How to Spend One Day in Montepulciano Tuscany

Why should you visit Montepulciano Tuscany

Montepulciano is a famous Tuscan town known for its Vino Nobile wine. When you visit Montepulciano your first instinct might be to visit the wine cellars and enotecas to learn about the winemaking process while enjoying scenic views of the vineyards. However, Montepulciano is more than wine! There is beautiful architecture and fabulous photo spots throughout the town, too. Although Montepulciano is not the number 1 Tuscan town in my opinion, it still has spots you shouldn’t miss!

What you will find here

Here you’ll find my personal recommendations of places in Montepulciano that I visited and enjoyed. Just a note – I actually don’t drink, so I didn’t do any wine tours while I was there. 

What Is there to do in Montepulciano?

Fortezza Medicea

Fortezza Medicea is way down the end of Montepulciano but worth a visit! It is a medieval fort that has a beautiful, quiet garden out the front. 

Take in the architecture at Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande is the main square of Montepulciano. It is surrounded by Renaissance buildings and filled with cafes, shops, and the Duomo di Montepulciano. You’ve got to take in the architectural beauty, shop for local products, and enjoy a coffee or gelato in this picturesque Tuscan setting.

Walk around the outside walls for the best panoramic views of Montepulciano

There are so many gorgeous views of Montepulciano as it is high up on the hill. I urge you to loop around the outside walkway so that you can take in all the views before hitting the centre of the township. I have included a spot below on Google Maps which is a good spot to take photos in Montepulciano:

What are the best vegan eats in Montepulciano?

I couldn’t find any vegan restaurants while in Montepulciano.  If you’re looking for vegan food, I recommend sticking to the Italian classics: bruschetta, olives, focaccia, and sundried tomatoes. I did find some pomodoro pasta to eat while there (many simple pasta dishes are vegan as long as there is no egg in the pasta – you’ll find most places have allergen labels).

When is the best time to visit Montepulciano?

Because this is a bigger town that has more parking options, I think it’s fine to get here a little later or earlier if you have other Tuscan towns to visit. However, the best time is always going to be early morning or late evening as you will have the best lighting, the best parking spots, and less crowds.

How do you get to Montepulciano?

We parked at the biggest parking lot next to the bus depot which has plenty of spaces for cars, buses, and campervans as we arrived late in the afternoon and all the closer parking lots were full. This means that it is quite a walk to get to the town – there are many flights of stairs and in the heat of mid-August it is quite an effort. I highly recommend driving around Tuscany because it is the most convenient way. 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?

You can stay in the town of Montepulciano! Find the best hotels, apartments, or b&bs here.