Perched high on a hilltop in the heart of Tuscany, San Gimignano is a medieval fairy tale village. It is a stunning little town and has a surprising number of things to do for how small it is. I spent one day in San Gimignano, and I didn’t even get to see everything I wish I could have seen.
In this San Gimignano itinerary, I will guide you through all of my favorite things I saw there and even some hidden gems I found along the way.
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What Makes San Gimignano So Special?
San Gimignano is one of the most visited villages in Tuscany. There is a reason it is so popular.
It’s one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Italy. Its nickname is “Medieval Manhattan” because of the abundant number of towers still standing.
Due to its popularity, it does get busy. If you are looking for an enchanting village that isn’t packed with tourists, San Gimignano isn’t for you.
I’m not usually one for a crowd, but San Gimignano held an appeal for me, and I wanted to give it a try. Thankfully there are places to escape the mid-afternoon crowds while visiting. I’ll spill the beans below.
Spending the night would have been even better. If you are a slow traveler, that is what I would recommend you do to get the full San Gimignano experience.
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Is San Gimignano Worth Visiting?
San Gimignano is absolutely worth visiting, if you don’t mind a few people around! If you are looking for a beautiful Italian village that you can enjoy all by yourself though, then look elsewhere.
For such a small town, there are quite a few things to do to keep you fascinated for an entire day. We’ll go into my top choices in more detail below, but some things you can choose from are climbing ancient towers, wine tasting, wandering through art-filled churches, enjoying panoramic views of the rolling Tuscan hills and eating the best gelato in the world.
Even with the crowds, there’s something undeniably special about this town that will capture your heart from the moment you walk through those ancient gates.
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How Much Time Do You Need In San Gimignano?
One day in San Gimignano is absolutely perfect for seeing all the main highlights.
However, if you have the flexibility to stay overnight, I’d highly recommend it! When the day trip crowds head back to their buses and cars in the late afternoon, it will feel like you have San Gimignano to yourself.
It will also give you more time to not rush from sight to sight. You can travel at a slower pace that doesn’t feel like you are running a marathon.
How To Visit San Gimignano
Planning a San Gimignano day trip is quite easy to do on your own. There are a few transportation options depending on where you’re coming from and if you have a rental car.
By Car
Driving gives you the most flexibility when visting San Gimignano. You’ll park right outside the medieval walls since the historic center is closed to non-resident vehicles.
The best parking option is P1 Giubileo, which costs €1.50 per hour with a maximum of €6 per day and is the largest and cheapest parking lot. There are also P2 Montemaggio (€2/hour, max €20/day), and P3/P4 Bagnaia parking areas (€2/hour, max €15/day).
All parking lots are within easy walking distance of the town gates, and there’s even a local shuttle bus service if needed.
Pro Tip: Arrive early in the morning to secure a good parking spot, especially during peak season!
By Public Transportation
Traveling around Tuscany by public transportation is possible. It isn’t always the most convenient, but if you are like me and don’t feel comfortable driving in Europe, it is a great option. It is also quite affordable.
Florence To San Gimignano
Getting from Florence to San Gimignano by public transport isn’t super convenient, but it’s definitely doable.
The best option is to take the bus (line 131) from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella bus station. It costs €6.80 one way (€10 if you buy from the driver). The journey takes about 1 hour 56 minutes total. You will need to make a bus change in Poggibonsi.
You could also take the train to Poggibonsi and then catch the local bus, but the bus route is more convenient with better times.
Siena To San Gimignano
The best place to do a day trip to San Gimignano is Siena, if you’re using public transportation.
The bus from Siena is easy and direct. It costs €6.20 one way (€8 if bought on the bus). The journey takes about 1 hour.
My friend and I took the bus from Siena and it was really easy. The bus stop drops you off right outside the front gate to San Gimignano.
Just a heads up, the roads are quite windy, so if you get car sick, definitely take a Dramamine before you go.
Pro Tip: Have cash on hand just in case! Normally you can pay with credit card on the bus, but the credit card machine on our bus to San Gimignano wasn’t working. We had to scramble to find cash for our tickets. On the way back, we paid with a credit card with no problems.
