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San Gimignano is a tiny Tuscan hill city simply an hour outdoors of Florence. People come to San Gimignano to get pleasure from its stone structure and medieval towers; its museums and views — oh sure, and one specific gelato store.
San Gimignano is as touristy as Tuscany will get — however it’s nonetheless a enjoyable place to go to.
Before you propose your go to to San Gimignano, it is best to know what it’s: a small city (inhabitants: 7,000) with an excellent smaller walled medieval metropolis. That’s the half you’ll go to, and this city caters nearly totally to vacationers.
What does that imply? To evaluate it to close by Siena, Siena continues to be a metropolis the place common Tuscan people reside and work. San Gimignano has one trade: tourism. In the walled metropolis of San Gimignano, I didn’t see a ironmongery store, a dry cleaner, a flea market — something that caters primarily to locals.
All the being mentioned — I nonetheless assume San Gimignano is price visiting. One of the very best causes to go to San Gimignano is for the images. The walled city is extremely photogenic, the views over the panorama are grand, and the 14 stone towers make up a “Medieval Manhattan” that’s distinctive in Tuscany.
It’s a bit bushy to get to San Gimignano from Florence by public transit. When I visited, I went with Walks on their Tuscany tour via San Gimignano, Siena and the Chianti wine area (they let me be part of the tour free of charge, and I cherished it anyway). It was a simple and enjoyable technique to see all three locations in a single day with out worrying about transit connections!
Let’s check out the very best issues to do in San Gimignano. I believe you’ll get pleasure from this city!
This submit was printed in November 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Riana Ang-Canning.
Things to Do in San Gimignano
Climb Torre Grossa for spectacular views
If you’re searching for these quintessential Tuscany views — a medieval city surrounded by lush, inexperienced rolling hills so far as the attention can see — you’ll love climbing the Torre Grossa in San Gimignano!
Torre Grossa, often known as the Great Tower, was constructed within the 14th century. Today, at simply 53 meters (177 toes), it’s the tallest tower in San Gimignano. To get to the epic view on the prime, you’ll must climb 218 steps.
Your ticket to the tower prices 9 EUR ($10) and in addition grants you entrance to the museum and gallery within the constructing beneath.
Climbing Torre Grossa is a good factor to do whenever you first arrive in San Gimignano because it’ll offer you an outline of town and appreciation for the place you might be in Tuscany.
And don’t be postpone if the climate isn’t cooperating! It was grey and drizzly throughout my go to, and I nonetheless love how my photographs got here out.
Explore the medieval city heart
The historic heart of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for 2 main causes. First, it was an necessary cease for pilgrims touring to Rome through the Middle Ages, and second, it was acknowledged for its spectacular towers — although sadly, solely 14 of the unique 72 towers survive at present.
Start your exploration at Palazzo Comunale, often known as Palazzo del Popolo, in San Gimignano’s primary sq., Piazza del Duomo. This municipal palace is the seat of native authorities on the town and in addition homes a museum and artwork gallery. It’s additionally the constructing beneath Torre Grossa, so you possibly can mix a go to to each the palace and tower.
Stroll from Piazza del Duomo to the linked Piazza della Cisterna the place you’ll discover extra medieval towers, an historic metropolis gate, an historic cistern and a few world-class gelato (extra on that later!).
Appreciate the beautiful church buildings
Like most medieval European cities, San Gimignano has its fair proportion of gorgeous church buildings to go to.
Start with the principle church on the town, Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, often known as the Duomo of San Gimignano. This church was constructed within the twelfth Century and had many necessary frescoes added to it all through the Renaissance interval. The exterior is easy, however inside you’ll see numerous architectural particulars and colourful art work.
Two different church buildings price visiting in San Gimignano are Chiesa di Sant’Agostino and Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Ponte. Chiesa di Sant’Agostino is the second largest church after the Collegiata and in addition homes some spectacular frescoes. Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Ponte is among the oldest church buildings in San Gimignano and well-known for its artwork piece, Madonna with Child in Glory.
Famous Italian painters Lippo Memmi and Benozzo Gozzoli each contributed frescoes to the Church of Sant’Agostino, Palazzo del Popolo and Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Visit the museums & galleries
If you’d prefer to be taught extra concerning the tradition and historical past of San Gimignano, you possibly can go to one of many city’s museums or galleries. Start with Museo Civico (Civic Museum), situated within the city corridor of Palazzo Comunale, the place you’ll find out about San Gimignano’s fascinating historical past, governance, and artwork scene. (Your ticket to the Torre Grossa will get you in right here.)
