20 Best Day Trips From Florence, Italy

The stunning historic city of Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy to explore. This central Italy hub is known for its historic center, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, delicious food, Renaissance art, and the many famous artists and scientists who have called the city home. Its central location in the country and large train station makes Florence a fantastic base to explore the Tuscan countryside and beyond.

Regional trains run regularly from Florence to the smaller towns of Tuscany. There are also highspeed trains that can easily connect you to more of Italy’s other famous big cities like chic Milan and medieval Bologna. If you don’t feel like being tied to a local train schedule, you can easily join an organized tour to go wine tasting or explore the rolling hills of Tuscany on your own by renting a car.

We’ve compiled a list of the absolute best day trips from Florence that you should add to your travel itinerary. Some of these Florence day trips will be all-day excursions, but most places only require a half-day visit to get in all the must-do activities, so you’re still left with plenty of time to explore Florence. Grab a glass of Chianti and get ready to explore one of the most beautiful regions of Italy!

Best Day Trips From Florence, Italy

1. Pisa

One of the most popular day trips from Florence by train is to Pisa, home of the world-famous Leaning Tower. It takes less than an hour to get there and can be reached by local trains that run every twenty to thirty minutes. The picturesque Tuscan city sits near the mouth of the Arno River and is surrounded by wineries.

Start your visit at the Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll find the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This skip-the-line ticket grants visitors access to both the leaning tower and the Cathedral. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy the gorgeous Romanesque architecture of the cathedral. Don’t miss a chance to also stop by the Pisa Baptistery – the acoustics are absolutely superb.

The beauty of Pisa doesn’t end at the Piazza del Duomo. After trekking up the steps of the leaning tower, make your way down to the old town. Pisa has stunning colorful buildings, impressive Renaissance palaces, and wonderful restaurants.

During your half-day trip, you can opt for a golf cart tour to maximize your time in the city while seeing its most magnificent sights, or you can enjoy a Pisa food tour….