More about: Day Trips from Siena
There are truly many things to see and do in Siena, but what you cannot miss if you are in this beautiful Italian city, is a visit to Tuscany. A region famous for both its natural beauty and its artistic attractions, it is one of the favorite destinations for those who want to enjoy a different kind of vacation.
If you are planning a visit to the region and you are in Siena, there are several excursions you can take to make the most of your trip. From visits to the city of Florence, its capital, where you can appreciate works such as Michelangelo's David or the Venus de Milo, visit the Pitti Palace or visit the popular San Lorenzo Market. Surely you don't know where to start, that's why I have made for you a list of the best excursions to Tuscany. Are you ready? Here we go!
1. Visit the Chianti Valley and enjoy a wine tasting
One of the must-see places in Tuscany is undoubtedly the beautiful Chianti Valley. Famous for both its wine and its picturesque landscapes, here you can enjoy a day of tastings and lunch in one of the many wineries in the region, while strolling through the vineyards and hills.
On this tour you will have the opportunity to learn how one of the most famous wines in the world is made, while delighting in unique places, such as the wonderful Castello di Brolio, with its medieval charm. Chianti is ideal for you to take all the pictures you want, as it is impossible not to want to take all that beauty home with you.
Interesting details
- Price: from 86 euros per person.
- Duration: about 5 hours in total.
- Means of transportation: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.
- Advantages of this option: you will be able to taste wines in the cellars, as well as oils and other delicacies.
- Disadvantages of this option: the guide only speaks English and Italian.
2. Hot air balloon flight over Tuscany from Siena
Make the most of the views and scenery of Tuscany from the air, aboard a hot air balloon. Accompanied by your professional guide and captain, you will fly over the vineyards, hills and castles of Tuscany. You will be able to see all the beauty that has made this one of the most visited regions in Italy.
You will climb into the balloon and see how it fills with hot air, and then you will feel how you slowly rise. After a little more than 1 hour in the sky over Tuscany, you will land to enjoy a glass of local sparkling wine. This is a unique experience not to be missed.
Details of interest
- Price: from 293 euros per person.
- Duration: about 3 hours in total.
- Means of transport: hot air balloon.
- Advantages of this option: you will be able to get unparalleled views of the Tuscany region from the air.
- Disadvantages of this option: not recommended for pregnant women or people with vertigo.
3. Experience this day trip to San Gimignano, Chianti and Montalcino from Siena
This is another must-do excursion from Siena. In this opportunity you will have the chance to see the best of the Chianti Valley, but also San Gimignano, with its majestic stone towers, and the town of Montalcino. These are undoubtedly some of the most charming places in the entire Tuscan region.
You will visit the Fortezza and enoteca di Montalcino and you will have free time to wander around at your own pace, get lost in the charming medieval streets of the town and take hundreds of unforgettable pictures.
On this guided tour you will also enjoy an exclusive wine tasting and a light lunch in one of the local wineries, surrounded by nature. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to savor a glass of a delicious Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most famous wines of Tuscany.
Details of interest
- Price: from 101 euros per person.
- Duration: about 10 to 11 hours in total.
- Means of transport: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.
- Advantages of this option: in one day you will get to know 3 of the most important cities in Tuscany and lunch at a Monteriggioni winery is included.
- Disadvantages of this option: 11 hours of tour can be fascinating, but it can also be tiring, so it is not recommended for young children.
4. Enjoy a food and wine tour from Siena: Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano
Discover all the charm of Tuscany on this full day tour, where you will visit the towns of Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano, while tasting some of the local flavors. With your expert guide you will learn all the secrets of the region, and you will also have free time in each place to wander around at your leisure.
In Montalcino, wines, vineyards and majestic buildings that treasure part of Italy's history, such as the Church of the Madonna del Soccorso, await you. In Pienza you will see Piazza Pio II and Palazzo Piccolomini, its stone streets and all the beauty of this place, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its historic center definitely deserves a walk.
Interesting details
- Price: from 86 euros per traveler.
- Duration: about 10 hours approximately.
- Means of transport: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.
