14 Best Places to Visit in Tuscany

Here’s my List of some of the Best Places to Visit in Tuscany; A Traveler’s manual to getting the most out of the Land of the rolling hills!

Tuscany’s beauty lies in her endless fields of rolling wheat, the golden seed’s glow a promise of eternal rest and peace. The green gold from her olive groves spread a heavenly scent out across the plains and each hill you pass by promises to reveal more of heaven’s secrets. Cheese from Pienza, Tuscan cured meats, ham, and wine are the main culinary delights and drinks to be had.

But these are not all Tuscany has to offer.

Tuscany has the most number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy, the deep culture in Florence, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza and the Val d’Orcia cultural wonders drawing millions of both local and foreign tourists. People come to kitesurf in Talamone, walk the secretive corridors of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, wine in Chianti and Montalcino, dive in the waters of Argentario, bask on the beaches of Forte dei Marmi, or simply spend a week of Tuscan Couture in April before descending into the countryside.

I will try to list out and describe Tuscany through the best places to visit in Tuscany and the best things to do in Tuscany. I will offer some opinions on tours you could participate in, where they have shot films, and generally share in the grace and beauty of Tuscany.

1. Florence – Among the Top best places to Visit in Tuscany!

“The Athens of the Renaissance”

A Short History of Florence

Florence was founded in the first century AD as a Roman military outpost. It went through the Fall of the Roman Empire and the Early Medieval Age to the 14^th century largely unnoticed, with the main advances in art and architecture being paintings and buildings like the Basilica di Santa Croce.

Then the 15^th and 16^th centuries happened, and under the Medici and other leading Florentine families, Florence took off, rising to its current stage as an art capital of the world.

What is the Best Month to Visit Florence?

May – September – (Great weather but also crowded)

January – March (Less crowded but it’s winter months!)

Unfortunately, avoiding the crowds at other times of the year means missing out on the best art festivals in Florence like Musart – 15 to 26 July – and the 400-year-old festival of the Scoppio del Carro when they literally blow up a cart using fireworks.

What are the best Things to Do in Florence?

A proper circuit of Florence should take you about 3 days.

There are several tour companies that take you around Florence, like Tuscany Day Trip tours, Small Group Wine Tasting Tours, Pasta Making Class Tours, and Walking Tours.

Florence is the city that hosts Michelangelo’s David, has the Uffizi Gallery, and the enormous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

True, you might want advance reservations for the best places to visit in Tuscany like Piazzale Michelangelo, Riccardi Medici Palace, and even the Vasari Corridor. But these will be easier if you went via a tour group, though going solo is also fine.

More than these, you can take a Vespa or bike ride to Mercato Centrale to take in some Cosmopolitan cuisine, or drop by Gelateria Amorino for vegan gelato, or do a cooking class to celebrate the return of Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Spare some time to climb Giotto’s Bell Tower, or take on the challenge of mounting Brunelleschi’s dome as well.

Don’s MISS the Famous Wine Windows of Florence!

Check out my blog on 30 Best Things To Do in Florence.

Do you need Cash in Florence?

Unfortunately, many businesses in Florence, especially cafes, Gelateria, restaurants and gift shops, only accept cash.

What are the Best Free things to do in Florence?

The fantastic Duomo is free; though climbing up the incredible Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower requires pay.

The exquisite marble statues at the Loggia dei Lanzi are also perfectly free to see and capture on camera. As is the panoramic 360 degree view at the Piazza della Signoria. Plus, the scenery of commanding view of the city at the Piazzale Michelangelo is so glorious they should charge something for it, and with the Rose Garden open for free as well, I don’t know what these people are thinking!

How Do I Get around Florence?

Vespas and E-bikes tours around Florence are an especially fun way to get around Florence, and a key feature of the tours around Tuscany, taking you around the Tuscan country with Cypress trees, olive groves, charming hamlets, quiet monasteries, and scented vineyards for company.

Best tip: Street Art and Artists

There will be quite the number of street art and artists. Look around gardens, squares, the fountains, and Cathedrals if you are interested in having a portrait done.

2. San Gimignano

“The Town of Fine Towers”

What is the best way to get to San Gimignano?

58 min (58.1 km) via Raccordo Autostradale Firenze – Siena.

