Photo: Julian Lupyan · CC0, Wikimedia Commons
San Gimignano
A skyline of medieval towers above the vineyards.
A walled hill town of medieval stone towers above the Tuscan vineyards, famous for its skyline, frescoed churches and Vernaccia white wine. Busy with day-trippers by midday and quiet again at dusk. Reached by bus from Poggibonsi or Siena.
Places to see
- Piazza della CisternaWalk · A sloping triangular square of brick paving around a 13th-century stone well, ringed by…Free
The CollegiataChurch · A plain-fronted Romanesque church whose inside is covered wall to wall in 14th-century…≈ A$11
Torre Grossa and the Civic MuseumsViewpoint · The tallest of the town's towers, about 54 m, climbed through the town hall's frescoed…≈ A$16
Sant'Agostino
When to go
- Jan11° / 2°Some rainQuiet
- Feb12° / 2°Some rainQuiet
- Mar16° / 4°Some rainQuiet
- Apr19° / 7°Some rainBusy
- May24° / 11°Some rainVery busy
- Jun28° / 14°Mostly dryBusy
- Jul31° / 17°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug31° / 17°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Piazza della Cisterna and the Duomo. The two linked squares at the top of town with the towers and the Collegiata.
Porta San Giovanni. The main gate and street, where the bus stops; handy and lively.
Porta San Matteo. The quieter north end, with Sant'Agostino.
Outside the walls. Agriturismi among the vineyards; cheaper and quiet, but you need to walk or drive in.
Flying in
Florence Peretola (FLR): Tram to Santa Maria Novella, train to Poggibonsi, then the bus, about 2 h, ≈ A$18.
Pisa (PSA): Train via Empoli to Poggibonsi, then the bus, about 2 h 30 min, ≈ A$25.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into San Gimignano; check times and fares before you fly.
By bus
The train doesn't reach San Gimignano: take it to Poggibonsi station, then the bus. Bus from Poggibonsi station, about 25 min, roughly every half hour on weekdays and fewer on Sundays; buses also run from Siena (check)
