Imagine yourself catching the first rays of sun over rows of silver-green trees.
A bell rings in the next small town, fresh bread hits the table, and you realize you’re in one of the most famous places in Italy: Tuscany.
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Tuscany, you’re in the right place.
This region has it all: history that reaches back to the Romans, art that fueled the Renaissance, landscapes so pretty they feel like a dream, and great food.
Yet no two travelers want the same vacation. Some want castles and fine wine, others need dedicated places for toddlers, Vespa rides with friends, or a quiet hilltop just for themselves.
That’s why in this article, I’ve put together 37 can’t-miss experiences in Tuscany, broken down by travel style.
Scan the list, find your crew, and start dreaming. Tuscany is ready when you are, and your bucket list is about to level up. Let’s get started!
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Don’t miss: 27 Best Small Towns in Tuscany, Italy, that You Should Visit
Fun Things to Do in Tuscany for Families With Kids
(Leaning Tower of Pisa – Photo by Andrea Cevenini)
1. Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa and count the steps together.
2. Ride bikes on top of the old city walls in Lucca.
3. Make your own gelato during a farm class near San Gimignano.
4. Meet Pinocchio at the fairy-tale park in Collodi.
5. Hunt for truffles with a guide and a friendly dog outside Florence.
6. Splash around at Acqua Village water park in Cecina.
7. Roar at the life-size models in Peccioli’s Dinosaur Park.
8. Marble your own paper at Il Papiro, a tiny art shop in Florence.
9. Take an easy hike in the Val d’Orcia to the tiny chapel of Vitaleta.
10. Look for wild horses in the Maremma Regional Park.
Pro tips:
- Definitely buy skip-the-line Pisa tickets online. Trust me, you don’t want to wait in those lines.
- Bring a refillable water bottle. The public fountains are totally free and everywhere.
- If you’re hitting up museums, ask about family passes. You might save a surprising amount of cash.
Read also: 30+ Tuscan Countryside Aesthetic Landscapes for Inspiration
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Things to Do in Tuscany for Honeymooners
(Chianti hills, Tuscany, Italy – Photo by Terry Timmins)
11. Float in a hot-air balloon above the Chianti hills at sunrise.
12. Try wine tasting in an underground Montepulciano cellar.
13. Share a romantic dinner on a small boat along the Arno River.
14. Bathe in the warm Saturnia hot springs before the crowds show up.
15. Spend the night inside a castle hotel near Siena.
16. Try horse riding between rows of vines in Bolgheri.
17. Book a couples’ spa day in Bagno Vignoni’s thermal pools.
Pro tips:
- Spring and fall bring those just-right temperatures. Plus, you’ll probably run into fewer crowds.
- Book your balloon ride a few weeks in advance.
- If you want a table with a river view, it’s smart to call the restaurant ahead of time.
Must-read: Sardinia (Italy) Honeymoon: 12 Romantic Destinations
Romantic Things to Do in Tuscany for Couples
(Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy – Photo by Clay Banks)
18. Take a private art lesson inside a studio near the Uffizi Gallery.
19. Picnic among sunflowers in the rolling Crete Senesi fields.
20. Cheer on the Palio horse race in Siena’s main square.
21. Rent a Vespa and cruise the Strada Chiantigiana wine road.
22. Learn to make fresh pasta together on a farm near Arezzo.
23. Head underground to explore the white marble caves of Carrara.
24. Listen to opera at night in Torre del Lago Puccini.
Pro tips:
- Regional trains make for cheap day trips. You don’t have to worry about assigned seats.
- Bring a light scarf: churches usually expect covered shoulders.
- Most Vespa rentals require a motorcycle license.
Solo-Travel Adventures
(Volterra, Tuscany, Italy – Photo by Laura Lugaresi)
25. Hike the Apuan Alps for wide sea-and-mountain views.
26. Spend a full day meeting artisans in Florence’s Oltrarno area.
27. Sketch statues and fountains in the Boboli Gardens.
28. Join a grape-picking crew during the fall harvest.
29. Explore medieval Volterra with an audio guide at your own pace.
30. Catch the sunrise from Piazzale Michelangelo for a postcard photo.
Pro tips:
- Try booking your place close to train stations. It really helps you dodge those expensive taxi fares.
- Grab bus tickets at TABACCHI shops before you hop on. Saves time, and sometimes a little money too.
- If you’re into photos, head out early. The light’s better and there aren’t as many people around: it makes a difference.
Great Times With Friends
(Porto Azzurro, Elba Island, Tuscany, Italy – Photo by Edouard Quint)
31. Hold a pizza-making contest in a Tuscan farmhouse kitchen.
32. Cheer with locals at a Fiorentina soccer match in Florence.
33. Go beach-hopping on Elba Island for clear blue water.
34. Ride in a Vespa sidecar through the Val d’Elsa back roads.
35. Dance the night away at the Lucca Summer Music Festival.
36. Snap a group shot on the white marble steps of San Miniato al Monte.
37. Sail at sunset along the Etruscan Coast with snacks and local wine.
Pro tips:
- Split a manual-shift rental car with a friend: it’s usually cheaper than going for an automatic. You might need to brush up on your stick-shift skills, but hey, it’s worth it.
- Look for “aperitivo” hours. That’s when you’ll score a surprisingly generous food spread just for the price of a drink.
- Grab the Trenitalia app. It’ll help you keep tabs on train delays as they happen.