Top tip for visiting Italy: find Firenze on the train station board.
Florence, called Firenze in Italiano, is a remarkable Tuscan city that’s curated some of the best Renaissance art in all of Europe. And it’s a fantastic homebase for exploring other phenomenal parts of Italy.
The Renaissance art ain’t going nowhere — but you are. Take advantage of your proximity to Rome, Venice, and more with easy day trips from Florence leaving from Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station, and maximize your time in Italy.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Atlantide Phototravel. Image Location: Fiesole, Italy
Fiesole, Tuscany
Closest station: Fiesole-Caldine
Firenze San Marco Vecchio to Fiesole-Caldine: from 5 mins
While everyone else flocks south for their day trip from Florence, you’ll sneak off to Fiesole in less than 30 minutes. Just north of the city (a quick cab ride, honestly), an awesome archaeological site with both Etruscan and Roman ruins is the hallmark site. A 1450s Medici villa, the Museo Bandini, and the views of the Duomo from the monastery of San Francesco will prove that you hardly need to leave Florence to have an exceptional day trip away from the city.
Pistoia, Tuscany
Closest station: Pistoia
Firenze Rifredi to Pistoia: from 26m
Less than an hour from Florence yet surprisingly free of crowds, Pistoia is a Florence day trip you can accomplish in an afternoon or from sun up to sun down. A casual visit means people watching in Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Sala while deciding on which Tuscan restaurant to try. A longer visit involves an underground tour of the 16th-century hospital Museo dello Spedale del Ceppo and the four historic art museums of the Fondazione Pistoia Musei.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Laurent Fox. Image Location: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Tuscany
Closest station: Pisa Centrale
Firenze Santa Maria Novella station to Pisa Centrale: from 46m
Gather ‘round, friends, it’s time to take the obligatory “hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa” photograph.
There’s no shame in this silly snap: it’s one of those scrapbook shots that your kids will roll their eyes over in warm reminiscence one day. While you’re here, you’ll find other photo ops with more straightened structures like the Piazza del Duomo, the Camposanto cemetery, and the Pisa Cathedral.
Greve in Chianti, Tuscany
Closest station: Poggibonsi-S. Gimignano
Journey time via bus: about 1 hr
Because trains run around Chianti, not through it, we’ll recommend taking a one-hour bus ride for an easy day trip from Florence. This gateway to the Chianti offers a literal sampling of the region with Classico wine, cured meats, and pappa al pomodoro all available within footsteps of the bus stop. Stretch your legs a little more with a walk to Montefioralle: a beautiful village with vineyards.
Arezzo, Tuscany
Closest station: Arezzo
Firenze Campo Di Marte to Arezzo: from 31 mins
Ruins of a Roman amphitheater is one of the first sites you’ll encounter when stepping off of the train platform in Arezzo. Venture deeper into this Tuscan city and you’ll see a mix of old and new in the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. The Medici Fortress, the monthly Antiques Fair, and the Giorgio Vasari House Museum should all also be on your itinerary.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Francesco Riccardo Iacomino. Image Location: Modena, Italy
Modena
Closest station: Modena
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Modena: from 59m
Modena is a motor city, home to Maserati and Ferrari (as well as filming locations for the Ferrari movie), you can visit the museums dedicated to Modena’s high-octane history. Feast your eyes on other Modena marvels like the amazing cuisine cooked up by Chef Massimo Bottura and memorabilia in the museum dedicated to Luciano Pavarotti.
Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany
Closest station: Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni
Firenze Rifredi to Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni: from 1h 11m
If it’s wineries you seek, Castellina in Chianti is a fantastic watering hole. Vineyards surround the area while wine bars fill the cobbled streets. Pause your imbibing to drink in the views from the castle then return to your regularly scheduled sipping.
Siena, Tuscany
Closest station: Siena
Firenze Rifredi to Siena: from 1h 21m
Siena is an entirely walkable town located in the center of Tuscany’s rolling hills. Drink vino and meander through this medieval city without fail. Get lost in awe with visits to Piccolomini Library, the Siena Cathedral, and Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena.
