Looking for a unique Tuscany hotel? One of Italy’s most stunning regions offers landscapes of mountains and coast, charming villages tucked away in lush rolling hillsides and the classic cities of Pisa, Florence and Lucca. Couples, families and friends will find their perfect Tuscany hotel in our selection of picturesque B&Bs, luxurious Tuscany beach hotels and small boutique and city hotels. Spend your holidays being pampered in Tuscany Spa Hotels and live the Italian dream surrounded by architectural history and blissful countryside. Tuscany has everything to offer one could wish for. On top of that it also has some of Italy’s finest golf courses where you can enjoy a game while your family enjoys the beach or pool at one of the splendid Golf Hotels like the wonderful Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort. And if you’re not travelling with your family and it’s supposed to be just the two of you, you will find your perfect retreat in one of the stylish Adult Only Hotels in Tuscany which offer plenty of privacy to spend a truly romantic holiday with endless possibilities to rewind and recharge.
The Tuscan coast can become quite busy in the summer months. Sandy beaches are extending over 40 km in the vicinity of the picturesque seaside resorts of Viareggio and elegant Forte dei Marmi. In the hinterland the white marble mountains of the Apuan Alps are gleaming. Many families come from everywhere to spend their holidays here.
Sandy beaches & tourist center: The long beaches slope gently into the sea and are therefore ideal for children. A very popular destination is the former fishing village Marina di Massa with its lively harbour. The more urban Viareggio, also known for its carnival and the neighboring villages Marina di Pietrasanta and Cinquale are all very family-oriented and ideal if you are traveling with kids.
Celebrity flair & luxury beach resorts: The noble Forte dei Marmi attracts everybody who is anybody. And it has been that way for more than 100 years. Luckily big and impersonal hotel complexes are nowhere to be found, instead elegant villas and luxury hotels line up along the promenade - the chic and unique atmosphere is unparalleled.
Sightseeing & the marble town: The historic Pietrasanta - just a few kilometres from Forte Dei Marmi - is definitely worth a visit. It is located at the foot of the Apuan Alps and attracts visitors with the church of Saint Augustine and the cathedral of St. Martin which was already built in the 14. Century. Further north lies Carrara, which is famous for its marble quarries. Interested visitors can drop by the marble museum or go for a hike in the surrounding mountains.
You love good wine? Enjoy the wonderful rural Chianti region with its lush countryside of rolling hills, pretty villages, old castles and vineyards. The region is ideal for hiking and can be discovered by foot following the famous wine route "Strada Chiantigiana" or the castle road, that will lead hikers from one impressive castle to the next.
San Gimignano: The medieval town is probably one of the most visited places in Tuscany. But it is indeed worth a visit. San Gimignano impresses with the imposing tower houses that have once been built by Patrician families to demonstrate their power and wealth. Visitors can also admire some masterpieces of Italian art from the 14th and 15th century. Last but not least the charming hill-top town is also a place to be for foodies and wine connoisseurs.
Pretty seaside resorts, pine forests and a luxurious marina along the lively Etruscan coast, a unique natural reserve in the heart of the country, villages untouched by mass tourism, archaeological excavation sites - travelers who want to experience culture and nature off the beaten path will love the Maremma region.
Sandy beaches & tourist center: The wide sandy and pebble beaches around the holiday resorts San Vincenzo or Marina di Bibbona are very popular in high season. Families with children prefer the beaches in Cecina Mare where the little ones can frolic in the shallow waters and pine forests offer protection from the sun. If you want to stay in style we recommend you book your stay at the Gallia Palace Hotel in Punta Ala. This 5 star beach hotel will seriously charm you with its 60’s architecture, elegant interior design and beautiful private beach. South of the exclusive marina Punta Ala with its sophisticated promenade and away from the hustle and bustle you’ll find the seaside town Follonica and the fishing village Castiglione and its medieval fortress.
Pristine natural reserve: Nowhere else has the old Mediterranean landscape been preserved as well as in the Maremma. In the Maremma Nature Park, also known as Uccellina Park, hikers can follow signposted trails, watch wild horses and Maremmano bulls and go for a swim at one of the secluded beaches.
