20 Concealed Gems in Tuscany – Off the Beaten Path

Are you seeking to get off the crushed monitor and examine hidden gems in Tuscany? We have bought some secret spots to share!
If you’ve currently explored the best areas to go to in North Italy and it’s time to head south, Tuscany is your future port of simply call. Seeped in heritage, Tuscany features Italian culture, art, wine, and food at its greatest. 
Tuscany is the birthplace of the Renaissance and the Italian language. It’s also the birthplace of legendary Italian figures like Dante Alighieri, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michaelangelo. 
Today, Tuscan towns like Florence, Lucca, and Siena are preferred with vacationers. But there are a lot of places to see if you want to steer clear of the crowds!
Household to rolling countryside, charming medieval hamlets, the world’s best artwork, exquisite wine, and food that’ll have your mouth watering non-stop—Tuscany has some thing for everybody. It is a area rife with secluded nooks, historic pathways, and mouth watering secrets.
So, are you prepared to listen to about some of Tuscany’s most effective-stored secrets and techniques?

Concealed Gems in Tuscany
When planning a journey to Italy, recall there is so substantially additional to learn outside of the usual vacationer trails that wind by its main cities. In this article are some of the finest off-the-overwhelmed-keep track of sites and cities to pay a visit to in Tuscany. 
Montepulciano

Surrounded by vineyards, Multipulciano is one of the finest concealed gems in Tuscany. This small settlement has a fascinating heritage that dates back again to medieval situations. Examine its a lot of landmarks, like the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, the baroque Church of Santa Lucia, and the Museo Civico di Montepulciano. 
If you’re hunting for an escape in the Tuscan countryside, Montepulciano ticks all the packing containers. Feast on sumptuous food items, sip tasty wines from the region and admire the rolling countryside environment from its hilltop locale. Do not forget your digital camera!
Pitigliano
The very little city of Pitigliano is carved from volcanic stone and steeped in history. Created in 1598 into the facet of a hill, Pitigliano is truly a sight to behold. It’s commonly recognized as ‘Little Jerusalem’ thanks to a sizeable Jewish presence from the 1600s.
Head to Pitigliano and expend the working day wandering the medieval cobbled streets. Prevent to admire the look at, look through the quaint artisan shops, and grab a snack or two (or 3 or four). Be certain to sample Straffi, a standard biscuit consisting of honey, walnuts, nutmeg, and orange peel encased in dough. 
If you’re a historical past buff, pay a go to to some of the town’s museums to explore artifacts from the Bronze, Neolithic, and Copper ages. Be positive to test out the Jewish Ghetto and the Duomo di Pitigliano in advance of settling down at a cafe terrace for supper and a effectively-deserved glass of wine.
Volterra
If you are being in the Tuscan funds and on the lookout for the finest working day journeys from Florence, Volterra should really be on your listing. 
If you’ve at any time go through Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight collection then you’re most likely acquainted with this walled medieval metropolis south of Florence. In the collection, Volterra is dwelling to the Volturi (rich, historic vampires who rule over the vampire inhabitants).
In actuality, Volterra is a middle of Etruscan and medieval historical past with fantastic cuisine and a lot to see. 
Val d’Orcia
Val D’Orcia is a single of the ideal spots in Tuscany for any individual looking for unforgettable landscapes and loads of picture alternatives. 
Its sweeping landscape dotted with olive groves is the pretty definition of perfection. A lesser-explored area, its gentle green valleys have generally been the subject matter of Renaissance paintings.
Within just these flowing hills are Pienza, recognized for its cathedral and mouth watering pecorino cheese, and the historic and cultural hub Monticchiello, equally concealed gems properly really worth viewing. If you can, we suggest renting a car or truck so you make stops alongside the way.
Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni is a picturesque walled city in the coronary heart of Tuscany. Despite its small dimension, it is nicely worth the go to. We recommend combining your go to with a working day trip to nearby sites like San Gimignano or Greve in Chianti.
Check out the beautifully preserved medieval town, choose a stroll all around its walls, and stop off at the Fattoria Castello di Monteriggioni vineyard to sample some scrumptious wines from the location. 
Lari
Lari is a picturesque terracotta village with a charming castle. The watch is amazing, and on an primarily obvious working day, you can even see the leaning tower of Pisa in the distance!
If you’re a foodie, this is the area for you. Lari is property to several spouse and children-operate butchers specializing in hams, sausages, and incomparable prosciutto. You can also pay a visit to a little pasta factory, Pastifico Famiglia Martelli, that crafts award-successful pasta from vintage machinery.
A different have to-see is Antica Grotta di Stagionatura (it is actually a cheese cave!) In this article, you can sample tasty cheeses that have matured underground. Be positive to attempt tre latti, a cheese built from sheep, goat, and cow’s milk! 
San Miniato
San Miniato is a medieval city that sits on a hilltop overlooking the Arno River. If you are wanting for incredible architecture, maze-like cobbled streets, and smaller-town charm, Monteriggioni is without doubt one particular of the most effective concealed gems in Tuscany. 
Be guaranteed to stop off in the Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata and Chiesa di San Domenico, as well as the breathtaking Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Jenesien. Finish the working day with some traditional fare at Ristorante Maggese, we suggest the cannellone Sanminiatese! 
San Gimignano

