Photo: Stefan Lew · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Chianti
Wine estates, castles and stone villages between Florence and Siena.
The wine hills between Florence and Siena: vineyards, olive groves, castles and stone villages along the old Chiantigiana road. Slow, green and delicious. Buses reach Greve from Florence; between the villages you'll want a car, a bike or a tour.
Places to see
- Greve in ChiantiWalk · A market town with an arcaded, funnel-shaped square full of butchers, wine shops and…Free
MontefioralleWalk · A tiny walled hamlet of stone houses in a ring on the hill above Greve, reached by a…Free
Castello di VerrazzanoFood · A castle and wine estate above Greve with cellar tours and tastings of Chianti Classico,…≈ A$49
PanzanoWalk · A hilltop village with a famous butcher's shop, a little castle and views over the 'Conca…
When to go
- Jan11° / 2°Some rainQuiet
- Feb12° / 2°Some rainQuiet
- Mar16° / 4°Some rainQuiet
- Apr19° / 7°Some rainBusy
- May24° / 11°Some rainBusy
- Jun28° / 14°Mostly dryBusy
- Jul31° / 17°Mostly dryBusy
- Aug31° / 17°Mostly dryBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Greve in Chianti. The market town with the most beds and the bus to Florence.
Panzano. A hilltop village over the 'golden bowl' of vineyards.
Castellina in Chianti. A ridge-top town on the road to Siena.
Radda in Chianti. A small walled village in the middle of the hills.
Flying in
Florence Peretola (FLR): Tram to Florence, then the bus to Greve, about 1 h 40 min, ≈ A$11.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Greve in Chianti; check times and fares before you fly.
By bus
The train doesn't reach Chianti: take it to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, then the bus. Buses from Florence to Greve in Chianti, about 1 h, roughly hourly on weekdays and fewer on Sundays (check)
Getting around
You'll need buses or trains. A single ticket is ≈ A$8. Greve is walkable and has buses to Florence; between the villages and wineries buses are few, so most travellers hire a car or a bike, or join a tour. Never drive after tastings (check).
