Are you dreaming of rolling hills, medieval towns, and world-class wine but worried about navigating Tuscany without a car? I’m the same. I hate driving in Europe. So, I’m here to prove that some of the region’s most spectacular destinations are completely accessible by public transportation!
I spent an unforgettable week exploring Tuscany by train and bus in August 2024. Honestly, I loved every single minute of it. There’s something magical about watching the countryside roll by from a train window, arriving in charming hilltop towns without the stress of parking or navigating narrow medieval streets.
You can’t reach every hidden corner of Tuscany without a car, that’s true. But the places you can explore by public transport are still absolutely stunning. And if you get creative, you can still see everything you want to see.
Some amazing sights could be the iconic towers of San Gimignano or the Renaissance masterpiece of Florence. Italy’s efficient-ish train network opens up incredible possibilities. Local bus connections fill in the gaps.
In this travel guide, I’m excited to introduce you to four of the most beautiful places in Tuscany that you can easily reach by train and bus that I personally visited. In addition, I’ll give you some options on how to see the countryside and a few other options for pretty towns that I haven’t visited yet, but are on my list.
Each destination offers its own unique charm. Incredible architecture, delicious local cuisine, and that quintessential Tuscan atmosphere that will leave you planning your return trip before you’ve even left.
Get ready to discover that exploring Tuscany without a car isn’t just possible, it’s absolutely magical.
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Where To Stay In Tuscany Without A Car
Do you need a car in Tuscany? Absolutely not! But choosing the right base towns for your accommodation can make all the difference in your car-free adventure.
Rather than staying in just one location, I’d recommend breaking up your time in Tuscany by staying in a couple of different destinations, depending on where you want to explore. It is bigger than you think!
The four towns I’d suggest as your home bases are Siena, Lucca, Florence, and Pisa. Each offers something completely different while providing excellent public transport connections to the surrounding region.
My personal favorite place I stayed was definitely Siena. Nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, this medieval gem offers the perfect balance of accessibility and authentic charm.
Since it’s such a popular day trip destination, Siena transforms throughout the day. You’ll experience quiet, peaceful mornings and evenings when you can truly relish the relaxed vibe of this stunning medieval town without the crowds.
I would imagine Lucca would have a similar feel to Siena with its intimate, walkable historic center and laid-back atmosphere. I haven’t been there yet, but I have heard from my fellow travel friends that it is similar to Siena in that regard.
Meanwhile, Florence and Pisa are bigger, busier cities that pulse with energy and offer more urban amenities. While they might lack the quiet charm of the smaller towns, they can be fantastic places to base yourself for easily accessing multiple destinations throughout the Tuscany region via their major train stations.
Below are my recommendations for hotels to stay in each of the 4 locations. I usually research hotels that are good for families as we normally travel with our kids and know it can be more difficult to find family-friendly hotels in Europe.
One of the hotels, Siena UpTown, was where my friend and I stayed while visiting Siena. The others I found by researching the hotels in the areas of the town I know well. In addition, I look for hotels and apartments that are comfortable, in a good part of town, and a good value for what you get.
Hopefully this narrows down your search, so you don’t have to spend as much time looking for a place to stay in Tuscany.
Siena
- Siena UpTown – Sabrina’s Cozy Apartment: This charming hillside apartment is where we stayed during our Siena visit, and it was absolutely perfect for our needs. If you’re traveling with a smaller family, you’ll fall in love with this quaint retreat perched up on the hill with an excellent location and incredibly friendly, helpful host in Sabrina. While it might feel a bit snug for a family of four, it’s ideal for three people or fewer who want an authentic Siena experience at an unbeatable price.
- Palazzo Piccolomini: For families needing more space, Palazzo Piccolomini offers an exceptional alternative in Siena. This spacious property excels with its prime location, generous family-friendly layout featuring excellent sleeping arrangements for kids, and breathtaking views from a wonderfully quiet setting. Everything you’ll want to explore in Siena is easily walkable from this peaceful retreat which makes it perfect for families who want room to spread out without sacrificing convenience.