Read also: the most beautiful towns and villages in Tuscany
Image Credit: Getty Images, Julian Elliott Photography. Image Location: Verona, Italy
Verona
Closest station: Verona Porta Nuova
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Verona Porta Nuova: from 1h 32m
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, you’ll realize that there’s much more to this city than its setting for Romeo and Juliet. Yes, you can still write your Letters to Juliet, as the film depicted — but you can also see medieval and Renaissance art in the Castelvecchio museum and munch on some of the best salami and olive oil in all of Italy.
Parma
Closest station: Parma
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Parma: from 1h 31m
You don’t need to add “cheese” or “ham” to Parma to have a good time. You’ll have plenty of time to eat prosciutto crudo di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano on a day trip from Florence that focuses on Parma’s other savory attractions. Visit the birthplace of conductor Arturo Toscanini then attend an opera at Teatro Regio. Explore the Governor’s Palace then sip wine near the Piazza Duomo.
Bologna
Closest station: Bologna Centrale
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Bologna: from 33m
Gearheads will race to Bologna for the Ducati Factory, while Bolognese dishes will leave you considering a night in one of Bologna’s best hotels so you can eat as much as possible. Bikes and bites aside, don’t miss the gorgeous ceiling of Portici di Bologna, the statues and frescoes filling Palazzo Hercolani, and the eclectic exhibits in both the Museo di Palazzo Poggi and Museum of Zoology.
Related: the best day trips from Bologna by train
Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrea Comi. Image Location: Mantua, Italy
Mantua
Closest station: Mantova
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Mantova: from 1h 53m
Though artificial, the three lakes surrounding Mantua (or Mantova) are no less picturesque. Romeo, one of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, was exiled to Mantua — and in today’s world, he probably would have stayed. From the frescoes in Castello di San Giorgio to the chill vibes of the fountain-filled Piazza Virgiliana, Mantua is one dazzling Italian city that’ll distract you from any heartbreak.
San Gimignano, Tuscany
Closest station: Poggibonsi-S. Gimignano
Firenze Rifredi to Poggibonsi-S. Gimignano: from 57m
If you’re not visiting Siena, you’re visiting San Gimignano during your Tuscan day trip from Florence. This popular UNESCO World Heritage Site was once adorned with 70+ fortified tower houses showcasing the wealth of its 13th-century residents. Though only around a dozen remain, San Gimignano is still full of beautiful 11th to 15th century architecture and art.
Rome
Closest station: Roma Termini
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini: from 1h 25m
All rails lead to Rome, including a direct train from Florence.
If you’re a first-time visitor, then you’ve certainly got your own Rome itinerary to tackle. But if you’ve already toured the Eternal City on another visit? Use your time in Florence to check off those last to-dos you left undone.
We’re talking about lesser-visited sites like a museum curated by Napoleon Bonaparte’s descendents, wandering beneath the Vatican’s Basilica, and scoping out the remains of Emperor Nero’s villa.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Maremagnum. Image Location: Castello Sforzesco, Milan, Italy
Milan
Closest station: Milano Centrale
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Milano Centrale: from 1h 48m
From the opulence of the Renaissance to the haute fashion of tomorrow, a day trip from Florence to Milan is your ticket to Milan Fashion Week.
Ok, maybe not your literal ticket — but what better reason to make a day trip than to sneak a peek at next season’s trends?
If you’re not into those threads, try these on for size: Milan’s got some awesome food that is Kardashian approved, a gorgeous train station, and over 100 museums.
Venice
Arrival train station: Venezia Santa Lucia
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Venezia Santa Lucia: from 2h 1m
Art lovers can find a different shade of Renaissance masterpieces in Venice. Venetian painters like Vecellio and Titian helped define the 16th-century’s style. No need to walk into a museum or gallery to feel completely inspired: just take one look at the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge and you’ll want to paint your own work of art.
