Cidade Turismo
Italy

Before you go

Your trip to San Gimignano.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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San Gimignano – Toscana Destination Toscana about 57 km from Florença

How to get there

  • Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola Amerigo Vespucci (FLR) Florença · 60 km
  • Poggibonsi-San Gimignano Poggibonsi · 12 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. From Rome or Milan, take the train to Florence. San Gimignano has no train station: from Florence or Siena take a train or bus to Poggibonsi and from there catch the local bus that climbs to Porta San Giovanni in about 20 minutes. There are also buses from Siena.

How many days

Half a day to a day is enough for the squares, the Collegiata, the Torre Grossa and a walk along the walls. Staying one night lets you see the village empty after the tour buses leave in the late afternoon.

When to go

April to June and September to October usually have pleasant weather and the surrounding vineyards are green or in harvest. From June to August the middle of the day is hot and the streets fill with groups. In winter, from December to February, the village is quiet and some businesses reduce their hours.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

It's not mandatory: the bus from Poggibonsi does the job. A car helps if you want to combine San Gimignano with Monteriggioni, Volterra or the region's wineries on the same day. The centre inside the walls has a ZTL and is closed to outside cars; use the numbered parking lots outside the gates.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in San Gimignano
  1. Morning
    Arrival via Porta San Giovanni

    Enter through Porta San Giovanni and climb Via San Giovanni up to the Piazza della Cisterna. Continue to the Piazza del Duomo and visit the Collegiata, with its frescoes, before the groups arrive.

  2. Afternoon
    Palazzo Comunale and Torre Grossa

    After lunch, visit the Musei Civici in the Palazzo Comunale, including the Sala di Dante and the art gallery, and climb the Torre Grossa to see the other towers and the surrounding countryside.

  3. Late afternoon
    Rocca di Montestaffoli

    Walk to the Rocca di Montestaffoli, the old fortress at the highest point of the village, with views over the vineyards. Then descend via Via San Matteo to Porta San Matteo.

  4. Evening
    Village without the tour groups

    Those who stay overnight see the squares emptying at the end of the day. Dine from 19:30 and try the Vernaccia, the local white wine, with your meal.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get to San Gimignano without a car?

By train or bus to Poggibonsi, about 1 hour from Florence and half an hour from Siena. From in front of the Poggibonsi-San Gimignano station the local bus departs and climbs to Porta San Giovanni in about 20 minutes. There are also buses from Siena.

Why doesn't San Gimignano have a train station?

The village sits atop a hill, off the railway line that connects Florence and Siena. The nearest station, named Poggibonsi-San Gimignano, is in the town of Poggibonsi, about 12 km away.

Can you do a day trip from Florence?

Yes, but the route with a transfer in Poggibonsi takes about 1h30 each way. By car, many people combine San Gimignano with Monteriggioni or Siena on the same day.

Is it worth staying overnight in San Gimignano?

Yes: it's worth it to see the village after the tour groups leave in the late afternoon and to walk the squares early in the morning.

How many towers does San Gimignano have?

About fourteen remain standing. In the Middle Ages there were many more: wealthy families built ever-taller towers to display their power.

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