Trains take 1 hr 20 mins and there are 32 trains a day from Florence.

A Short History of San Gimignano

A walled medieval village in the Province of Siena, San Gimignano’s history is far older than most. Since settlement by Etruscans in the 3^rd century, the town took several reputable nicknames. First was the “Castle of the Forest” in the 9^th century because of the forests around the castle. Then, the “Town of Fine Towers” when rival families would enhance their prestige via the height of the towers they would build.

Today, we know San Gimignano for her towers mostly. The 72 Towers that we know of today just might be the survivors of an age of Mutually Assured Towering, one that ended when the town council ordered no towers taller than the Torre Grossa beside her be built.

What is the best month to visit San Gimignano?

July and August.

Plan for a day trip, and try to arrive early – or evening – as San Gimignano around noon is packed.

Finally, just schedule a day trip from Florence or Siena, both about 25 miles away, for the day.

What are the best things to do in San Gimignano?

First, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so loads of history and culture to experience.

There are 14 towers left over from the great war of the Towers, and if you took a countryside tour to San Gimignano, or better yet came with a bus tour, you will be graced with a fantastic view of the town’s pointy sky line.

Then there is the Piazza della Cisterna both residents and tourists sit around, re-imagining the scenes from medieval times when bar maids and battle-hardened veterans would rest while watching on the battles from afar.

The Piazza del Duomo is a gorgeous Romanesque structure, with the nave cleverly painted with 14^th century town-life scenes alongside Biblical stories.

Climbing the Torre Grossa is the most fun thing to do in San Gimignano, as is hiking up from the Piazza delle Erbe to La Rocca di Montestaffoli to watch some outdoor cinema. A quick San Gimignano Cooking Class, or a San Gimignano Pasta Making Class looked like a solid choice from what I could see.

I indulged my fashion sensibilities with some Tuscan Leather that was cheaper than what you would find in Milan, Rome, or Florence, but just as good!

What is the best way to get around San Gimignano?

Tuk Tuks and Vespas….& good ol’ feet!

Sure, San Gimignano is quite small enough to get around on foot. Plus, while slightly elevated, San Gimignano is also level enough that wheelchairs can have a very good fun experience of the town.

I mention Piaggio Tuk Tuks and Vespas because there are quite the number of Florence to San Gimignano tours available. I usually research and do my own planning when touring Italy, but with the smaller towns while out on day trips, I found it smart to plan with a tour company because they have quite the number of juicy tidbits. For example, there is this spot at the Agriturismo Taverna di Bibbiano with an awesome view of San Gimignano that almost looks photoshopped even with the naked eye.

3. Volterra

“The Oldest City in Italy”

What is the best way to get to Volterra?

A 1 hr 19 min (80.8 km) drive on the via Raccordo Autostradale Firenze – Siena and SS 68 di Val Cecina.

Trains take longer at 3.5 hours, and there are only 9 trains from Florence each day.

A Short History of Volterra

Known to have been settled since the 8^th century BC, it is believed to be older as part of the Proto-Villanova Culture that itself was a Bronze-Age civilization.

Volterra also went largely unnoticed by many, being only a Bishop’s Episcopal town in the 5^th century to the 12^th. However, the discovery of alum drew the attention of Florence and it was conquered quickly afterwards.

What is the best month to visit Volterra?

June through August.

What are the best things to do in Volterra?

Volterra has quite the number of museums for one thing, what with her log history ranging from the Etruscans right through to the Florentines.

The stuff at the Guarnacci Etruscan museum, the Pinacoteca, the Museum of Sacred Art, and the Eco-museum of Alabaster are quite the number.

You will want to visit the Volterra Cathedral for its collection of art works since the 13^th century. The Pallazo dei Priori’s Room of the Council is definitely somewhere you want to grab photos of as well.

More than these, Volterra’s Medici Villa di Spedaletto, the Roman Theatre, and Fortezza Medicea are charming centers of culture to see as well.

4. Siena

“The Best City to Horse Around”

What is the best way to get to Siena?

Siena is 1.5 hours away from Florence along the A1/E35, and one of the most romantic drives in the world, the Via Chiantiagiana, is a favorite not just among private cars, but also tour companies.

