I am planning a 1 day trip from Florence to San Gimignano then on to Volterra. A rental car seems the best option. Can this itinerary be accomplished in 1 day without rushing through the 2 cities?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16210 posts
Yes. Half day each is more than sufficient, they aren’t cities, they are small towns.
Volterra has a population of 10,000, San Gimignano less than 8,000. Although that is for the whole municipality. The historical centers of both are just a few acres, and the sights worth seeing are not too many. I would go to Volterra first, the farther of the two, then after lunch I would drive back to San Gimignano. From San Gimignano it’s very quick to get back to the freeway to Florence in case you decide to stay late when it’s dark. Driving back in the dark from Volterra entails having to deal with lots of curves when visibility is poor.
Posted by
11679 posts
We did it easily.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
Let me say yes also. easily done.
Posted by
OP
227 posts
Thanks for the input to my question.
I am renting a car from an agency on Borgo Ognissanti in Florence and their hours are 8:30AM to 7:00PM. Do you think we have enough time to visit San Gimignano and Volterra in 1 day and return auto by 7:00PM if we start from Florence at 8:30AM?
Posted by
Waterville, Ireland
409 posts
Did you check to see if they have a 24 hour rate as opposed to getting it back by 7:00?? Sometimes you can talk them into a "hey, that's not two days, it's 23 1/2 hours" when you're reserving it.... additionally, as if you return it late do they have a drop box. I've NEVER had the staff man a rental car company until closing time.... they always cut out early. There's a drop box for the key! check and see if they do that "in case you're running late" and you'll find out if you can be flexible on that early return of 7:00 pm
Susan
Expat in Ireland
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
I would say that yes, you can visit each town briefly in one day, although you would be short-changing each of them, if you just stay 4 or 5 hours. There is certainly more to see and do in each of them, beyond the tourist centers, and like other popular places, they are much more relaxed and enjoyable in the early morning and evening than during the heart of the day, especially during the heavy tourist season, May through October, or so. And yes, this is much easier with a rental car. While driving between the two towns takes just 30 minutes, last I was there a few years ago, it took 2 hours by bus, with a connection, and your schedule would be tied to infrequent bus schedules.,