10 Best Day Trips to Tuscany from Siena

There are so many things to see and do in Siena, but if you find yourself in this beautiful Italian city, you cannot miss a visit to Tuscany. Famous for both its natural beauty and its artistic attractions, it is one of the favourite destinations for those who want to enjoy a different kind of holiday.

If you are planning a visit to the region and you are in Siena, there are several excursions you can take to make the most of your trip. From visits to the city of Florence, its capital, where you can see works such as Michelangelo's David and the Venus de Milo, to discovering the Pitti Palace or visiting the popular San Lorenzo Market. You probably don't know where to start, so I've put together a list of the best excursions in Tuscany for you. Are you ready? Here we go!

One of the places you can't miss in Tuscany is undoubtedly the beautiful Chianti Valley. Famous for both its wine and its picturesque landscapes, here you can enjoy a day of tastings and lunch at one of the region's many wineries while strolling through the vineyards and hills.

On this tour, you will have the opportunity to learn how one of the world's most famous wines is made while delighting in unique places such as the wonderful Castello di Brolio with its medieval charm. Chianti is ideal for taking all the photographs you want, as it is impossible not to want to take all that beauty home with you.

Details of interest

• Price: from £76 per person.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours in total.
• Transport: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.

This is another unmissable excursion from Siena. On this occasion, you will have the opportunity to discover the best of the Chianti Valley, as well as San Gimignano, with its majestic stone towers, and the town of Montalcino. These are undoubtedly some of the most charming places in the whole of Tuscany.

You will visit the Fortezza and Enoteca di Montalcino and have free time to explore at your own pace, lose yourself in the charming medieval streets of the town and take hundreds of unforgettable photographs.

On this guided tour, you will also enjoy an exclusive wine tasting and a light lunch in one of the local wineries, surrounded by nature. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to savour a glass of delicious Brunello di Montalcino, one of Tuscany's most famous wines.

Details of interest

• Price: from £101 per person.
• Duration: approximately 10 to 11 hours in total.
• Transport: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.

Enjoy the views and landscape of Tuscany from the air aboard a hot air balloon. With your professional guide and captain, you will fly over the vineyards, hills and castles of Tuscany. You'll see all the beauty that has made this one of the most visited regions in Italy.

You'll climb into the balloon and watch it fill with hot air, then feel yourself slowly rise. After spending just over an hour flying across the Tuscan sky, you'll land and enjoy a glass of local sparkling wine. This is a unique experience that you won't want to miss.

Details of interest

• Price: from £293 per person.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours in total.
• Means of transport: hot air balloon.

Discover all the charm of Tuscany on this full-day excursion, where you will visit the towns of Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano, while sampling some of the local flavours. Your expert guide will reveal all the secrets of the region, and you will also have free time in each place to explore at your leisure.

In Montalcino, you will find wines, vineyards and majestic buildings that treasure part of Italy's history, such as the Church of the Madonna del Soccorso. In Pienza, you will discover Piazza Pio II and Palazzo Piccolomini, its cobbled streets and all the beauty of this place, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its historic centre is definitely worth a stroll.

Details of interest

• Price: from £76 per traveller.
• Duration: approximately 10 hours.
• Transport: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.

This excursion begins in San Gimignano. You will see the Monteriggioni Fortress, its stone streets and its imposing medieval architecture. You can also enjoy a delicious lunch at a local farm, prepared with fresh seasonal produce. The centre of San Gimignano is full of boutiques offering handmade products, as well as red gold, spices and Vernaccia white wine.

Then, following the Via Francigena, you will reach the neighbouring town of Volterra. Located northwest of Siena, Volterra is known for its Etruscan ruins and alabaster production, and is a perfect place to learn more about the history and culture of the region. On this guided tour, you will visit the Palazzo dei Priori and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, among other things.

Enjoy all the medieval charm of these two towns on a full-day trip from Siena.

Details of interest

• Price: from £162 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours in total.
• Transport: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.

This is an excursion for hiking enthusiasts. If you are in Siena and want to explore Tuscany on foot, this is the best option. You will meet your guide and begin your walk along the ancient Via Francigena, an old road used by pilgrims hundreds of years ago.

You will have the opportunity to enjoy the richness of the landscape, medieval castles and villages, as well as beautiful vineyards and olive groves. Along the way, your guide will tell you all about the region, its past and present, before arriving at Monteriggioni, with its fortress, where you will take part in an exclusive tasting of locally produced organic wines.