- Advantages of this option: Spanish speaking guide and wine tasting in wineries are included.
- Disadvantages of this option: pick-up and drop-off at the hotel is not included.
5. Join this small group day trip to San Gimignano and Volterra from Siena
Start this tour in San Gimignano. You will see the Monteriggioni Fortress, its stone streets and imposing medieval architecture. You will also enjoy a delicious lunch at a local farm, prepared with fresh seasonal products. The center of San Gimignano is full of boutiques offering handmade products, as well as red gold, spices or white Vernaccia wine.
Then, following the Via Francigena, you will reach the neighboring town of Volterra. Located northwest of Siena, Volterra is known for its Etruscan ruins and alabaster production, and is a perfect place to learn more about the history and culture of the region. On this guided tour you will see the Palazzo dei Priori and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, among other things.
Enjoy all the medieval charm of these two cities on an all-day trip from Siena.
Interesting details
- Price: from 162 euros per person.
- Duration: about 8 hours in total.
- Means of transport: you will travel by air-conditioned minivan.
- Advantages of this option: you will be able to get to know closely places that were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, enjoy a wine tasting in a local winery.
- Disadvantages of this option: pick up and drop off at the hotel is not included.
6. Do some hiking in Tuscany from Siena with wine tasting
This is an excursion for those who love hiking. If you are in Siena and want to explore Tuscany on foot, this is the best option. You will meet your guide and start your walk along the ancient Via Francigena, an ancient path used by pilgrims hundreds of years ago.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy all the richness of its landscapes, its castles and medieval villages, as well as its beautiful vineyards and olive groves. All along the way your guide will tell you all about the region, its past and present, then you will arrive in Monteriggioni, with its fortress, where you will participate in an exclusive tasting of locally produced organic wines.
From there you will be free to spend your time at your own leisure. You will be given a bus ticket to return to Siena whenever you want. An incredible adventure not to be missed.
Interesting details
- Price: from 50 euros per passenger.
- Duration: about 4 hours in total.
- Means of transport: you will travel by air-conditioned minivan and then continue on foot through the most beautiful landscapes of Tuscany.
- Advantages of this option: you will be able to enjoy the nature of Tuscany and reach places that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- Disadvantages of this option: it is not recommended for pregnant women or people with mobility problems.
7. Feel the pleasure of driving an old Fiat 500 through the Tuscan hills and have lunch in a winery
Treat yourself to a drive on the roads of Tuscany, behind the wheel of a traditional Fiat 500, the most classic of Italian cars. You will spend the day driving through the Chianti Valley area, where you will also enjoy lunch and wine tasting in one of the local vineyards.
Your guide will take you through the most interesting roads of the region. You will pass by Castello di Radda, Poggio Amorelliy, and you will be amazed by the beauty of the Tuscan countryside.
This tour has the particularity of letting you experience the feeling of being the one who sets the course. The Fiat 500 is a small car that will allow you to maneuver comfortably and access any street or road, no matter how small.
Interesting details
- Price: from 150 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.
- Means of transport: you will be able to drive yourself an old Fiat 500.
- Advantages of this option: you have full control of the car, lunch at a local winery is included.
- Disadvantages of this option: pick-up and drop-off at the hotel is not included.
8. Take an electric bike tour of Chianti with lunch at a winery from Siena
Ride along the roads of Tuscany on an electric bike. You will see vineyards and olive groves, castles and medieval buildings. You will ride through the Chianti Valley and visit the fortress of Monteriggioni. As these are electric bikes, it is not necessary to be in great physical condition, as you can choose your level of difficulty.
This tour includes a stop at a local farm, where, after learning all about Chianti wine making, you will taste some delicious dishes, with olive oil from the region and of course a glass of locally produced wine.
Details of interest
- Price: from 160 euros per person.
- Duration: about 6 hours in total.
- Means of transport: bicycle.
- Advantages of this option: taking a bike tour in a place like Tuscany will allow you to reach places that are otherwise inaccessible.
- Disadvantages of this option: pick up and drop off at the hotel is not included, you must reach the starting point by your own means.
