Route&Camp

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany: Florence, Siena and Val d'Orcia by motorhome, campervan or caravan: 3, 7 or 15-day route

Renaissance Florence, the Chianti vineyards, medieval Siena and the cypress-lined hills of the Val d'Orcia, with hill towns, abbeys and hot springs.

Green rolling wheat fields in the Val d'Orcia, with a gravel road lined with cypress trees leading to a stone farmhouse, morning mist in the valley and Monte Amiata behind

How many days do you have?

Tuscany: Florence, Siena and Val d'Orcia in 7 days

Distance≈ 225 km
Stages7
DifficultyEasy to medium
Best timeApril to June and September to October

From Florence to the Val d'Orcia through the Chianti vineyards: San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, Siena, the clay hills of the Crete Senesi and Montalcino, the hot springs of Bagno Vignoni, Pienza and Montepulciano.

Where is it?

ITALYFRANCESWITZERLANDAUSTRIACROATIATyrrhenian SeaAdriatic SeaIonian SeaTuscanyMilanRome

About this route

Tuscany is the Italy of postcards: Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, the vineyards and castles of Chianti, the towers of San Gimignano, the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo in Siena and, further south, the Val d'Orcia, a World Heritage landscape of rolling wheat fields, lines of cypress trees and stone farmhouses. Between them lie hill towns famous for their wine, such as Montalcino and Montepulciano, quiet abbeys, and natural hot springs. The 3-day version covers Florence, Siena and the heart of the Val d'Orcia, the 7-day one adds Chianti, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, the Crete Senesi and Montalcino, and the 15-day one also includes Fiesole, Volterra, Bagni San Filippo, Cortona and Arezzo.

Short distances on good roads, but many hill roads are narrow and winding. The historic centres are closed to traffic (ZTL): always park outside the walls.

Updated

Weather and temperatures

Averages for Florence
  • SpringMar–May 8° / 20° Some rain
  • SummerJun–Aug 17° / 31° Little rain
  • AutumnSep–Nov 10° / 21° Rainy
  • WinterDec–Feb 2° / 12° Some rain

Mediterranean climate with a continental touch, as Florence lies in a basin surrounded by hills. Spring and autumn are mild and the best time to travel, with green or golden fields. Summers are hot and dry, often above 33 °C in July and August, while the hills of the Val d'Orcia and Chianti are a little cooler. Autumn is the rainiest season. Winters are cool and damp, with frosty nights and occasional snow on the higher hills and on Monte Amiata.

Typical lows and highs (average night and afternoon temperatures). They change from year to year, so check the forecast before you go.

Route map

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Campsites, areas and parking come from OpenStreetMap. They can be incomplete or out of date: check before you go and always follow local signs.

Take this route with you

Tuscany: Florence, Siena and Val d'Orcia in 7 days

Google MapsPart 1: days 1–5Google Maps opens stops in order (up to 10 per route)Google MapsPart 2: days 5–7Google Maps opens stops in order (up to 10 per route) WazeNavigate to the start: FlorenceWaze navigates to one destination at a time, so each day has its own Waze button WhatsAppShare this route with your travel companions

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Day by day

Routes are a guide, not a fixed plan: in most cases you can also drive them in a different direction and skip stops.

Tuscany: Florence, Siena and Val d'Orcia in 7 days

  1. Day1 FlorenceArrival day
    Where to sleep tonight (5)Campsites and areas within 10 km of Florence
    Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

    • Florence

      The capital of Tuscany and the cradle of the Renaissance. In a small, walkable centre you find Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's David, the Ponte Vecchio lined with goldsmiths and the palaces of the Medici, the family that ruled the city for three centuries.

      What to see (5)
      • Duomo and Brunelleschi's dome Climb the 463 steps of the dome for a view over the red roofs.
      • Uffizi Gallery Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael.
      • Ponte Vecchio and Oltrarno The bridge with goldsmiths' shops and the craft workshops across the river.
      • Accademia Gallery Michelangelo's David.
      • Piazzale Michelangelo The classic view of the city, best at sunset.

