Tuscany attractions

The Pitti Palace is one of Florence’s most important museum complexes, enriched over the centuries by its esteemed inhabitants. The Medici family moved into the massive stone residence in 1550, and members of the Habsburg-Lorraine and Savoy dynasties lived there over the next few centuries. See the rulers’ relics displayed across five museums, from the sumptuous Royal Apartments to the Palatine Gallery and its many Renaissance masterpieces.

Palazzo Vecchio has been the hub of Florence’s political activity since the 13th century. With its imposing crenelated roofline and defensive Arnolfo Tower, the museum and still-active city hall dominate Piazza della Signoria and houses the luxurious former chambers of the Medici family. Visiting its richly decorated apartments and meeting halls, which include works by Michelangelo and Donatello, gives you a glimpse into the Renaissance glory of Florence.

Facing the Florence Cathedral (aka the Duomo) and flaunting matching green and white marble, the Baptistery of St. John (Battistero di San Giovanni) is one of the oldest structures in the Tuscan capital. The octagonal building is thought to have been built in the fourth century, with artistic masterpieces added over time. These include Byzantine-style mosaics covering the ceiling and Lorenzo Ghiberti’s intricate bronze entry doors, which an impressed Michelangelo declared the “Gates of Paradise.”

Picturesque Monteriggioni is the quintessential Tuscan village, encircled by medieval walls and perched on a hilltop above a rolling expanse of olive groves and vineyards. Stroll through its postcard-perfect center of cobblestone piazzas, pretty churches, and Renaissance townhouses and enjoy the authentic atmosphere.

Visitors flock to Pisa’s famous leaning tower, which is part of a magnificent cathedral complex centered around the 17th-century Duomo and adjacent baptistery. A splendid example of Pisan Romanesque architecture, the Duomo’s original and renovated elements include a splendid apse mosaic, ornate pulpit, golden coffered ceiling, and more.

The Mall is Tuscany’s premiere luxury outlet shopping area, where goods made by dozens of high-fashion designer brands are sold at discounted prices. Come for gorgeous clothing, shoes, and accessories from world-famous fashion houses like Armani, Burberry, Stella McCartney, Fendi, Versace, Valentino, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more.

San Gimignano’s Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, known simply as the Duomo, is one of the most impressive sights in this Tuscan hill town’s UNESCO-listed historic center. Behind the church’s plain facade you'll find exquisite 14th- and 15th-century frescoes inside, remarkable for their bold colors and painstaking details.

Montalcino is known as the heart of Tuscany’s Brunello di Montalcino wine production, but oenophiles shouldn’t overlook this hill town’s spectacular Fortezza di Montalcino, an imposing 14th-century fortress set above the town’s medieval center with sweeping views from its watchtowers and an atmospheric wine shop.

Though Brunelleschi’s soaring cupola may be the most recognizable part of the Florence Duomo, the cathedral wouldn’t be complete without Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto). Rising 278 feet (85 meters) above the rooftops of Florence, the Gothic tower is covered in multicolored marble, with impressive sculptures and bas-reliefs on its lower levels and a panoramic terrace on top—which you can reach by climbing 414 steps.

Florence’s Santa Croce Basilica has a grand piazza and an instantly recognizable neo-Gothic facade—but what’s on the inside is even more impressive. One of the most important churches in the city, the 13th-century basilica is a treasure trove of Renaissance artwork and history, with masterpieces by Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Giotto. It’s also the final resting place of luminaries, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.

The historic and happening Oltrarno—which sits just across the Arno River from central Florence—is one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods. It’s home to Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) and Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli), as well as Brunelleschi’s Santo Spirito Basilica and Santa Maria del Carmine’s Brancacci Chapel, frescoed by Filippino Lippi. Panoramic Piazzale Michelangelo perches just above, and lively artisan workshops, restaurants, and wine bars line the district’s narrow lanes.

The UNESCO-listed village of Pienza was little more than a sleepy Tuscan hamlet until the 15th-century reign of Pope Pius II. The pontiff enlisted the help of architect Bernardo Rossellino to transform his hometown village (previously called Corsignano) into an ideal Renaissance city full of stunning architecture.

It may not have an ornate marble facade like the neighboring Duomo, but the Basilica of San Lorenzo (Basilica di San Lorenzo) is one of the oldest and most important Renaissance churches in Florence. Commissioned by Cosimo the Elder—patriarch of the Medici dynasty—the church is home to magnificent sculptural and architectural works by Michelangelo, including the Medici Chapels and Laurentian Library.

In a city known for its Renaissance architecture, the Gothic-style Orsanmichele Church and Museum is a standout. With ornate doors and windows, some of the oldest stained glass in Florence, and statues by Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Della Robbia, Nanni di Banco, and Donatello, this little-known landmark is worth a visit.

Pisa’s Leaning Tower may be more famous, but the nearby baptistery (battistero) is equally captivating. Clad in white marble with intricately carved rows of Romanesque and Gothic arches and a cupcake dome, the baptistery is one of the essential sights in the city’s UNESCO-listed cathedral (duomo) complex.