The Museo Archeologico shows artwork and artifacts from the Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval durations discovered within the space round San Gimignano. The Herbarium of Santa Fina (or Spezieria di Santa Fina) is ready up like an historic pharmacy, displaying vessels from the 15-18th Centuries.
Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea is a museum to go to for twentieth Century work.
San Gimignano additionally has quite a lot of trendy artwork galleries you possibly can discover, which makes a beautiful distinction to the traditional feeling of the city. Check out Galleria Gagliardi or iSculpture for modern sculptures, Galleria Continua for large-scale modern artwork, and Nous Art Gallery for nature-inspired artwork.
Go wine tasting
You by no means must go far to seek out good wine in Italy — and that’s doubly true in Tuscany, which is house to a few of the most sturdy reds within the nation. The hills surrounding San Gimignano are house to some pretty vineyards you possibly can go to.
On this 2-Hour Wine & Gourmet Tasting, you’ll be part of an professional sommelier at a Tuscan vineyard close to San Gimignano as they lead you thru a wine tasting. You’ll be taught concerning the totally different varieties produced on this winemaking area of Italy and pair your wine tasting with snacks or lunch.
Another choice is a wine and meals tasting at a family-run, natural farm and vineyard simply outdoors of San Gimignano. Your go to will embrace a tour across the backyard, orchard, winery, olive grove, wine cellar and getting old room. You’ll then pair eight of the vineyard’s reds, whites and rosés with farm-grown snacks, similar to olive oil and native cheeses.
Tour Torre e Casa Campatelli or Torre Salvucci Maggiore
Torre Grassa isn’t the one tower on the town, and so lots of the towers right here at present exemplify San Gimignano’s historic significance. While solely 14 towers stay, San Gimignano continues to be nicknamed the “Manhattan of Tuscany,” “Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” or “Medieval Manhattan,” due to its well-known skyline of medieval skyscrapers.
Torre e Casa Campatelli (Campatelli Tower House) is a twelfth Century tower that stands nearly 100 toes tall. Today, you possibly can tour the tower home, the place the Campatelli household used to reside, and see genuine 18th century furnishings all through the flooring.
Or if you would like an much more immersive expertise, take a look at Torre Salvucci Maggiore, which stands about 140 toes excessive. This tower is ready up as a vertical house throughout 11 flooring and is on the market for company to remain in in a single day. As lengthy as you don’t thoughts stairs, this could be an unbelievable place to remain!
Learn concerning the city historical past at San Gimignano 1300
Get able to time journey again to 14th Century Tuscany at San Gimignano 1300. This partaking artwork and historical past museum recreates San Gimignano because it was within the 1300’s.
Inside you’ll discover a miniature clay reconstruction of all the city within the 14th Century, in addition to separate dioramas exhibiting off metropolis life and the constructing of the towers.
Tour guides can be found to elucidate town’s historical past and reply the query of what occurred to all of San Gimignano’s towers. Next door you’ll additionally discover a modern artwork gallery and reward store.
Check out the native artisans and their shops
All alongside the squares and streets of San Gimignano, you’ll discover native artisans promoting meals gadgets, crafts, jewellery, clothes, and extra. In between touring the towers and church buildings, take a break to do some buying.
My favourite store in San Gimignano was Balducci Ceramica. Here you possibly can watch husband and spouse group Franco Balducci and Esther Vogeli craft their handmade pottery and ceramics, in addition to buy a chunk of artwork to take house. You’ll additionally see a few of Franco’s work round San Gimignano.
Other extremely rated outlets embrace Le Torri or Marri e Rossi for leather-based items, Pantani Arte for work and crafts, La Buca di Montauto for gourmand meals, and Macallè for jewellery.
Is it price buying in San Gimignano? As an Italy journey professional who LOVES to buy, I might store for high-quality, artisanal gadgets in San Gimignano at one of many shops listed above. I might NOT store for reasonable, mass-market produced souvenirs right here, as these will probably be less expensive at markets in Florence.
Grab a gelato at Gelateria Dondoli
I like monitoring down the very best gelato store in Italian cities I go to, and in San Gimignano, that’s Gelateria Dondoli! This gelato store is vastly fashionable and has received numerous awards. It’s additionally conveniently situated, proper on Piazza della Cisterna.
Gelateria Dondoli is finest recognized for his or her handmade gelato utilizing wealthy, native components. This has resulted in some distinctive flavors similar to Crema di Santa Fina (with saffron and pine nuts), Champelmo (pink grapefruit with glowing wine), and mixtures like cheese and olive, chestnut and rosemary, and pumpkin and chocolate.
If you’re a extremely massive fan, you possibly can even take a gelato class with Sergio Dondoli himself!
I warn you, although — this place is BUSY and you may count on lengthy strains, even on drizzly days just like the day I visited. If you may have restricted free time in your day journey to San Gimignano, give yourselves quarter-hour or so to attend in line right here. Perhaps longer in the summertime.
Want gelato, however don’t have sufficient time to attend? There are just a few different cafes on Piazza della Cisterna that serve common gelato.
Visit Parco della Rocca & Citadel at sundown
If you’re searching for the proper spot to catch a sundown in San Gimignano, head to Parco della Rocca, simply close to Piazza Duomo. This park is called for Rocca di Montestaffoli, a 14th Century fortress on town partitions of San Gimignano. Today, solely ruins of the partitions of the fortress stay.
Besides being a terrific place to observe the solar go down over the extensive fields of Tuscany, Parco della Rocca is commonly used for exhibits and occasions in the summertime.
The park hosts Giostra dei Bastioni, a jousting competitors between medieval knights, and the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience La Rocca for wine fans.
Enjoy a dinner with locals
One of the very best methods to find the scrumptious meals and fantastic hospitality of Tuscany is by eating with an area. With these experiences, you possibly can get pleasure from a terrific meal with good firm and even strive your hand at making an Italian dish.
On this Dining Experience at a Local’s Home you’ll be invited into an area’s house for a personal meal. You’ll get pleasure from a present as your hosts put together household recipes proper in entrance of you. Once the cooking is completed, you’ll get pleasure from a four-course meal paired with native wines, and take house a memento apron.
Learn to make pizza or pasta
If you’re going to learn to make pizza or pasta, Italy is the place to be taught! While pizza isn’t a typical Tuscan dish, for those who’re not visiting Naples in your journey, Tuscany will just do positive.
In this 2-Hour Pizza Class & Wine Tasting, you’ll head to Tenuta Torciano Winery simply outdoors of San Gimignano to be taught to make pizza the old style means. The focus will probably be on recent, native components and studying from an professional pizza chef. After your cooking class, you’ll benefit from the fruits of your labor alongside extra Tuscan specialties and a wine tasting.
Or take a look at this non-public pasta-making class at an area’s house in San Gimignano. It doesn’t get extra genuine than making handmade pasta in an area Italian house! You and your host will put together three sorts of pasta and luxuriate in consuming them paired with sauces and native wines.
Go truffle searching
One of probably the most iconic experiences you possibly can have in Tuscany goes out on a truffle hunt. Tuscany is among the extra dependable areas in Italy for truffle-hunting. It’s arduous to not get excited as your professional truffle-hunting canine sniffs their technique to underground gold!
On this Truffle Hunting with Lunch & Wine Tasting Tour, you’ll be part of knowledgeable information and educated canine as they hunt for truffles in a forest close to San Gimignano. Your information will clarify how truffles are grown and located in Tuscany and — for those who’re fortunate — your canine will hit the jackpot!
After your hunt, you’ll chill out again at an area vineyard the place you’ll get pleasure from a scrumptious Tuscan lunch, olive oil tasting, and wine tasting led by a sommelier.
Sample the native delicacies
You can eat properly anyplace in Italy, and that’s very true in San Gimignano! If you may have time for a meal right here, be sure you pattern some specialties distinctive to Tuscany and San Gimignano itself.
This a part of Tuscany is massive on cinghiale (CHEEN-ghee-AH-lay) — wild boar. While yow will discover it throughout Tuscany, it’s one of many native specialties of San Gimignano.
My favourite go-to wild boar dish is pappardelle al cinghiale, which is thick-cut pasta in a wild boar meat sauce. It’s the sort of dish that sticks to your ribs, in a great way!
