Florence is a big city located in the heart of Tuscany. If you are planning to stay in Florence for a couple of months we recommend you to spend your free time on the weekend traveling around the country with your flatmates.

If you are an international student and you want to discover Florence, below you can find all the information you need about the top 10 cities you should visit near Florence.

Top 10 cities to visit near Florence

Siena
Our first recommendation is the city of Siena, surrounded by hills, is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Italy.

The heart of the city is the famous Piazza del Campo, with its particular shell shape, in which is held the famous Palio, one of the most important events for all Sienese. The Palio di Siena is a passionate horse race that takes place every year, in July and August and its origins seem to date back to the seventeenth century.

Val d’Orcia 
If you wanna see the original enchanting scenery of the Tuscan countryside, the Val d'Orcia is an excellent landing place for a day trip. You will be spoiled for choice: a mini-food and wine tour hunting for the typical of the area, such as pecorino di Pienza, Brunello di Montalcino and salami of Cinta Senese; an excursion through the hills, by bike or on horseback; a deserved break to relax in the thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni or Bagni San Filippo. The main attractions of the Val d'Orcia can be easily reached from the stations of Montepulciano and Buonconvento; in addition, on some festive occasions, there is also a tourist railway with steam trains (departure from Siena).

San Gimignano
San Gimignano is always a great destination if you want to enjoy a trip out of town in Tuscany: its medieval charm, with the thirteen towers that stand out over the other buildings, will instantly captivate you. In the limited area of the historic center there are many things to see: the Duomo and the Chapel of Santa Fina, frescoed by Ghirlandaio, Piazza della Cisterna, the Palazzo Comunale. If the weather is inclement visit one of the city’s museums: the Pinacoteca, the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Spezieria di Santa Fina, the Museum of Torture. 

How to get to San Gimignano? reach by train Poggibonsi and then moved by bus.

Pisa  
If you are an international student living in Florence you have to visit Pisa. This city is located on the banks of the Arno, just before the mouth of the river in Marina di Pisa. It is one of the largest cities in Tuscany and is famous all over the world thanks to its universal symbol: "the Leaning Tower".
Pisa is a city at the same time ancient and modern, proud of its past of world power, with peak during the period of the Maritime Republic.

Chianti
Tuscany is located in the center of Italy and in the center of Tuscany, between Florence, Siena and Arezzo, we find the Chianti - a fascinating hilly area, in its diversity, no less than the famous cities including it. The name "Chianti", synonymous in the world also of its prestigious wine, is currently used to indicate areas of a different delimited territory. So we need some clarity. From a geographical point of view, Chianti is an area of medium-high hills that stretches for almost twenty kilometers (roughly north-south-southeast).

Forte dei marmi 
Versilia is an excellent destination for a day trip in Tuscany, even with children. Renowned especially in the summer, the elegance and charm that this area has preserved will make your trip really exciting. Whether it is a walk on the seafront of Viareggio, a dip in shopping in Forte dei Marmi, a visit to the art galleries of Pietrasanta or a moment of leisure for the little ones in the Parco Pitagora di Camaiore, Versilia offers you many opportunities to spend a nice day of vacation. All destinations are easily accessible by train and with short trips on foot or by bus.

Lucca 
A magical city, rich in history, but at the same time dynamic on a cultural level: Lucca is the ideal setting for day trips in Tuscany. You can admire artistic wonders almost on every street corner: from the church of San Martino - with the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto - to Palazzo Ducale, to the characteristic Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. Stroll along the ramparts of the Renaissance walls to enjoy breathtaking views of the city. And if you are looking for entertainment, Lucca is the right place: the Summer Festival in July and the Lucca Comics & Games between October and November are unmissable events. Arriving by train is very convenient: in ten minutes walk from the station you can reach the heart of the city.

Montecatini Terme 
If you wanna take a break while you experience your stay with helpHousing the town, located in the center of the Valdinievole, houses an important spa (Terme di Montecatini) and makes tourism the main economic activity of the territory. In 2021 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the Great Spa Towns of Europe.

Arezzo 
Arezzo is a city of art with an ancient history located in the eastern part of Tuscany, the ancient Etruria, then Tuscia.
It still retains most of the medieval walls, and then the Medici, that surrounded it with integrated in these the large access doors.

Terme di Saturnia 
Saturnia is probably the most charming spa that you can reach for a trip out of town in Tuscany. Immersed in the wild nature of the Maremma countryside, Saturnia is like an oasis where you can enjoy long moments of relaxation. The thermal water flows at a temperature of over thirty-seven degrees and has numerous therapeutic properties. In addition to the spa complex you can also dive under the famous Mill Falls. Reaching Saturnia by train is not the most convenient way, but you can get there by getting off at Albinia or Orbetello stations and continuing by bus.

If you need any other information, don't hesitate to ask the helpHousing team to help you with your next adventure.