Where To Stay in Tuscany: Idyllic Towns and Top Hotels

Tuscany is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy and an incredible place for any traveler to visit. Famed for its rolling hills covered in vineyards, tall cypress trees, historic hilltop towns, and an abundance of wine and olive oil, it's a must-visit destination for many heading to Italy.

But because Tuscany is much larger than most of us think, knowing where to base yourself in the region can be difficult. Do you want to eat homemade ragù in a medieval town in the Tuscan hills? Or enjoy the hustle and bustle of one of the larger cities?

In this guide on where to stay in Tuscany, I'm going to take you through my favorite towns, villages, and cities in the region so you can choose one as your base or multiple if you fancy traveling around!

Length of Time Needed in Tuscany

Tuscany is such a vast region that you could spend weeks traveling around and not see everything it has to offer. And of course, that isn't always possible. I'd say a week is the minimum length of time you should spend in Tuscany to get a good feel for the different places and see the most famous sights.

The first time I went to Tuscany I went for 5 days and I left feeling like I'd missed out on a couple of the villages and towns I wanted to see. I also hadn't had my fill of pasta yet. So, last year I spent a month traveling and working around Tuscany and visited lots of different areas. Needless to say, it was incredible, and if it's a possibility for you, I can really recommend staying longer!

Getting Around Tuscany

My trip to Tuscany was actually a 30th birthday gift from my partner and, whilst he knew I wanted to go back, the idea of driving around winding Tuscan hills was definitely part present for him too.

Hiring a car is the easiest way to move around the region, especially if you want to focus on smaller villages. If you plan to stay in one of the bigger cities, such as Florence or Sienna, you'll be able to take day trips out to the surrounding towns, either with a private company or as part of a group.

Getting to Tuscany

There are plenty of daily flights from other European cities to Florence and Pisa and many of them are well-priced if you book in advance. The region is also well-connected by train to other cities in the south of the country, such as Naples and Rome, and it's easy to combine a trip to Tuscany as part of a longer one around Italy.

The 5 Best Places to Stay in Tuscany

Whether you want to take part in authentic cooking classes or see one of Michelangelo's masterpieces, you really can do it all in Tuscany – which is one of the reasons I love it so much.

Yes, you can mix and match peaceful sunsets over olive groves and shopping on one of Italy's most famous streets.

1. Where to Stay in Tuscany for Day Trips, Culture, and Amazing Hotels: Florence

Best for: A central base with access to the surrounding Tuscan countryside and hilltop towns.

Not everyone traveling to Tuscany wants to be in a remote town – which is fine! One of Italy's largest cities is also in the region and is the perfect place to stay to enjoy everything Tuscany and its capital have to offer.

Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy and it's just as beautiful and romantic as you imagine it to be. There's so much to do there and you could easily spend an entire week walking through the cobbled streets, eating gelato, and seeing only a handful of its world-famous sites and tourist attractions.

There are also so many amazing places to stay in Florence which means you can find 5* luxury and budget-friendly accommodation.

Pros of Staying in Florence

• Great for families, couples, and singles
• Amazing range of accommodation options
• One of the most beautiful cities in Europe
• Great central base for exploring the rest of Tuscany
• Easy to get to and get around

Cons of Staying in Florence

• Not the idyllic hilltop town you imagine in Tuscany
• There aren't a lot of parking options and it can be expensive if you're coming in a rental car
• Certain areas can be very touristy

Best Hotels to Stay in Florence

($$$) Villa Cora

A luxuriously decorated 19th-century villa with spacious rooms, an outdoor pool, and a wellness area. The historic hotel serves top-quality food and wine from the region.

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($$) Pontevecchio Relais

A beautiful hotel located in the historic center, just a couple of meters away from Pontevecchio Bridge. It has all the amenities you'd need and many rooms have a river view.

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($) Hostel Archi Rossi

Archi Rossi is a wonderful, clean, and brilliantly located hostel in the heart of Florence. There are various dorms and rooms to choose from and the staff are really friendly.

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Things to Do in Florence

Take a Day Trip. Even though the city has so much to offer, it's worth taking a day trip out to the Tuscan countryside to see the villas, rolling hills, and cypress trees for yourself. You can go on a day trip to the Chianti region of Tuscany, and enjoy wine tasting as well as delicious local food.

Visit The Duomo. Florence Cathedral is very impressive and anyone visiting the city will be hard-pressed to miss it. The gothic dome looms above the city and the black and white striped building is beautiful just to wander around, or you can pay to take a tour inside.

