Best Day Tours in Florence Italy?

Florence is a well-known city among tourists from all across the world. Located in the center of Italy, the city attracts hundreds and millions of tourists from all across the world. After all, the magical city is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and home to Renaissance art and architecture.  About 13 million people visit the city each year, lured by its rich cultural heritage and architecture.

Once you have explored the most incredible museums and galleries of Florence and visited all those major sites and landmarks such as Galleria dell’Accademia, the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery and the bell tower by Giotto, it is time to widen your travel horizons and venture a little further. Take advantage of Withlocals’ tours in Florence to explore the nearby sites and places of interest.

Florence makes for a perfect base to explore the rest of the country and here are some excellent ideas for day tours from Florence.

The captivating town of Cortona- 3 hours from Florence
A day trip to Tuscany from Florence introduces one to several enchanting and charming hilltop towns, and Cortona is one of them. The classic hill town with its meandering streets and stone walls is sure to mesmerize you forever. Explore the town and enjoy great views of the sprawling valley below from the top. The magical Lake Trasimeno only adds to the panoramic vista. Mix up with the locals and try their local food and cuisine for an authentic experience of Italy.

A visit to San Gimignano -1 hour from Florence
Take a day trip to Siena and discover the ideal Tuscan adventure in San Gimignano, which is located along the rolling hills of Upper Val D’Elsa. Wander in the streets of the town for a relaxing experience and enjoy the famous Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine. Another highlight of the typically Tuscan town is the exquisite Santa Fina pottery. If you are here at the right time, you can perhaps enjoy the thrilling Palio horse race at the Piazza del Campo, which is held twice each summer.

Portovenere with incredible views – 2 hours from Florence
Another exciting day trip from Florence is a trip to the famous tourist village on the Ligurian coast, Portovenere. It is situated on the rocky, rugged land and one must visit the Church of St Peter, which is the main landmark of the village. From the Church, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the village and the sea below. Hike through the Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Venere and look forward to a jam-packed day of action.

Cinque Terre with ancient coastal villages – 2 hours 30 min from Florence
Cinque Terre, located on the Italian Riviera is made up of five towns and villages, namely Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, and Vernazza. What is unique about Cinque Terre is that each of its towns is distinctly different from each other and perched dangerously on the cliff edges that jag downwards towards the coast of Liguria. Those visages look unreal and fairytale-like Take loads of pictures and do not come back without tasting the world-famous pesto and sauce of Cinque Terre.

Pienza with spectacular views –2 hours from Florence
Pienza, a small town located in the Renaissance heart of the Montalcino region is well known for breathtaking views of Val d’Orcia. The main attractions of the town include the Pienza Cathedral, San Biagio and Piazza Pio II. Piccolomini Palace is another hit with the tourists, and it was a summer home of Pope Pius II and features a prospering roof garden. When in Pienza, you feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Venice for its canals – 3 hours from Florence
A day trip to Venice is a must, and it can be easily accessed from Florence. The city comprises of more than 100 small islands, and there are no roads here, just canals. The city is unlike any other in the world, and during rush hours, it can get pretty hectic on the Grand Canal. The must-see attractions include Saint Mark’s Basilica and Piazza San Marco as well as Doge’s Palace. These are some of the most iconic Gothic buildings in all of Italy.