Tuscany villages are famous for being among the most charming and endearing locations in Italy. In Tuscany, everything from the architecture to the landscape is captivating and inviting in equal measure and no trip to the country would be complete without at least a visit to some villages and towns.
Here are the most authentic and beautiful towns and villages in Tuscany.
Cortona
Sitting on the border of Tuscany and Umbria, Cortona is an enchanting Tuscan village with Etruscan origins. Here you can stroll along its narrow streets, head to the lovely walled city centre and visit the beautiful Etruscan museum.
This village offers spectacular views over the surrounding valley and Lake Trasimeno. Moreover, it is just an hour’s drive from important cities such as Siena, Perugia, Arezzo and Assisi.
Montepulciano
The charming village of Montepulciano, in Southern Tuscany, overlooks two of the most beautiful valleys in the area: Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana.
The heart of the town is Piazza Grande, where you can admire the exterior of the Duomo and enjoy a glass of local Nobile wine. Moreover, from here, you can soak up some picture-perfect panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside.
Montalcino
The fortified town of Montalcino sits on a hilltop overlooking the rolling hills of Val d’Orcia.
This medieval city is home to several cultural and historical attractions, including a fortress, picturesque churches and the Abbey of Sant’Antimo.
Here you can grab a glass of Brunello di Montalcino, the sensational red wine produced in the region.
Pienza
Situated between Montalcino and Montepulciano, Pienza offers stunning scenes of the local landscape. This village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
Pienza has a stunning promenade along the bastions, a wonderful central square, and it is immaculately kept by its current inhabitants.
Here you can take a stroll along its narrow street and admire outstanding views over the hills of Val d’Orcia. This town is one of the most beautiful you can see in the area.
Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni, near Siena, is a tiny hilltop village. The place is entirely surrounded by a mighty wall and only a few of the buildings are lived in. The rest of Monteriggioni is given up to a museum housing Renaissance armour and artefacts, a few restaurants and shops.
The whole town is very well-kept and the views from the top are breathtaking.
Collodi
Collodi is a small town in Tuscany with something special: it is the birthplace of beloved children’s character Pinocchio.
This village cascades down a hillside in central Tuscany, and it features some beautiful attractions. Some examples? The Park of Pinocchio with beautiful gardens, mazes and fountains as well as the villa and gardens of Garzoni, a beautiful example of Italian Renaissance design.
Greve in Chianti
The small hamlet of Greve in Chianti is rich in history and culture.
Greve in Chianti is located along the provincial road SR222, locally known as the Chiantigiana road, about 30 km south of Florence and 40 km north of Siena.
The heart of this beautiful Tuscan village is Piazza Matteotti, a triangular-shaped square surrounded by porticoes with numerous craft workshops and shops.
Feeling inspired to explore this historic and famously beautiful region of Italy? Then, soak up the atmosphere from Villa Le Barone, an elegant manor house amid the glorious Tuscan hills, owned by the same family since the Renaissance.