Holidays in Tuscany: Florence, Siena, Pisa and the Cinque Terre

This updated guide outlines a classic Tuscany route: start in Florence to see Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia, Brunelleschi's Duomo, and the Ponte Vecchio. Visit Siena's Piazza del Campo and experience its medieval art and the twice-yearly Palio horse race. In Pisa, climb the Leaning Tower with a timed ticket and explore the cathedral complex. Finish on the Ligurian coast in the Cinque Terre, a national park and UNESCO site linked by coastal trails and frequent trains. Practical tips: walk city centers, book popular tickets in advance, and visit coastal areas in shoulder seasons to avoid crowds.

Start in Milan or Florence

Most trips to Tuscany begin in Milan or directly in Florence. If you love art, food, and sunlit hill towns, this compact region delivers. Plan to move at a walking pace in the city centers - that's the best way to take them in.

Florence: the Renaissance on foot

Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance. The historic center is best explored on foot: narrow lanes lead from the Duomo complex to the Uffizi and across the Arno.

See Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia, and walk to the Piazza della Signoria to view the square where a replica stands among other sculptures. A replica of David also looks over the city from Piazzale Michelangelo, a short uphill walk with panoramic views.

Climb Brunelleschi's dome at the Duomo for close-up views of its engineering and the city below (advance tickets reduce waiting). Visit the Baptistery to see the famed Gates of Paradise; the gilded panels you see there are replicas, while the restored originals are preserved in the Duomo's museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo).

Cross the Ponte Vecchio to browse its long-established goldsmiths. For leather goods, head to established workshops off the main tourist routes if you want handmade items and a demonstration.

Siena: medieval character and the Palio

Siena sits on gentle hills and invites walking and cycling around its medieval streets. The heart of the city is the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, which slopes down toward the Fonte Gaia. Twice a year (July and August) the city holds the Palio, a bareback horse race that still draws intense local pride.

Siena's Duomo contains ornate marble work, frescoes, and notable sculptures. Take time to explore side chapels and museums to appreciate the range of medieval and Renaissance art.

Pisa: more than a leaning tower

Pisa's most famous sight is the Leaning Tower on the Piazza dei Miracoli. Construction began in the 12th century, and the tilt made it famous. You can climb the tower with a timed ticket; book ahead in high season. The cathedral and baptistery on the same square are worth visiting.

Legend says Galileo tested ideas about gravity here; historians still debate details, but the tower remains a vivid symbol of medieval engineering and its quirks.

Cinque Terre: coastal trails and villages

The Cinque Terre - five cliffside villages along the Ligurian coast - combine colorful houses, terraced vineyards, and steep trails. The area is part of a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it draws many visitors, especially in summer.

Walking the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) links the villages, but trains run frequently and provide an easy alternative when the paths are crowded or closed for maintenance. Visit in spring or autumn for cooler weather and fewer crowds.

Who will enjoy these holidays

Tuscany appeals to art lovers, foodies, hikers, and romantics. Whether you linger in museums or hike coastal paths, the region offers layered history, vivid landscapes, and memorable towns.