Located in the heart of Tuscany, the medieval town of San Gimignano is one of Italy’s highlights. The picturesque town is a walled settlement of almost 8,000 inhabitants, owing part of its reputation to its beautiful towers. Surrounded by the fertile Elsa Valley, rich in wine and saffron, San Gimignano attracts many travelers every year. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since the 1990s, this small town is a must-see for architecture lovers due to its unique buildings.
Despite being small in size, there are enough things to do in San Gimignano, Italy. While most visitors spend a couple of hours in the town, I highly recommend spending at least one night here. San Gimignano is not only an excellent base for your road trip in Tuscany; it’s also one of the best places to feel the Middle Ages atmosphere of a place that has existed since the Etruscan times.
That said, in this comprehensive San Gimignano travel guide, you will find everything you need to know before visiting it. Specifically, you’ll discover the things you should see and the best places to stay. Moreover, I will write about the best places to eat, travel tips, and some organized tours to Tuscany’s countryside and beyond. Last but not least, I’ll share the best wineries around San Gimignano—it’ll be a pity not to visit one.
So, let’s start with this travel guide to San Gimignano. Navigate through the sections of this article and find the best things to do in the small medieval town and beyond.
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San Gimignano travel guide
The iconic small town truly impressed me with its style. While you should expect lots of visitors even off-season, San Gimignano feels spacious enough to accommodate everyone. In the first section of this San Gimignano guide, I’ll show you how you can easily reach the medieval town. There’s one name to keep in mind: Poggibonsi. That’s a small settlement, and you’ll see it if you travel by car, train, or bus.
Let’s break down your options.
How to get to San Gimignano
Conveniently located between Florence and Siena, San Gimignano won’t require much effort to reach it. If you’re flying to Italy from abroad, the Amerigo Vespucci in Florence is the closest airport. You can find at KiWi the best flight deals to Florence from your hometown.
Below you can see how to reach San Gimignano depending on your starting point and transportation means. At the bottom of this article, you’ll also find some organized tours to San Gimignano and the area around it.
By car
If you’re driving from Florence, you will need a bit more than an hour to reach San Gimignano. You’ll mainly have to drive through the motorway (A1), and you’ll exit at Poggibonsi Nord. Then, all you have to do is follow the signs.
On the other hand, if you’re driving from Siena, you won’t need more than half an hour to San Gimignano. Since the town lies between Siena and Florence, you’ll have to follow the Siena-Firenze road and exit at Poggibonsi Nord too. From Siena, there’s also the option to follow a more picturesque route -and it won’t take much longer. Apart from the magnificent rural landscape of Tuscany, this route is quieter. Search for the SS73bis route and follow the signs to San Gimignano.
Please note that you have to park outside the town’s walls: parking is prohibited inside the settlement. There are four parking lots straight outside the walls (P1, P2, P3, P4), and you will pay depending on the time you’ll stay. P1 is the cheapest (max. 6 euros per day) while P2 is the most expensive (max. 20 euros per day). Depending on where you park, you’ll enter the town through one of its gates (porta). There are five gates: Porta San Giovanni, Porta Quercecchio, Porta San Matteo, Porta San Jacopo, and Porta delle Fonti.
By train
There is no train station at San Gimignano. However, you can stop at the closest station, which is -surprise, surprise- Poggibonsi. From there, you can easily catch bus 130 to San Gimignano. The bus runs frequently, and you won’t have any problems finding a seat, even during the high season.
By bus
You can, of course, visit San Gimignano by bus. However, depending on your starting point, you might, once again, have to stop at Poggibonsi. Specifically, if you start from Florence, then you’ll definitely have a break at Poggibonsi. On the other hand, you can ask the bus driver about your route when you arrive from Siena. Sometimes, the bus from Siena goes straight to San Gimignano, while other times, there’s a stop at Poggibonsi.
The tickets cost between 8 and 10 euros one way, depending on your starting point.
Things to do in San Gimignano
Despite being a wealthy town during Medieval times, San Gimignano’s glory days are gone. However, there is still proof of how important this place once was. Apart from enjoying a great location on the Via Francigena, a trade and pilgrimage route, San Gimignano owes its fame mainly to its towers. The town’s medieval skyline consisted of more than 70 towers built by wealthy families. Showing how powerful a family is was always a thing, and this little town was no exception.
Today, only 14 of these medieval towers survive. Still, the skyline is impressive, and some people refer to San Gimignano as Medieval Manhattan. Apparently, visiting some of them is among the recommended things to do in San Gimignano. In this section, though, you’ll also find other places of interest and local highlights.
