Why should you visit San Gimignano
Ok, so if you’ve read my ranking of places in Tuscany blog post, you’ll know that San Gimignano was my number one Tuscan town. This is a walled mediaeval town in Tuscany, is famous for its skyline dominated by historic towers. It was actually the first town in Tuscany that we visited – and it set the bar high!
What you will find here
Here you’ll find my personal experience visiting and the activities that I think are worth doing when you visit! These are all things I have personally done so I won’t lead you astray. Let’s get into it.
What Is there to do in San Gimignano?
Walk the mediaeval walls
The 13th century mediaeval walls that surround the town are unique and add to the aesthetic of the town. I highly recommend taking a walk around part of the wall, not just for the views but to really get a feel of the town. This was the first thing that we did when we arrived, and it gave us kind of an idea of other things we wanted to go and see while we walked around.
Take in the views of the Tuscan hills
Because this Tuscan town is located on a hill and has many towers, there are lots of excellent viewpoints around the town to take photos of the rolling Tuscan landscape.
Take in the Piazza del Duomo
The Piazza del Duomo is really stunning and there are so many beautiful historic details to see. Make sure you take in the Loggia Del Comune, too.
What are the best vegan eats in San Gimignano?
I couldn’t find any vegan restaurants while in San Gimignano. If you’re looking for vegan food, I recommend sticking to the Italian classics: bruschetta, olives, focaccia, and sundried tomatoes. Because San Gimignano is a bigger town of Tuscany, there are quite a few restaurants that serve breads or small snacks.
When is the best time to visit San Gimignano?
We got there around 10am and it was already quite difficult to find a parking space. I highly recommend that you get to this one early if you are driving as because of the proximity to Florence it gets pretty busy.
How do you get to San Gimignano?
I highly recommend driving around Tuscany because it is the most convenient way. There are many paid parking lots around the outside of the wall that surrounds San Gimignano as well as on-street parking. If you don’t drive or do not want the pressure of driving on Italian roads, the next best option is to join a tour!
What are the best hotels to stay in when visiting San Gimignano?
You can stay in the town of San Gimignano! Find the best hotels, apartments, or b&bs here.
Where to stay in San Gimignano
BOUTIQUE HOTEL INSIDE SAN GIMIGNANO:
Boutique Stay NEARBY:
Agriturismo NEARBY:
VERDICT
Is San Gimignano worth seeing?
Considering San Gimignano is only around an hour outside of Florence it would be a shame to miss this spectacular spot. If you’re short on time, this is the one Tuscan town I’d recommend you visit. It has everything – mediaeval towers, 13th century walls, views of Tuscany, and a beautiful church.
Did this article speak to you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re on Instagram, you can find me over here: @apicturesquelife so feel free to reach out or use #apicturesquelife and I’d be happy to connect!