The list of things to do Tuscany Italy offers is almost endless and you won't cover everything in one trip. However, our rundown of Tuscany highlights is a great place to start. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Italy your essential guide for visiting Italy.
Tuscany is well known for truffles and truffle hunting. But if you want to hunt down the biggest variety of the much prized fungi, head for San Miniato. You'll find this famous truffle town strategically placed on top of three small hills overlooking the lower Arno Valley, between Pisa and Florence.
Find more accommodation options in San Miniato
San Miniato might be most famous for truffles but there's a lot more history here that's worth exploring. Get to know the town beyond truffles on an English-speaking guided walk round its streets.
Tasting truffes in San Miniato is one of the best things to do Tuscany © StevanZZ/Shutterstock
Many people visit Cortona for its unforgettable views over Lago Trasimeno. But this charming hill town on the Valdichiana Plain also attracts attention for other reasons, particularly since it shot to fame in 2003 as the film location for 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. As a result it can get crowded, especially in summer.
Find more accommodation options in Cortona
Whether you're interested in Cortona as a film location or just want to discover its secrets, a two hour private guided tour is a great way to get to know the town.
Exploring hill towns like Cortona is one of many unique things to do in Tuscany - shutterstock
Tuscany's coast is where to find the best beach holidays in Italy and also the forest-covered Monti dell’Uccellina - Uccellina Mountains. They're part of the Maremma Regional Park in southern Tuscany which is also known for coastal plains, marshes and a stunning, untamed interior.
Find more accommodation options near Monti dell'Uccellina
Prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Have a look at some sample itineraries. Both Complete Italy or Italy Itineraries offer inspiration. All Tailor Made Trips can be modified together with your local expert, then booked for a stress-free holiday. Click 'Modify this itinerary' to contact a local Italy expert.
La Verna is the 13th century mountain retreat of St. Francis of Assisi, and now one of Tuscany's major pilgrimage sites. It's still a thriving Franciscan monastery today, although as many visitors come to explore and admire the views of the Apennines as come to pay homage.
Lesser known than Assisi and usually quieter, La Verna also doesn't feel as touristy or commercialised as its more famous counterpart.
Find more accommodation options in La Verna
Assisi may be more crowded than La Verna but it is still unmissable, plus you can make it easier with a private guided walking tour of the town and the basilica.
continued below
Set aside at least half a day to explore the Uffizi in Florence. Considered to be the finest art collection in Italy, the three-floor gallery also contains the world's greatest collection of Italian Renaissance art, which is appropriate as Florence is one of the most beautiful places in Italy.
Find more accommodation options in Florence
The queues for the Uffizi are almost as legendary as the gallery itself and the best way to avoid them is to book a skip the line small group tour of the entire collection.
The Uffizi is one of the major attractions in Tuscany Italy - shutterstock
The Alpi Apuane are a botanical wonderland in northern Tuscany where you can walk the clearly marked paths networking the area, as well as longer routes which let you hike through the Alpi Apuane valleys.
Home to over 300 bird species, the Alpi are also known for their vast beech and chestnut forests and series of dramatic marble quarries. However, if you want colour visit in spring to see the area's spectacular wildflower displays.
Find more accommodation options in Alpi Apuane
Although Tuscany is awash with art, there are a few must-sees and the Piero della Francesca fresco cycle in Arezzo is one of them. You'll find it in the San Francesco Basilica, but plan ahead as no more than 10 visitors can view the frescoes at one time.
Once you've gazed at the art make time to wander around historic Arezzo. If this handsome city seems familiar, you may recognise it as one of the locations in the n its own right, you may also recognise it as a location from the award-winning 1997 film, 'Life Is Beautiful'.
Find more accommodation options in Arezzo
Arezzo is fascinating and not just for its world famous frescoes, so if you want to learn more, take a three hour private walking tour with local guides.
Remarkable San Gimignano is one of Tuscany's iconic hill towns. Also known as Delle Belle Torri, its skyline is dominated by 15 impressive medieval towers. The town attracts hordes of tourists in summer but it's still a delight to explore and possibly one of the reasons Italy is second only to New Zealand in the most beautiful countries in the world – voted by you in 2022.