A Short History of Siena

Siena’s history begun in 400 BC under Etruscan settlers called the Saina. Legend has it that it was two sons of Remus who founded the settlement after fleeing Rome, riding a black and white horses and hence the legend on the Sienese coat of arms.

Then, like many of the smaller towns in the region, Siena’s history was largely quiet, forming a Republic in the 12^th century, surviving the Black Death in 1348, and the Spanish occupiers, and finally falling to Florence in 1555,

What is the best month to visit Siena?

May to June.

July 2 in Siena will get you the Palio Delle Contrade a mad horse ride that draws in crowds in the thousands.

What are the best things to do in Siena?

Standing in the centre of the Piazza del Campo and taking a panoramic 360⁰ video of the piazza is a fantastic way to create memories.

Climbing the tower, the Torre del Mangia, is a challenge, and the reward of viewing Tuscany and the town from the heights above is an awesome experience.

Siena in spring is a green paradise. Just driving up the slender roads towards Siena, blushing vineyards with rich bounties while just ahead are the medieval city walls and ramparts of the town can be enough to create memories to cherish forever.

But then you get into the town and find out there is more. Siena is a city with narrow streets each promising and delivering on local and neighborhood-specific culinary delights. The drappelloni hung in local contrada/street museums declare the rich history of the city, each holding a part of the puzzle that is Siena.

Finally, you spend the last few hours of the day trip from Florence touring the palaces, cathedrals, and other architectural gifts of the city knowing this city will leave a permanent mark on you.

What is the best way to get around Siena?

There are bus lines and even a train service to help you get around Siena fast. Some tour companies in Siena get around by bus, letting you in on Siena’s wonders.

Cars and rentals are forbidden from the city center.

Scooters, motorbikes and e-bike tours are also available in Siena, especially for visiting attractions around the city.

The best experiences, however, are to be had on foot!

5. Lucca

“City of One Hundred Churches”

What is the best way to get to Lucca?

The fastest way to get to Lucca is from Pisa, just 25 minutes away on the via SS12 radd and S.da Statale 12.

A Short History of Lucca

Lucca begun as a Ligurian settlement in 300 BC, before becoming an Etruscan settlement later. It finally became a proper Roman colony in 180 BC. Her medieval history begun in the 7^th century, slowly growing in Christian circles before contributing Pope Alexander II in the 11^th century, becoming an independent Republic in the 12^th century, and even once hosting Dante Alighieri later on in his life.

What is the best month to visit Lucca?

April to June.

The Lucca Summer festival in is July though, and invites bands and musicians from all over.

In September 13^th to 14^th is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

What are the best things to do in Lucca?

Lucca’s medieval history has left her with a city filled with colorfully painted houses. Walking or riding a bike along Lucca’s wide and shaded walls offers some really good photo opportunities to capture the surrounding city and country.

Lucca is also home to dozens of splendid churches, among them San Michele al Foro and the the Basilica of San Freidano. In fact, one of the best things to do in Lucca will be to visit as many of these churches and chapels just to get a grasp of the depth of architectural knowledge contained within the city.

Finally, Lucca is a really romantic place to be. The views at the Torre del’Ore and Torre Guinigi, Lucca’s botanical garden, history lessons at the Puccini Museum, and just sitting around the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is all bound to leave you wanting to spend ore than a day in this town.

What is the best way to get around Lucca?

Taxis, though not many are available. Buses and trains are a good way to commute, with hooking up with tour operators a good way to get as much out of the city in a single day trip from Florence or Pisa.

Finally, the most romantic mode of getting around is simply walking; the walls around Lucca are incredibly well-preserved and offer fantastic views of the old city’s treasures.

6. Cortona

“The Gem of Tuscany”

What is the best way to get to Cortona?

Perugia is just 43 minutes away from Cortona along the via Raccordo Autostradale 6 Bettolle-Perugia/Raccordo Autostradale A1 Perugia.

A Short History of Cortona

Like many other small towns, the Romans conquered Cortona from the Etruscans. Building the Via Cassia road cut Cortona off from the Roman world, and after Goths sacked her in 450 AD, she disappeared from history until 1411 when the Medici bought Cortona from Naples.

What is the best month to visit Cortona?

May to June then October to November.

The Joust of Archidado in June is an especially fun time to be around this old and cultured city.

What are the best things to do in Cortona?