Diving & hiking: The Peninsula of Piombino with its unique rock formations is an ideal area for diving. In the port of Barrati interested travelers can book boat trips to remote bays or rent a boat themselves. Along the bay Cala Moresca there is beautiful hiking trail that offers access to small, secluded bays.
Conical hills, groups of cypresses, small country churches - the unique landscape between Montepulciano and Monte Amiata is perfect for relaxing and offers architectural masterpieces and hot springs.
Picturesque scenery: The hilly landscape is a popular motif for painters. It is this landscape of rolling hills that people think of when they imagine Tuscany. However, this particular scenery is limited to the Val d’Orcia region and has been declared Unesco World Heritage as an example of well-managed Renaissance agricultural landscapes.
Architecture & culture: Montalcino with its narrow alleys and the impressive fortress is a popular place to visit and particularly well known for its famous wine, the Brunello di Montalcino. Situated nearby is the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a very beautiful Benedictine monastery from the 12th century. Pienza, situated between Montepulciano and Montalcino is an architectural masterpiece and therfore also a must see. The former village has been rebuilt entirely by Pope Pius II as an ideal Renaissance town and is the first example of urban planning. The historic city centre has remained almost unchanged since the 15th century - around the Piazza Pio II several highlights can be visited: the Cathedral, the town hall, the Bishop’s palace and the Palazzo Piccolomini (former residence of the Pope).
Gourmet food:Pienza is also a culinary shopping paradise. Along the Corso Rosselino foodies and epicureans can buy every delicacy the region has to offer: dried mushrooms, olive oil and “pecorino senese” the local sheep’s milk cheese, to name just a few.
Thermal baths: The region is blessed with a fair amount of hot springs. The thermal spa Bagni di San Filippo has been used for healing purposes since the 13th century. Particularly imposing are some natural stone basins hidden in the woods where you can relax in milky-green water. Another spa, Bagno Vignoni, and its thermal swimming pool is frequented mostly by Italians.
Long sandy beaches in the south, steep granite peaks in the west and over again the typical Tuscan maquis (shrubland). Lively harbour towns, idyllic mountain villages and a rich and diverse underwater world - Elba is the ideal island for relaxing, hiking and diving.
Tourist centre & mountain villages: Those arriving by ferry first see the island’s capital Portoferraio with the bustling new town and the historic old town. In addition to the busy and touristy seaside resorts, like Marina di Campo and Porto Azzurro, Elba also offers idyllic mountain villages - Marciana Alta, Rio nell’Elba and Capoliveri situated high above the sea on Monte Calamita.
Bays & beaches: Due to 2 kilometres of sandy beach, an expansive range of sportive activities and culinary possibilities Marina di Campo in the south is one of the most frequented places on the island. The nearby bay of Galenzana however offers some tranquility away from the hustle and bustle. Further great beaches are located between Porto Azzurro and Rio Marina in the east, and opposite the harbour of Portoferraio in the north. Golfo della Biadola, north-east of Procchio, holds the title as the island’s most beautiful beach.
Hiking & Diving: Elba is ideal for hikers and has many marked trails by which you can traverse the granite massif of Monte Capanne among others. Mount Capanne, Elba’s highest peak (1018 m above the Mediterranean Sea), covers a large region in the west of the island and offers many hiking routes through a beautiful landscape. In the sea around Elba divers find a rich Mediterranean fauna - for example in the depths of Capo di Stella and Capo Fanzo.
Shopping & tourist attractions: On the markets in Rio Marina, Marina di Campo or Porto Azzurro you will find a large selection of local products like Elban honey, olive oil and herbs. Merchants also offer jewellery made from minerals found on the island as well as fine ceramics and pottery. Worth a visit is the former Medicean Villa dei Mulini (Portoferraio, Piazzale Napoleone 1) that Napoleon had expanded as his townhouse and where he lived during his exile. The archaeological museum (Piazzale della Linguella) informs about the island’s early history.