Duomo di San Gimignano
An impressive church dating back to the 12th century, the Duomo of San Gimignano is -of course- located at the Piazza del Duomo. What you see today is the church after its expansion in the 15th century. The church’s interior is impressive, and you’ll see frescoes painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio, Taddeo di Bartolo, Lippo Memmi, and Bartolo di Fredi. In the right aisle, you can also see the Santa Fina, an early Renaissance chapel built back in 1468 to enshrine the relics of Saint Fina.
Known also as the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Duomo is a must-see for your visit.
Piazza della Cisterna
That’s the heart and soul of San Gimignano. The Piazza della Cisterna is connected by an open passage to the Duomo, and it’s a triangular square full of buildings and towers. The name derives from an underground cistern (stone well) built back in 1287. A travertine pedestal caps the cistern, and you can see it almost at the square’s center. Today it’s a famous meeting point, and people enjoy taking a break there.
Torre Grossa
As its name suggests, the Torre Grossa is San Gimignano’s tallest tower. At 54 meters, it is the only tower that you can visit—the rest are private. The ticket is almost 10 euros, and when you enter, you’ll have to climb approximately 220 steps to its top. The view of the Tuscan countryside is breathtaking. Inside the tower, you’ll also find the Pinacoteca, an art gallery featuring world-famous Tuscan painters.
Palazzo del Popolo
Exactly next to the beautiful Duomo of San Gimignano, you will see the Palazzo del Popolo. That’s the local government’s office, and it has had the same use since the 13th century. The Palazzo del Popolo also hosts some beautiful frescoes. Inside you’ll also see the Sala di Dante, a room dedicated to the famous poet Dante Alighieri when he visited San Gimignano as an ambassador and tried to negotiate a peace treaty.
Walk the historic center of San Gimignano
The historic center is pretty compact. You won’t need more than two hours to see every street, and outside of the main squares, you’ll probably be alone. Take a stroll and see the towers and old medieval buildings. Make sure to have a stop at one of the town’s beautiful outdoor cafes. There, you can enjoy a drink and watch people passing by in front of these century-old walls.
If you want to learn more while strolling around, there’s also a private guided tour, and you can book it here.
The best gelato in the world
It’s official: you can eat the best gelato in the world in San Gimignano. The Gelateria Dondoli has won this prize several times, and it’s the place where people queue nonstop for a scoop of ice cream. Moreover, it’s easy to find it: it’s straight at the Piazza della Cisterna at No. 4. You can find more info about the Gelateria Dondoli here -and make sure not to leave the city without trying its gelato.
Try the Vernaccia of San Gimignano
For a town this size, it might sound unexpected to find a world-famous wine. However, San Gimignano is the home of Vernaccia, a delicious white wine. Tuscany is, of course, a paradise for wine lovers, and tasting the Vernaccia is one of the best things to do in San Gimignano if you love wine.
Vernaccia is one of the oldest wines in the world, and even Dante wrote about it in the Divine Comedy. However, it wasn’t only Dante who was fond of it: Michelangelo also quoted that “the Vernaccia di San Gimignano grape kisses, licks, bites, slaps and stings.”
Visit a winery close to San Gimignano
And since I wrote about the Vernaccia, here’s one more recommendation: visit a nearby winery. This is a recommended activity even if you’re not a wine lover. Most wineries are close to San Gimignano, and thus you’ll have the opportunity to see the beautiful Tuscan countryside up close. The fertile region of Tuscany has gorgeous colors and is home to award-winning wines.
There are more than 70 wineries in the area, and you won’t have difficulties finding one. Most of them offer organized wine tastings, and there’s usually a small lunch included. As I always do on this blog, I can only recommend the places I visited. When I was in San Gimignano, I decided to visit Poderi Arcangelo, located just 15 minutes by car from the town. They make fantastic bio wine, and you’ll also get a nice tour of their vineyards.
Where to stay in San Gimignano, Italy
There are plenty of accommodation options for your stay in San Gimignano. As I wrote initially, I highly recommend spending at least one night here. At night the crowds are gone, and you’ll have the whole town for yourself, especially if you’re visiting off-season.
In this section, you will find hotels both in and close to San Gimignano. While the ones within the walls are beautiful, I know that many people love the Tuscan countryside even more. That said, you’ll find here both hotels and farmhouses. Please keep in mind that prices might vary depending on the season you visit.
