With a beautiful location towards the Liguria Ocean on the west coast of Italy is the magnificent Tuscany which is mostly famous for its beautiful, hilly landscape with vineyards, olive groves and undulating fields with large, yellow sunflowers that smile towards the deep-blue sky. Here are kilometres of lovely, child-friendly sandy beaches, historic buildings and art wherever you turn your head to.

The idyllic medieval cities, Siena and San Gimignano, tempt us with their cosy, narrow streets, and one of the most beautiful renaissance cities of Europe, Florence, offers a variety of cultural treasures.

Tuscany has all that attracts the art lover, the historically interested, the bonvivants as well as the lover of food and wine.

The landscape of Tuscany

Tuscany offers a beautiful landscape all year round. In the triangle between Siena, Florence and Pisa are the picturesque, soft hills and narrow valleys covered in cornfields, forests, olive groves and vineyards.

In the northern and eastern parts of Tuscany, you will find a landscape which is more dramatic and deserted with mountains, ravines and valleys. The towns are further apart, and the roads are more winding. In the areas, Lunigiana and Garfagnana, there are high mountains with small villages with true Italian culture and life.

Large cities in Tuscany: Florence, Siena and Pisa

Many of the cities in Tuscany are famous, such as Florence, Siena and Pisa, but there are also many less explored cities of Tuscany that are worth a visit.

The beautiful renaissance city, Florence, is located surrounded by beautiful nature by River Arno and offers a treasury of art and architecture. The city has attracted many great artists, such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and many more. Their masterpieces can today be experienced in the many museums in town. When you need a break from the many art and architecture experiences, you can go shopping and make good deals within trendy leather goods, jewellery, shoes and clothing and end the day with a nice meal in one of the many restaurants or cafes. 

The medieval city Siena is certainly also worth a visit with its steep medieval alleys, Gothic churches and beautiful palaces. A walk within the city wall in the narrow streets brings you back in time and gives insight into the historic past of Siena. 

The sparking university city, Pisa, is best known for its world-famous leaning tower, but also offers other exciting buildings, interesting museums as well as one of the oldest botanical gardens of Europe.

Tourist attractions in Tuscany

Tuscany has everything your heart desires in terms of interesting cities with Roman monuments, medieval fortresses and castles, grand renaissance buildings and interesting museums.

In the Casentino vally, which is located between Florence and Arezzo, are the classical Tuscan medieval cities with their impressive fortresses and citadels surrounded by great forests and olive plantations, and they are certainly worth a visit.

If you are into holiday on the beach, the sandy beaches of Versilia by Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, Pietrasanta and all the way up to the La Spezia bay in Liguria are very attractive. From the beach, there is a view of the hinterland hills and the Tuscan islands in the horizon. If you want more nature and peacefulness, you should go south to the other side of Livorno.

Sports activities in Tuscany

The beaches of Tuscany are fine and child-friendly, and there are possibilities of windsurfing, water-skiing and other water sports activities.

Inland, you can go horseback riding, play golf, ride mountain bike as well as climb or hike in the beautiful nature.

Gastronomic characteristics of Tuscany

The restaurants of Tuscany serve tasteful, local dishes where local fish, such as eel, shrimps, octopus and shellfish, or meats, such as pork, veal and mutton are often included, cooked with fresh herbs, such as basil, sage and rosemary.

Tuscany is also known for its local sausages, hams and cheeses where the sheep’s cheese Pecorino della montagna pistoiese, which is eaten fresh as well as matured, is especially popular.

The culinary experience is completed with a glass or two of the great wines of Tuscany: Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or Chianti.

The climate of Tuscany

Tuscany has maritime climate by the coasts and continental climate inland. The average temperatures in the summer are 25 to 32 degrees in the day and, in the winter, 10 degrees.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from the Italian Tourist Office. Photographers: Vito Arcomano - Fototeca ENIT, Agenzia turismo Chianciano Terme - Valdichiana, De Agostini Picture Library.