When visiting Tuscany you should definitely not miss visiting its capital: Florence. The city is tightly packed with imposing sights and architectural highlights, museums and art, luxury shopping opportunities and markets.
Highlights: There are so many museums and galleries in Florence, it is very hard to decide what to visit and where to start. A must see is probably the most famous „Galleria degli Uffizi“ (Piazzale degli Uffizi), where you can admire works of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Botticelli. Another impressive and highly frequented sight is the imposing cathedral with its dome, a Renaissance masterpiece by Brunelleschi. If you need a break from the crowds you can relax a little bit in the picturesque Boboli Gardens that surround Palazzo Pitti and visit the museum displaying works of Ruben, Tizian and Raphael afterwards. If you love music, you should pay Florence’s opera house a visit: Teatro del Maggio Musicale is a world-class venue. It can also be very nice to just take long walk along the banks of the Arno river and to see the bustling Ponte Vecchio - the only Florentine bridge that has not been destroyed in the Second World War- from afar.
Shopping & Food: Florence loves fashion. You’ll find very elegant shopping streets - Via dei Tornabuoni, Via Calimala and Via de Strozzi - with boutiques of every prestigious designer in the world, like Armani, Prada, Gucci and Versace. The city is also known for its antique dealers, if you’re lucky you can find antiquities from the 16th century. A bit more budget friendly are the shops of all renown high-street brands and there are also nice market that sell leather goods and food. Visit San Lorenzo market on Piazza San Lorenzo or the Sant’Ambrogio market on Piazza Ghiberti. Generally Florence is the perfect place for you if you are a foodie. Gourmets will be delighted by all the delicious local wine, cheese, bread and delicacies that can be found and tasted here, in little shops, on markets and in very good restaurants.
Where to stay: 30 km from Florence you’ll find the beautiful Monsignor della Casa Country Resort & Spa. The historic hotel is surrounded by 200 hectares of land, the hundreds of years old building is set into a fairytale landscape. Guests can enjoy romantic and spacious rooms, various spa offers and delicious Tuscan cuisine.
History-charged Fiésole: The small village Fiesole "Hotels in Fiesole") on the hillside above Florence was founded 3000 years ago. Remains of the distant past like Etruscan wall and the Roman theater from the first century can still be found everywhere around the village. Worth seeing is the Piazza Mino and the church St Mary Primerana as well as the Bandini museum From the church square of the millenary Basilica of Saint Alexander visitors can enjoy a wonderful view over Florence.
Auburn brickstone buildings, rolling hills, the famous Piazza del Campo and the cathedral, that is considered one of the most unusual buildings of the region - To many Siena is “the fairest”. The almost entirely preserved medieval city and its surroundings fascinate with centuries-old flair.
Atmospheric center: Linchpin of the city is the Piazza del Campo with its unusual shell shape - an extraordinary testimony to medieval gothic architecture, which is surrounded by tall palaces and the Tower "Torre del Mangia". It is also the place where the famous horse race “Palio di Siena” has been taking place for hundreds of years in July and August. The many restaurants and cafés around the squares are the ideal spot to enjoy the unique atmosphere day and night.
Highlights: Climbing the stairs of the Torre del Mangia is rewarded with a magnificent view over the city. The Museo Civico net to the Palazzo Pubblico (town house) is home to some splendid works of art, of which the frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti are the most famous. Another attraction, the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta from the 13th century can be seen and recognized already from afar because of its striking black and white striped Campanile (a freestanding bell tower). The cathedral combines Romanesque elements with Gothic architecture, the western facade was designed by the famous artist Giovanni Pisano, following the example of french cathedral facades. To round off your trip to Siena we recommend staying at Hotel Fattoria di Corsignano. The fabulous country estate spoils its guests with homemade Tuscan food and its own vineyards and olive groves. Perfect to just enjoy La Dolce Vita in the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
Abbey San Galgano: 35 kilometers south-east of Siena lie of the most beautiful sacred ruins of Tuscany: the vast Cistercian monastery of San Galgano. The roof of the medieval cathedral collapsed in the 18th century but the high walls and the facade remained standing. Nearby is the grave chamber of the hermit San Galgano, decorated with frescoes by the artist Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
Shopping in Arezzo: The lively town of Arezzo, south-east of Siena on the edge of the Chiana Valley, is full of magnificent buildings from the 12th to 14th century. The Corso Italia is lined with medieval buildings and is ideal for strolling and shopping clothes, shoes or delicacies. Also interesting is the Basilica of San Francesco because of its world-famous frescoes of Piero della Francesca from the 14th century.