First, the drive to Cortona from Perugia goes by Parco Regionale del Lago Trasimeno. If you chartered a tour company from Florence you will be able to get to many more of Cortona’s wonderful sites.

Walking through or looking over the Val di Chiana, or simply driving up the hill to Cortona or renting the E-bikes is a fun experience. Just 10 minutes from Cortona was the Monastery Le Celle, somewhere I rather enjoyed for its calm and peaceful atmosphere.

A visit to the Basilica di Santa Margherita via a Cortona Private Guided Tour will secure you good lessons on Cortona’s rich history.

The bell and clock tower in the Piazza della Repúbblica was really charming, and sitting on steps at the Palazzo del Capitano with a cappuccino was rather relaxing and worth the trip to Cortona.

What is the best way to get around Cortona?

Taxis are available, but I found hooking up with a local tour guide and simply walking a good way to get around an urban town really beautiful, relaxing, and gave me the feeling of safety.

7. Arezzo

“The City of Gold and High Fashion”

What is the best way to get to Arezzo?

The Autostrada del Sole (A1 Milan-Naples) gets you to Arezzo from Florence or Rome, while Siena is just 89 km away from the city of Arezzo.

A Short History of Arezzo

Arezzo was apparently an important city to the Etruscans, even coming to the attention of Livy, the Roman historian. Rome conquered her in 311 BC, and Sulla settled some of his veterans here after his purges.

Apparently Arezzo’s reputation for the fashion comes from Maecenas, Octavian’s close friend. History then takes a leap to the 14^th century when Florence once again conquered Arezzo before endowing the city with the Basilica of San Francesco.

What is the best month to visit Arezzo?

April to June, and September to October.

Last Saturday of June is Giostra del Saracino right in the Piazza Grande, a really colorful medieval jousting festival you will love for the day’s jousting and the kites flying in the night.

What are the best things to do in Arezzo?

Most people head off to Arezzo for her antique markets, jousting tournaments, rich art museums, and awesome Church architecture and paintings.

That feeling of shopping in a medieval market is enhanced when buying stuff under the portico at the Piazza Grande, especially with the massive and Gothic Cathedral of Santi Donato e Pietro looking over you.

Another architectural marvel are the windows of the Church of Santa Maria della Pieve, and the San Francesco Basilica that we visited for the 15 scenes depicting the legend of the True Cross. The list of Churches here is almost large enough to make Arezzo another city of Churches if it were not for the number of famous artists born here.

What is the best way to get around Arezzo?

Though large, 2 days are good enough to see all if not most of Arezzo.

Getting around by bus or train is for the best, especially when most cars are restricted. Parking is available though, and a good thing because the drive from Siena was simply beautiful.

I found Arezzo even more welcoming and charming because of the bike-sharing here. Plus, there are so many guided E-bike Tours in Arezzo, coming from Pienza and Cortona, and just perfect for the monthly antique markets in the city of Arezzo.

8. Pisa

“The City of Leaning Towers”

What is the best way to get to Pisa?

Pisa is close enough to Florence, 1 hour and 20 minutes, to get there as a day trip from Florence.

A Short History of Pisa

Pisa was active after the Fall of the Roman Empire, not only being coveted by Byzantium, but also the Lombards and Charlemagne.

More importantly, Bjorn Ironside conquered Pisa in a raid in 860!

Pisa really came alive in the 11^th century AD when it became a Republic, and the walls we see today come from the 12^th century.

What is the best month to visit Pisa?

June – September.

Pisa has quite the number of festivals though, making no particular month good or bad for visiting Pisa.

Even so, February will be fantastic with the Carnival of Viareggio, and Pisa’s ‘New Year’ in March 25^th.

What are the best things to do in Pisa?

Hands down it is to visit Piazza dei Miracoli. This is like the marble centre of the world, with the Pisa Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Camposanto Monumentale, and the most famous of all, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Check out these Pisa Tours.

Frankly, Pisa is best visited via a travel tour of Tuscany from Florence or Siena. For example, I wouldn’t have known about the beautiful gardens at the New Hospital of Holy Spirit, nor of the great history and art at the Palazzo dell’Opera.

Most importantly, did you know there are 9 other leaning towers in Pisa? 9!

Finally, the Lungarno di Pisa, especially at night, is a really romantic and beautiful spot to walk in the city!

