Tuscany is one of the world’s most beloved destinations, but supposing to have just 72 hours to spend here, how can you organize in order not to miss something really worthy? Let's start our five days in Tuscany trip!

With this post we want to help you with three itineraries of 72 hours each, so you can catch all the Tuscan secrets, discover the hidden treasures and enjoy the unmissable experiences! Five days in Tuscany, a week you can bring with you forever :)

There are three step-by-step trips of 5 days related to three different areas of Tuscany: if you can stay two weeks it’s perfect! The best solution to make these itineraries is renting a car and stopping for the time you want to stay in each place.

Itinerary 1: from Pisa to Carrara

This itinerary has been created in order to discover the North side of Tuscany. It touches several cities that are outside the classic routes related to Tuscany like Carrara or Colonnata and most known cities like Pisa and Lucca: a great mix to match little unknown jewels and famous momuments! This is our trip:

  • Pisa: Lungarni, the medieval squares, the famous Piazza dei Miracoli and its Leaning Tower, Keith Haring Mural, Piazza delle Vettovaglie, the San Marco Museum.
  • Lucca: Porta Santa Maria, San Michele in Foro and Piazza San Michele, the Walls, the San Martino Cathedral, Porta Elisa, Via Fillungo, Piazza Napoleone, The Basilica of San Frediano, the Anfiteatro square, the Torre Guinigi.
  • Versilia: walk on the Viareggio's promenade, Art Nouveau buildings, pinewoods, beaches, the Apuan Alps, luxury shops in Forte dei Marmi, the pier.
  • Carrara and Colonnata: Carrara's Cathedral of 12th century, ducal palace (Palazzo Cybo Malaspina and Castello Malaspina), Baroque church and convent of San Francesco, the famous "lardo di Colonnata IGP" (lard of Colonnata) and marble, marble, marble.
  • Leghorn: Piazza Mascagni, the Aquarium, the sea, quartiere Venezia (Venice quarter), Castello del Boccale, Castello del Romito, tour of the canals.
  • Volterra: Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, Piazza dei Priori and Priori's Palace, Palazzo Pretorio, the Cathedral and the San Giovanni's baptistry, the Roman theatre, the fortress pertaining to the Medici family.

Itinerary 2: from Florence to Siena and Chianti countryside

This itinerary includes some universally known cities like Florence and Siena, but also smallest jewels of this broad territory like Fiesole and San Gimignano. Let’s discover the heart of Tuscany!

  • Florence: Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi gallery, cross Ponte Vecchio, San Lorenzo's market, visit the Duomo and Giotto's bell tower, Piazzale Michelangelo, Santo Spirito and much more!
  • Fiesole: the Romanesque Cathedral, the viewpoint over Florence, the Roman theatre, the church of San Francesco.
  • Prato: the Emperor Castle, Santo Stefano Cathedral, Duomo’s museum, renaissance and medieval palaces, the Pecci contemporary art museum, shopping.
  • Pistoia: San Zeno's Cathedral, Palazzo Comunale, Antico Palazzo dei Vescovi, Palazzo del Tribunale, Torre di Catilina, old church of Santa Maria Cavaliera, Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, the baptistery, Piazza della Sala, Ospedale del Ceppo and the Undergrounds of Pistoia.
  • Abetone during winter. The ski runs extend for over 50 km across four valleys; during summer enjoy some promenades into the nature.
  • Siena: Piazza del Campo, Palazzo public, the Duomo or Cattedrale dell'Assunta, the Sanctuary of Saint Catherine of Siena, the Basilica of San Domenico.
  • San Gimignano: the town has been declared by UNESCO to be part of the World’s Architectural Heritage. You can see: porta di San Giovanni, piazza della Cisterna, Cathedral square, palazzo del Popolo, the loggia.
  • Monteriggioni: the walls, the castle, the towers, the Romanesque church, the museum.
  • Chianti countryside: enjoy the green landscapes, drink wine and visit hidden villages.

Itinerary 3, last day of your five days in Tuscany: from Arezzo to Grosseto

This is the itinerary for people who want to discover the South part and the inland of Tuscany, the zone known as Maremma and Amiata. Here are some tips for you, for the final part of your five days in Tuscany.

Arezzo province: visit Valtiberina, Valdichiana, Valdarno and Casentino. Discover the center of Arezzo and a jewel, Cortona.
Monte Amiata: Mont Amiata area is a paradise for sport lovers. You can sky, walk, go for trekking or biking and much more.
Grosseto: the Cathedral, Piazza Dante, palazzo della Provincia, the Archeological museum, the art museum, etc.
Grosseto province (Maremma): don't forget to visit Massa Marittima, Castiglione della Pescaia, The natural park of Alberese, Scansano, Pitigliano, Sorano, Sovana, Manciano, Capalbio, Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole.
Massa Marittima: this is a hidden Tuscan jewel with a superb Cathedral, a mining museum, an archeological museum, the Fonti dell'Abbondanza, The Siennese Fortress and the Chandelier Tower.
Follonica: walking, hiking, bicycling and horse back riding… on the beach!

Looking for something different? Try Elba island ;)