Should I stay in Florence or the Tuscan countryside?

If you are only in the area for a brief stay of a few days, it is likely easier to base yourself in Florence, then take day trips into the rolling hills. But if you're comfortable driving and have at least a week to spend navigating the roads, vineyards, and charming towns, you might want to opt for a countryside stay.



Choosing between Florence and the Tuscan countryside depends on your priorities: urban culture vs. pastoral relaxation. Staying in Florence puts you at the heart of the Renaissance, with world-class museums like the Uffizi and Accademia, high-end shopping, and vibrant nightlife within walking distance. It is the best "base" if you don't want to rent a car, as the Santa Maria Novella station provides easy train access to Rome, Venice, and Pisa. However, Florence can be extremely crowded and loud. Conversely, staying in the Tuscan countryside (such as an Agriturismo in the Chianti or Val d'Orcia regions) offers a tranquil experience with rolling hills, vineyards, and private pools. This is ideal if you want a "slow travel" vibe, but a rental car is mandatory to reach local markets and hill towns like San Gimignano or Pienza. Many travelers in 2026 find the "sweet spot" is a split stay: 2 or 3 days in Florence for the "must-see" art and architecture, followed by 3 or 4 days in a rural villa to enjoy the world-famous wine and landscapes without the city's frantic pace.

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Florence to Tuscany by Train A mere 43 miles from the capital city of Florence, you'll enjoy a scenic route all the way to Siena. There are two trains available every hour. One train takes you directly to Siena and the other takes you to Empoli where you can change trains.

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Florence is by far Tuscany most popular destination, regarded as the birthplace of Renaissance. It is the irresistible region full of romance and enchanting attractions, with art and architectural masterpieces at every turn.

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How many days do you need in Tuscany. While you can see the main cities in 3-4 days, I recommend at least one week for Tuscany. This will allow you to see not just all the highlights of the best towns of Tuscany, but also to get a glimpse of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

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If you're looking to just hit the city's top highlights, three or so days should be enough. But if you're like us, hitting the hotspots will only make you curious to stay longer – especially in a place as rich with culture, cuisine, and history as Florence.

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By staying outside of Florence, you'll experience the best of both worlds: Florence just a short bus ride away and the rest of Tuscany at your fingertips for exploration. If you stay out of Florence in the countryside, we would recommend renting a car to move around.

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From Florence and Pisa, you can catch buses, and trains, or rent a car to reach the Tuscan countryside. Alternatively, take the hassle out of your itinerary and book a day trip to Chianti wine country, Siena, or Lucca!

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The average travel time on the two routes is similar, between 1h 15min and 2 hours of drive depending on traffic. Tuscany is full of unmissable destinations and you can create your own tour visiting some of the most beautiful places here.

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Unless your flights are both in the middle of the night, stay only one night in Pisa and spend the rest of the time in Florence. Pisa is a nice little town. Florence is one of the most wonderful cities on the planet.

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1. Florence, Italy. It'll take around ten minutes and just half a mile of walking to get a look at Florence's main attractions. The Ponte Vecchio, the city's famous Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery are basically within touching distance of each other.

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Three days in Florence isn't a huge amount of time. While the city may be small in size, there are countless fantastic things to do, including several huge museums where you could easily spend an entire day alone.

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November is usually the wettest month of the year, temperatures has values of 10-12 C°. In winter (December, January and February) temperatures are obviously lower, on average, range from 2-12 C°. In January and early February the weather is usually cold with little rain.

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Generally speaking, Florence is a safe city to walk around in after dark. However, there are a few areas that are best avoided, especially if you are alone. These areas include: The Santa Maria Novella train station area: This area can be seedy at night, and there have been reports of muggings and pickpocketing.

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