- Residenza d’Epoca ” Il Campo”: For an absolutely unbeatable location, Residenza d’Epoca “Il Campo” delivers the ultimate Siena experience. Imagine opening your window each morning to gaze directly onto Siena’s most famous square, with the iconic clock tower as your personal backdrop! This spacious, immaculately clean property combines prime positioning with a welcoming host who ensures your stay is memorable. While it comes at a higher price point, the premium is completely justified when you’re living right on the Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in all of Italy.
Lucca
- Màrita Apartment: This beautifully updated 2-bedroom apartment sits in a stellar location within Lucca’s historic walled city. The thoughtfully decorated space provides plenty of room for families to spread out, while the exceptionally friendly and communicative host ensures a seamless stay. You’ll love being steps away from Lucca’s cobblestone streets, charming piazzas, and famous city walls. All while enjoying the convenience of a spacious, contemporary home base.
- Casa Alice Lucca Centro: This charming apartment in Lucca’s centro offers exceptional value for families seeking comfort without breaking the budget. The thoughtful sleeping arrangement features a queen bed for parents and twin beds for the kids. A perfect setup that ensures everyone gets a good night’s rest. What really sets this property apart is its impeccable cleanliness, prime central location for exploring Lucca on foot, and truly fantastic price point that makes it an unbeatable choice for budget-conscious families.
Florence
- Condotta 16 Apartments: These stunning 2-bedroom apartments in the heart of Florence offer an exceptional stay with private balconies or terraces that make all the difference. For smaller families or couples, the one-bedroom options provide the same high-quality experience in a more intimate setting. What I absolutely love about these apartments is how bright and airy they feel, combined with their impeccable cleanliness and generous, spacious layouts. While they’re on the pricier side by my standards, the rates are actually mid-range for Florence.
- Granduomo Charming Accomodation: Perfectly positioned just steps from Florence’s magnificent Duomo, this welcoming property combines an unbeatable location with exceptional hospitality. The super friendly staff goes above and beyond to make families feel at home, including stocking the kitchen with complimentary snacks and drinks. A thoughtful touch that’s especially appreciated when traveling with kids. You’ll love being able to walk to the iconic cathedral and Brunelleschi’s famous dome in minutes while enjoying the comfort of a well-appointed base in the heart of Renaissance Florence.
Pisa
- Prato dei Miracoli Residenza d’Epoca: If waking up to views of the Leaning Tower of Pisa from your bedroom window is on your bucket list, this is where you need to stay. This exceptional property offers the rare opportunity to gaze upon one of the world’s most famous landmarks from the comfort of your room. For families, you’ll need to book two rooms which does increase the cost, but the unparalleled views and superior comfort this elegant hotel provides make it absolutely worth the investment for such a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Terzopiano: For families seeking a budget-friendly option without compromising on comfort, Terzopiano delivers excellent value with its clean, spacious 3-bedroom layout that accommodates up to 6 guests. Conveniently located near Pisa Centrale train station, this practical choice makes it easy to explore both Pisa’s attractions and venture out to other Tuscan destinations. It’s the perfect base for larger families or groups who want to save money on accommodation while still enjoying plenty of room to spread out.
4 Beautiful Places In Tuscany
Tuscany is one of Italy’s most picturesque regions, where rolling hills dotted with cypress trees meet medieval hilltop towns and Renaissance masterpieces. Oh and there is delicious wine and amazing food. Seriously it is so great. You can hardly go wrong choosing any town to explore in this magical corner of Italy.
Driving in Europe is okay when my husband does it. However, I took this trip with my friend, and her and I didn’t want to navigate the narrow windy roads and have to figure out parking.
So, on our vacation to Tuscany we chose these beautiful places in Tuscany to visit without a car. Each were easily accessible by train and local bus connections which was a priority for us. It worked out well.
1. Siena
Siena stands out as one of my favorite cities in Tuscany. This medieval masterpiece does attract plenty of day trippers, but we chose to base ourselves here and found it absolutely perfect.