By Tour
If you prefer a hassle-free experience, you can also spend a day in San Gimignano with an organized tour from Florence or Siena.
Many tours from Florence combine San Gimignano with Siena, and while this sounds appealing because you get to see multiple beautiful Tuscan towns, to me it feels quite rushed.
You’ll get a taste of both places without the planning hassle, but you will have limited say in what you get to do and see in each place.
I’d personally recommend dedicating more time to really soaking in this part of the country rather than trying to cram too much into one day. Both San Gimignano and Siena each deserve a full day if not longer.
From Florence
Here are a list of top-rated tour options from Florence if this is your desired route:
- Florence: Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti Small Group Tour
- Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery
- Siena and San Gimignano: Small-Group Tour with Lunch from Florence
From Siena
Tours from Siena to San Gimignano typically include either a visit to Volterra or the Chianti region.
While these combinations could be nice for seeing more of Tuscany, they would definitely make for a very long day!
Here are some top-rated tour options from Siena:
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What To Do In San Gimignano
Now for the fun part! There are so many incredible things to do in San Gimignano. I can’t wait to tell you all about them.
The key to making the most of your one day in San Gimignano is timing and bit of strategy.
I highly recommend starting your visit early in the morning and heading straight to Piazza della Cisterna first (pictured above), as this is the busiest area of town.
Right after that, make your way to Piazza del Duomo (the piazza outside the main church), which also gets incredibly crowded as the day progresses.
By seeing these two main areas first, before the tour groups and day trip crowds appear, you’ll get to appreciate their beauty and take photos without a bunch of other people around.
If you don’t get there early, they are still great areas of San Gimignano to visit. There will just be more people in your pictures. As you can see from my pictures, I didn’t get there early enough!
Wander All The Little Side Streets
Before shops and attractions officially open for the day, this is the perfect time to get completely lost wandering San Gimignano’s maze of narrow cobblestone streets and medieval alleyways.
Some of my most magical moments in the town happened during these early morning explorations when we had the ancient narrow pathways almost entirely to ourselves.
Family tip: Make a stop at La Rocca Playground in Parco della Rocca, which has a grassy area with a slide, swings, and other play equipment plus a little bit of shade and a water fountain.
This playground is perfect if you’re traveling with young kids who need a little entertainment break at this point in your wandering!
Make sure to seek out the incredible panoramic viewpoints scattered around the town’s perimeter.
Here are three spectacular viewpoints that offer breathtaking vistas of the Tuscan countryside:
- Panoramic Viewpoint 1: Punto panoramico
- Panoramic Viewpoint 2: Second viewpoint
- Panoramic Viewpoint 3: Third panoramic view
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Duomo Di San Gimignano
By now it should be around 10am, which is perfect timing since that’s when the Duomo di San Gimignano opens its doors. This stunning Romanesque cathedral is an absolute must-see during a day in San Gimignano, and you’ll understand why the moment you step inside.
The exterior might look relatively simple, but don’t let that fool you. The interior is absolutely breathtaking. It is covered floor to ceiling with incredible 14th-century frescoes that tell biblical stories in vivid detail. The artwork is well-preserved and vibrant. Just stunning.
Family Tip: Kids often love spotting different animals and characters in the frescoes. It can be a fun treasure hunt to keep them engaged while you admire the art.
Go To The Top Of One Of The Medieval Towers
You absolutely cannot spend one day in San Gimignano without climbing to the top of one of the iconic medieval towers. This was my favorite thing we did while in San Gimignano for the day. The view is incredible. I loved seeing how skinny the town was. A very unique shape.
Head to Palazzo Comunale to purchase your San Gimignano pass. The basic pass includes access to the Civic Museum, where you’ll see fascinating artifacts and artwork that tell the story of the town’s history, the Pinacoteca, an art gallery featuring beautiful religious paintings and local artwork, and access to Torre Grossa, which is the tallest tower in San Gimignano.
