Last Updated on August 21, 2024 by Tori’s VA
Florence, Italy is an incredible city to explore, but the small Tuscan villages that sit outside the city hold so much more charm. While I am a huge advocate of visiting the large cities and seeing the tourist sites, it’s equally as important to explore the small towns. This is why I beg you to go from Florence to San Gimignano for a day trip while you’re in town.
Small Italian towns show you so much more about the daily life of an Italian. Sure, many Italians live in the cities, but many don’t. You can get so much further immersed in the culture by visiting the small towns. Experience San Gimignano, eat their incredible food, stroll the cobblestone streets and most importantly, eat their world-class gelato.
Something about this place took my breath away. I felt like I was in a fairy tale, prancing around the old alleyways. I actually whined the whole way home about how I didn’t want to leave. In my mind I have bought a home here and would spend my days walking my puppies around town, eating gelato, looking out at the rolling hills all around and hanging out with the best locals. It’s a perfect life if you ask me.
And while you plan your trip to Italy, be sure to check out all of my other Italy planning resources, like a guide to Saturnia, another gorgeous small town known for it’s natural hot springs in Tuscany. Or maybe you’re planning on visiting Rome, I can help with that too. But no matter what you do, check my Italy packing list to make sure you have everything you need, because yes there are several things that are must-haves for a trip to Italy! I want to help you plan your perfect trip.
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How to get from Florence to San Gimignano
If you’re staying in Florence, you will have a few options for a day trip to San Gimignano. You can book a tour, take the train, take the bus, or rent a car.
Take a Tour from Florence to San Gimignano
Booking a tour from Florence to San Gimignano will be the easiest option and there are many to choose from, however most, if not all, will include other stops on the day trip. That may sound great because you’ll get to see several places in one tour, but that does mean less time in San Gimignano.
These tours are awesome if you want easy! They will pick you up or you’ll meet at a central location in Florence. They’ll drive so you can sit back and enjoy the gorgeous Tuscan hillside along the ride. You’ll also likely have some sort of education along the way, whether it is on the bus or once you get to each destination. There’s no planning required and you can just relax and enjoy your day through Tuscany.
These tours usually include one of two things. Either the tour will go from Florence to San Gimignano, Siena and Pisa, OR from Florence to San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti, usually including wine tastings and/or food.
Both options are awesome and you should just select the type of experience you are looking for. Or? Do both; you won’t be mad about a second trip to San Gimignano, I promise. Prices on these tours vary wildly, but typically range from $50 to $250 per person.
Now it’s the time where I tell you why you shouldn’t do a tour from Florence to San Gimignano. It cuts out all opportunities for flexibility and customization. You have to go where they take you and you only have the amount of time that they offer. If you prefer selecting the times and places you go, then pick one of the next few options to fully customize your day trip! Tours are perfect for some, but totally wrong for others.
Taking the Bus or Train from Florence to San Gimignano
Taking the bus or train from Florence to San Gimignano for a day trip is the perfect middle ground between a tour and a rental car. This is what I would recommend that you do if you want lots of flexibility and freedom. It also gives you lots of time in San Gimignano while still enjoying an easy and low stress day!
San Gimignano by Bus
Taking the Bus from Florence to San Gimignano will take just under two hours and will require you to switch buses once, in Poggibonsi. You will want to go to the Santa Maria Novella bus station (at the train station) to get your bus tickets and to get on the bus.
My biggest problem with this option is that it’s hard to plan in advance. It’s very difficult to get information online about the Italian bus system for both buying tickets and finding route times. Especially if you don’t know Italian! If you choose to go this route, I recommend you stop by the bus station in advance to ask them about the route for the day you would like to go.
San Gimignano by Train
Going by train will take a little over two hours each way. I recommend that you buy the tickets on the Trenitalia App on your phone. Please note, the Trenitalia website is much more confusing for whatever reason, so I do not recommend you use the website. The app is extremely easy to use and you can buy tickets the day before or two months before; totally your call.
Alternatively, you can buy your tickets at the train station day-of, that just means more time needed at the train station and it’s just a little more work.