Go to Mercato Centrale. Lots of traditional markets across Europe are struggling with the rise in tourism and how they can adapt to fewer people buying weekly produce and more wanting food in a beautiful building. The Mercato Centrale in Florence seems to balance this really well. Downstairs is still a pretty authentic market with an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies. Upstairs is a food hall that serves some amazing dishes, many of which use the produce from downstairs! I can absolutely recommend the arancini stand – they were so delicious we went twice for lunch!

Have a Glass of Wine – From a Wine Window! There are more than 150 wine windows across the city and yes, they are exactly what they sound like! These beautiful little windows are just big enough to pass a glass of wine through and are a novel way to enjoy some local wine.

Visit David. One of the most famous things to see in Florence is Michelangelo's sculpture of David. It's in the Accademia Gallery of Florence and there are several different basic and combined ticket options on offer.

2. Where to Stay in Tuscany for Stunning Views and Great Wine: Montepulciano

Best for: The quintessential Tuscan experience, great food, and relaxing stay.

Montepulciano is a beautiful hilltop town in the Val d'Orcia region of Tuscany, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arriving in Montepulciano is stunning – it's a long road curving its way upwards through vineyards, fields of wheat, and olive groves.

Like most of the hilltop towns in Tuscany, Montepulciano is fairly small and there's not a huge amount to do which, in my opinion, adds to its charm. The main street leads to the Piazza Grande and the entrance to Palazzo del Comune and the sidestreets are beautiful to walk around.

As you might imagine from such a stunning and typically Tuscan village, Montepulciano has been featured in many films, including the Twilight saga and The English Patient.

Pros of Staying in Montepulciano

• It's the real Tuscan experience
• Great food and wine
• Beautiful town that you can spend hours wandering around
• More to do than in some of the much smaller villages

Cons of Staying in Montepulciano

• It can get very touristy and a bit overwhelming in summer
• You'll need a car to get there or transport from a bigger town

• Not a ‘huge' amount of things to do, but great for one or two nights

Best Hotels to Stay in Montepulciano

($$$) Precise Tale Poggio Alla Sala

This 5-star luxury hotel offers a sun terrace, swimming pool, infinity pool, spa, and fitness center. Nestled amongst the vineyards, this charming Tuscan house has rooms with garden and terrace views.

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($$) Palazzo Carletti

A beautiful and charming hotel set in a Medieval building in the center of Montepulciano. It's tastefully decorated with several suites and rooms to choose from.

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($) Hotel Panoramic Montepulciano

It's not often that economic and environmental go hand in hand, but Hotel Panoramic does both! This hotel is run on entirely renewable energy and there's even an outdoor swimming pool!

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Things to Do in Montepulciano

Visit Piazza Grande. Piazza Grande is the center of Montepulciano and it's lined by some of the most important buildings in the town, including the Town Hall, Contucci Palace, and the cathedral.

Get Lost in the Medieval Streets. Wandering around the streets of Montepulciano was a real highlight of my trip to Tuscany. It's so beautiful to see all the original architecture and the beautiful gardens. There also seems to be a wonderful viewpoint at the end of every path!

Try Vino Noble de Montepulciano. If you like red wine, then Tuscany is the perfect place to visit. But it's important to know the difference between Montepulciano wine and Vino Noble de Montepulciano. Vino Noble is actually from Montepulciano and, in my opinion, is much better, whereas the other one can be made anywhere. We had an amazing afternoon in E Lucevan le Stelle. In fact, we loved this wine bar so much that it made it onto the list of table names for our wedding (they were all our favorite bars and restaurants that we've traveled to)!

Go for a Walk amongst the Vineyards. Montepulciano is surrounded by vineyards for as far as the eye can see. Even though the walk back up the hill is a little steep, I can really recommend taking one of the paths down to get to them. It's beautiful to see the authentic Tuscan landscape and there are very few tourists too!

‘Enjoy' the Torture Museum. Don't ask me why, but there seems to be a torture museum in almost every town in Tuscany. I didn't actually go to the one in Montepulciano, but the people we met said it's one of the best – which I imagine means one of the most informative.

3. Where to Stay for the BEST Pizza, Beauty, and a Good Mix of Small and Large Town Vibes: Siena

Best for: First-timers to Tuscany who want to experience city life but also be close to the idyllic towns.

When we traveled around Tuscany, we tended to spend 2 nights in the smaller villages and towns and 3 nights in the cities. We were staying a short drive away from Siena and it's the only place on the list that I wish we had stayed longer or stayed in the city itself.

