Chianti Day Trips from Florence

Travelers who want to spend their vacation in this beautiful area of Italy will soon discover that there is much to see, do and enjoy in Florence. Among the best plans is an excursion to explore Chianti and, weather permitting, other beautiful areas of the countryside.

Located in the very heart of Tuscany, the Chianti region is a hilly landscape famous throughout the world for its vineyards and traditional wineries. It is worth a trip to discover both its delicious gastronomy and the infinite beauty of its landscapes.

Once you have exhausted the classic Florence itinerary, which includes visiting the Uffizi Gallery, seeing the Dome of Florence's Duomo and exploring the Pitti Palace and Gardens, it's time to get to know Chianti and here are the options.

Tuscany is a region of Italy made up of several cities and provinces. In the heart of Tuscany lies the province of Siena, a highly fruitful area that is home to some of the most beautiful villages and landscapes in all of Italy.

Because of this, several local companies organize excursions to Siena from Florence; accompanied by an expert guide you can tour the highlights of the place: San Gimignano, the village of Monteriggioni, the famous wineries of Chianti, the city of Siena itself and much more.

It is one of the most popular excursions from Florence, so it is offered to travelers by different companies and in various formats.

Group excursion to Chianti and surroundings.

You will have the opportunity to see the highlights of Tuscany, including Chianti, in just one day trip. This is an excellent option if you are on a short 5-day trip in Florence.

The group tours are done in a shared shuttle leaving Florence early in the morning to make the most of the exploration hours and require a minimum number of participants for the tour. The number of people may vary from one tour operator to another.

• Price: Depending on the company you hire and the number of participants, the tour costs between 60€ and 80€.
• Duration: This is a full-day excursion, lasting 11 to 12 hours.
• Advantages of this option: This alternative offers excellent value for money.
• Disadvantages of this option: You depend on completing the group to make the experience, although due to its popularity there are always interested travelers, especially if you go to Florence in August, one of the busiest tourist months.

Private tour to Chianti and surroundings.

An air-conditioned private transport takes the traveler from Florence to explore the highlights of the Tuscany region, such as the Chianti vineyards.

Although the specifics vary somewhat depending on the company you hire, generally companies charge a standard rate for the trip, allowing 4 to 8 travelers to join the experience.

This option is ideal if you are going to Florence with children for a family vacation and are looking for a more comfortable and private alternative that is completely personalized.

• Price: The private tour is priced at around 700€ per group of participants, with the option of including 6 to 8 people.
• Duration: This is a full day excursion, usually lasting approximately 8 hours.
• Advantages of this option: It is a comfortable option that offers greater flexibility in customizing the experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: The price is the biggest drawback, as it is quite a bit more expensive than other options.

A short excursion designed to explore the best of the Chianti vineyards departing from Florence. This is a popular tour option and is offered by several local companies in Florence.

Although the specific aspects of the experience will depend on the company you hire, many companies include in their itinerary the following activities: the accompaniment of an expert local guide, a brief tour of the small village of Greve and the opportunity to taste some of the best wines of Chianti.

It is an ideal option for those travelers in a hurry whose stay takes you no more than 4 days in Florence. This way, you can spend a few hours getting to know some areas of Tuscany and the rest of the time exploring the museums and monuments of the city.

Additional information

• Price: The price to be paid is around 50€ per traveler.
• Duration: Designed to be carried out in half a day, the tour lasts approximately 5 hours.
• Advantages of this option: It is the best alternative for travelers with tight itineraries who also want to keep their trip on a budget.
• Disadvantages of this option: The tour only covers some areas of the Province of Siena. If you want to explore the rest of the countryside, you will have to do it with another tour.

There are two things that make a trip to Florence totally worthwhile: the impressive Florentine museums and the delicious Tuscan cuisine. If you are looking for an experience to enjoy the latter, this is a tour not to be missed.

The tour is offered by some of the best local tour operators and designed for small groups. It combines the traditional tour that takes the traveler to the highlights of Chianti with a first class gastronomic experience.

Enjoy the delicious Tuscan cheese, the good wine of the region, a tasting of local food, and take home samples of original olive oil. Undoubtedly one of the best food tour options in and around Florence.

Additional information: Price: The price to be paid is usually around

• Price: The price to be paid is usually around 200€ per traveler. Includes round trip transportation and of course the food served during the tour.
• Duration: It is a full day tour, with a duration of 8 to 9 hours approximately.
• Advantages of this option: It is the best alternative to become familiar with the local gastronomy and traditional dishes of the Tuscany region.
• Disadvantages of this option: The price can be a bit high for low-budget trips.

A tour option in and around Chianti that takes the traveler through different landscapes of the province of Siena. This is a popular alternative offered by some tour operators in Florence for small groups of travelers that usually do not exceed 8 to 10 participants.

