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- Archeological area in Roselle. Museo Archeologico e d'Arte della Maremma (Grosseto) - Credit: Jacqueline Poggi. Tuscany was known as Etruria in ancient times, and Roselle (Rusellae), located 8 km north of Grosseto, was the region’s most flourishing town.
- Volterra. Amphitheatre in Volterra - Credit: Spiterman. Volterra is one of Tuscany’s oldest towns, a former Etruscan settlement whose archeological finds date to the 9th century B.C.E.
- Archeological area in Vetulonia. Tumulo della Pietrera - Credit: Matteo Bimonte. Vetulonia is one of Italy’s most important Etruscan cities; the site was first discovered in the 19th century during archaeological digs conducted by Isidoro Falchi.
- Fiesole. Fiesole - Credit: magro_kr. Fiesole is located just a few kilometers from Florence; the views alone make this hilltop town worth visiting! Fiesole is home to a number of spectacular treasures found during archeological digs.
Jul 24, 2023 · Etruscan Cities in Tuscany offer a glimpse into the ancient history of Italy. Let your visit be guided by hikes, ruins, cities, and tombs!
- Alessio Pellegrini
People also ask
What is Tuscany famous for?
Where to visit in Tuscany?
What are the best wine towns in Tuscany?
Why should you visit Tuscany?
- Pitigliano. A town carved out of tuff – both mysterious and fascinating. One of the most interesting places in Maremma, and maybe all of Tuscany. Stay until evening because nighttime is really wonderful here.
- San Gimignano. San Gimignano - Credit: C. D'Aliasi. This enchanting city of towers is one of Unesco World Heritage sites. There used to be 72 towers but now only 13 remain, giving their special character to this little Medieval jewel in the province of Siena.
- Montepulciano. If you’re looking for the classic Tuscan hill town with beautiful fields and vineyards, this is it. Situated at the intersection of two valleys, this beautiful town looks like the natural continuation of the hillside on which it was built.
- Volterra. Volterra rooftops - Credit: Zen Voyager. A typically medieval city but with many Etruscan characteristics, this is a unique place. The best way to see the town of alabaster is by taking long walks to discover its workshops and its treasures from the past.
- San Gimignano
- Volterra
- Pienza
- Lucca
- Barga
- Cortona
- Monteriggioni
- Pitigliano
- Collodi
- Fosdinovo
San Gimignano, overlooking the rolling Siena hills, has perhaps one of the most impressive skylines in all of Tuscany, as around a dozen stone-built square towers rise above the town beckoning travelers from afar. In the 13th century however, there would have been over 70 towers filling the sky, as the wealthy residents who built them competed for ...
Sitting nobly upon yet another of Tuscany’s hilltops, Volterra is a particularly historic town surrounded by ancient stone walls dating back to the 4th century BC, which you can walk along to see the scenic Era Valley and a recently discovered Roman amphitheater. The walls encase a wealth of intriguing architecture, from the medieval Volterra Cathe...
Reigning over the golden fields of the Orcia Valley, one of UNESCO’S World Cultural Landscapes, Pienza enthralls with its simplistic and clean ‘urban Renaissance’ architecture dreamed up by Pope Pius II who wanted to create a utopia. Making it his summer residence, Pienza became filled with palaces, three of which are found in Piazza Pio II, the on...
With the Apuan Mountains to the east, the Tuscan coast to the west, and Pisa to the south Lucca is the ideal place from which to explore the best of Tuscany. As one of the few towns not to be built on a hill, Lucca is more sprawled out and boasts plenty of green spaces around its ramparts, including the Lucca Botanical Garden, giving it a splendidl...
With nothing but chiseled mountains carpeted in luscious greenery rising from every angle, Barga is one of the most visually stunning towns in Tuscany. And of course, among this scenic landscape you’ll find a web of breathtaking hiking trails, but if you’d rather appreciate its beauty from the comfort of Barga, head to the ramparts surrounding the ...
Stacked haphazardly on a hillside looking out onto the heart of Italy, Cortona appears at first sight to be a modest fortified medieval town. Narrow cobbled streets lined with pale stone houses wind steeply onto a buzzing piazza enclosed by centuries-old palaces and local shops selling everything from groceries to local art. But beyond the usual fa...
Monteriggioni is situated just a few miles north of Siena, and although it’s one of the smallest villages in Tuscany, it holds a special place in Italy’s history as a stronghold in the Siena-Florence war. Like most medieval towns, Monteriggioni is surrounded by an intimidatingly tall wall (which makes for a wonderful village viewpoint) with bulky w...
Built upon a large rocky outcrop protruding vividly from the surrounding green hills, Pitigliano quite literally stands out from any other Tuscan village, as its rising volcanic rock face blends into the town ramparts, which then seemingly merge into tumbling stacks of old four-story houses all made from the same rock they were built on. Many refer...
Despite being a very small village cascading like a thin stream from the medieval Rocca Antiqua castle on the hilltop to the impressive Villa Garzoni at the foothill, Collodi has gained prominence in Tuscany’s landscape. Why? This seemingly insignificant town is the birthplace of one of Italy’s most significant authors, Carlo Collodi, who wrote the...
Fosdinovo sits tall and mighty on a hilltop edging the beautiful Tuscan-Emilian National Park, offering breathtaking vistas of verdant mountains which surrender to the throes of the azure Atlantic, as well as beautiful nature trails. The best place from which to enjoy these views is from the 11th century Malaspina Castle-turned-palace, which speaks...
- Florence historic centre. Florence, the ‘cradle of the Renaissance’ was a centre of extraordinary artistic achievements throughout its history. During the 15th and 16th century, when the city flourished under the Medici family, the city was enriched with remarkable pieces of architecture such as the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral designed by Brunelleschi, Palazzo Pitti, Santa Croce and San Lorenzo Church.
- Pisa, Square of Miracles. Pisa is famous around the world thanks to its magnificent Cathedral square, Piazza dei Miracoli. The square hosts four extraordinary buildings that are some the finest examples of Medieval architecture in existence today: the Cathedral, the huge Baptistry (the biggest in the world!)
- Siena historic centre. Siena is one of Italy’s finest examples of perfectly preserved Medieval towns. Historical authenticity is what makes this town so special.
- San Gimignano historic centre. The ultimate Medieval hilltop town in Tuscany. A place that looks like it’s never advanced beyond in the 13th century, when wealthy families used to build tower houses to protect themselves from rivals and show off their power.
Sep 19, 2022 · While the cities of Tuscany are masterpieces of both Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, the wine towns hearken to a simpler life. Nestled in the rolling, romantic hills are old farmhouses, ancient ruins, and quaint country churches.
Feb 11, 2024 · The 11 Most Beautiful Towns in Tuscany. By: Lana Valente. Last updated: February 11, 2024. Italy. When it comes to charming towns with a rich history amidst majestic natural beauty, there’s nowhere on Earth like Tuscany, in Italy. You’ll find bustling cities, charming towns, and picturesque villages everywhere you look.