IMPORTANT: If you buy physical train tickets you MUST get them validated! This means you stick the ticket in a little machine that stamps it before you get on the train. If you do not validate the ticket then you can and probably will get fined on board the train.
This is yet another reason why I recommend that you book them through the TrenItalia App. If you buy them on the app then you do not print them out and you do not need to get them validated. But, you will have to make sure your phone stays charged which is why you must bring a portable power bank with you to charge your phone. It is a life-saver and is 100% necessary on your trip to Italy.
This is the power bank that I use, it fits in my purse, charges your phone about 5 times before needing to be recharged and it charges crazy quick! Order it now so you’re ready for your trip!
One last tip for taking the train from Florence to San Gimignano is the train stations you will want to book. Make sure you leave from Firenze Santa Maria Novella and arrive in Poggibonsi-S. Gimignano. This will get you close to town and then you will have to jump on the bus or grab a taxi to get into San Gimignano. But, you would have to do a transfer if you took the bus the whole way too. The entire trip will take just over 2 hours.
I think that public transportation is the best option for those who don’t want to do a day tour, want more flexibility to do what they want and have more time in San Gimignano. A great resource for public transportation is called Rome 2 Rio. It will tell you all of your public transportation options from point A to point B, no matter where you want to go.
Rent a Car and Drive to San Gimignano
Renting a car is the final option for taking a day trip from Florence to San Gimignano. This option is the most work, but also gives you the most flexibility. It will give you the most amount of time there too as the drive is less than an hour. I especially recommend renting a car if you want to spend a few days in Tuscany, rather than just a one day trip.
Be sure to reserve the car far in advance as they can sell out during peak seasons. You’ll want to make sure you reserve from the city of Florence, not the airport as the airport is not close by. Also, make sure you reserve an automatic car if you do not know how to drive a stick shift. And beware, sometimes the price goes way up for an automatic rental.
If you plan to leave early or get back to Florence late, then you’ll likely have to reserve the car for two days. The rental car locations in the city are typically only open from 9am to 7pm, and yes they will fine you if you are late. We learned that the hard way.
Make sure to not drive around downtown Florence, because there are local zones called ZTLs that will charge you huge tickets if you drive in them, and you won’t know until months later. So, just leave the rental place and drive straight out of town and you shouldn’t have any issues.
Driving in Tuscany is a breeze. The roads are just like in the US, drivers are generally safe and drive the speed limit. We were shocked with how easy it really was! And yes, they drive on the right side of the road, so Americans will have no trouble here. The only thing is that you can’t read the signs, but the speed limit signs are very obvious and that’s really all you need.
Having your own car will mean that you can make stops along the way, and visit some places just outside of town. I recommend that you stop by Tenuta Torciano for lunch and wine tasting while you are here. More on that below in the things to do section!
Another option if you have your own car is to drive south through Tuscany and then continue on to spend a few days in Rome. Then you can return the rental car there when you arrive!
When to Go from Florence to San Gimignano
As with any place in Italy, the best times to visit are in shoulder season. Try visiting April, May, September or October for the best weather and less tourists. However, any time in San Gimignano is wonderful for you to visit.
As for day of the week, weekdays will typically be slightly less crowded, but it won’t make a huge difference. Many things in Florence are closed on certain days of the week. So, plan those activities out first and then decide when to take your day trip to San Gimignano!
What to Do on Your Day Trip to San Gimignano
Gelateria Dondoli
Honestly, the whole reason we decided to visit San Gimignano over all of the other Tuscan towns was to try the world’s best gelato. Gelateria Dondoli is located here in San Gimignano and has won numerous awards from global competitions. I adore gelato so I knew I had to try this place.
It’s a small shop located right in the center of town off of Piazza della Cisterna. From the outside the gelateria is everything you should look for in a gelateria before you try it. The storefront isn’t huge or fancy. The gelato is NOT piled high, it’s level with the container. Finally, the colors are not bright and unrealistic. Fruit ones will naturally be bright. But Pistachio? It should be muted green, not super bright!