I didn't know what to expect from Siena, but I definitely didn't expect it to be so unique and beautiful. I also didn't expect it to be so hilly! Everything in Siena is uphill, so much so that restaurant tables have two longer legs to make them flat! It's a wonderful city to visit, with a great vibe, and incredible food.

Pros of Staying in Siena

• Incredible city with lots to do and see
• Day trips to classic hilltop towns, such as Montepulciano
• Lots of varying accommodations to choose from
• Amazing bars and restaurants!
• Wonderful atmosphere

Cons of Staying in Siena

• Lots of hilly streets to go up and down!
• Can get very touristy, especially in summer and during the horse race

Best Hotels to Stay in Siena

($$$) Grand Hotel Continental Siena

This luxury hotel is set in a 17th-century building in a prime location in Siena. It's the perfect combination of traditional Tuscan decoration with modern amenities and is a great base to explore the historic city.

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($$) Il Battistero Siena Residenza d'Epoca

This cute and charming hotel is perfectly located in Piazza San Giovanni in the center of Siena. Each of the guest rooms is unique, combining design features and comfort and the main attractions are all within walking distance.

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($) B&B Le Lupe

This simple hotel is a reformed factory just a 10-minute walk away from the central square. It has all the basic amenities you'd need, is clean, and very comfortable. Some rooms also have a private balcony with views of the city.

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Things to Do in Siena

Visit Piazza Del Campo. Piazza del Campo is in the historic center of Siena and is one of the most visited sites in the city. This wobbly square – you'll understand what I mean when you go – is where the famous Siena horse race, Palio di Siena, is held twice per year. The Town Hall and Fonte Gaia are worth visiting in the Piazza too.

Eat the Best Pizza. You know those places that you don't actually want to tell anyone about in case they change? Well, this is one of them, but the pizza was so good that I'm going to share it anyway! We did a cooking class a few days before arriving in Siena and the lady running it, who is from Siena, recommended Il Cavaliere Errante. I ordered the one with a burrata on top and it's up there with the best pizzas I've ever eaten.

Climb the Torre del Mangia. Just a word of warning, you will have to climb 400 steps to reach the top of the Torre de Mangia, which might not be for everyone. Those who do reach the top will be rewarded with a stunning view of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Visit the Duomo. In my opinion, the cathedral in Siena is the most beautiful in all of the region – yes, even more beautiful than the one in Florence! It's so impressive and is the real focal point of the city

4. Where to Stay in Tuscany to Beat the Crowds and for an Authentic Feel: Volterra (My Personal Favorite)

Best for: Experiencing life in Tuscany, great food and wine, and beautiful views.

Volterra doesn't appear on many lists of where to stay in Tuscany – and I have no idea why! This amazing little town is just an hour away from Siena and 90 minutes from Florence, so it's perfectly located for exploring the whole region.

I imagine most people head for the tall towers of San Gimignano instead and, in my opinion, that's not a good idea. We also spent a night in San Gimignano and, whilst it's worth visiting, staying in Volterra is much nicer and way less touristy. You can easily take a day trip to climb up the famous towers!

Volterra is a classic Tuscan town with winding roads, impressive buildings, and breathtaking views. The locals we met were really friendly and happy to show us around the town and recommend places to eat and wine to try!

Pros of Staying in Volterra

• Great location and easy for day-tripping to other towns and cities
• Beautiful Tuscan village with great views
• Fewer tourists
• Wonderful bars and restaurants
• More of a local feel

Cons of Staying in Volterra

• Parking is tricky – we got a fine that wasn't very obvious, so make sure you check!
• There's not a huge amount to do
• Fewer accommodation options

Best Hotels to Stay in Volterra

($$$) Residenza Storica Palazzo Ricciarelli

This is a stunning palace/villa just 300 meters from the main square in Volterra. It has everything you need, including a fully equipped kitchen and dining room, and offers views of the historic town and breathtaking countryside.

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($$) Attico Il Magnifico Volterra

A wonderful two-bed apartment with classic details, such as terracotta floors, and modern finishes. The apartment has an outdoor eating area and garden and bike and car hire are available.

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($) Hotel La Locanda

This converted nunnery is a great place to stay in Volterra, offering comfortable rooms in a great location. There's a garden to enjoy as well as a buffet-style breakfast and different-sized rooms to choose from.

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Things to Do in Volterra

Visit the Roman Theatre Ruins. Slightly down the hill from the main street of Volterra are some really impressive Roman theatre ruins. You can see them from above if you walk along the street that passes by the town walls, or you can pay the entrance fee to see them from inside.

