We are planning to visit Tuscany and
need to minimize stairs and climbing for someone in our group.
We’re looking at Siena, Volterra, Piebza., Montepulciano, and Lucca, but are open to suggestions.
Are there any towns that either have less demanding climbing or some type of available transportation getting up to the town from a parking area?
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1923 posts
It sounds like you're going to be driving - can you confirm that for everyone?
The nature of hills towns means they will generally have at least some up and down areas - sometimes extreme.
Of these listed Lucca is the only that is truly flat because it is not a hill town but a medieval town in the flat basin near Pisa. Lucca has parking garages around the town ring round but cars are severely limited so have a plan and know where you are driving to park. Once inside the walls the entire town is easily walkable.
Siena is probably the best example of a larger town but parking will generally be away from the center of town and the town itself is large and has its own internal up and down sections. Siena is also very touristy but with good reason. Siena also has cabs and buses so a certain amount of walking can sometimes be avoided.
You might also look at Arezzo which has a large car park behind the hill of town and there are mechanical ways to get from the car park to the top of the hill and then it's all down hill from there. The oldest part of the town is pretty steep but the newer modern town from the train station blends into the old section as it slowly rises from the flat to sides of the hill.
I'm unaware of Pienza, Montepulciano or Volterra having any transportation from their outlying parking areas but I'm sure others will know if there is there or in other similar towns.
Read up on ZTLs before visiting small town Tuscany.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8909 posts
Both Montepulcuano and Siena are steep with lots of stairs
Siena has escalators up to town, Montepulciano does not but there is a mini bus you can catch at bottom-ride to the top and walk down -still a steep downhill walk
Pienza is flat all around, easy nearby street parking as well
There are short inclines to the viewpoints along edge but they are pretty manageable
Posted by
Gulf Coast, usa
1262 posts
What Christine said. Pienza and Lucca are solid, Montepulciano is hard - even taking the bus to the top, the town itself is a climb up and down. I am in pretty decent share from running/walking daily and I definitely didn't enjoy the climb.
Posted by
seattle
2322 posts
Pienza was an extremely pleasant village. I also have trouble with slopes and stairs and found Pienzs easy to walk around. Lucca is also flat and easy walking but it is much larger. It’s well wortg visiting both if you can.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
319 posts
Siena has relatively cheap paid underground parking near the station and the long escalator/mall. (Pay near the mall entrance to get ticket to get out), The town is a delight but has hills with steps and steep roads. Another possibility is Orvieto (in Umbria). Smaller and a bit flatter than Siena. Free parking in a large lot on eastside next to bus station. Funicular for up & down. Cabs handy in either one. If you are thinking of staying in Florence, look into a bus to Siena or a train to Pisa/Lucca for day trips. All of the Italian hill towns we have been to are not for the out-of-shape.