      With a motorhome or caravan: Never drive into the centre: it is a restricted traffic zone (ZTL) with cameras. Stay at a campsite or motorhome area on the edge, or park at the Villa Costanza park-and-ride on the A1 motorway and take the tram.

    Waze
  2. Day2 Chianti≈ 50 km · ≈ 1 h 5 min driving
    Where to sleep tonight (5)Campsites and areas within 10 km of Radda and Castellina in Chianti
    Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

    • Greve in Chianti and Panzano

      The main town of the Chianti wine region, built around a triangular square with arcades, wine shops and an old butcher's shop famous for its salami. Nearby, the village of Panzano is known for its butcher Dario Cecchini and for the vineyards of the "Conca d'Oro", the golden valley.

      What to see (4)
      • Piazza Matteotti The triangular arcaded square, with a market on Saturday.
      • Wine tastings Chianti Classico wineries in and around the town.
      • Panzano A hilltop village with a famous butcher and vineyard views.
      • Castello di Verrazzano A castle and winery, home of the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano.

    • Radda and Castellina in Chianti

      Two walled medieval villages on the Chianti hills, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, castles and wine estates. Castellina has an underground medieval walkway along its walls and a large Etruscan tomb, and Radda is a small village of stone lanes.

      What to see (4)
      • Castellina walls A covered medieval walkway inside the town walls.
      • Etruscan tomb The Montecalvario tumulus, just outside Castellina.
      • Radda village Stone lanes and the Palazzo del Podestà.
      • Badia a Coltibuono An old abbey among woods, with a winery and gardens.

      With a motorhome or caravan: The Chianti road (SR222) is narrow and winding but easy at a calm pace. Many wine estates welcome motorhomes for the night.

    Google Maps Waze
  3. Day3 San Gimignano and Monteriggioni≈ 65 km · ≈ 1 h 25 min driving
    Where to sleep tonight (5)Campsites and areas within 10 km of Monteriggioni
    Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

    • San Gimignano

      The "medieval Manhattan": a walled hill town that still keeps 14 of its 72 tower houses, built by rich families to show their power. It is famous for its Vernaccia white wine, its frescoed churches and its award-winning ice cream.

      What to see (4)
      • Towers Climb the Torre Grossa, the tallest tower, for views over the countryside.
      • Piazza della Cisterna A triangular square with an old well and famous ice cream.
      • Collegiate church Walls covered with 14th-century frescoes of the Bible.
      • Vernaccia wine Taste the local white wine in the town's wine shops.

      With a motorhome or caravan: Car parks on the edge of the town, some with spaces for motorhomes and a motorhome area. Arrive early or stay until the evening, when the day visitors leave.

    • Monteriggioni

      A tiny village inside a perfect ring of walls with 14 towers, built in the 13th century to defend Siena and mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy. It lies on the Via Francigena, the old pilgrim road to Rome, and you can walk along its walls.

      What to see (4)
      • Walk on the walls Two short stretches of wall with views over the countryside.
      • Piazza Roma The village square with a Romanesque church.
      • Via Francigena Walk a stretch of the old pilgrim road to Abbadia a Isola.
      • Armour museum A small museum of medieval weapons and armour.
    Google Maps Waze
  4. Day4 Siena≈ 15 km · ≈ 20 min driving
    Where to sleep tonight (5)Campsites and areas within 10 km of Siena
    Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

    • Siena

      A medieval city of red brick built on three hills, the great rival of Florence. Its heart is the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race is run in summer, and its cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Italy, with a striped marble interior and an inlaid marble floor.

      What to see (4)
      • Piazza del Campo The shell-shaped square, with the Torre del Mangia and the town hall.
      • Cathedral Striped marble, an inlaid floor and the frescoed Piccolomini Library.
      • Santa Maria della Scala One of the oldest hospitals in Europe, now a museum.
      • Contrade The city's 17 districts, each with its own flag, fountain and museum.