They offer a wide variety of flavors. Most of the traditional Italian gelato flavors like pistachio and nocciola (hazelnut). And also some more unique options like passion fruit.
But the best part? The gelato is creamy and melts in your mouth. If you order a cone, be prepared to eat fast or it will be all over your shoes. Just the way a perfect Italian gelato should be. Whether you decide to visit San Gimignano or not, just promise me you won’t eat bad gelato in Italy. It’s the worst mistake you can make!
Wander the Town
The best thing you can do in this fairy tale village is to wander and explore the streets. It is so beautiful and magical that you must take it all in. Walk down hidden alleys and be sure to walk the paths and streets that surround the town up on the hill for the best views of the rolling hills.
Buy Genuine Italian Leather
We knew we wanted to buy some genuine Italian leather while we were in the country. Where better to buy it than in a small town where they have higher quality goods and we can support the locals. We found a shop called Cinderella and loved their selection. For both men and women you’ll find luxurious leather jackets, shoes and other leather items.
Make sure to chat with the people who work there. They were some of our favorite Italians we met the whole trip! They were sweet and funny and so much fun to get to know. Made me want to live there even more.
Shop around, wander through all of the little shops and buy a leather item to take home. You’ll think of your favorite town in Italy every time you wear it.
Eat as Much as You Can
No, I’m serious. Tuscany offers the best Italian food in the entire country and you won’t want to miss out. Have two lunches if you have to! Haha!
Try some local dishes like Ribollita, schiacciata, panzanella, ragù di cinghiale or the famous bistecca alla Fiorentina. Or, when in doubt order anything with truffles, they’re a Tuscan delicacy, and for good reason.
Go on a Truffle Hunting Excursion
On that note, instead of just eating truffles, why don’t you learn how to find them! If you have time, book a tour with a local to hunt for truffles. It’s a super hands-on experience where you get to hangout with the locals. You’ll learn all about truffles, how they find them and how they use them. Want to hear the best part? Some of those locals will be dogs!
Yep, dogs are the ones who are trained to sniff out the truffles from under the ground. So you’ll not only get a day hunting for truffles and eating truffles, you’ll also get to spend it with some sweet pups. Win, Win, Win.
Tenuta Torciano
If you have a car, then stop by Tenuta Torciano, a winery that sits just outside of town. Otherwise, call a taxi to get there. Torciano has tons of tasting options to book, but I highly recommend the 4 course lunch and tasting. The food is so impeccable that you will want to lick the plate clean.
Toricano offers a wide variety of wines that are delicious, but the best part is the family that runs it. They’re all cousins and aunts and uncles and have the best customer service and personalities. They don’t just pour the wines for you to taste. They tell you every single thing you need to know (and some you don’t) about the wine.
The point is, they put on an awesome show and help you to learn so much about Italian wine culture. You can even book a romantic dinner experience here too! And, they have a system in place for shipping wine to the US so that it is incredibly affordable to ship a box home! Just make sure you add a bottle or two of truffle oil to your order!
Should You Stay in San Gimignano?
One day in San Gimignano is wonderful, and typically all that most tourists will have time for. Especially if it is your first trip to Italy. But if you are looking for a relaxing few days during your trip and would like to fully immerse yourself in the Italian lifestyle then I highly recommend you stay in San Gimignano for a few nights.
You’ll have the opportunity to wander the streets in the morning before the tourists arrive and feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Well, and the Nonas who will be out running their morning errands, of course.
Spend the evenings soaking up every bit of Italian food and wine and wander home after that last bite of tiramisu. The town is even more charming at night as it glows along the cobblestone streets.
There are options to stay inside the town or along the outskirts in the countryside. Choose a VRBO located in a hundreds-of-years-old stone building. Or maybe book a room at a sweet little B&B. Alternatively, find an agriturismo just outside of town where you can stay on a working farm! You honestly can’t go wrong no matter where you choose to stay in San Gimignano.
There’s so many options when visiting San Gimignano, and honestly you can’t go wrong no matter how you decide to plan it. Do what makes most sense for you and then have so much fun! You’ll fall in love and want to stay forever just like me.
