Known as the Manhattan of the Middle Ages, San Gimignano is one of the most charming villages in Tuscany. Don't miss the chance to visit it!
Take the chance of a trip to Florence, which, due to its geographical location, offers the possibility of visiting some of the most striking destinations found in its surroundings.
One of these is undoubtedly San Gimignano, a small jewel among the hills that every traveler should admire at least once in a lifetime!
From wherever you arrive in San Gimignano, the skyline of the charming town can be recognized in the distance by the circle of walls and the many towers, a symbol of the power of aristocratic families in medieval times.
San Gimignano is about 60 km from Florence and can be reached in less than 2 hours depending on the means of transportation you choose.
Follow our suggestions!
From Florence to San Gimignano: an unforgettable visit!
San Gimignano, an unforgettable visit!
Once in San Gimignano, the most convenient and easiest way to visit is to book a tour during which you can visit the main monuments and enjoy their beauty.
You can discover the secrets of an ancient medieval tower by climbing the steps to the top and be enchanted by the breathtaking view of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
We at Visititaly recommend that you visit San Gimignano especially because you will feel as if you are taking a trip into the past, immersed in the evocative medieval atmosphere at every step.
Take your time and enjoy the moment...
Book your San Gimignano Pass here❯How to get to San Gimignano from Florence by public transportation
San Gimignano from Florence
By train:
The train, unfortunately, is not the most practical option because there is no station in San Gimignano and therefore no direct trains.
You will, then, have to take the train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Poggibonsi - San Gimignano Station.
Please be careful, however, because despite the name of the station, trains stop in Poggibonsi, which is about 10 km from San Gimignano.
From Poggibonsi you will have to take the Autolinee Toscane bus from Piazza della Stazione to San Gimignano (line 130).
By bus:
If you decide to go the whole way by bus, you will have to leave from Firenze Santa Maria Novella and will arrive in San Gimignano in about two hours, with change in Poggibonsi.
All the info can be found here.
How to reach San Gimignano from Florence by car
Welcome to San Gimignano
By car:
Among the several ways to get to San Gimignano, the car is the easiest.
From Florence, drive in the direction of the Firenze Impruneta A1 highway exit and take the entrance to the Firenze - Siena freeway heading south and exit at Poggibonsi nord; follow the signs for San Gimignano and in about an hour you will have reached your destination.
If you like to drive, your best bet is to rent a car, so you can set off freely and stop wherever you like.
The historic center of San Gimignano is a limited traffic zone, so be careful!
All parking areas are close to the historic center, so once you park your car, you can walk to it.
Why visit San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a small fortified medieval town in Tuscany.
It is a unique destination to be discovered by walking through the charming medieval lanes or visiting its museums and historic buildings to enjoy history, art and culture without forgetting good food.
The historic center of San Gimignano has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 because it has preserved its authentic medieval structure both architecturally and urbanistically.
San Gimignano, in fact, is known as the Manhattan of the Middle Ages because in ancient times it was characterized by 72 towers, a symbol of wealth and power of aristocratic families, of which 14 remain today.
The heart of the small town are Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Cisterna, overlooked by important historic buildings such as the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà, the Palazzo Comunale or Palazzo Nuovo, the Palazzo della Propositura and, of course, the renowned towers.
You can start your visit from the Duomo, a striking Romanesque-style building with interiors rich in frescoes by great Tuscan Renaissance artists such as Domenico Ghirlandaio and Benozzo Gozzoli.
From the Palazzo del Popolo you can access the Torre Grossa, the highest tower in San Gimignano, from the top of which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside surrounding the hamlet.
Walking through the charming medieval streets, it is possible to admire the ancient noble palaces and numerous towers that characterize it or the many churches decorated with frescoes, such as those of St. Peter, St. Jacopo, St. Bartolo, the Collegiate Church of St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Augustine. A scenic spot worth a visit is the Rocca di Montestaffoli, an ancient defensive structure.
To enjoy the beauty of the artistic masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, we recommend a visit to the Pinacoteca, which houses some of the paintings of the most important Sienese and Florentine artists such as Benozzo Gozzoli, Pinturicchio and Filippo Memmi.
You cannot leave San Gimignano without stopping at one of the typical osterie or trattorias to enjoy a dish of pici al ragù or wild boar stew accompanied by a glass of Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG or the San Gimignano Rosso DOC, typical of the area.
