Florence and Tuscany Day Trips
Stay around Firenze Santa Maria Novella station and take day trips to Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti.
You stay at the same hotel all week. In the city, three and a half days cover the Duomo, the Uffizi, the Pitti Palace and Piazzale Michelangelo. The other three days go by train to Lucca and Pisa, by tour or self-drive to Siena and San Gimignano, and on a Chianti winery tasting tour. Staying near the station makes departures most convenient. Ideal for travelers who want to see Tuscany's famous towns in one trip without moving hotels with their luggage.
The best time is September to October, during the Chianti grape harvest. In summer, Pisa and San Gimignano are crowded and hot.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and the Duomo
Florence & Tuscany（Santa Maria Novella、Florence Cathedral (Duomo)、Giotto's Campanile）
Take the T2 tram from the airport, about 20 minutes, to the station area and check in. In the afternoon, walk to the Duomo area.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 2 · David and the Uffizi
Florence & Tuscany（Galleria dell'Accademia、Piazza della Signoria、Uffizi Gallery、Ponte Vecchio）
Spend the day on foot in the old town. The Accademia Gallery to Piazza della Signoria is about 15 minutes on foot.
Both museums are closed on Mondays, so avoid scheduling them that day.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 3 · Lucca Walls and Pisa's Leaning Tower
Florence & Tuscany（Lucca、Leaning Tower of Pisa）
Take the train about 1 hour 20 minutes to Lucca, then a 30-minute train to Pisa. In the evening, return to Florence by train, about 1 hour.
Climbing the leaning tower requires a timed ticket. Go to Lucca in the morning, when it is less crowded.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 4 · Siena and San Gimignano
Florence & Tuscany（Siena、San Gimignano）
A tour or self-drive is the easiest option. By public transport, take a bus to Siena, then change at Poggibonsi for San Gimignano. The full day's travel is about 3 hours.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 5 · Oltrarno and Piazzale Michelangelo at Sunset
Florence & Tuscany（Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens、Oltrarno & Basilica of Santo Spirito、San Miniato al Monte、Piazzale Michelangelo）
Cross the river on foot to explore the south bank. In the evening, walk about 20 minutes up the slope to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 6 · Chianti Wine Tasting
Florence & Tuscany（Chianti Wine Region）
Join a half-day or full-day wine tasting tour. The drive takes about 40 to 60 minutes, passing through small towns such as Greve to visit wineries, and you return to the city in the evening.
Winery tastings require advance booking. Self-drivers should be aware of drink-driving restrictions.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 7 · Santa Croce and Departure
Florence & Tuscany（Basilica of Santa Croce、Mercato Centrale）
Walk around the Santa Croce area in the morning. In the afternoon, take the T2 tram to the airport.