Enjoy Lunch with a View. Osteria del Fornelli was the first place we stumbled upon in Volterra. We went in March and hadn't expected it to be so cold – it was really minus degrees a lot of the time, so, we were very happy to find this little sun trap! We had a locally brewed beer which was delicious and tried to book for dinner but it was totally full, so we came back the next day instead! The food was delicious and the view from the terrace was amazing.

Discover Alabaster Stone. You can't miss Alabaster when you go to Volterra – it's everywhere! This beautiful white stone that looks a little like marble was used a lot by the Etruscans in Volterra and is still very important in the region. There are plenty of shops selling everything from wine stoppers to life-size sculptures.

5. Where to Stay in Tuscany for Art, Culture, and History: Arezzo

Best for: Those wanting the shopping possibilities of a city but with the views and easy access of a village.

Arezzo is about an hour southeast of Florence, so, even if you don't decide to stay there, you can easily go on a day trip. This beautiful medieval town is bigger than many others on this list of where to stay in Tuscany, so it's a great place to base yourself for a couple of nights. There are lots to do and it is famous throughout Italy for its antique and jewelry shops.

There are lots of great restaurants in Arezzo too, with many of them serving dishes using local produce from the Casentino Valley. When I was there, there was a wonderful farmers' market and a great stand selling raw beans and pecorino cheese which was an amazing and delicious combination!

Pros of Staying in Arezzo

• Lots of things to do and see
• Bigger town but with easy access to the Tuscan countryside
• Good accommodation options
• Beautiful town with traditional architecture
• Connected via train

Cons of Staying in Arezzo

• Can get very touristy in peak season

Best Hotels to Stay in Arezzo

($$) Hotel Continentale

This hotel has stylish, clean, and comfortable rooms of varying sizes. It's close to the train station and has a wonderful rooftop terrace with views of the historic town center.

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($$) Il Piccolo Cavour B&B

Located in a renovated 18th-century building, this charming B&B has everything you need. The rooms are stylish and many restaurants, bars, and cafes are nearby.

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($) Santo Spirito

This is a cute apartment hotel that's close to the train station and town. Each room has a private bathroom and some have kitchen units too.

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Things to Do in Arezzo

Take in All the Art. Arezzo is a dream for any art lover. Go to the Church of San Francesco and admire the Frescos by Piero Della Francesca. The Piazza Grande is also full of amazing architecture that's worth admiring.

Enjoy the Antiques. Arezzo is full of antique shops selling an amazing array of furniture, homeware, and jewelry. If you manage to time your trip to Arezzo on the first weekend of the month, you'll be able to enjoy Italy's biggest antiques fair in Piazza Grande.

Go on a Wine Tour. Of course, wine is an important part of Tuscan culture and there are several tours and tasting sessions in the region. There's an excellent sustainable wine tour near Arezzo where you can learn all about local wines.

Where to Stay in Tuscany – Frequently Asked Questions

☀️ When's The Best Time to Visit Tuscany?

Tuscany is a beautiful region all year long. If you plan to rent a villa and relax by the pool, then summer is the best time to go. But, if you want to travel around the places listed here, it's best to go in spring or fall to avoid the crowds. I went in March and there were fewer tourists but it was really cold – something that everyone said wasn't normal! Maybe closer to April-May would be better!

👨‍👩‍👦 Is Tuscany a good Place to Visit with Kids?

Tuscany is a great place to visit with kids, however, some of the smaller villages might be a little boring for them – especially when some of the main things to do are walks, admiring the architecture, and going on wine tours!

🇮🇹 Why Is Pisa Not on the List?

Pisa was my least favorite place we visited in Tuscany. That's probably influenced by the really bad apartment we were staying in but I just felt the city lacked a little charm compared to the other places. It's heavily tower-centric and the area around the square is overwhelmingly touristy. It could be that I wasn't there long enough but I think a day trip for an iconic photo is enough.

🚗 Do You Need a Car in Tuscany?

Driving is certainly the easiest way to get from town to town and most of the hotels listed have car parks outside the walls. If you're going to Florence there's no need to get a car, in fact, I wouldn't recommend it!

Where To Stay in Tuscany – Final Words

It's hard not to fall in love with Tuscany. The landscape is stunning, the people are friendly, and the food is delicious. It's a large region and I'd recommend travelling between places to get a real feel for it.

You're bound to pass through other towns you can stop off in and you'll see some of the most incredible villas. Whether you prefer big cities or idyllic little villages, Tuscany delivers and there's always a viewpoint to take it all in!