The secret is staying overnight. The evenings and mornings are calm and relaxed. The cobblestone streets ooze with authentic charm once the tour groups depart.
Top Things to Do in Siena:
- Visit a local winery to taste Chianti wines in the heart of Tuscany. (I recommend La Lastra! We loved it!)
- Explore the stunning Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares.
- Visit the magnificent Siena Cathedral (Duomo) with its intricate facade and marble floors.
- Climb Torre del Mangia for panoramic views over the Tuscan countryside.
- Wander through the historic neighborhoods to discover hidden gems.
- Browse the vibrant markets and local artisan shops.
- Grab a wine on the Fortezza Medicea and watch the sunset.
Read more details about Siena in this post: A Day in Siena: Fall In Love With Tuscany’s Most Beautiful Medieval City
2. Florence
Florence is one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany. It is a very beautiful city that requires you to prepare and plan to enjoy some of the attractions it offers. When it comes to Florence, plan popular attractions for the morning, and get your tickets in advance.
Don’t forget to take some time exploring the edges and the next street over. It will give you time to breath and maybe stumble on something you weren’t expecting. Florence is a pretty city, so you can’t go wrong.
My friend and I knew we wanted to visit Florence, but we knew the crowds would overwhelm us. We decide to dedicate one day to Florence. We got a taste of it and that was fine for us. If you are an art lover, you should spend many days exploring this artsy city.
Top Things To Do In Florence:
- Admire the famous Duomo. This cathedral will seriously wow you. Go early in the morning.
- Get tickets to the Galleria Dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David
- Be wowed by the free art in Piazza della Signoria
- Wander over Ponte Vecchio. Best photos are from the side streets.
- Grab a tasty glass of wine from one of the famous wine windows of Florence.
- Watch the sunset from a rooftop bar!
- Wander the side streets and get lost.
Read more details: One Day In Florence: Must-See Highlights & Helpful Family Travel Tips
3. San Gimignano
San Gimignano is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in Tuscany, famous for its medieval towers that create an unforgettable skyline.
While you’ll need to take a bus to get there from Siena, it’s just one direct bus and surprisingly easy to reach. It can get a little windy, so if you get car sick, take a dramamine.
This UNESCO World Heritage site can get quite crowded during the middle of the day, but don’t let that deter you. There are plenty of places to escape the crowds! In my detailed post about Siena, I give you all details on where to escape.
We spent a day exploring all over San Gimignano. There are so many nooks and crannies to escape into. I loved it all. The tower has one of the best views I have ever seen and I’ve been up a lot of towers. You only need a day to explore all of San Gimignano, but I bet it could be a pretty place to spend the night.
Top Things to Do in San Gimignano:
- Enjoy gelato from Gelateria Dondoli, a world gelato champion
- Marvel at the famous medieval towers from Piazza della Cisterna
- Climb Torre Grossa for panoramic views over the Tuscan hills
- Visit the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta with its beautiful frescoed interior
- Escape crowds at the Museo Archeologico or contemporary art gallery
- Walk along Via Francigena outside the walls for peaceful countryside views
- Sample world-famous Vernaccia white wine at local enotecas
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4. Pisa
Pisa works perfectly as a day trip destination. In fact, I’d recommend staying in nearby Lucca and visiting Pisa for the day, but if you want easier access to the train station, Pisa wins in that regard.
I was only there for a half a day, and while I didn’t get to experience everything I wanted to see, I got a taste of this city. I am planning on returning to have a more in depth experience one day. Unfortunately, I had to catch a flight, so I couldn’t do more on that trip.
While there’s not too much to see and do relative to the city’s size, seeing the iconic Leaning Tower is definitely something that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
The famous tower, along with the stunning cathedral and baptistery in the Piazza dei Miracoli, creates one of the world’s most recognizable cityscapes.