The small now near the coast is characterized by a busy student life. Art lovers will appreciate the Cathedral and Baptistery as well as the small markets and shops in the old town. The landmark of the city, the Leaning Tower, annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists.
Highlights: The Piazza dei Miracoli, the "Square of Miracles", is the most important place in Pisa, because it’s where you’ll find all the tourist attractions: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Battistero di Pisa (the Baptistry) and of course the "Campanile" of the cathedral, better known as the "Leaning tower of Pisa". The buildings from the 11th and 12th century form the oldest ensemble of the Tuscany region. Those who want to climb the tower or the dome of the Baptistry should be prepared for long queues and a significant wait. Located behind the cathedral is the Camposanto Monumentale. It was built between 1278-1358 with magnificent round arches and is the final resting places of the once powerful and rich.
Strolling & Shopping: In the Borgo Stretto, lined by medieval arcades, there are numerous cafes, restaurants, boutiques and delicatessen shops to suit every budget.The Piazza della Repubblica is famous for designer boutiques but also for shops where you can still get clothes at bargain prices. The adjacent market area of Piazza Vettovaglie feels almost oriental. Here you can buy cheap clothes and delicacies.
Student beach: Marina di Pisa, a 20 minute drive away from Pisa, is ideal for a beach holiday. However, the beach will be jam-packed most of the time because a lot of students also go there to relax.
Lucca: Lucca, around 15 kilometers away from Viareggio, is a small town with medieval flair. It offers excellent shopping possibilities on the main shopping street Via Fillungo, elegant Palazzi and a couple of interesting cathedrals like the Cathedral of San Martino, with the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia, one of the most important sculptural works in Italy.
Florence is the top destination in Tuscany, while Pisa, Lucca, and San Gimignano are other cities/towns worth a visit for their remarkable beauty. Livorno is a pretty port city crisscrossed by canals. Prato and Montepulciano are beautiful, rural destinations. Val d’Orcia and Chianti are Tuscany’s wine regions, while the Island of Elba offers nice beaches.
The high season is April, May, June, September, and October. In July and August, it gets quite hot and can make traveling less pleasant. If you’re traveling in the off season, expect fewer tourists but shorter hours for attractions and businesses.
If you are staying only in the cities and towns of Tuscany, you can do all of your traveling via bus or train. For any other kind of trip through the countryside, renting a car is highly recommended. More secluded hotels, vineyard hotels for example, are only reachable by car.
Tuscany is served by two major airports, the Galileo International Airport in Pisa and the Peretola Airport in Florence. A taxi from the airport into Florence is fixed at 22 EUR. You can reach Siena, Lucca, and other cities via connecting bus/train from either of the airports.
The “Cradle of the Renaissance”, Florence, is famous for its staggering beauty — a city built for wandering. The highlights include the world-famous Duomo, Giotto’s Campanile, Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi Palace and Gallery.
Tuscany, one of Italy’s most popular travel destinations, is also one of the most expensive. Expect to spend around 20 EUR for dinner for one person at an inexpensive restaurant. Florence is not as pricey as Rome or Venice, but is still a major Italian city and the prices for food and drinks reflect that.
Florence is ideal for sightseeing and eating. There are many family-friendly beach hotels on the Tuscan Coast. Places in Sienna and the countryside are great for families who are looking to spend some simple downtime together, with opportunity for biking, hiking, and relaxing poolside.
Tuscany is in central Italy and has a nearly 400 km long coast. There are numerous cities with a huge cultural importance, like Florence, Pisa, Siena or Lucca. Also the island of Elba forms part of Tuscany.