9. Marvel at Florence and Chianti on this full day tour with lunch and wine tasting in a winery
Visit the capital of Tuscany, the monumental Florence. Located just an hour from Siena, Florence is a city full of art and culture, and is known for its historical monuments and museums, such as the Bargello Museum, the Pitti Palace and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The greatest masters of painting and sculpture of the Renaissance have met here.
During your visit you will appreciate the beauty of the mythical Ponte Vecchio, sculptures such as the David or the Venus de Milo, as well as the incredible Piazza della Signoria. You will also have the chance to visit the San Lorenzo Market and enjoy the delicious local food and drink.
Next, the tour takes you to the Chianti region, with its iconic landscape of rolling hills, avenues of cypress trees and medieval hilltop villages. You will stroll through the vineyards, along ancient pilgrimage paths. Here you will enjoy lunch in a typical Tuscan farmhouse. The tour ends with a visit to the medieval town of San Gimignano.
Details of interest
- Price: from 350 euros per traveler.
- Duration: about 8 hours
- Means of transport: you will travel by air-conditioned luxury minivan.
- Advantages of this option: Spanish speaking guide, lunch, and you will be able to taste the most exquisite wines in their place of origin.
- Disadvantages of this option: you may be left wanting to see a little more of Florence, as you will also visit Chianti in the 8 hours of the tour.
10. Enjoy Pienza, Val d'Orcia, Montalcino wine and Pecorino cheese with all 5 senses.
Enjoy all the charm of Tuscany on this private tour of Pienza and Val d'Orcia, and enjoy the most incredible flavors. The Val d'Orcia is known for its countryside, olive groves and medieval villages. You will have the opportunity to taste the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine and taste goat cheese (Pecorino). All, of course, accompanied with the most delicious extra virgin olive oil.
You can stroll through the beautiful Pienza, a town that seems to be frozen in time. Thanks to its enormous beauty, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its medieval towers will take you on a journey to the times of knights and armor.
Enjoy the comfort of having an English-speaking guide, so you won't miss a single detail of these incredible places.
Details of interest
- Price: from 440 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 8 hours.
- Means of transportation: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.
- Advantages of this option: you will enjoy incredible views of the medieval town of Montalcino and Pienza. The transport has wifi service on board.
- Disadvantages of this option: the wine tasting is paid extra and lunch is not included.
How to book an excursion to Tuscany from Siena
The best option is always to book online, this way you can be sure that the company offering the tour is first class. In addition, you can read the comments of other users to know what they thought of the excursion.
Duration of the excursions to Tuscany from Siena
The duration ranges from 3 hours to 11 hours, depending on the type of tour you choose. It is important to consider the duration especially if you are traveling with small children, as an overly long tour may be too long for them.
What will I see on this type of excursion?
This type of tour focuses on appreciating all the beauty of the region (which is a lot!). You will see vineyards, olive groves, countryside, medieval towns and villages, 5th century buildings. In many cases a wine tasting or a traditional lunch is included, as the Tuscany region is world famous for its delicious flavors.
Tips for an excursion to Tuscany from Siena
All the towns and villages in this region are worth visiting, so my advice is to relax and enjoy yourself, whether aboard a hot air balloon, in a classic car or on an electric bike, you will have a great time. Try to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and depending on the time of the year, maybe a light coat.
How much does a tour of Tuscany from Siena cost?
Prices are very broad, ranging from €50 to €440 per person, but in general, most are around €100.
What are the must-see towns in Tuscany?
The whole region is charming, but you certainly can't leave out the Chianti Valley area, Volterra, San Gimignano, Florence, Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano.
Why is it advisable to take a trip to Tuscany?
Because it is one of the most beautiful places in Italy, with a wealth of landscapes, culture and art. Many of its towns and cities have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, and its flavors are famous all over the world.
What are the advantages of taking a guided tour vs. visiting Tuscany on my own?
Although the beauty of the region can be appreciated without a guide, it is always advisable to take a guided tour so as not to miss out on details, or to be able to access wineries and vineyards that only work with groups.