Top Things to Do in Pisa:
- Explore the lively university area around Borgo Stretto for local atmosphere
- Visit the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa (book climbing tickets in advance)
- Explore the magnificent Pisa Cathedral with its beautiful Romanesque architecture
- Admire the circular Baptistery with its perfect acoustics
- Wander through the Camposanto Monumentale (monumental cemetery)
- Take the classic “holding up the tower” photos in Piazza dei Miracoli. It is great people watching too!
- Stroll along the Arno River for different views of the city
- Visit the Palazzo Blu for rotating art exhibitions
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Extra Towns In Tuscany I Had To Mention
There are a few a towns in Tuscany that you can visit by train that I wasn’t able to see on my vacation. I did some research and think that they would be great options. I don’t have the personal experience of visiting them, but still think they are worth mentioning. At the very least, you can do some research of your own to see if they are of interest to you.
- Monteriggioni – close to Siena, this charming small Tuscan town looks beautiful to explore.
- Buonconvento – another small town in Tuscany that is easy to access from Siena by train. The area beehind the wall is supposed to be where it shines!
- Lucca – A short train ride from Pisa, this beautiful town in Tuscany is getting more and more popular. Get there before everyone else!
- Arezzo – Arezzo is really high on my list of pretty Tuscan towns to village. It looks so beautiful, and it is easy to get to from Florence!
Other Ways To Visit Towns In Tuscany Without A Car
While trains and buses offer excellent access to many Tuscan destinations, there are other fantastic options for exploring the countryside and reaching more remote villages without renting a car.
Guided Tours
Joining organized tours is one of the best ways to see destinations without having a car. However, not all tours are equal, so be sure to read all the details to know what to expect.
Here are some top rated tour options departing from Florence and Siena that I would recommend. I always look for small tours that don’t pack too much into the trip and have good reviews:
Tours from Florence:
- Explore Chianti on a Vespa: Tour, Guide, and Lunch in Florence (~6 hours) Take this small group tour to Chianti and explore the countryside on a vespa before stopping at a farmhouse where you will enjoy a Tuscan meal and taste olive oils and Chianti wine.
- Small Group Wine Tasting in Tuscany with Vineyard Visit (~5 hours) Want to see the Chianti region but don’t like Vespas, try this wine tasting tour.
- Guided Tour In Wonderful Tuscany (~4-5 hours) Want to sit back and enjoy the Tuscan scenery and see those famous Cyprus trees? This is the tour for you.
Tours from Siena:
- Small-Group Montepulciano and Pienza Day Trip (~8 hours) This tour makes visiting Montepulciano and Pienza without a car possible. This fantastic guided tour takes you to both stunning towns and a stop at an organic dairy farm for lunch and a fresh Pecorino cheese tasting.
- Small-Group Arezzo and Cortona Day Trip (~8 hours) Want to visit Arezzo but staying in Siena, make it happen with this small group tour which also includes a stop in the hill-top town of Cortona.
Private Driver
For maximum flexibility and comfort, hiring a private driver offers the perfect compromise between independence and convenience.
A private driver allows you to create a custom itinerary, spend as much time as you want at each destination, and access those hidden hilltop villages that might be challenging to reach by public transport.
While more expensive than tours or public transportation, it’s ideal for families, special occasions, or travelers who want a more personalized experience exploring Tuscany’s stunning countryside.
One option out of Siena is Italy Unfiltered. They provide English speaking drivers and simple transfers from point A to point B. Additionally they can create a tour itinerary with a private driver that could take you to another destination such as Montepulciano or Volterra.
Another option is to book a private driver through Gettransfer.com. You can pick which destination you want to go to, and they will provide pricing and vehicle options for you to choose from. This option is more for just coming and going and not for tours.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Tuscany without a car is not only possible but can be incredibly rewarding. From the efficiency of Italy’s train network to the authentic charm of bus rides through rolling countryside, car-free travel allows you to truly soak in the scenery while someone else handles the driving.
Whether you choose to base yourself in medieval Siena, charming Lucca, or bustling Florence, you’ll discover that some of Tuscany’s most beautiful destinations are just a train ride away. Pack light, embrace the slower pace, and get ready to fall in love with the timeless magic of Tuscany.
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