San Gimignano sits on a hilltop an hour outside Florence, its fourteen stone towers cutting into the Tuscan sky. Planning a trip to Tuscany usually means deciding which hill towns to see. San Gimignano is one of the most famous, nicknamed the 'Manhattan of the Middle Ages' for its intact skyline. The walled historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I have been several times and this guide covers the best things to do in San Gimignano, from climbing the Torre Grossa to tasting Vernaccia wine.
- Best time
- Spring and fall (especially mid-to-late October) offer the best mix of pleasant weather and manageable crowds. High season runs from late spring through early fall. Winter is quiet, but some businesses close.
- Where to stay
- Hotels on or near Piazza della Cisterna put you in the middle of the action. For a quieter base, countryside agriturismos are a short walk or drive away.
- Perfect for
- Day-trippers from Florence * Wine lovers * History buffs
- Don't miss
- Climbing Torre Grossa for the panoramic view of Tuscany's rolling hills.
Things I'd tell a friend
A few practical things I figured out after visiting.
The San Gimignano Pass
If you plan to visit multiple sights, pick up the San Gimignano Pass. It covers the civic museums, Torre Grossa, the Duomo, and more for two consecutive days. It is convenient and saves money compared to single tickets.
Source · Used it myself
Getting there without a car
There is no train station in San Gimignano. From Florence, driving takes an hour. The easiest way to see Siena and San Gimignano in one day is a day tour.
Source · Tried the tour myself
Parking outside the walls
The old town is a ZTL (restricted traffic area) with fines for unauthorized driving. Several paid parking lots sit just a 5-10 minute walk from the gates. Parcheggio P3 on the north side is larger and usually has space.
Source · Good to know
Torre Grossa
The tallest of the 14 remaining towers gives you the best view of the 'Medieval Manhattan' and the Tuscan countryside beyond.
- Built in the 14th century (1311)
- 54 meters tall with 218 steps to the top
- Ticket costs 9 EUR for just the tower or 15 EUR for the Musei Civici combo
- Includes access to the museum and gallery in the building below
Climbing Torre Grossa is the best way to get your bearings. Built in the 14th century, this tower stands at 54 meters and is the tallest in town. The climb has more than 200 steps, including some grated steel stairs and a ladder at the very top. That last part is not for everyone, but the 360-degree view from the top pays it back. You can see the entire town laid out below and the rolling Tuscan hills reaching out in every direction. Your ticket also gets you into the museum and gallery downstairs.
Torre Grossa ticket price and opening hours
The tower ticket costs 9 EUR. A combined Musei Civici ticket (15 EUR) covers Torre Grossa, Palazzo Comunale, Pinacoteca, and San Lorenzo in Ponte. The San Gimignano Pass is another option that covers even more sights. Check the official museum website for current opening hours, as last admission is usually 30 minutes before closing.
The climb is steep towards the top
The staircase has more than 200 steps and you have to climb a ladder and duck under the bell at the very top. If you are not comfortable with heights or steep, enclosed spaces, this might not be for you.
Located in Piazza del Duomo
The entrance to Torre Grossa is inside the Palazzo Comunale on Piazza del Duomo. You can see the tower from anywhere in town, so it is easy to find.
The photos from the top are great even on a cloudy day.
Hotels around Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo put you within a few minutes' walk of the tower entrance.
Cappuccina Country Resort
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Spa and wellness center
- Restaurant
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Leon Bianco
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Fitness center
- Room service
- Terrace
- Bar
- Wonderful Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Duomo di San Gimignano
San Gimignano's main church is plain on the outside, but the interior holds some of the most impressive frescoes in Tuscany.
- Built in the 12th century
- Officially called the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta
- Frescoes by masters like Ghirlandaio
- Part of the San Gimignano Pass
The Duomo of San Gimignano, also called the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, sits right on Piazza del Duomo. From the outside it looks like a simple stone church, so it is easy to walk past. Do not make that mistake. Inside you find a spectacular interior covered in frescoes from the 14th century. If you want to see more, the second largest church in town is Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, which has works by Lippo Memmi and Benozzo Gozzoli. Another is Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Ponte, one of the oldest churches, famous for its Madonna with Child in Glory fresco.
