Day Trips from Florence, Italy
- Josi Hicks
- Jul 3
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Planning your trip around Italy and realized you have extra time on your hands? Studying abroad and looking for a day-trip getaway? Then here is a list of 11 different places that you can visit in just one day from Florence, Italy.
After spending an academic year abroad, I have compiled here my best-advised list of day-trips from Florence – my home away from home.
Pisa: See the Leaning Tower
Travel Time: ~1 hr (by train)
Potentially the most popular day-trip from Florence is to Pisa, Italy. This day-trip has risen in popularity due to the ease of transport from Florence to Pisa. Simply take the train from Florence's train station (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) to Pisa Centrale. The journey takes around one hour (more or less) and requires no transfers.
Once you exit the train at Pisa Centrale, the leaning tower is a brisk 20-minute walk from the train station. I will warn you, however, there is naught to see in Pisa other than the Leaning Tower.
If you are a mural-fanatic, you might appreciate the Keith Haring mural located at the rear wall of the Sant'Antonio Abate Church. The University of Pisa is also amongst popular universities in Italy. Truthfully, however, there is not much else to see in the city, therefore it can be a quick 3-hour turnaround.
Castiglioncello: A Surfside Getaway
Travel Time: ~1.5 hrs (by train)
If you want to go to Pisa, but do not want to spend more time on a train than in the city itself, then consider adding a stop in Castiglioncello before returning to Florence.
The train from Pisa Centrale to Castiglioncello takes around 30-45 minutes. If you are traveling in the warmer months, this is a great way to see some of the Italian coast without being trampled by tourists. You will need to transfer at Pisa Centrale on your way back to Florence.
When my friends and I planned our trip, we combined Pisa and Castiglioncello, spending the majority of the day sunbathing after sampling some seafood. Relax on the rocky beaches and explore the streets of this charming coastal town, eating gelato and living like a local.
Venice: The Floating City
Travel Time: ~2.5 hrs (by high-speed train)
A must-see throughout your time in Italy is the city famous for fearing it may one day be forgotten: Venice. In the cities canals and alleyways, every turn leads to a postcard picture, and the best plan is to get lost on purpose.
To travel to Venice from Florence, simply take the train from Florence SMN to Venezia S. Lucia. If you travel from sunrise to sunset (around 8 hours in Venice), you will give yourself plenty of time to experience the sinking city. In fact, my friend and I found ourselves with ample time on our hands, making it a relaxing retreat where we could simply get lost.
When traveling to Venice, I advise you to budget accordingly for a €90 gondola ride. If split amongst your party, it can be more affordable, but my friend and I found even the split €45 cost to be worth this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Consider trying tiramisu here (as it was invented in the nearby town of Treviso) or visit Harry's Bar (where the Bellini cocktail was invented). Also in Venice are various top-notch take-away pasta places, which I only ever experienced in this city whilst living in Italy. Dal Moro's is the spot.
San Gimignano: The Town of Towers
Travel Time: ~1.5 hrs (by train + bus from Poggibonsi)
For a traditional Tuscan countryside excursion, visit the hilltop town called San Gimignano. This medieval town is known for its towers, unique in the preservation of its architecture.
Traveling to San Gimignano can be difficult, but it is doable. To get there, take a train from Florence to Poggibonsi, and then transfer to a local bus to San Gimignano. Bus timetables should be posted at the bus stops, or can be found online at locations such as Rome2Rio.com. Schedules may not always run accordingly, so be prepared to wait for your bus if it does not show at the intended time.
When taking a trip to San Gimignano, consider visiting one of the wineries, where the Chianti varieties are famously fermented. The gelato in this town was also delectable, to my recollection.
Verona: A Place for Lovers
Travel Time: ~2 hrs (by train)
Ahh, the lovely Verona.
I spent quite the extensive day in Verona when I took my trip here on the rather appropriate date of February 14th, also known as Valentine's Day. With Verona being the setting for the world's most famous romance novel, Romeo and Juliet, it felt wrong to be anywhere else for my Italian Valentine's.
The travel to Verona is very simple, requiring a moderate train ride from Florence SMN to Verona Porta Nuova. The train station is within walking distance of all sights.
Upon arriving to Verona, pack your day visiting the Roman Arena, Juliet's House (where you can write Juliet a letter), Piazza delle Erbe, Torre dei Lamberti (a callous climb for a marvelous view), Juliet's tomb, and more. Buy the Verona Card to do it all in a day.