Find more accommodation options in San Gimignano
Avoid overcrowded summer and visit in autumn when it's truffle season in San Gimignano and if you want rare fungi guaranteed, go truffle hunting and have lunch with a local expert.
The many medieval towers of San Gimignano, Tuscany Italy © Vaflya/Shutterstock
Visiting Pisa is one of the best things to do in Tuscany at any time of year. Of course the main attraction is Campo dei Miracoli which is centred around the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, undoubtedly the city's most famous landmark.
However, you can't possibly miss the Campo's vast Romanesque cathedral and Camposanto is where to see some of Italy's most extraordinary tombs and frescoes. Unsurprisingly, Pisa is always very busy in summer. In fact all big sites are busy in summer, so it's a good time to look at 6 best alternatives to Italy's famous landmarks.
Find more accommodation options in Pisa
The best way to see Pisa without missing a thing is to cheat a bit, avoid all the queues and take an all-inclusive tour of the monuments and sites with local guides.
Visit the Campo dei Miracoli in Pisa, Tuscany - shutterstock
Lucca has some of Europe's finest Romanesque buildings and it's an easy city to explore, you can even take a walk or cycle round the ancient city walls. The entire circuit is four kilometres round and lined with trees, if you want to avoid crowds, visit in the mid-afternoon.
Find more accommodation options in Lucca
Tuscany is stunning at ground level but positively astounding from the air, see for yourself on a one hour hot air balloon tour from Lucca.
Drinking local wine is one of the 24 best things to do in Italy, and the vineyards between Siena and Florence produce some of the country's finest wines thanks to a mild climate year round. Chianti scenery is stunning too so it's also the perfect place to gaze at typically romantic Tuscan views.
Find more accommodation options in Siena
Many local estates welcome visitors and you can book wine tastings at most before you go. Alternatively, let someone else do the driving and take a full day Chianti wine tour from Florence.
Romantic Chianti wine country between Florence and Siena © Dmytro Balkhovitin/Shutterstock
Tuscany is where to find Il Giardino dei Tarocchi, home to one of Italy's oddest modern art collections. Il Giardino dei Tarocchi translates as The Tarot Garden, and it's just five kilometres from Capalbio. All artworks are by Niki de Saint Phalle and the garden took 17 years to complete.
Find more accommodation options in Capalbio
Il Giardino dei Tarocchi is a fun day out for children and adults. But if you want a deeper insight into the art, take a tour of the gardens and Capalbio from Civitavecchia.
Take to the coast of Tuscany and discover the island of Giglio. Less travelled than its famous neighbour Elba, which is home to one of the 20 best beaches in Italy, Giglio is still relatively undeveloped. Known for pretty stone villages and views, it's also good for beaches, water sports and mountain hiking.
Find more accommodation options in Giglio
The island of Giglio, Tuscany Italy © jackbolla/Shutterstock
Tuscany isn't short on spa towns, but only Bagno Vignoni lets you spa for free. This tiny village an hour south of Siena has its own natural hot springs, and doesn't charge visitors to use its outdoor sulphur pools.
Don't miss the Medici-era pool in main square, although not open for bathing it looks marvellous and if that intrigues you might also like 25 fun facts about Italy you didn't know.
Find more accommodation options in Bagno Vignoni
If you just want to dip into Bagno Vignoni and see more of Tuscany too, think about taking a wine tasting and Tuscan villages full-day trip which includes the famous spa town.
Hotels in rural Tuscany don't appear on the list of the world's strangest hotels, however, they're often very good for more leisurely sightseeing and can often be truly outstanding.
Castello di Velona south of Montalcino, is a perfect example. This former 12th century castle sits in open countryside only 30 minutes drive from Siena. Each bedroom is individually designed, there's a spa and the Tuscan restaurant showcases Castello di Velona wines.
Find more accommodation options in Montalcino
Ready for a trip to Italy? Check out the Rough Guide to Italy. If you travel further in Italy read more about the best time to go and the best places to visit. For inspiration use our Italy itineraries or speak to our local experts. A bit more hands on, learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay once you are there. And don't forget to buy travel insurance before you go.
We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this does not influence our editorial standards - we only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.