Check what the pass covers
Entrance to the Duomo is included in the San Gimignano Pass. The pass gives you two-day access to the civic museums, Torre Grossa, and the Duomo, making it a convenient option.
Combine with the main squares
Piazza del Duomo connects directly to Piazza della Cisterna. You can walk between the Duomo, the well, the shops, and the Gelateria Dondoli in a few minutes. Plan your sightseeing around this area.
Heart of the UNESCO site
The Duomo is located on Piazza del Duomo, the main square of San Gimignano's historic center. It is a short walk from the Porta San Giovanni entrance.
I skipped the Duomo on my first visit, but the frescoes inside are really the highlight.
Staying in the historic center places you right next to the Duomo and the main piazzas.
Hotel La Cisterna
- Restaurant
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Bar
Hotel Pescille Country House By Double Hospitality
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Garden
- Terrace
- Bar
- Wonderful Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Gelateria Dondoli
One of the most famous gelato shops in Italy sits right on Piazza della Cisterna.
- Owned by award-winning gelato maker Sergio Dondoli
- Unique flavors like Crema di Santa Fina and Champelmo
- Won the Ice Cream World Championship and the MAM award
- Expect a line, even on weekdays
Gelateria Dondoli is a serious stop for anyone visiting San Gimignano. Owner Sergio Dondoli has won the Ice Cream World Championship and the MAM award for his gelato. The shop sits right on Piazza della Cisterna, and there is almost always a queue. Flavors include Crema di Santa Fina (with saffron and pine nuts), Champelmo (pink grapefruit and sparkling wine), and combinations like cheese and olive or chestnut and rosemary. If you are short on time, give yourself at least 15 minutes to wait. If you have more time, you can take a gelato class with Sergio himself.
Go during off-peak hours
The queue is shortest in the morning right after opening or late in the afternoon. Avoid the early afternoon rush. If you don't want to wait, Caffetteria Gelateria dell'Olmo on the same square is a reliable alternative.
Sergio Dondoli's gelato class
If you are a big fan, you can take a gelato class from Sergio Dondoli himself to learn how to make the artisanal gelato.
Portions are well-sized
A small cup with two or three scoops is enough to taste the unique flavors. The quality is high, and the prices are standard for premium artisan gelato.
Plan for a 15-minute wait even on a quiet day.
Hotels on or right off Piazza della Cisterna put the gelateria just steps from your door.
Relais Santa Chiara Hotel By Double Hospitality
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Garden
- Terrace
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Hotel Bel Soggiorno
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wonderful Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Parco della Rocca
Head to this park at the top of the town for the best sunset views over the Tuscan hills.
- Named after the Rocca di Montestaffoli fortress
- Ruins of the 14th-century fortress walls remain
- Panoramic view of the countryside and towers
- Hosts summer events like jousting and wine tastings
Parco della Rocca is just a short walk from Piazza del Duomo. It sits on the site of the 14th-century Rocca di Montestaffoli fortress, but only the ruins of the walls remain. The park itself is open grass and a great spot to watch the sunset. It is often much quieter than the rest of the town. Climb the small tower for a panoramic view. In the summer the park hosts the Giostra dei Bastioni jousting competition and the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience. There is also a playground here if you are traveling with kids.
Best time to visit the park
Sunset is the prime time for photographs. The park is often almost empty even when the town center is busy, making it a good place to escape the crowds.
There is a playground here
The park has a grassy playground with views of the countryside. It is a great spot if you are traveling with children.
A short walk from the main square
The park is located at the highest point of the town, just a few minutes' walk from Piazza del Duomo.
Go at sunset when the light hits the vineyards and the crowd thins out.
Hotels in the northern part of the historic center are closest to the park entrance.