Montepulciano: Tuscan Tastes & Twilight
Travel Time: ~2.5 hrs (by train + bus from Montepulciano station)
If you're a Twilight lover (like me), then you must visit the mountaintop town of Montepulciano during your time in Italy. Montepulciano serves as the scene in place of the setting, Volterra, at the end of New Moon, where Bella must save Edward from the Volturi.
Montepulciano is of the same difficulty to travel to as San Gimingano, as this town is also on a mountaintop and requires the use of bus transport. Use Rome2Rio.com to navigate the bus schedules here, as well. There will be a bus that runs from Montepulciano station to the top of the town.
Even if you are not a Twilight fanatic, Montepulciano is still a marvelous sight to see. The picture you see when you think of the Tuscan countryside is exactly what you will see when visiting this town. Take a tour of the Torture Museum, or try some classic tastes of Tuscany (pici alle briciole con Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) at one of the local restaurants.
Siena: History and Horses
Travel Time: ~1.5 hrs (by train or bus)
To give yourself another two-in-one tour, consider visiting both Montepulciano and Siena in the same day. The train from Montepulciano to Siena takes about one hour, and the train from Siena Centrale to Florence SMN is straightforward (walking distance from city centers).
If not, Siena can surely be its own half-day trip. The town boasts rich medieval history and is known for the Palio, a horse race which occurs in the main square each summer.
For the sake of brutal honesty, however, I found Siena to be quite underwhelming, with not much to see. Of the sights, I found that Florence provided the same satisfaction, but better. I do suppose, however, that a retreat to Siena would be nice during peak-season, as it would allow you to enjoy similar sights to Florence, but at a less-populated, smaller scale.
Cinque Terre: Explore the Coast
Travel Time: ~2.5 hrs (by train)
If you so dare, a trip to the film-famous Cinque Terre ("five towns") could be most-rewarding. The towns are as listed: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
To get to the towns, you will need to take trains with multiple transfer. The first trip will be from Florence SMN to Pisa Centrale, where you will transfer from Pisa Centrale to La Spezia Centrale. After arriving in La Spezia, you will transfer onto the Cinque Terre Express line, which will take you through all five towns.
If you are looking for a beach, go to Monterosso al Mare. For the staple picturesque portrait of Cinque Terre, go to Riomaggiore. There is also a hike called the Via dell'Amore that will take you the length of the villages. Keep in mind that the trains get extremely packed in the peak season, and will likely run slower and may hit capacity.
Rome: Yes, In a Day
Travel Time: ~1.5 hrs (by high-speed train)
While it might be deluded, it is doable to see Rome in a day. I had several friends fit Rome into their travel schedule this way during study abroad.
Traveling from Florence to Rome might be faster than you think, with a quick high-speed train taking you the distance (Florence SMN to Rome Termini) in under two hours. Book your tickets well in-advance to secure the best prices and times.
To knock out Rome in a day, you will need to book guided tours – there is no way around it. Try booking through theromanguy.com, which is the tour company that my sister and I used. This should check all of your bucket-list items.
For food, consider trying Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara, or Carciofi alla Romana while in Rome. And bring some change to throw in the Trevi Fountain!
Milan: Not Much to See
Travel Time: ~2 hrs (by high-speed train)
Last and, well, maybe least, Milan.
To be honest, I wasn't going to bother seeing Milan until I had the spare time on a train transfer through the city. I took the allotted two hours to tram into the city, see the Duomo and the Galleria, and tram back. Because of this, I can not give my most honest opinion on this option, but know that it is one.
Bologna: An Honorable Mention
Travel Time: ~40 mins (by train)
Bologna was one of those cities that was so close that I continued to tell myself I would go, and then I never got around to it.
I regret having not visited this city, as I've heard it's remarkable. If you have the time, don't miss out on Bologna as I did, and eat some bolognese for my sake!
Summary
Most Recommended: Venice
Easiest: Pisa, Bologna
Bucket-List: Rome
Skip: Siena, Milan
Coastal: Cinque Terre, Castiglioncello
Country: Montepulciano, San Gimignano
Romantic: Venice, Verona
2-in-1: Pisa + Castiglioncello, Montepulciano + Siena
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