While it is true that some specific aspects of the experience will depend largely on the company you hire, it is also true that most offer the traveler the following services: an expert tour guide who accompanies the group throughout the experience and the necessary bicycle and safety equipment.

In addition, some companies also offer a snack or lunch or stops for food tasting.

The bike route usually goes through the Chianti area, in the very heart of Tuscany.

Additional information

• Price: Around 120€ per participant. This price includes the rental of the equipment necessary for the experience.
• Duration: It is a tour of just over half a day, so I recommend reserving approximately 6 hours for the experience.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to enjoy an immersive experience within the landscapes of Tuscany. Cycling through the countryside is much better than riding in a car at high speed.
• Disadvantages of this option: A certain level of physical endurance and cycling practice is required to participate. Travelers with special health conditions may not be admitted.

This tour option takes the traditional excursion to Chianti and its vineyards, adding one of the most interesting stops in the province of Siena: Monteriggioni. An excellent alternative to get to know more of the countryside in a single trip.

Monteriggioni is a charming little commune situated on a hill. On your visit you will find a medieval village suspended in time, and you will see firsthand how its small size contrasts greatly with its charm.

In Chianti you can enjoy traditional wine tastings, samples of Tuscan virgin olive oil and some refreshments, although this depends on the itinerary and plans of the company you hire.

Additional information

• Price: Available from 50€ per traveler.
• Duration: You will need to reserve about 5 hours of your itinerary for this experience.
• Advantages of this option: It is a half-day trip that offers a more complete itinerary than other similar excursions in its range.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is a group excursion whose completion may be subject to completing the minimum quota of participants. This can be complicated if you are traveling in low tourist months, e.g. Florence in December.

This is another excellent combination tour option that will take you to see Chianti and a bit more of Tuscany.

San Gimignano is an excellent alternative to get to know a medieval walled town in an experience that will make you travel to another period of history. On the other hand, Chianti is a basic excursion to get to know the vineyards of Tuscany from Florence.

Depending on the company you hire, some services may or may not be included. I recommend reading the details carefully before paying and making sure the experience meets your expectations.

However, on a tour to San Gimignano and Chianti you can expect round-trip transportation from Florence to the heart of Tuscany, an expert guide to explain the different tours during the trip, a traditional lunch in a beautiful area of Chianti and a wine tasting.

Additional information

• Price: The price to be paid is around 60€ per traveler.
• Duration: This is a full day tour for which you will need to set aside about 11 to 12 hours for the experience.
• Advantages of this option: Tours with combined options are the best alternative to make the most of your time and budget. It is ideal for travelers who are visiting Tuscany for the first time and want to take the time to appreciate the place.
• Disadvantages of this option: You will need to reserve a full day for the experience. Short stay travelers, for example only 3 days in Florence, will not be able to undertake this experience without sacrificing your time exploring the city.

If you're looking to experience Italian Tuscany in a different way, consider booking a dinner trip to Chianti, located a 50-minute drive away. This adventure offers a different plan to do in Florence at night while on vacation.

Please note that some timely aspects of the experience may vary from company to company. However, you can expect the accompaniment of an expert guide, private round-trip transportation from Chianti to Florence, a tour of the vineyards after your arrival, and a traditional dinner served at sunset in a typical Italian villa.

Additional information

• Price: About 100€ per participant.
• Duration: You will need to book 5 hours at the end of the day.
• Advantages of this option: The schedule is the main advantage. It is ideal for a trip of only 2 days in Florence, as it allows you to make the most of your time.
• Disadvantages of this option: The price can be a drawback for travelers on a tight budget. If you are looking for cheaper options, I recommend looking at other alternatives.

The famous wine region of Chianti is located between Florence and Siena, about 30 kilometers from the capital of Tuscany. Due to its proximity, it is easy to reach by various means of public transport such as bus or public train system in Italy which is, by the way, of excellent quality.

However, the best way will always be an organized tour from Florence, here I explain the reasons.

It saves you time...

A day trip to Chianti is the ideal plan for travelers who stay in Florence for a short time and need to make the most of every second. The tour operators organize the itinerary so that you can live the greatest number of experiences according to the type of excursion you decide to book.

You don't need to plan...

Undertaking the trip alone involves much more planning than you might imagine, starting with renting a car, booking your own appointments with wineries (risking low availability) and finally preparing the route so you don't get lost along the way.

A day trip could become insufficient if you get lost and don't know the exact direction to take.

You have the opportunity to meet other travelers...

Perhaps this is the best part of the wine experience and Chianti tours: group tours are full of adventurous travelers and you end up enjoying a pleasant evening with people from all corners of the world.

Talk to other adventurers about your travels and listen to their own experiences to perhaps discover some inspiring places that will lead you to plan your next destination.