Villa Ducci
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Restaurant
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Garden
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Hotel Sovestro
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Restaurant
- Free Wifi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Fitness center
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Room service
- Bar
- Wonderful Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Palazzo Comunale and Museo Civico
The town hall has been the seat of local government since the 13th century and houses a museum of art and history.
- Also known as Palazzo del Popolo
- Houses the Museo Civico and Pinacoteca
- Frescoes in the Sala di Dante
- Entrance is combined with Torre Grossa
Located on Piazza del Duomo, the Palazzo Comunale (also called the Palazzo del Popolo) is the building you walk through to climb Torre Grossa. Inside, the Museo Civico has frescoes in the Sala di Dante that depict stories from the late 13th century. Upstairs, the Pinacoteca is an art gallery with works from the Sienese and Florentine schools. Since your ticket to Torre Grossa gets you into these galleries, it is worth a quick stop.
Combined ticket with Torre Grossa
The same ticket that gets you into Torre Grossa (9 EUR for the tower or 15 EUR for the Musei Civici combo) grants access to the Palazzo Comunale, Museo Civico, and Pinacoteca. The San Gimignano Pass also covers these sights.
Musei Civici ticket validity
The Musei Civici combination ticket is valid for the Palazzo Comunale, Torre Grossa, Pinacoteca, and the church of San Lorenzo in Ponte.
Inside the main square
The Palazzo Comunale is on Piazza del Duomo. The entrance is directly opposite the Duomo.
The frescoes in the Sala di Dante are easy to miss if you rush straight to the tower stairs.
Staying in the Piazza del Duomo area means this museum is right outside your door.
A La Casa Dei Potenti
- Restaurant
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
Hotel Da Graziano
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Garden
- Terrace
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
San Gimignano 1300
This small museum recreates the town as it looked in the 14th century with a detailed miniature model.
- Miniature clay reconstruction of the medieval town
- Dioramas showing city life and tower building
- Explains why many of the original 72 towers collapsed
- Next door to a contemporary art gallery and gift shop
San Gimignano 1300 is a small museum that recreates the town as it looked in its 14th-century heyday. The main draw is a detailed miniature clay reconstruction of the entire town, showing all 72 towers before many of them collapsed. Separate dioramas show daily life and tower construction. Tour guides can explain the history, and there is a contemporary art gallery and gift shop next door. It is a fun stop for anyone curious about how the town got its name.
Admission and opening times
San Gimignano 1300 is located on Via Costarella. It is a paid museum, and the ticket can be purchased on arrival. It is not covered by the standard San Gimignano museum pass.
Child-friendly stop
The museum is very visual with videos and graphic timelines, making it a good option for families.
Combine with shopping
Via Costarella and the surrounding streets have several artisan shops. You can visit the museum and browse for ceramics or leather goods in the same walk.
The miniature model really helps you picture how many towers used to stand here.
Hotels near the southern end of the historic center are closest to this museum.
Hotel Villa Belvedere
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Garden
- Terrace
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Hotel San Michele
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Garden
- Terrace
- Wonderful Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Is San Gimignano worth visiting?
Yes. It is a small, charming hill town with a UNESCO-listed center. It works best as a half-day trip, often paired with a visit to Siena.
How many days do you need in San Gimignano?
Most people only need a morning or an afternoon. You could stretch it to a full day if you book a cooking class, wine tasting, or spend time visiting the museums and galleries.
How do you get to San Gimignano from Florence?
By car it is about an hour. By public transport you take a bus to Poggibonsi and then a second bus. The easiest way to visit both Siena and San Gimignano in one day is by joining a day tour.
What is the best time to visit San Gimignano?
Spring and fall (especially mid-to-late October) offer the best weather and the smallest crowds. High season runs from late spring to early fall. Winter is much quieter, but some shops and restaurants close.
Is the San Gimignano Pass worth it?
Yes, if you plan to visit multiple attractions. The pass gives you two-day access to the civic museums, Torre Grossa, and the Duomo. It is a convenient and cost-effective option.
