With its medieval towers, fortified 13th-century walls and winding, narrow streets, San Gimignano is the literal embodiment of charming rusticity. Popular with day-trippers from nearby Siena and Florence, this hilltop city has everything you could want from a visit to the beautiful Italian region of Tuscany.
San Gimignano has an abundance of eye-catching architecture, but the undeniable showpiece is its millennia-old towers that encompass the beautiful square of Piazza del Duomo. It’s here where you’ll also discover the Collegiata, a Romanesque cathedral known for its lifelike frescoes portraying events from The Bible and the life of the city’s patron saint, Fina.
The Tuscan jewel of San Gimignano is home to a variety of civic museums that showcase the city’s incredible history and majestic works of art. The Palazzo Comunale houses significant frescoes such as the ‘Virgin and Child’ by Lippo Memmi, but also gives access to the Torre Grossa (meaning big tower). You can take in soaring views over the Tuscan countryside from the top, but be sure to visit the small on-site museum before you leave. It’s also worth discovering the interactive experience at the San Gimignano 1300 museum, which features a faithful restoration of the city as it was in medieval times.
San Gimignano serves all the Italian staples you’d expect, with innovative ice-cream flavours served at Gelateria Dondoli and a native white wine in Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Traditional Tuscan dishes to try include wild boar or tagliatelle served in truffle sauce.
Tonight
From £199 per night
This weekend
From £260 per night
Next weekend
From £316 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.54 |
| Language | Italian |
| Average weekend price | £114 per night |
| Average weekday price | £118 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
A trip to Tuscany must include San Gimignano!
1 December 2023
A trip to Tuscany must include San Gimignano! Highly recommend for its medieval charm, spectacular views and delicious food. It really feels like stepping back in time. It’s not public transport accessible and if you have limited time, hiring a car is the best way to go. Ample public parking is available as well. We visited around late October so it wasn’t too busy compared to summer time and the weather was perfectly warm during the day and mild around dinner time. Light jacket only. It’s a photographer’s delight as there’s always a scenic opportunity as we turn a corner. From SG we drove to Siena, another stunning city close by and not to miss! For lunch we were lucky enough to stumble upon a small multi-Routard recommended resto and it seriously did not disappoint. It’s called Osteria Nonna Gina di Lella e Dado. Some of the best pasta we’ve had in Emilia Romagna is here. Also don’t miss the gelato at Gelateria Dondoli, they’ve won multiple awards and offer unique gelato flavours you really have to try.
If you’re in Tuscany, you have to visit San Giminiano.
2 November 2023
If you’re in Tuscany, you have to visit San Giminiano. The city centre has a very special architecture and a lot of small shops and wineries. It’s the perfect place to spend a few days with your spouse. We had a wine tasting at Marronaia Winery, close to the city and we enjoyed it, but next time I would also try another winery, like Tenuta Torciano, which we tried a few months earlier. We ate a fantastic meal at ristorante Fuoriluogo, which I recommend strongly. I recommend staying as close as possible to the city, it’s a nice feeling that you can walk while admiring the sights.
I can't describe it, you have to be there, you have to...
31 October 2023
I can't describe it, you have to be there, you have to see this miracle. I recommend parking lots number 3 and 4, there is always space, the price is reasonable and you only have to walk for a few minutes, and there is also an elevator.
It is one of the most unique destinations in all of Europe.
22 October 2023
It is one of the most unique destinations in all of Europe. San Gimignano is a must-visit when in Tuscany. Its medieval appearance whisks you back in time and one can easily transform the tourists to locals bringing their food to market. High-quality restaurants and a world-champion gelateria, what is not to fall in love with. Leave your healed shoes at home and wear comfortable footwear as the streets, side streets and shops are far from smooth, but this is just part of the experience
We stayed in late September, the weather was amazing and the...
11 October 2023
We stayed in late September, the weather was amazing and the city not to crowded. I would fully recommend staying in the exceptional hill top town which in the evenings as the crowds go home is the perfect place to eat and relax.
You can explore the Torre Grossa and a couple of other sites...
3 October 2023
You can explore the Torre Grossa and a couple of other sites with one pass, there's excellent pasta (you will smell the ragù while you explore in the afternoon!) and aperitivi for just a few euros, plenty of places to cool off with gelato, and the view over Tuscany from the Torre and the Rocca are spectacular. The town in miniature is also worth your time. And be sure to have a glass of Vernaccia, the local white wine!
San Gimignano, Italy
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