. There is no train station in Volterra though.
How to get to Volterra from Pisa
By bus: If you choose public transport, there are direct buses between Pisa and Volterra up to 10 times a day, departing every two hours. The travel time usually takes about 2.5-3 hours. Tuscany is not a good region for travelling by public transport so many travellers prefer to rent a car to move around.
By rented car: A popular way to get around in Tuscany is by car. The thing is that most of the picturesque towns in the region are not connected by rail, and getting there by bus takes a long time and is not always convenient. You can rent a car immediately upon arrival at Pisa airport. To do this, you need to have a passport (or an identity card), an international driver’s license and a bank card. You can book the desired class of car in advance via different international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. In my opinion, booking in advance is especially relevant for the “high” tourist season, when this option is definitely in demand. Pisa and Volterra are connected with highway No. SP15; the approximate travel time by car is 1 hour 10 minutes (see on the map).
Where to stay in Volterra
Despite its small size, Volterra offers a fairly extensive hotel infrastructure. As I discovered, here you can find about 20 hotels of various categories, as well as bed and breakfast hotels, apartments and guest houses. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the following hotels in Volterra usually get high ratings from travelers:
Hotel San Lino 4* is located within walking distance from the main attractions of the town. It features a garden, a seasonal swimming pool and a sun terrace. There is a restaurant on site. Guests can stay in rooms of various sizes; breakfast is included. Wi-Fi is free. Private parking is available on site upon reservation and at an additional cost. The front desk serves guests 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services;
Park Hotel Le Fonti 4* is located in a picturesque place, within walking distance from the historical center. The hotel has 2 seasonal swimming pools, a restaurant, a bar, and a spa area. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Depending on the type of room, breakfast may be included in the price or paid additionally. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Free public parking is provided on site. The reception is open 24 hours a day;
Hotel La Locanda 4* is located in the historical center of Volterra and has its own garden. There is a restaurant on site. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. All rooms are equipped with a coffee pot or kettle. 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 front desk is open 24 hours a day and there is luggage storage;
Hotel Volterra In 3* is located in a historic building in the very center of Volterra. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Depending on the type of room, breakfast may be included in the price or paid additionally. Each room has a coffee pot or a kettle. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. Paid public parking is available nearby. Luggage storage services can be found at the front desk;
Albergo Etruria 3* is located in a historic building, a 5-minute walk from the town center. There is a bar at the hotel. You can stay in rooms of various sizes; breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Free public parking is provided nearby. Luggage storage services are available at the front desk.
What to see in Volterra
Volterra is a beautiful historical town surrounded by equally picturesque Tuscan fields. Its old center is located quite compactly within the fortress walls. Here tourists can see numerous attractions, including a fortress, a castle, a cathedral, several squares, as well as an ancient gate, which was considered like the main entrance to the town.
The main square of the town is Piazzo dei Priori, where the palace of the same name is located. It is considered to be the oldest one in the Tuscan region. Within the old town there are also ancient gates, which were built by the Etruscans in the 4th century. The gate is made in the shape of an arch and leads to a narrow street of the same name past souvenir shops and historical monuments.
Under the fortress walls of Volterra you can find an ancient amphitheater – one of the most valuable archaeological finds in the town. You can view the amphitheater both from above and from the inside. In addition to the amphitheater, Volterra also has an Archaeological Park. Here, in the open air, you can see many ancient artifacts from the Etruscan period. In addition, within the park there is a majestic Medici castle. Originally it was a fortress built at the end of the 13th century. Based on my research ,the final construction of the castle took place in the 15th century, when its main architectural features appeared. To my mind, its jagged roof is particularly attractive.
Outstanding sights of Volterra also include the Cathedral, Pinacoteca, City Museum and some other monuments. Tourists and travelers, who have been to Volterra, note, among other things, the amazing sunsets that descend on the town and paint it in all shades of gold. At this time, both the narrow streets of Volterra and the panoramic decks from which the surrounding fields are visible are transformed.
Near Volterra there are such tourist “pearls” as San Gimignano and Siena, one of the most visited cities in Tuscany, so tourists from Volterra often travel to these cities too. Overall, I can say that Volterra is an extremely picturesque town, both in terms of location and architecture. Volterra is a fine example of a Tuscan hill settlement that developed into a well-known town. Cathedrals, palaces, squares and castles, as well as archaeological sites, all form Volterra beautiful attractions.
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: Dave & Margie Hill
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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…