The best hotels in San Gimignano
Torre Salvucci Medieval Tower. Well, I know: even from the name, you understand that you’ll have to splurge. However, you’re in San Gimignano, and if you didn’t know that you could rent one of its towers, I thought of letting you know. The Torre Salvucci dates back to the 12th century and has eleven floors. Each one is a room, and there’s a veranda on the top one. Oh, and it’s close to Piazza della Cisterna. See the prices for Torre Salvucci here.
Fabio Apartmens St Gimignano. That’s a much cheaper option in the heart of San Gimignano. The rooms are clean and nicely decorated -plus, there’s a beautiful garden on the property. See here the Fabio Apartments.
La Locanda di Quercecchio. Another fantastic hotel for your stay. The Locanda offers rooms and suites in the historical center of San Gimignano, and the prices are reasonable for what you get. See La Locanda di Quercecchio here.
La Torre Nomipesciolini. One more tower option in town. However, you won’t have the whole tower for yourself like the previous option, but just a room. The building itself is in excellent condition, and the rooms look lovely. The prices are, once again, reasonable. See prices for the Torre Nomipesciolini here.
Locanda La Mandragola. Last but not least, there’s one more beautiful hotel in the historic center. The Locanda La Mandragola offers beautifully decorated rooms at a normal price range. Breakfast is also included in the price. See the Locanda La Mandragola here.
The best hotels close to San Gimignano (Tuscan countryside)
Agriturismo Mormoraia. That’s hands down one of the best places to stay, not only in San Gimignano but in Tuscany as a whole. The Agriturismo Mormoraia is located 4 kilometers outside of San Gimignano, in the middle of a vineyard. It has a big swimming pool and a sauna, and it serves a delicious breakfast. See the prices for Agriturismo Mormoraia here.
Locanda dei Logi. Just 7 km away from San Gimignano, the Locanda dei Logi is a quiet yet beautiful hotel. That’s definitely a place to relax close to nature and enjoy terrific views of Tuscany. See here the Locanda dei Logi.
Il Vicario-Podere di Monti. This beautiful Tuscan villa dates back to 1300. It has just a few rooms, and the owner cooks excellent food for the guests. The prices are reasonable, and S. Gimignano is just a couple of kilometers away. Oh, and Tuscany and its landscape will be all around you. See the Il Vicario-Podere di Monti here.
Where to eat in San Gimignano
You’ll find plenty of eateries in San Gimignano, from simple pizza places to exquisite restaurants. I know that most of you won’t stay that long in the town and you probably don’t want to spend too much time searching for a place to eat. Therefore, I can highly recommend the following three eateries.
- La Mandragola. Great views, outdoor seating, and local tastes. (Mandragola’s Location on Google Maps)
- Ricca Pizza. A small, inexpensive pizzeria in the heart of town. (Ricca Pizza on Google Maps)
- Le Vecchie Mura. If you imagine yourself in a movie in Tuscany, look no further. (Le Vecchie Mura’s Location)
The best activities, local tours, and day trips
As I already wrote, San Gimignano is a very convenient base if you are on a road trip to Tuscany. Apart from its strategic location, you’ll also enjoy the evenings when the town seems to empty. On the other hand, if you prefer organized tours, you won’t have any difficulties visiting San Gimignano. Every tour or day trip around Tuscany will definitely stop here. It’s one of the region’s highlights, and as such, people want to see it.
That said, I’ll split this section into two subsections. The first one is a short part, and I will write about the places you can visit on your own. It’s short on purpose: I will link to dedicated posts for these places. On the other hand, the second part is slightly longer because I will write a few more things about the organized tours you can have in the region. Let’s start.
Traveling on your own
If you have a car, everything is more flexible. Since this article focuses on San Gimignano, I won’t write about Tuscany in general. Instead, I can only encourage you to visit three places and enjoy some time there.
The first place is prominent, and you can’t miss it. Yes, it is Florence. The cradle of the Renaissance is Italy’s most beautiful city. It’s an architectural gem, and there are so many things to see and do there. I wrote a dedicated post with facts about Florence and the best boutique hotels in the city. Moreover, I also wrote a travelogue on a previous visit to the city. Lastly, you can enjoy some top-quality wine tastings from Florence, and if you are curious about Chianti wine, make sure to join one.
The second place is, of course, Siena. To some, Siena might feel like an extended version of San Gimignano due to its stunning medieval architecture. Located just a few kilometers away, Siena is an equally great option for basing yourself while driving around Tuscany. Moreover, some of the great Chianti wine tastings start from Siena, so don’t miss going on a short wine tour if you are in the city. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the parking situation is a bit complicated; I wrote an article about parking in Siena here.
