TUSCANY TRAVEL GUIDE: TOP THINGS TO DO IN TUSCANY

Quick read...

  • Tuscany is a stunning central Italian region where world-class Renaissance heritage meets a landscape of vine-striped hills.

  • The region is home to legendary landmarks, including Florence’s terracotta-domed Cathedral, the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the medieval shell-shaped Piazza del Campo in Siena.

  • Beyond famous monuments, visitors can stroll Lucca’s tree-lined walls, ride a historic funicular in Montecatini Terme, or enjoy an opera performance.

  • Enjoy authentic, seasonal farmhouse lunches, extra-virgin olive oil tastings, and chilled glasses of Chianti amid the vineyards.

  • Just You’s expertly led escorted tours offer solo travellers a sociable, stress-free way to explore Tuscany, balancing guided insights with plenty of free time.

Few places capture the spirit of Italy quite like Tuscany. Around every corner you’ll find something memorable, whether it’s stunning Renaissance art, grand marble cathedrals, or a glass of rich red wine in a sunny piazza.

On Just You’s escorted holidays to Tuscany, you’ll take in the region’s highlights with ease, from Florence’s masterpieces to the laid-back spa town of Montecatini Terme. If you prefer exploring on foot, our Walking in Tuscany tour discovers hidden corners along country trails, with a base in Chianti and daily walks through classic scenery and hilltop villages.

It’s a relaxed, sociable way to discover one of Italy’s most fascinating regions. Your Holiday Director and expert local guides bring the stories to life, and the tours strike a balance between guided excursions and free time.

Read on to discover the top things to do in Tuscany as part of a Just You adventure on one of our Tuscany tours.

TUSCANY AT A GLANCE

Located in central Italy, Tuscany stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea across rolling, vine-striped hills to the forested Apennine mountains. It’s a region made for unhurried days, where simple pleasures matter and a deep love of art, food and wine runs through daily life.

Each Tuscan city and town has its own distinct character. Whether you are wandering through the architectural majesty of Florence, an elegant spa town or the quiet, cobbled lanes of a hilltop hamlet, you’ll find a region that blends world-class heritage with an unmistakably warm, welcoming soul.

Find out more about our collection of Italy tours.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN TUSCANY

EXPLORE FLORENCE'S RENAISSANCE HEART

Florence is a living museum, and a wonderfully walkable one. A guided orientation helps you get your bearings, allowing you to use your free time with confidence.

Follow the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio, where tiny goldsmiths’ shops perch above the water, then wander handsome streets and piazzas between Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Repubblica. Here, cafés clink with coffee cups and the sandstone lanes are lined with leather and paper workshops.

Known as the ‘cradle of the Renaissance’, Florence is synonymous with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Donatello. At the city’s heart stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Its green, white, and pink geometric façade, topped by Brunelleschi’s terracotta dome, dominates the skyline. Pause by the Baptistery’s bronze doors, look up at Giotto’s soaring campanile, and soak up the easy buzz of street life.

Florence City skyline - things to do in Tuscany

After a freshly brewed espresso, why not stroll along Via dei Calzaiuoli for smooth gelato, or use free time to explore the works of da Vinci and Michelangelo at the Uffizi or Accademia galleries?

On our walking holidays in Tuscany, you’ll discover Florence on foot, starting with panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo and winding your way down through the lively streets, covering around 10 km of city and countryside.

Leaning Tower of Pisa - things to do in Tuscany

SEE THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA UP CLOSE

Some of Italy’s most recognisable sights are housed in the single sweep of lawn that makes up the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles), including the banded marble cathedral, the circular Baptistery, and the infamous 180-foot Torre Pendente tower that began to lean soon after construction started in the 12th century.

Although the Leaning Tower’s tilt has been corrected to some extent over the years, modern stabilisation works have made it safe while still preserving its famous angle.

On Just You’s Highlights of Tuscany escorted tour, you’ll spend a morning in Pisa with your fellow solo travellers. If you find yourself with some free time in the afternoon, you might take a gentle stroll down the riverside lungarni and enjoy a stop on a café terrace.

WALK LUCCA'S WALLS

Another delightful optional excursion takes you to Lucca, a city of ’a hundred churches’ wrapped in perfectly preserved Renaissance walls.

Lucca’s broad ramparts have been topped with avenues of trees, creating a leafy, elevated promenade. Strolling along these walls offers a unique perspective of the city, with bird’s-eye views into secret gardens, quiet courtyards, and a skyline punctuated by ancient bell towers.

Descending into the historic centre, you’ll discover the Piazza Anfiteatro, an oval public space built on the foundations of an ancient Roman arena. Today, its golden-walled houses and charming cafés follow the exact curve of the original stadium. Nearby, look up to see the iconic Guinigi Tower, famous for the ancient holm oak trees growing on its rooftop, and discover the San Martino Cathedral, which hides artistic treasures behind its intricate, tiered façade.

Lucca is a city that sings. It’s the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini, and you’ll see his name on theatres, streets, and the house museum where his story began. This stunning city is an optional excursion on our Tuscany tours.

STROLL AROUND SIENA

Available as an optional excursion from Montecatini Terme, a visit to Siena feels like stepping into a richly illustrated manuscript. The city is a striking vision of terracotta rooftops, slender brick towers, and Gothic windows that catch the golden Tuscan light.

At the city’s heart lies the Piazza del Campo, an elegant, shell-shaped square that dips like a natural amphitheatre. This historic space is the stage for the world-famous Palio, a centuries-old horse race where the city’s 17 contrade (districts) compete with fierce passion twice each summer.

The square itself is a masterclass in Gothic urban planning. Narrow lanes peel off in every direction, leading to hidden courtyards, artisan workshops and churches where frescoes glow in candlelight. The burnt-sienna hue of the surrounding buildings, the very shade that gave the famous pigment its name, glows beautifully in the afternoon sun.

Siena with blue skies - things to do in Tuscany

Siena’s UNESCO-listed centre is a feast for the senses. You’ll catch the scent of almondy ricciarelli biscuits drifting from bakeries and feel the cool, reverent hush inside the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The cathedral is a marvel of design, featuring dramatic black-and-white striped columns and intricate frescoes that have survived for centuries.

During your visit, you’ll have ample time to wander the historic lanes, dipping in and out of boutiques housed in grand old palazzi. Be sure to sample a slice of panforte, Siena’s signature dense, spiced fruit-and-nut cake, or a soft ricciarelli biscuit.

A quick tip for the savvy traveller: Siena is famously hilly, so comfortable walking shoes are essential to ensure your exploration of these ancient streets remains a pleasure rather than a chore.

Montecatini Terme - things to do in Tuscany

LIVE LA DOLCE VITA IN MONTECATINI TERME

An elegant spa town north-east of Lucca, Montecatini Terme is the base for Just You’s Highlights of Tuscany escorted tour.

Known for its grand Art Nouveau architecture, ornate fountains, and manicured parks, it embodies the dolce vita.

A truly memorable moment here is taking the historic funicular, a charming red cable car dating back to 1898, up the steep hillside to Montecatini Alto. This medieval hilltop village offers sweeping views over the valley below. Settle into a café in the small piazza, order a glass of local wine, and watch the world go by. It’s the ultimate way to experience Italy’s relaxed side.

EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC TUSCANY IN CHIANTI

If you’re travelling on our walking holidays in Tuscany, Chianti will be your base for the week, giving you a quieter side of Tuscany to return to after walks, excursions, and time spent exploring. After a day out, relax with a drink or unwind in your hotel’s gardens.

TASTE TRADITIONAL DISHES

Food plays a central role in Tuscan culture and daily life, with dishes made from simple, seasonal ingredients. Game meats, beans, vegetables, hand-formed pasta, fresh herbs, and olive oil are artfully combined to create flavourful dishes. Fresh seafood appears more frequently the closer you get to the Tyrrhenian coast.

On our Highlights of Tuscany escorted tour, you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch at Fattoria Il Poggio. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards and the olive mill, where you’ll learn the secrets behind “extra virgin” oil; the first cold-pressed oil that retains the highest aroma and health benefits.

You’ll then enjoy a leisurely farmhouse lunch using seasonal local ingredients with a structured tasting of four local wines. It’s a social, sensory experience that brings the group together over the very best of Tuscan hospitality.

The Walking in Tuscany tour offers a different foodie highlight: a guided walk through the vineyards of Chianti ending at Vicchiomaggio Castle, where you’ll try local wines and enjoy a lunch with a view over the hills.

WALK THE CHIANTI HILLS AND MEDICI TRAILS

Wander down quiet country roads from Badia a Passignano Monastery to Vicchiomaggio Castle, or follow in the footsteps of the Medici family to their elegant villa at Poggio a Caiano and onwards to Carmignano’s hilltop fortifications.

On our Walking in Tuscany tour, these guided walks showcase the region’s classic landscapes and history. Optional walks include a trek into the Apennines or a journey to Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci.

ENJOY AN EVENING AT THE MONTECATINI OPERA FESTIVAL

If your dates align with the local timetable, an evening at the Montecatini Opera is a spectacular way to finish a day.

Usually held in atmospheric, historic venues, these concerts feature a selection of famous Italian arias and light classical favourites. Hearing Puccini or Verdi in the land of their birth is an emotional experience that stays with you long after the final note.

BEST TIME TO VISIT TUSCANY

Tuscany is beautiful year-round, but spring and autumn offer the best balance of weather and atmosphere.

Spring (April–May) brings soft light and mild days, making them perfect for city strolls and countryside walks. Early summer brings longer evenings, while late summer, extending into early autumn (September–October), feels especially rich, with warm days and cool, pleasant evenings.

If you’re joining a walking tour, spring, early summer, and autumn are ideal for comfortable walking temperatures. The Highlights of Tuscany tour also runs throughout the summer, allowing visitors to soak up the sunshine.

With the logistics taken care of, you can enjoy the best of the region and the company of your fellow solo travellers without worrying about the travel details.

Discover more Just You singles holidays & solo tours to Italy.

LET US TAKE YOU THERE

  1. SEIT_banner_2025_2.jpg

    Highlights of Tuscany

    Explore Tuscany's rolling countryside, dotted with olive groves, vineyards and medieval hilltop towns. You'll also visit Pisa, home of the Leaning Tower, and Florence, Italy's 'Art City'.

    • Return flights
    • 7 nights in 4-star hotels and 11 meals
    • 12 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

    8 days from
    £1,909
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  2. Tuscany fields

    Walking in Tuscany

    Rolling countryside and terraced vineyards, mountain scenery and incredible architecture – you'll discover it all on idyllic walks through the landscapes of Tuscany, and learn about the famous Medici dynasty.

    • Return flights
    • 7 nights in a 3-star hotel
    • 15 included meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
    • Small group travel style - Max 20 people on this tour

    8 days from
    £1,799
    was £1,999
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