Torre Grossa opens at 10am during peak season and 11am in the off-season, so plan accordingly.
Pro Tip: Spend 4 euros more and upgrade to the full pass that also includes the Museo Archeologico, Spezieria di Santa Fina, Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and San Lorenzo in Ponte.
It is absolutely worth the extra 4 euros! My friend and I did this upgrade, and we were so glad we did for such a small additional cost. More on this later.
Did you know?: Today you can see 14 magnificent towers still standing, but back in the 14th century there were an incredible 72 towers piercing the sky! It’s hard to believe.
One of my favorite discoveries was learning why there are so many towers. Turns out wealthy families were literally competing to build the tallest ones, as symbols of their power and wealth. Insane.
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Find A Place For Lunch
By now you’ve probably worked up quite an appetite from all that tower climbing and sightseeing!
I can’t, for the life of me, remember exactly where my friend and I had lunch during our visit. The food was good (we are in Italy after all!), but it didn’t particularly stand out as one of the most memorable meals of our trip. I do remember that Bellini though!
Based on what I’ve heard from other travelers and seen highly recommended, here are some great lunch options to consider:
- Da I’ Mariani is perfect for a casual, delicious meal with their fresh focaccia sandwiches and excellent meat & cheese platters. It’s a great option if you want something satisfying without it being too heavy.
- RiccaPizza – San Giovanni is your go-to spot for affordable pizza by the slice! This is especially perfect for families with kids who might want something familiar and budget-friendly.
- Le Vecchie Mura offers not just tasty pasta but also stunning views while you dine. If you’re looking to combine a great meal with those incredible Tuscan vistas, this could be worth the splurge.
Pick something that sounds good to you and don’t stress too much about finding the “perfect” restaurant.
Sometimes the most memorable part of lunch in a place like San Gimignano is simply sitting and soaking in the magical medieval atmosphere around you!
Visit A Quiet Museum In The Afternoon And Escape The Heat!
Do you remember that extra 4 euros we spent when purchasing our tickets to climb Torre Grosso? This is where the upgraded San Gimignano pass really pays off!
After lunch, when the afternoon sun is beating down and the main piazzas are packed with tour groups, it’s the perfect time to duck into some of the quieter, lesser-known museums.
Head to the Museo Archeologico, Spezieria di Santa Fina, and Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea to escape both the crowds and the rising temperatures, if you’re visiting during the summer months.
We loved our time in these museums. We virtually had them to ourselves and the art was beautiful. The air conditioning helped too!
Family Tip: I am not always the biggest fan of museums, but they can be a great break for kids who might be getting tired from all the walking and heat. The change of pace and indoor environment can be exactly what everyone needs to recharge for the rest of the afternoon!
Walk A Section Of Via Francigena
Right outside the walls of San Gimignano, you can find one short section of the famous Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches all the way from Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy.
My friend and I stumbled upon this section of Via Francigena by accident. I knew it was nearby, but I hadn’t done enough research to realize it passed right by the medieval walls of San Gimignano.
It was incredibly quiet and peaceful on the trail. It gave us a completely different experience from the bustling town center.
The views were absolutely stunning too. I may have liked them even more than the viewpoints I mentioned earlier!
It is one of the quietest things to do in San Gimignano too.
Family Tip: This is a perfect activity if anyone in your group needs to stretch their legs and get some fresh air away from the stone streets and crowds. The walking is easy and the views will give everyone a chance to reset before heading back into town.
Eat The Best Gelato In The World
One day in San Gimignano would be incomplete without gelato, especially if you’re traveling with kids! Italy and gelato go hand in hand, and San Gimignano happens to be home to what many consider the best gelato in the world.
Gelateria Dondoli is world famous. This incredible gelateria is known for its original and unusual flavors that you can’t find anywhere else, like pink grapefruit and sparkling wine! Yum!
Everything is hand-made with incredible attention to detail, and they’ve won numerous international awards for their innovative creations.
I have to be honest though, my friend and I sadly didn’t get to try any when we were there because the line was absolutely massive! We took one look at the crowd and decided we couldn’t wait that long.