      With a motorhome or caravan: The centre is closed to traffic. Park in a car park or motorhome area outside the walls: several car parks have escalators up to the centre.

    Google Maps Waze
  5. Day5 Crete Senesi and Montalcino≈ 55 km · ≈ 1 h 15 min driving
    Where to sleep tonight (5)Campsites and areas within 10 km of Montalcino and Sant'Antimo
    Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

    • Crete Senesi and Monte Oliveto Maggiore

      South of Siena the land turns into the Crete Senesi, bare clay hills that are green in spring, golden in summer and grey in autumn, crossed by lines of cypress trees. In the middle stands the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, whose cloister is painted with the life of Saint Benedict.

      What to see (4)
      • Crete Senesi road The Asciano road (SP438) through the clay hills and cypress trees.
      • Monte Oliveto Maggiore An abbey with a cloister painted by Signorelli and Sodoma.
      • Asciano A small walled town with museums of Sienese art.
      • Desert of Accona Bare clay hills and badlands, best at sunrise or sunset.

    • Montalcino and Sant'Antimo

      A hill town crowned by a 14th-century fortress, home of Brunello di Montalcino, one of the finest red wines in Italy. Below it, in a quiet valley of olive trees, stands the Romanesque abbey of Sant'Antimo, built of pale stone.

      What to see (4)
      • Fortress A 14th-century fortress with a wine shop and views from the walls.
      • Brunello wineries Visits and tastings of Brunello di Montalcino.
      • Sant'Antimo abbey A Romanesque abbey of pale stone in a quiet valley.
      • Old town Steep lanes, cafés and the town hall tower.
    Google Maps Waze
  6. Day6 Val d'Orcia: San Quirico, Bagno Vignoni and Pienza≈ 30 km · ≈ 40 min driving
    Where to sleep tonight (5)Campsites and areas within 10 km of Pienza
    Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

    • San Quirico d'Orcia

      A small walled town on the Via Cassia, in the heart of the Val d'Orcia, a World Heritage landscape. It has a Romanesque church with carved doors and the Horti Leonini, a 16th-century Italian garden. All around are the most famous views in Tuscany: circles of cypress trees, the little chapel of Vitaleta and rolling fields.

      What to see (4)
      • Horti Leonini A 16th-century Italian garden with hedges and holm oaks.
      • Collegiata A Romanesque church with carved stone doorways.
      • Chapel of Vitaleta The little chapel among cypresses, one of the most photographed places in Tuscany.
      • Cypress circle The famous ring of cypress trees by the Via Cassia.

    • Bagno Vignoni and Bagni San Filippo

      Bagno Vignoni is a hamlet whose main square is a large pool of hot spring water, used by the Romans and the Medici. Below it, the warm water runs over white limestone terraces. Further south, at Bagni San Filippo, you can bathe for free in hot pools in a wood, below a white limestone waterfall called the White Whale.

      What to see (4)
      • Square of the springs A pool of hot water in place of a square (no bathing).
      • Parco dei Mulini Warm water running over white terraces and old mills.
      • Bagni San Filippo Free hot pools in a wood and the White Whale waterfall.
      • Thermal spas Hotels with hot spring pools, open to day visitors.

    • Pienza

      The "ideal city" of the Renaissance, rebuilt in the 15th century by Pope Pius II, who was born here. Its harmonious square, cathedral and papal palace are a World Heritage site. The town is famous for its pecorino sheep's cheese, and its walls look out over the whole Val d'Orcia.

      What to see (4)
      • Piazza Pio II The Renaissance square with the cathedral and the papal palace.
      • Walls walk A path along the walls with views over the Val d'Orcia.
      • Pecorino cheese Shops and farms selling the local sheep's cheese.
      • Romantic lanes Lanes with names such as Via dell'Amore and Via del Bacio.
    Google Maps Waze
  7. Day7 Montepulciano≈ 15 km · ≈ 20 min driving

    • Montepulciano

      A long Renaissance town on a high ridge between the Val d'Orcia and the Valdichiana, with palaces, churches and a main square at the top. It is the home of Vino Nobile wine, aged in cellars carved under the town. Below the walls stands the domed church of San Biagio.