​​San Gimignano is not genuinely a “hidden gem” for the reason that it is a well known location for travelers, but it is normally skipped by those who believe Florence is the be-all and end-all of Tuscany. 
Renowned for the 14 medieval towers that dominate the city’s skyline, San Gimignano is unmissable. When on a time, there had been 72 towers crafted by patriarch families as a symbol of their prosperity. 
Commit the working day strolling by San Gimignano’s cobbled streets, browsing quaint artisan stores, and surveying the bordering landscape from the top of Torre Grossa, the tallest tower in the town. It is uncomplicated to slide in love with this picturesque concealed gem in Tuscany!
Greve in Chianti
Situated just 30km south of Florence, Greve in Chianti is the great desired destination if you want to rent a automobile and check out the Tuscan countryside. The town alone attributes a principal square, Piazza Matteotti, as properly as some charming places to eat, bars, and artisan outlets. 
But the greatest points to see and do lie just outside the village by itself, in the rolling hills of the Chianti area. Examine unlimited vineyards exactly where Chianti wine is produced, spectacular villas, and historic castles as you consider in the picturesque beauty of this region.
We endorse a stop by to the villa at Vignamaggio, which is now a vineyard and agriturismo. It is claimed to have after been the property of Lisa Gherardini (The matter of Leonardo’s The Mona Lisa.)
Capalbio
Capalbio is a charming commune situated in the province of Grosseto, 150km south of Florence. 
There is a great deal to see in this quaint Tuscan city, such as the partitions of Capalbio that encompass it, the Church of San Nicola, and the Rocca Aldobrandesca, what continues to be of the ancient fortress. 
But Capalbio is most famous for its beach locations. The shoreline lies less than 10km from the city, where you will find pristine sands, turquoise waters, and a range of sea-front places to eat serving clean seafood. 
Isola d’Elba (Elba Island)
Tuscany is residence to some of the greatest beach locations in Italy, and there is no improved area to find out them than Isola d’Elba. The largest island in the ​​Tuscan Archipelago, Elba Island is idyllically situated between the Tyrrhenian and the Ligurian Sea. 
A single of the best concealed gems in Tuscany, Elba Island is well known for its pristine shoreline and getting Napoleon’s area of exile 1814-15. Head there for a handful of days to bathe in the crystal apparent waters, hike the Capanne Mount for magnificent views, and explore the historic Fortress of Volterraio perched at the top rated of the island. 
You can attain the key port of the island, Portoferraio, from the port of Piombino on the mainland. 
Fiesole