Monteriggioni, Tuscany
Closest station: Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni
Firenze Rifredi to Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni: from 1h 11m
Take a super quick ride south from Castellina in Chianti’s train station and you’ll find the fortified commune of Monteriggioni. As compact as it is beautiful, wonderful views of Chianti await in this well-preserved walled town. For the literature lover, you'll see an inscription pulled from Dante’s Inferno near the Porta Fiorentina. The poet wrote about Monteriggioni in his greatest work, comparing the giants he sees at the well of Malebolge to the towers of Monteriggioni.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Atlantide Phototravel. Image Location: Lago Trasimeno, Italy
Lago Trasimeno
Arrival station: Castiglione del Lago
Firenze Campo di Marte to Castiglione del Lago: from 1h 21m
Just a few drops of water smaller than Lake Como, Lago Trasimeno is a great Florence day trip for lakeside leisure. Its waters flow across the border of Tuscany and Umbria, and villages and towns surround its shoreline. Castiglione del Lago is the place to visit if you’ve only got the day: built on the ruins of Etruscan tombs and with an 16th-century palace as its centerpiece, Castilglione del Lago also has ferry service to other parts of the Lago Trasimeno shoreline.
Perugia
Arrival station: Perugia
Florence to Perugia: from 1h 32m
Italy’s Umbrian capital will give your glutes a workout, even if you rely on cable cars. Equal parts hilly and historic, the miles put on your soles will match the impressions Perugia leaves on your soul. From the sunset views atop Sciri Tower and Giardini Carducci to the gorgeous architecture and artwork in Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the National Gallery, your thighs and calves will burn with a passion for this overlooked day trip from Florence.
Panzano in Chianti, Tuscany
Closest station: Poggibonsi-S. Gimignano
Firenze Rifredi to Poggibonsi-S. Gimignano: from 57m
Another Chianti town, another reason why we’re thankful that so many bus routes connect to railway stations. Visit the Castello di Panzano in Chianti first, then make your way south through town, taking your time to “hydrate” with quick pops into restaurants for a sip of wine.
Image Credit: Getty Images, jenifoto. Image Location: Monterosso, Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera
Closest station: La Spezia Centrale
Firenze Rifredi to La Spezia Centrale: from 1h 31m
If you’re keen on making the most of your Italian budget, skip one museum in Florence and purchase a train ticket instead. Slap €5 down and you’ll add a ticket to the Cinque Terre Express alongside your ticket to La Spezia Centrale. This cheap carriage seat lets you ride the rails to all five villages on the Italian Riviera. It’s a slow-paced area where you can refresh and recharge for more museum hopping in Florence.
Read more: discover Riomaggiore, the southern jewel of Cinque Terre
Naples
Arrival train station: Napoli Centrale
Florence to Napoli Centrale: from 2h 55m
When you look at the map, Florence and Naples look rather distant which is why a day trip from Florence to Rome is infinitely more popular. So trust us when we say that not only is a day trip from Florence to Naples worth it, but it’s not as far as it seems.
Take an early morning train ride and be at the top of Mount Vesuvius by lunch. Explore Pompeii and eat your way through plates of seafood in Naples before getting back to Florence for a moonlit Chianti.
San Marino
Closest train station: Rimini
Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Rimini: from 1h 43m
To reach this micronation in the Apennine Mountains, you’ll need to take a bus ride from Rimini train station. San Marino’s capital, also called San Marino, is super charming. Cobblestone streets line the medieval walled town. Most visitors spend time gawking at the Three Towers: Montale, Cesta, and Guaita while others scope out the quirky museums like Wax Museum, Museum of Curiosities, and Museum of Creatures of the Night. You’ll have one-up on them if you walk into the tourism office and snag a rare passport stamp.
Go with the Flo-rence
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Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Pol Albarrán. Image Location: Florence, Italy