From there, you will be free to spend your time as you wish. You will be given a bus ticket to return to Siena whenever you want. An incredible adventure not to be missed.

Important details

• Price: from £50 per traveller.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours in total.
• Transportation: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan and then continue on foot through the most beautiful landscapes of Tuscany.

Treat yourself to a drive along the roads of Tuscany at the wheel of a traditional Fiat 500, the most classic of Italian cars. You will spend the day touring the Chianti Valley, where you will also enjoy lunch and wine tasting at one of the local vineyards.

Your guide will take you along the most interesting roads in the region. You will pass by the Castello di Radda and Poggio Amorelli, and you will be amazed by the beauty of the Tuscan countryside.

This tour is unique in that it allows you to experience the feeling of being in control. The Fiat 500 is a small car that allows you to manoeuvre comfortably and access any street or road, no matter how small.

Details of interest

• Price: from £150 per person.
• Duration: approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: you can drive a vintage Fiat 500 yourself.

Explore the roads of Tuscany on an electric bike. You'll see vineyards and olive groves, castles and medieval buildings. You'll ride through the Chianti Valley and discover the fortress of Monteriggioni. As these are electric bikes, you don't need to be particularly fit, as you can choose your level of difficulty.

This excursion includes a stop at a local farm, where, after learning all about how Chianti wine is made, you can enjoy some delicious dishes made with olive oil from the region and, of course, a glass of locally produced wine.

Details of interest

• Price: from £160 per person.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours in total.
• Transport: bicycle.

Visit the capital of Tuscany, the monumental city of Florence. Located just one hour from Siena, Florence is a city full of art and culture, known for its historical monuments and museums, such as the Bargello Museum, the Pitti Palace and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The greatest masters of Renaissance painting and sculpture have gathered here.

During your visit , you will be able to appreciate all the beauty of the legendary Ponte Vecchio, sculptures such as David and the Venus de Milo, as well as the incredible Piazza della Signoria. You will also have the opportunity to visit the San Lorenzo Market and enjoy delicious local food and drink.

The tour then takes you to the Chianti region, with its iconic landscape of rolling hills, cypress-lined avenues and medieval hilltop villages. You can stroll through the vineyards along ancient pilgrimage routes. Here you will enjoy lunch at a typical Tuscan farmhouse. The tour ends with a visit to the medieval town of San Gimignano.

Details of interest

• Price: from £350 per traveller.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours
• Transport: you will travel in a luxury air-conditioned minivan.

Enjoy all the charm of Tuscany on this private excursion to Pienza and the Val d'Orcia, and savour the most incredible flavours. The Val d'Orcia is known for its countryside landscapes, olive groves and medieval villages. You will have the opportunity to taste the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine and try goat's cheese (Pecorino). All, of course, accompanied by the most delicious extra virgin olive oil.

You can stroll through beautiful Pienza, a town that seems frozen in time. Thanks to its extraordinary beauty , it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its medieval towers will take you on a journey back to the time of knights and armour.

You will also enjoy the convenience of having an English-speaking guide, so you won't miss a single detail of these incredible places.

Details of interest

• Price: from £440 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Transport: you will travel in an air-conditioned minivan.

The best option is always to book online, as this guarantees that the company offering the tour is reputable. You can also read reviews from other users to find out what they thought of the tour.

Duration of excursions to Tuscany from Siena

The duration varies between 3 and 11 hours, depending on the type of tour you choose. It is important to take the duration into account, especially if you are travelling with young children, as a tour that is too long may be too much for them.

This type of tour focuses on appreciating all the beauty of the region (which is a lot!). You will see vineyards, olive groves, countryside, medieval towns and villages, and 5th-century buildings. In many cases, a wine tasting or traditional lunch is included, as the Tuscany region is world-famous for its delicious flavours.

All the cities and towns in this region are worth visiting, so my advice is to relax and enjoy yourself, whether aboard a hot air balloon, in a classic car or on an electric bike, you'll have a great time. Try to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and depending on the time of year, perhaps a light jacket.

Because it is one of the most beautiful places in Italy, with a wealth of landscapes, culture and art. Many of its towns and cities have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, and its flavours are famous throughout the world.