The charming medieval village San Gimignano

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Like the more famous Montepulciano, San Gimignano is a hill town set in the heart of Tuscany.

Just 52 kilometres (32 miles) south of Florence.

You can easily visit this small and charming town on a day trip from Florence or Siena.

But if you love small Tuscany towns, it’s worth staying a couple of nights and savouring the atmosphere.

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What to See and Do

The Town of Fine Towers San Gimignano with beautiful architecture, particularly its well-preserved tower houses.

The historic centre of the town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its more unique and well-preserved architecture.

The town has preserved fourteen towers out of the 72 that once stood.

You can climb to the top of the tallest tower, Torre Grossa, to enjoy the fantastic views over the town and surrounding countryside.

Piazza del Cisterna, named for the old stone wall that used to provide water to the town, is in the centre of San Gimignano.

Festivals and events in San Gimignano

A highlight is the yearly Medieval Harvest Festival “Ferie delle Messi”. It is held the third weekend in June.

Destination

Check-in date

Thu 28 Sep 2023

Check-out date

Fri 29 Sep 2023

I don't have specific dates yet

Where to stay and hotel tips

There are many good hotels, villas, guest houses and bed and Breakfast possibilities within the heart of San Gimignano.

There are even over 200 lodging options in the immediate area around San Gimignano.

Depending on what you look for in an accommodation, you should find something to suit your tastes.

Book well in advance for June, July, and August.

Many accommodations are fully booked already a year in advance.

Relais Cappuccina is an excellent four-star hotel and offers beautiful town views.

If you prefer to check out some local heritage: Hotel La Collegiata is a 16th-century former Franciscan convent.

It is situated a few kilometres outside the town, charming and has a beautiful pool area.

If you want a unique experience in the middle of town, you should stay in the Leon Bianco.

You have to walk from the parking lot 10-15 minutes away, but in return, you get a romantic night in a 12th-century building at the main square of San Gimignano.

Its rooms overlook either the city’s historical centre or the Tuscan countryside.

How to get to San Gimignano

San Gimignano is close enough from Florence for a day trip and even closer to Siena (47 kilometres / 30 miles).

It is easy to get here by car, but you can not drive right into the city’s historic heart.

Use one of the parking lots on the edge of town, or ask your hotel if they have a special arrangement for vehicular access and parking.

You can also get here by bus from Florence or Siena, but you’ll have to change at Poggibonsi.

There is no train station in San Gimignano. The nearest one is in Poggibonsi.

So take the train to Poggibonsi, from there take the local bus to San Gimignano.

The Weather in San Gimignano

San Gimignano is the hottest and busiest in the summer.

Especially July and August, when average high temperatures are in the low 30’s C.

There will be a drop in tourists in June and September.

So if you prefer it a little quieter, these months are an excellent time to visit.

Temperatures are still relatively hot.

We don’t recommend going here in the autumn, because it is the wettest time of year in Tuscany.

The charming medieval village San Gimignano

What to See and Do