Discovering the areas around Florence through guided tours is an excellent way to have a stress-free day while enjoying Tuscany’s most stunning sights.
This article highlights some of the best tours and day trips from Florence, including visits to the most beautiful small cities in Tuscany, wine tours, and a trip to the coast.
The ideal way to explore Tuscany and its surroundings is by car on a Tuscany road trip.
However, since not everyone can rent a car or wants to drive in Italy, guided tours offer a relaxing and convenient alternative to exploring the region around Florence.
Many excursion options are available, ranging from several hours to full-day tours.
In this article, we share the top tours, day trips to the best small towns in Tuscany, the best cities near Florence, and activities you can visit from Florence.
Overview of the Top Day Tours from Florence To Tuscany
Here are our recommended tours and excursions from Florence:
- The rolling hills and hilltop towns in Tuscany
- Wine tour through the famous Val d’Orcia
- Day Trip To The Sea
⭐ Top Pick: Day Trip from Florence to Siena, Pisa, and San Gimignano
Tour Highlights:
- Explore Piazza del Campo in Siena with a guided city tour
- Travel through the rolling hills of the Chianti region
- Discover San Gimignano, the medieval Manhattan
- Visit the Square of Miracles and see the Leaning Tower of Pisa
→ SIENA, PISA AND SAN GIMIGNANO DAY TRIP
This day trip from Florence to Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano is the most comprehensive tour for discovering the highlights of Tuscany.
In addition to Florence, Siena, Pisa, and San Gimignano are among Tuscany’s most popular and beautiful cities.
This guided tour includes a three-course lunch with wine tasting.
The tour stands out because it covers the three most fascinating cities in Tuscany.
Why choose this tour?
If you have limited time and want to see the highlights of Tuscany, this day trip is ideal.
You can experience Tuscany’s top attractions in a single day.
→ CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABLE DATES
🍷 Most Enjoyable Tour: Wine Tour through the Famous Val d’Orcia
Tour Highlights:
- Drive through Tuscany’s most scenic valley: the Val d’Orcia
- Sample renowned red wines like Brunello Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano
- Enjoy typical Tuscan cuisine
- Visit the medieval town of Pienza
Interested in tasting famous red wines and exploring the Val d’Orcia?
This wine tour with a visit to Pienza is perfect for you.
Wine is as integral to Tuscany as air.
The same goes for delicious Italian food, cultural highlights, and the stunning landscape with golden hills.
A wine tour through famous wine regions is a great way to experience Tuscany.
You’ll sample renowned red wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano.
The tour also includes trying Tuscan dishes and visiting Pienza.
Why choose this tour?
Val d’Orcia is one of the most picturesque regions in Tuscany and one of the reasons why to visit Italy.
Photos featured in magazines and on calendars often depict this area.
The tour also includes tasting famous red wines and a city tour of Pienza.
With a small group size of up to 8 people, you can relax and enjoy the ride back to Florence after wine tasting.
→ CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABLE DATES
Day Trip from Florence to Assisi and Cortona
Tour Highlights:
- Guided tour of the pilgrimage site Assisi
- See Giotto’s frescoes depicting the life of San Francesco
- Visit the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (birthplace of the Franciscan order)
- Tour the Etruscan city of Cortona
- Enjoy panoramic views over Tuscany from Cortona
→ DAY TOUR TO ASSISI AND CORTONA
Assisi is a popular day trip from Florence.
This full-day tour includes visiting the home of St. Francis (San Francesco) and the Etruscan-built city of Cortona.
The tour starts with a drive through Tuscany’s gentle hills to the medieval city of Assisi, visiting its main attractions.
It then continues to Cortona, famous as the filming location for “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
Why choose this tour?
Assisi has a unique charm with its narrow medieval streets.
If you are interested in San Francesco, this tour from Florence is perfect.
In Cortona, the day trip concludes with one of the best views over Tuscany.
No wonder this city was chosen as a filming location for “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
→ CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABLE DATES
Day Trip from Florence to the Sea (Cinque Terre)
Tour Highlights:
- Visit the villages of Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Riomaggiore
- Swim in the azure sea
- Take a train ride through Cinque Terre National Park
- Enjoy a boat trip
→ DAY TOUR TO THE SEA (CINQUE TERRE)
Want to escape to the sea and visit one of Italy’s most beautiful regions?
While this tour isn’t in Tuscany, we still want to mention it, as this area belongs to the best things to see in Italy.
This day trip to Cinque Terre, located in Liguria by the sea, is one of the most popular trips from Florence.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its colorful houses on steep cliffs, is ideal for a day trip from Florence.
You’ll visit the villages by train, allowing ample time for exploring and swimming in the crystal-clear water.
Why choose this tour?
Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most beautiful coastal regions.
Alongside the Amalfi Coast, it is one of the most popular areas.
The charming villages are perfect for strolling and photography, and the trip includes time to swim.
There is also an option for a hike in Cinque Terre.
→ CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABLE DATES
From Florence: E-Bike Tour through Chianti and Fiesole
Tour Highlights:
- Enjoy panoramic views over Tuscany
- Bike through Chianti and Fiesole
- Taste wine and olive oil
- Savor a meal with traditional Tuscan dishes
→ E-BIKE TOUR WITH WINE AND OLIVE OIL TASTING
This e-bike-tour around Florence follows a historic route, offering fantastic views of Tuscany and olive oil and wine tastings at a family-run wine cellar.
The tour takes you through olive groves, vineyards, castles, and villas.
You’ll enjoy views of both Tuscany and Florence.
A meal with local dishes is provided as a refreshment.
Why choose this tour?
For an authentic exploration of Tuscany and the surroundings of Florence, this guided biking tour is ideal.
The tour offers a varied experience through enchanting landscapes, ending with a meal of Tuscan dishes and wine and olive oil tasting.
→ CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABLE DATES
Companies Offering Day Trips from Florence
Didn’t find the right tour? Here are more day trips from Florence: more tours and day trips from Florence
Many tour providers offer excursions from Florence, but you can find the best tours on Get Your Guide, Expedia, and Viator.
These platforms offer a wide variety of tours, good prices, and reviews of individual tours and providers.
Both have excellent ratings and customer support, making booking easy and quick.
I often compare prices and availability on both platforms and have had positive experiences with both.
⭐ Recommended: Florence Itinerary For One Day, Florence In 2 Days Itinerary, 3 Days In Florence, Florence On A Rainy Day
Final Thoughts And Planning Your Trip to Florence and Tuscany
Florence is the perfect base for exploring one of the most beautiful landscapes, activities, and sights.
As the capital of Tuscany and centrally located in the region, Florence is the starting point for many of the best day trips to Tuscany and beyond.
This is also one of the reasons why Florence is among the best cities to visit in Italy for the first time.
If you visit Florence, add at least one trip to the stunning Tuscany region to your itinerary.
Not sure how long you need to plan for Florence? Find out how many days you need in Florence.
Check out our complete Tuscany travel guide for more inspiration and itineraries.