You an additionally strive wild boar sausage as a part of a salume platter (an enormous plate of cured meats served earlier than a meal), and wild boar stew is an alternative choice.
Le Vecchie Mura, within the heart of San Gimignano, is a pleasant spot in case you have time for a leisurely lunch.
Other Tuscan specialities embrace ribollita (a stew of bread, beans and greens), papa al pomodoro (a bread, bean, and tomato soup), bistecca fiorentina (an unlimited steak achieved uncommon), and naturally, loads of deep, sturdy Tuscan purple wines.
How Much Time to Spend in San Gimignano, Italy
San Gimignano is a REALLY small city, and nowadays, it caters primarily to vacationers’ wants. For that motive, I believe you solely must spend just a few hours in San Gimignano.
Just a morning or a day needs to be sufficient time to discover San Gimignano; you may stretch it to a full day for those who booked a cooking class or wine tasting journey or did some severe gallery-hopping.
Because you solely want half a day to get pleasure from San Gimignano, it pairs completely with one other Tuscan city as the proper day journey from Florence. I believe that Siena and San Gimignano make an ideal pair, as they’re shut to one another and have simple transit connections between them.
And as soon as once more — I actually loved my day journey from Florence to Siena and San Gimignano, which was simple, well-paced, and left me feeling like I had skilled each locations fairly properly.
How to Get to San Gimignano, Italy
Most folks go to San Gimignano on a day journey from Florence or as a part of an extended highway journey round Tuscany.
If you’re planning an extended Tuscany highway journey, you’ll positively wish to hire your personal automotive. Many of the small little cities and wineries have restricted public transport connections, and San Gimignano is not any exception.
From Florence, it’s an hourlong drive to San Gimignano, or you possibly can take a bus to the city of Poggibonsi (50 minutes), then change to a bus to San Gimignano (20 minutes).
From Siena, it’s a 55-minute drive to San Gimignano, or you possibly can take a bus on to San Gimignano (1 hour and 5 minutes).
If you’re solely visiting San Gimignano on a day journey from Florence, I strongly suggest reserving the Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip from Florence that I took with Walks. It was a extremely nice day and SO a lot simpler than navigating the general public transport.
Where to Stay in San Gimignano, Italy
If you do determine to remain in a single day in San Gimignano, listed here are a few of the finest locations to remain:
- Top-rated finances resort in San Gimignano: La Fornace Di Racciano is a family-run B&B on a country property simply outdoors of San Gimignano. Enjoy swimming within the out of doors pool and admiring the wooden beam ceilings.
- Top-rated mid-range resort in San Gimignano: La Locanda di Quercecchio is situated inside San Gimignano and gives numerous genuine Tuscan appeal. Another nice choice for a mid-range finances is Leon Bianco, situated on the principle sq. in San Gimignano and mixing the fashionable with the standard.
- Top-rated luxurious resort in San Gimignano: Hotel Bel Soggiorno is centrally situated in San Gimignano and gives lovely views of the city and Tuscan countryside from its terraces and on-site restaurant.
Find offers on locations to remain in San Gimignano right here.
Best Time to Visit San Gimignano, Italy
You can go to San Gimignano year-round — and loads of folks do — however count on larger crowds throughout excessive season, from late spring to early fall. These days, it looks like excessive season in Tuscany retains getting longer and longer. There have been wall-to-wall crowds in Florence in March!
But for those who’re searching for the optimum time to go to Tuscany, I personally love visiting within the fall, particularly mid-to-late October. It’s a bit much less crowded, the temperatures are extra affordable, you get to see some altering leaves, and it’s time for the harvest.
While some folks go to San Gimignano within the winter, it is best to know that a few of the companies on the town shut through the winter months. You can nonetheless get pleasure from your journey — simply know that will probably be a lot quieter than typical.
Is San Gimignano Worth It?
Absolutely, San Gimignano is price visiting. It’s an enthralling small city with sufficient to do, see, and eat to entertain you for just a few hours.
But — and it is a massive however — I wouldn’t suggest constructing your entire journey round San Gimignano, and even spending a full day right here. It’s finest paired with a second vacation spot, like my tour from Florence to Siena and San Gimignano.
Make your journey to San Gimignano actually price it by pairing it with a close-by Tuscan metropolis, like Siena, to profit from your day journey!
More on Florence and Tuscany:
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