However, we spoke to someone the next day at a wine tasting who had braved the line, and they absolutely raved about it. According to them, it was definitely worth the wait and truly lived up to all the hype!
If you’re a serious gelato enthusiast, you can even book a gelato-making class with the famous Sergio Dondoli himself. How cool would that be as a family activity?
Pro Tip: If the line looks intimidating, try going earlier in the morning or later in the evening when it might be less crowded. Or just embrace the wait as part of the experience. The anticipation might make it taste even better!
Drive To A Viewpoint To See San Gimignano From Afar
If you have a car and want to cap off a day in San Gimignano with something truly special, driving to a panoramic viewpoint for a view of this stunning hillside village from afar.
If you type “viewpoint panorama” into Google Maps around San Gimignano, you’ll discover four different locations outside the city where you can capture that perfect picture!
Each one offers a slightly different angle and perspective, so if you have the time and energy, you could even visit multiple viewpoints to see which one gives you your favorite view.
Since we were visiting by bus, we didn’t get to do this, but it was one of the things I want to do when I return with my family. Then Mike can drive me around!
Family Tip: This is especially great for families because it’s an easy activity that doesn’t require any walking or climbing.
Visit A Winery
Another option for something to do in San Gimignano is to check out the local wine scene. The region is famous for its wine, particularly the crisp white Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Sampling some is an excellent way to spend the late afternoon while soaking in those gorgeous Tuscan views.
These wineries are only accessible by car, so this is definitely an activity only for those who have their own transportation.
Here are some fantastic options in the area:
Pietraserena Winery is an absolute gem for families! They have farm animals and a playground that’s perfect for little kids.
While some Google maps say it’s only a 30-minute walk from San Gimignano, I honestly don’t think it would be safe to walk along those narrow, windy roads with limited visibility and cars zipping by.
Tenuta Torciano Winery offers the incredible experience of sipping wine while admiring San Gimignano’s iconic towers in the distance!
Tenuta Guardastelle is another good choice if you looking to experience authentic Tuscan hospitality and sample some exceptional local wines.
Summary
I hope this San Gimignano guide helps you make the most of your visit to this magical town! Even though we only had one day in San Gimignano, it left a lasting impression.
This enchanting Tuscan gem has a way of capturing hearts, and I have a feeling it will capture yours too! Have a wonderful trip!
Stunning photos…would love to visit this part of Italy someday..thanks for the inspiration
Thank you and I hope you get to see it someday. It is a gorgeous part of Italy.
What a gorgeous itinerary that really captures the magic of San Gimignano! I especially loved your tip about exploring the little side streets early in the morning when the crowds are light, that’s such a great way to experience the town’s medieval charm without feeling rushed.
I also appreciated how you break down different ways to get there (car vs. bus vs. tour) and your honest thoughts on what’s worth seeing in a single day that insight is super helpful for travelers trying to plan efficiently.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you found it helpful.
San Gimignano truly feels like stepping into a medieval postcard. I love how you show there’s so much more to do than just admire the towers. Climbing one of the medieval towers and wandering the quiet side streets sound like the perfect way to spend a day. And of course, gelato is mandatory in Tuscany 😄 This makes me want to plan a return trip to explore more.
I’m glad it was inspirational! I hope you make it back someday. I would like to return as well!
I adore San Gimignano! I agree that going on a tour from Florence that includes Siena made my time there feel way too rushed and short. Will have to go back and check out all these lovely spots.
It’s funny that you mentioned Canterbury because my Italian tour guide teased all the English folks for not being able to pronounce the city’s name, but then they challenged her to say Canterbury and she struggled haha.
That is super funny. I mean both of them are pretty hard to say! ha! It’s nice to hear your perspective about the tour. I didn’t have first hand experience doing one, but it just sounded like a lot on in a day, so thanks for sharing that!
I haven’t heard of this but saving all the ideas since a trip to Italy is being planned for next year
How exciting! I love Italy. You will have such a great time. I have more resources on my site of other spots to visit in Italy too. Let me know if you have any questions and I’d be happy to answer them!