      What to see (4)
      • Piazza Grande The main square at the top of the town, with the cathedral and the town hall.
      • Wine cellars Vino Nobile cellars carved under the old palaces.
      • San Biagio A Renaissance church of golden stone at the end of a cypress avenue.
      • Corso The long main street lined with palaces and shops.

      With a motorhome or caravan: The town is steep and closed to traffic. Use the car parks or motorhome area below the walls and walk up.

    Google Maps Waze

Distances and driving times are approximate, measured between stops. Use the Directions links for the exact road route.

Tips for motorhomes, campervans and caravans

Restricted traffic zones (ZTL) · Overnight stays · Book the museums · White roads · Wine and food5

  • Restricted traffic zones (ZTL)

    Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano and almost every historic centre in Tuscany are ZTL zones, watched by cameras. Driving in, even for a minute, means an automatic fine sent home months later. Follow the "P" signs and park outside the walls.

  • Overnight stays

    In Italy a motorhome may park wherever cars can, unless signs say otherwise, but camping (awning out, chairs, levelling blocks) is only allowed in campsites. Tuscany has many motorhome areas (aree di sosta camper) and farms (agriturismi) that welcome motorhomes. Many town centres ban motorhomes at night: always follow local signs.

  • Book the museums

    Book the Uffizi, the Accademia (David) and the climb up Florence's dome online, weeks ahead in high season. In Arezzo, visits to Piero della Francesca's frescoes also need a booking.

  • White roads

    The famous gravel roads (strade bianche) of Chianti and the Val d'Orcia are dusty, narrow and sometimes steep. They are fine with a campervan in dry weather, but avoid them with large motorhomes and caravans, and after rain.

  • Wine and food

    Taste Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in the wineries: many offer tastings, some need a booking. Try pecorino in Pienza, Florentine steak in Chianti and pici, the thick local pasta, in the Val d'Orcia.

Frequently asked questions

5

How many days do you need for Tuscany by motorhome, campervan or caravan?

Three days are enough for Florence, Siena and the heart of the Val d'Orcia (San Quirico, Pienza and Montepulciano). With seven days you can add the Chianti vineyards, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, the Crete Senesi and Montalcino. Fifteen days let you travel slowly, with Fiesole, Volterra, the hot springs of Bagni San Filippo, Cortona and Arezzo.

Where can you sleep with a motorhome, campervan or caravan in Tuscany?

In campsites, near Florence, Siena and San Gimignano and in the countryside, and with a motorhome or campervan also in the many motorhome areas (aree di sosta camper) on the edge of the towns, often with water and waste disposal. Many farms (agriturismi) also welcome motorhomes and caravans. Caravans are usually only accepted in campsites. The route map shows the campsites, motorhome areas and parking places near every stop.

When is the best time to visit Tuscany?

April to June and September to October. In May and June the Val d'Orcia is green with poppies, and in autumn there is the grape harvest and olive picking. July and August are very hot and busy, especially in Florence and San Gimignano. Siena holds the Palio horse race on 2 July and 16 August: the city is packed and parking is very hard. In winter many campsites close, but motorhome areas stay open.

Can you drive the Tuscany route in reverse or skip stops?

Yes. The route is a guide, not a fixed plan: you can start in the Val d'Orcia or in Arezzo and finish in Florence, begin at whichever stop is closest to you, or skip the towns that interest you less. Distances between stops stay the same in both directions.

Are the roads suitable for large motorhomes and caravans?

The main roads, such as the Florence–Siena expressway and the Via Cassia (SR2), are easy. The Chianti road (SR222) and the roads up to the hill towns are narrow and winding but fine at a calm pace. Avoid the white gravel roads (strade bianche) with large vehicles, and never drive into the historic centres: they are restricted traffic zones (ZTL) with cameras and automatic fines.