9. Montepulciano

“The Noble Wines of Montepulciano”

What is the best way to get to Montepulciano?

Montepulciano about 3 hours from Florence where some 23 trains run the route every day, where there are some tour operators where you can organize your day trips from Florence. Siena and Pienza are far closer, reachable by trains in the main, and far more convenient as staging posts.

A Short History of Montepulciano

A Renaissance hill town, Montepulciano begun as a settlement in the 4^th century BC, only coming to prominence in the 12^th century AD due to conflicts with the Republic of Siena. Then, centuries would pass with Montepulciano allied to Florence, enjoying her independence and developing her own artists and architectural identity until 1559 when Florence finally took over her. Finally, with WWII over, Montepulciano would gain wider recognition as a cultural center in Tuscany.

What is the best month to visit Montepulciano?

March to April and October to November are the best times.

What are the best things to do in Montepulciano?

Montepulciano is a small commune, so planning for a day trips from Florence should be enough.

Montepulciano is renown for her wine, and her acres of vineyards draw crowds in the hundreds of thousands., be sure to join the Wine tasting tours.

But Montepulciano’s beauty and charm is understated, with people mainly focusing on the wine angle.

The sight of the commune on a hill from afar as you drive closer and closer to the town is beautiful. Sitting on the steps of the Piazza Grande can be a relaxing experience where big city dwellers see how life in the smaller towns is like. Topped with walking the streets of Montepulciano, stone archways overhead and small quiet street bars at every corner, Montepulciano’s grace was a huge draw for me.

Plus, from the top of the Bell Tower, the Tuscan countryside is like a landscape. You see villas and chapels, farms clearly marked by cypress trees, and maybe a hiker or ten walking on any one of the many nature trails with a tour guide in company.

10. Montalcino

“More Noble Wines”

What is the best way to get to Montalcino?

Again, many schedule their day trips from Florence with tour operators in mind. This way, you can visit Montalcino, Montepulciano, and other towns and communes in the Val d’Orcia with tour guides who know the best spots to hit.

A Short History of Montalcino

Settled since the Etruscan era, Montalcino first came to attention in 814 AD with the erection of a Church here. As a medieval town, Montalcino survived through the leather business before people paid more attention to the Via Francigena, an old Roman trade road.

Montalcino would be caught up with the wars between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy for a long while before Florence once again took over another small town.

Today, Montalcino’s current renown originates from the 11 wine producers from the 1960s growing and developing Brunello di Montalcino, brewed from local grapes, into the world-class winehouse we see today.

What is the best month to visit Montalcino?

June to August, though that also means fighting for the best spots on Montalcino’s walls with other tourists.

What are the best things to do in Montalcino?

Montalcino is possibly even more beautiful than Montepulciano because of her intact walls ringing the town, and the huge nature preserve that is the Crete Senesi. Plus, the orchards, woods, and little hamlets around Montalcino, many viewable from atop the town’s walls, are a beautiful sight to grace your eyes every day you wake up.

A tour operator will advice spending no more than a day in Montalcino since you can also get to experience the nature trails around the small town, chief among them looping around the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, and walking from the La Madonna car park to the Church of the Madonna del Soccorso, hitting the Cathedral of San Salvatore, getting to the Fortress, Piazza Garibaldi, then looping back.

11. Pienza

“The Capital of Pecorino Cheese”

What is the best way to get to Pienza?

The SS146 between San Quirico d’Orcia and Montepulciano is simply made for travel and rest. Many tour bus operators prime your Tuscan adventures with the San Quirico d’Orcia – Montecchiello – Pienza route because of how the countryside is so beautiful and scenic half your visit is already done by the time you reach your destination.

A Short History of Pienza

Pienza came to our attention when in the 13^th century, the Piccolomini family acquired the town – then called Corsignano – from the Holy Roman Empire. Then in 1405, Pope Pius II re-created Corsignano into an idealized Renaissance town and reamed it Pienza, literally, ‘the city of Pius’.

What is the best month to visit Pienza?

Late May to early June, if the weather patterns do not switch up on us again!

What are the best things to do in Pienza?

Hands down it is walking the countryside. Pienza is gorgeous! Outside on the road section between Pieve di Corsignano and Podere Terrapille is a world famous film scene where they shot Gladiator (2000)!