The last place is less obvious, and you might have never heard of it. But I can assure you it deserves a visit. And that’s Pienza. It is approximately 100 km (62 miles) away from San Gimignano. Apart from enjoying an almost two-hour drive through Tuscany and the famous Val d’Orcia, Pienza will reward you with its beauty. That’s the ideal city of the Renaissance, and its urban planning is the role model for most of the cities we live in. You can read here my guide about Pienza.
Organized tours and day trips
So, if you plan to base yourself in Florence and you’d like to visit San Gimignano, several tour operators offer a variety of day trips. In my opinion, the best one you can take (and probably the most affordable) is the one that also stops in Siena and Piza. You will see a big part of Tuscany, and you’ll visit three famous locations in total.
You can book the tour here starting from Florence.
Exploring the Chianti region
Now, one of the most original ways to see the Chianti area is by driving a Vespa. In this 6-hour trip, you’ll drive your Vespa around the beautiful landscape of Tuscany. You can see the prices and the exact route of the Vespa tour here.
As an alternative, if you have a driving license, you can also enjoy a similar tour with a Fiat 500. Last but not least, for the most adventurous among us, there’s also a horse riding tour through Tuscany’s landscape.
San Gimignano and wine tastings
And then, of course, is the area around San Gimignano and the vineyards. There’s an excellent wine tour at the Brunello di Montalcino, where you’ll see the famous local fortress and you’ll taste delicious wine.
If you don’t want to travel that far, though, there’s also a winery visit a couple of kilometers out of town. At the Azienda Agricola San Quirico, you will taste five wines together with bruschetta and extra virgin olive oil.
San Gimignano activities
Last but no least, there a couple of activities at San Gimignano itself. Since Italy’s culture is strongly connected to food, here you’ll find a couple of very local suggestions. One of the best things to do in St Gimignano is to have an aperitif and photoshoot at the private Chigi Tower. Or, you can learn how to make proper Italian pizza in a 2-hour cooking class. Finally, you can consider joining a truffle hunting in a private oak forest.
Six quick facts about San Gimignano
In the final section of this travel guide to San Gimignano, I’ll share six quick facts about the medieval town. I added this section because I think these facts will give you a better impression of the town.
Every tower has a name
Apart from being a sign of wealth and power, each tower has a name. For example, you have the Torre Grossa, which means the Big Tower. But then, you also have the Torri Gemelle, which stands for Twin Towers: the two towers were built to celebrate the birth of two twins. And you have the Torre Rognosa, which is the Angry Tower and refers to a tower used as a prison.
The Black Death Plague hit San Gimignano severely
The once-prosperous town was severely affected by the Black Death. The Plague was everywhere in Europe, and in 1348, it reached San Gimignano. Almost half of its population died, and many people assume this was a turning point in the town’s history. Unfortunately, its significance never really recovered.
The origins of its name
Even though the town existed since the Etruscan times, its name wasn’t always San Gimignano. In fact, that’s a much later name, given to it only around 450 AD. According to historians, the name of San Gimignano derives from the bishop Geminianus (d. 397), the saint of Modena. The local legend says that the saint appeared during the barbaric invasions of Attila the Hun and saved the town. San Gimignano’s first name was Silvia.
A tale of two families
San Gimignano was dominated by two powerful families: the Ardinghelli (Guelf) and the Salvucci (Ghibelline). The rivalry of these two families shaped the politics of Medieval Italy for centuries.
San Gimignano in the movies
As you can imagine, the photogenic town appears in several movies. Among them, you’ll find Marcel L’Herbier’s “Il fu Mattia Pascal,” Franco Zeffirelli’s “Tea with Mussolini,” and Henry King’s “Prince of Foxes.”
What do you call the people of San Gimignano?
A person from San Gimignano is called Sangimignanese (plural Sangimignanesi).
San Gimignano travel guide: Final Thoughts
San Gimignano is one of the absolute highlights of Tuscany. I think that no visit to Tuscany is complete without a visit to this medieval town on the hill. While you won’t need more than a couple of hours to see everything, San Gimignano will impress you with its laid-back style. The atmosphere and the vibe are unique, and you can also visit nearby places of interest.
Please let me know in the comments below if you’ve already been to San Gimignano or if you have any questions about this picturesque Italian town.
More guides about Italy: Taormina, Catania, Florence, San Marino, Venice
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Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos