A week in Tuscany – what to see on your holiday?

Travel guide to Tuscany

Below is my suggestion for a week in Tuscany, packed with very different experiences. Nature, culture, architecture, and gastronomy. REMEMBER to give yourselves time to just experience. Sit in a square and just watch life pass by – it will give you a good impression of the Italian lifestyle.

Day 1: Lucca – definitely to be included in the "A week in Tuscany" program.

Lucca is like a living open-air museum. This is where I have lived for 20 years and my children were born and raised here – so naturally, I see the city through special glasses. It's very lovely here.
Unlike most other cities, there isn't one specific monument you must experience. It's more about the atmosphere. The first impression you get when approaching Lucca is the impressive, still intact city wall from the 16th century. I would suggest that you first either walk or cycle – there are many bike rental places all over the city – all the way around on top of the city wall. It's 4.3 km and gives a good overview of the city. Afterwards, you should let yourselves get lost in the center and become "lost" in the winding streets.
The main pedestrian street is called "Via Fillungo". Here are all the shops and here all the tourists walk. Therefore, you best experience Lucca by walking away from the main street and into the small cozy side streets.
You should see "Anfiteaterpladsen" (remember it's expensive to eat and drink here), "Piazza Grande", the church "San Frediano" and the Cathedral, just as I would recommend a trip up the tower "Torre Guinigi".

Because I have this special connection to Lucca, we naturally have a particularly large selection of holiday homes in Lucca. All places where I would love to spend my own holiday.

Where to eat in Lucca?

I would suggest "Da Giulio": This restaurant is the perfect place to try authentic Tuscan recipes at a reasonable price. The dishes are "simple", and I would recommend you try the classics: Tortelli al ragù, Tagliatelle al pesto, Patate alla salvia, or Matuffi al ragu o pomodoro.
Or ask for the "dish of the day" – you won't be disappointed! The food is always delicious and beautifully served, and you get good personal service (remember to tip if you are satisfied). It's always busy here and always well-visited by locals in Lucca. That's usually a good sign. The restaurant is a bit hidden away but in the center of Lucca. Visit this restaurant instead of paying tourist prices at the restaurants on Piazza Anfiteatro.

Ristorante Da Giulio
Via delle Conce 45 – Telephone +39 0583 55948

Day 2: If you have a week in Tuscany, the Chianti area cannot be missed

In one day, you can visit one of the most famous wine regions in Italy, the Chianti district, which lies between Florence and Siena. Depending on which part of Tuscany you are staying in, take the motorway to Florence, switch to the country road and drive in the direction of "Greve in Chianti".
Now continue towards the charming small towns of Gaiole, Radda, Castelnuovo Berardenga. Stop in each town for a pleasant stroll. Visit the small shops selling local crafts and exquisite wine and sit down at a bar. Enjoy the drive between the towns as there are unique views of the classic Tuscan landscape. Many good places to take fantastic photos.
Choose a rustic trattoria along the road for lunch and enjoy some homemade pasta and local wine.

Day 3: San Gimignano

San Gimignano is worth a visit. Built on a rock (334 m above sea level), the towers rise towards the sky and dominate the entire Val d'Elsa valley. The city dates back to the time of the Etruscans. Experience the atmosphere, visit the cathedral, the various museums, and churches. There are several shops offering wine tasting.
It's a small town, so a couple of hours is enough. There are many tourists during the season, but I still think it's worth the trip – also because of the beautiful natural experience along the way.

San Gimignano – always worth a visit

If you are short on time, choose Volterra

A magical and mysterious city, dating back 3000 years, and you can still find examples from every era in the city, which makes it unique. Would require a long historical explanation, so I refer to guidebooks. Remember to go outside the well-known squares and streets to experience the genuine atmosphere.

Combine the day in San Gimignano with a visit to Volterra.

If you don't have time to visit two "hill towns" while you're in Tuscany, I recommend visiting Volterra. Didn't you just recommend San Gimignano? Yes – and it's definitely worth a visit too. But due to the many tourists in high season, I recommend prioritizing Volterra if time is short.
After wandering through the city's steep streets, it's time to sit down and relax over a good Tuscan meal. Go to the top of the city and choose one of the countless places – you can choose anything from simple cuisine to elegant gourmet. Perhaps you saw the wild boar in marble, which adorns the Palazzo dei Priori? A delicious local specialty I would recommend is wild boar salami or pasta with wild boar (Cinghiale). As always when visiting an Italian city: make sure to find a good place to sit, relax, and enjoy Volterra. The city has a fantastic story to tell, so allow yourself to linger in the historical atmosphere of this medieval town. Enjoy the view and the atmosphere of the city, along with a good glass of wine!

Day 4: The Thermal Baths in Tuscany

There are several thermal baths in Tuscany that are worth visiting. Some are elegant beauty salons, while others are located in nature.
I would suggest you drive to Saturnia Terme. It's free and in nature. Small streams – where several locals often soak – lead down to a small lake with large soft stones and a wonderful waterfall you can sit under and get your neck massaged. The water is warm and sulfurous, smells a bit but leaves your skin the softest afterwards. I would recommend this experience outside the warmest months, as the water is around 37.5 degrees Celsius.

Saturnia Terme – natural wellness

Day 5: Le Cinque Terre

The five small towns are actually not in Tuscany at all but in the Liguria region, which is a suitable distance from Lucca and northern Tuscany for a day trip.
You can choose to drive to the town of Riomaggiore, but it's difficult to find parking, so I recommend you take the train to La Spezia (or drive yourself) and continue from there.
From Riomaggiore, you can take the local train between the towns or walk as described better below.

The Cinque Terre stretch has been declared one of the most valuable places in the world, as they are located right by the sea, there is a risk that the towns could disappear into the Mediterranean, which eats away at the coast year after year. At high tide, the sea almost reaches the houses.

Monterosso, Vernazza, Coreglia, Menarola, and Riomaggiore, as the 5 towns are called, are all fishing villages and they are very similar but still offer something different. Visit them all.
Either by local train, which runs hourly and stops at each town – buy a day ticket so you can hop on and off as the day progresses. Or on foot.
Set aside a whole day for this experience. Bring swimwear if necessary.

Day 6: Alpi Apuane – Marble/Gastronomy tour.

On this day, you will experience a completely different Tuscany than you imagine. Different nature, surprising views, and new dishes. This mountain area is located north of the Lucca province and you could actually easily spend a week or two here if you love being in nature.

Take the A12 motorway from Lucca towards Viareggio – before you reach Viareggio, exit towards Genoa and continue until you reach the Carrara motorway exit.
You are now in Carrara, known for its white marble that Michelangelo used for his famous statues.
If you are interested in the history behind the marble quarries, you can visit the museum on Via XX Settembre, near the stadium. Afterwards, you move into the mountains.

Marble quarries in Carrara – a great experience awaits.

One can, of course, argue that one should also experience Florence, Siena, Pistoia, Livorno and much more – yes, I could go on and on.

Read the articles I link to – maybe you choose to swap out a day.

There's a lot you'll have to look forward to when you come back another time.