Nestled in the Florentine hills, less than a 30-moment bus ride from the middle of Florence, Fiesole is a will have to-see. Hop on the bus up the winding hills and admire the beautiful views of Florence beneath. 
There’s a great deal to do in Fiesole. Go to the free museum run by monks and the Roman ruins that slope down the facet of the hill, in advance of halting off for an aperitivo at 1 of the dining establishments in the major sq.. 
If you are emotion adventurous, hike to Monte Ceceri Nationwide Park and explore historic caves, spectacular sights, and concealed pathways. It is reported to be in which Leonardo da Vinci uncovered inspiration for his most important flying equipment Grande Nibbio. 
Idea: Head up at dusk to catch the sunshine environment around Florence from the Monastery of San Francesco or a single of the several viewpoints in the city. It is a perspective you are going to never ever forget!
Manciano
Positioned on a hilltop in the rolling hills of the Maremma, Manciano is another will have to-see concealed gem in Tuscany. This quaint medieval city is a terrific location to examine from Pitigliano, as it’s positioned near by. 
Manciano’s most important attraction is the Cassero, a 12th-century fortress that options a museum and a tower with sweeping sights of the city. 
Be sure to stop by the Museum of Pre and Proto-heritage in the Valle del Fiore and the several Etruscan and Roman ruins dotted all around Manciano. 
Pistoia
While there are plenty of points to do in Florence, at times you just want to see what else is out there! Situated a 35-moment educate ride outside the house of Florence, Pistoia is a hidden gem typically disregarded by visitors to Tuscany. 
Pistoia has a abundant background and loads of issues to do. Pay a visit to the Medicean Fortress of Santa Barbara, the majestic church of San Giovanni di Fuoricivitas, as well as the underground tunnels of ​​Pistoia Sotterranea.
Bagni San Filippo
If you are hunting for peace, silent, and rest, Bagni San Filippo is the perfect spot to recharge your batteries. These distant very hot springs are located in the province of Siena and make for a great working day trip from one particular of the much larger towns in the region. 
That includes beautiful organic thermal pools, there are a great deal of hidden places to find. Do not settle for the main areas, preserve walking right up until you find the additional secluded, deep turquoise swimming pools. Remember to deliver a picnic lunch and plenty of water! 
Lajatico
Lajatico is regarded for being the birthplace of Andrea Bocelli, so naturally, a go to to the dwelling wherever he was born should really be on your checklist! An art-loaded town, you will often discover pop-up galleries below and road art handles lots of of the town’s walls. 
Its landmark attraction is the Teatro del Silenzio, an open-air theatre funded by Bocelli himself. Look at out the timetable for overall performance occasions to capture a clearly show you are going to never forget. 
Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano is a amazing bay city positioned on Monte Argentario. Shaded by the surrounding mountains, it delivers pristine beaches, turquoise seas, and a bustling port. 
There are lots of points to do below, which includes mountain biking on the mountain and boat outings to the nearby islands of Giglio and Giannutri.
Treat yourself to a refreshing seafood dinner at a person of the seaside taverns as you watch the fishermen docking their boats for the day.
Sorano
Yet another hilltop city in Tuscany, Sorano is like a smaller sized version of Pitigliano as it’s also perched on a cliff. It is located shut by, which will make it a great place to take a look at if you are by now heading to Pitigliano. 
Take a look at the town’s cobbled streets and be guaranteed to take a look at the nearby Città del Tufo Archeological Park, which is property to an array of exceptional cultural treasures. 
Saturnia Sizzling Springs
An additional great location for hot springs in Tuscany, Saturnia is the great peace retreat. You can decide on to check out the very hot springs oneself or settle down for a couple days in one of the bordering spas.
According to legend, the waters are a reward from the Gods that possess unique therapeutic powers. No matter if which is real or not, the waters are abundant in mineral deposits earning it the best spot to unwind and unwind. And, of program, snap some photographs for Instagram!
Lucignano
Positioned in the province of Arezzo, Lucignano is a charming hidden gem in Tuscany perfectly worthy of going to. 
This medieval town is residence to the Tree of Adore, a masterpiece of Gothic jewellery housed in the Palazzo Comunale Museum. 
Be confident to stop by the Church of San Francesco, with its breathtaking frescoes, and the Collegiata Church, whose staircase mimics the shape of Lucignano.
Concealed Gems of Mountaineering in Tuscany 
Searching to do some hiking when in Tuscany? Pretty superior phone! Below are some off-the-overwhelmed-path hikes you can undertake. 
Antro del Corchia
For those people who like the much more rural surroundings, there are some superb climbing possibilities. In the northern element of Tuscany lies the Apuan Alps and inside it Antro del Corchia, a person of the major cave programs in Italy.
The stroll itself is two several hours and normally takes you by means of openings stuffed with stalagmites and stalactites and an underground fossil lake. Rather a sight to behold!
Foreste Casentinesi Countrywide Park

To the east, you will locate the Foreste Casentinesi National Park. An expanse of greenery and forest with a multitude of crisscrossing pathways to check out. Offered the amount of tracks, some are lesser-recognised than some others.
The Acquacheta Waterfalls Loop is a lovely path and is regarded moderate thanks to its constant incline. You will be rewarded with luscious greenery and a beautiful waterfall. Ideal for strolling, it’s also a fantastic location for biking.
For a thing a very little hardier you must visit a waterfall! Colle Tramazzo is a physically demanding 22km hike by way of a forest route, featuring a waterfall. A person for the extra seasoned and will undoubtedly get the job done off those pasta and pastries you’ve been munching on.
Hidden Gems in Tuscany Wrap Up
There you have it! 20 of the most effective concealed gems in Tuscany. Despite the fact that we have described fairly a several destinations in this write-up, most of them are somewhat smaller. They can simply be blended with other areas on the record for an unforgettable day out. 
So head out and find out the one of a kind surroundings. The tantalizing food. And, of system, the entire world-course wine that this remarkable area of Italy has to present! 
If you are heading south from Tuscany, test out some of the greatest locations to pay a visit to in central and south Italy! 
As constantly, satisfied travels! Have a gelato (or two) for us! We’ll see you all on the highway. 

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