Sure, I know they call Pienza the cheese capital of the world, and that there are tours that will let you in on all the secrets surrounding cheese, but my interest in Pienza was the beauty. The streets are charming, with every doorway covered in vines, and the brown Tufa architecture appealing you with its small-town quiet.

Yet, it is the picture-perfect panoramic scenes of the idyllic countryside, plus a harmonious blend of urban planning and rustic appeal, that draws us to Pienza in the thousands.

12. Monteriggioni

“A Fantasy Town”

What is the best way to get to Monteriggioni?

There are regular bus services and tour operators from Florence, though Siena is closer and can offer more of the same yet faster.

A Short History of Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni was built by the Sienese in 1214 as part of their war effort against Florence before handing it over in the 16^th century. If you manage to bring a drone with you, or take a tour on hot air balloon flights in Tuscany, you will also get why I see Monteriggioni as a fantasy town.

What is the best season to visit Monteriggioni?

April to June and September to October. Again, the weather and winds are good enough you can enjoy hot air balloon rides and views over Chianti.

What are the best things to do in Monteriggioni?

I do not mean to sound jaded, but if you went on that one-day trips from Florence or Pisa schedule you will find yourself waiting to take extra rides on hot air balloons over the hills of Chianti.

Monteriggioni has just 50 people living inside the walls of the hilltop village, so walking the walls and viewing both inside and outside can be quite the experience to cherish. But again – I know I repeat myself here – schedule a hot air balloon ride tour of the Chianti region!

13. Pitigliano

“Italy’s Little Jerusalem”

and also

“The most beautiful villages of Italy”

What is the best way to get to Pitigliano?

Viterbo is barely 60 minutes away on the via SR74. If you researched and planned your itinerary yourself, or arranged with a tour operator of Tuscany, you will probably find yourself on the scenic route that visits Orvieto, Lake Bolsena, and Viterbo in the same package.

A Short History of Pitigliano

Though as old as the Etruscan era, Pitigliano became prominent in the early 11^th century under the Aldobrandeschi Family, then in the late 13^th century under the Orsini Family. There would be internecine wars with Siena until the mid 15^th century when he two made peace, and then unification into the Grand Duchy of Tucany in the 16^th century.

This long and distinguished history is what gives Pitigliano such a depth in medieval architecture and structures as well as history of culture and the arts.

When is the best month to visit Pitigliano?

July to August.

March can be a fun time – the Torciata di San Giuseppe March that literally lights up bonfires all over the place.

May to June was what I targeted though. They celebrate Corpus Christi here by going crazy with flowers and colors and it is something you have to be there to enjoy.

What are the best things to do in Pitigliano?

If you were not in Pitigliano for the festivals, then you certainly came here to get away from the urban hustle. Sure, Pitigliano has ancient structures like the Parco Archeologico Citta del Tufo, Tomba Ildebranda, and the Vie Cave, and tour operators in Tuscany will direct you to the Museum of Palazzo Orsini or the Medici Aqueduct for some history and cultural lessons.

However, your heart will direct you to the hills beside Pitigliano at night and early evening. There are hiking trails all over and if timed just right, you are guaranteed eternal memories of a beautiful old town. Come climb the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santi Pietro e Paolo and gaze on Tuscan country designed to make your heart ease.

14. Thermal Baths

“Saturnia, Bagno Vignoni, and Bagno San Filipo”

The Saturnia Thermal Springs are natural hot spring baths and free to experience, which makes them one of my best things to do in Tuscany. There is a pretty large car park here, and a café serving snacks. The Spa treatment is extra though, so carry some cash or a credit card.

Bagno Vignoni’s thermal bath in the Piazza is not free, but locals and tourists relax beside the large pool and visit the many hotels around you. Tour operators in Tuscany will try to direct you to one or the other hotel for the spa and bath experience, so you can take your pick of the best offers.

Bagni San Filippo was hands down my best trip because of how beautiful the crystal and blue water and rocks here appear. Plus, it is absolutely free to not just take a dip, but also walk the nature trails around here. I got the best experience right from the start with the drive through Val d’Orcia, then the pools have a thick canopy of trees overhead, providing shade for you. Finally, the car park close by meant I could get here on my own without a tour guide in company once I got the lay of the land. All in all? Perfect!