Piazza Santa Croce, dominated by the Basilica of Santa Croce, is one of the most important squares in central Florence. Home to the intricately frescoed 17th-century Palazzo dell’Antella and the 15th-century Palazzo Cocchi-Serristori, this vibrant public space hosts a number of outdoor markets and fairs each year.

One of the most historically important churches in Siena, the Basilica of San Domenico (Basilica di San Domenico) is famous for another saint: the city’s own Saint Catherine. It was here that Catherine took her vows in 1363 at the age of 15, and the church holds a number of her relics, including her head, thumb, and whip used for self-flagellation.

The image of Michelangelo’s David—one of the world’s best-known works of art—is so ubiquitous in Florence that it’s become a symbol of Italy’s Renaissance capital. Carved between 1501 and 1504, then installed at the custom-built Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) in 1873, the sculptural masterpiece symbolizes the liberty of Florence and the beauty of the human form.

For a glimpse into the sumptuous life of Florence’s powerful Medici family, look no further than the Medici Riccardi Palace (Palazzo Medici Riccardi). Designed by the architect Michelozzo for Cosimo the Elder, the 15th-century palace is now a museum displaying masterpieces collected by members of the Medici and Riccardi families. Get a feel for the palace’s Renaissance glory with Filippo Lippi’s Madonna With Child, then see its baroque era in the lavishly frescoed Mirror Gallery.

Pass through the arched entrance of Florence’s stately Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) and into the serenity of the sweeping Boboli Gardens, once the private playground of the Medici family. Dating back to the 16th century, the Italian gardens are a veritable open-air museum, covering an enormous stretch of cypress-studded hillside with ornate fountains, grottoes, and sculptures from ancient Rome through the 17th century.

Italian style is loved and emulated worldwide, and one of the country’s most recognized fashion houses is Prada. Head to the Prada Outlet to find the label’s chic bags, shoes, clothing, and accessories—including pieces from Prada-owned brands such as Miu Miu—at discounts of up to 50 percent off retail prices. Also known as the Space Outlet, the shopping destination is just an hour outside of Florence.

The Medici Chapels are the burial place of several members of Florence’s most powerful family, and they’re decorated with all the Renaissance bells and whistles you’d expect. Part of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the marble-filled mausoleum’s New Sacristy houses some of Michelangelo’s best-known masterpieces: the reclining figures of Night,Day,Dawn, and Dusk, expertly sculpted for the tombs of Medici dukes.

A literal walk through history, the Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano) was the Medici family’s private passageway through central Florence. Giorgio Vasari designed the elevated, covered walkway over the Arno River in the 16th century, allowing the Grand Dukes to discreetly get from work at the Palazzo Vecchio to their home in the Pitti Palace. You can follow in their footsteps today—and admire the views from the corridor’s windows atop the Ponte Vecchio.

Florence’s 19th-century Central Market (Mercato Centrale) has all the gastronomic variety you’d expect from the city’s largest covered market. Some Florentines still do their daily shopping on the ground floor—a great place to sample Tuscan cheeses and Chianti wine, then stock up on gourmet goods to take home. Upstairs, a modern food court offers everything from fresh pasta with truffles to burgers made with local Chianina beef, as well as a cooking school.

Built in the 16th century by Bartolomeo Ammannati with advice from Michelangelo, Ponte Santa Trinita, or Saint Trinity Bridge, connects the two banks of Florence’s Arno River and offers unobstructed views of the Ponte Vecchio. The bridge was rebuilt with its original materials in 1958 after its destruction during World War II.

Art enthusiasts are drawn to the Lucca Cathedral for its paintings by masters like Ghirlandaio and Tintoretto; architecture aficionados appreciate the church’s unique mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles. But the Duomo di Lucca is revered by locals primarily as home to the city’s most precious relic: the Holy Face of Lucca (Volto Santo.

With so many unforgettable sights in Florence, it’s tempting to skip San Miniato al Monte, perched high up on a hilltop in the outskirts of the city. However, the church’s stunning 13th-century mosaic and sweeping views over Florence make the effort well worth your while.

One of the finest examples of renaissance architecture in Florence, Palazzo Strozzi was built in the 15th century for the wealthy Strozzi family and today serves as an exhibition space hosting some of the city’s most prestigious shows. Though not among Florence’s most famous venues, it will appeal to visiting art aficionados.

Piercing the sky above Siena, the soaring Mangia Tower (Torre del Mangia) is a notable feature of the medieval town’s skyline. It affords views across the rooftops to the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Climb the hundreds of steps to the top, or admire this imposing bell tower in Piazza del Campo from below.

The oldest known pharmacy in the world, the Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella, is hidden just around the corner from Florence’s Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Dominican friars established the apothecary in 1221, and it continues to use traditional techniques to produce soaps, cosmetics, and fragrances—including a perfume created for Catherine de’ Medici. Come to shop for Florentine souvenirs, and stay to see the boutique-museum's frescoed ceilings and original apothecary equipment.