I will be travelling from Florence to Monterosso (by bus & train) and am planning on spending at least one night in Volterra. I was also considering a night in Lucca. Any thoughts on either: A. (two nights in Volterra) or B.(one night in Volterra and the second in Lucca). or ? other options?
I have previously spent time in Siena and Orvieto and was looking for new alternatives. Thanks.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
Volterra is really small, and old town Lucca is too. You can easily see both with a one night stay. If you wanted to base from Volterra to see San Gimingano, or other small towns in the region, I'd say stay 2 nights.
IMO, one night each place is great, it will allow you time to explore both towns.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Have you considered doing Lucca as a day trip from Florence? That would allow you to visit both towns but avoid 2 consecutive one night stays. I stayed 2 nights in Volterra and thought it was the right amount of time. When going from Volterra to Monterosso, take the bus to Pontedera and catch the train there. That will save you at least an hour of travel time compared to taking the bus back to Florence.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
34 posts
Volterra is small, but I found it really charming. If you will be there in the summer might consider staying somewhere just outside the old town. We found a pretty reasonable place that had a pool with a great view of the rolling hills. We spent half a day at least lounging, then we would make the considerable, uphill hike to town for dinner, work up an appetite, have a wonderful meal and then roll home.
http://www.hotelvillarioddi.it/hotel-volterra-tuscany.htm
There are some nice museums (Etruscan, Alabaster) in Volterra - and a rather strange Museum of Torture too - to fill your time.