Day trip ideas from Florence

Posted by arvlv on 09/30/25 06:07 PM

Good day. We will be in Florence (staying 4 days) and looking for some easy day trips from Florence via train. Just for the day, as we are using Florence as our base and have a hotel there.

Have been to Florence twice and done day trips to: Venice (found tough to navigate around, maybe worth going back or not??), Cinque Terre (spent day on the beach) and Rome.

Suggestions for maybe some fun, lesser traveled towns and things to do. (Wine tasting, scenery) Have heard mixed reviews on Pisa and not much there to do but see the Leaning Tower, lol!!! Is going to Siena worth it? If so, do you have to rent a car or can you walk around the town??

Thank you for your suggestions! Have a great day!!!!

Posted by smay665

09/30/25 06:37 PM

159 posts

Siena is worth it 10 times over! It’s a special place. No need to rent a car; there is regular bus service between Florence and Siena and you wouldn’t want to deal with one in either city.

Lucca is my other favorite day trip from Florence. Very easy to get there by train. I’ve never gotten the appeal of Pisa, but that’s me.

Posted by ChristineH

Gettysburg PA

09/30/25 06:44 PM

8612 posts

Take the bus to Siena -quicker than train and drops you right in town
You certainly do not want a car as most of the historic center is ZTL and pedestrianized

You can read about Siena here
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/siena

Also Lucca (by train) you could combine both Pisa and Lucca in same day-spend more time in Lucca

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/lucca

You might want to watch sone youtube videos of these towns

There are others within easy train ride-Pistoia, Arezzo, Montecatini.

Bologna is less than an hour by train

Endless possibilities

Posted by CindyP

Northern New York

09/30/25 10:36 PM

138 posts

If you are interested in a wine tour, definitely do it! I’ve been to Florence four times and the wine tours have always been my favorite days! I’ve used a variety of companies. Last year I used Keys of Italy for a small group tour to Montalcino and Montepulciano and it was great!

Posted by Katarina

09/30/25 11:56 PM

19 posts

Siena is definitely worth it! It's a lovely town. It's completely walkable and a perfect place for strolling, wandering, and people-watching.

Posted by arvlv OP

10/01/25 05:33 PM

33 posts

Thanks everyone, looks like we will definitely do Siena. Again, thank you!!!!