If you have never been to Tuscany, and are still there to make up your mind, well, here you will find 10 good reasons, if any are needed, to come and visit this extraordinary region of central Italy!
Why to go Visit Tuscany?
1. Amazing treasures of art
Tuscany is literally full of masterpieces of art, you can get lost among this huge amount of artistic wonders. Most are to be found in the region’s main art towns, like Florence, Pisa, Arezzo, and Siena, but also in the smaller medieval villages spread across the territory, as in the case of San Gimignano, Pienza, and Volterra.
Florence by itself has probably the largest concentration of Renaissance art in the all world! Just think to the masterpieces at the Gallery of Uffizi.
Anywhere you go, you find something interesting to see, be it a church, a painting, a castle, or whatever.
2. Exceptional art towns and hill-top villages, heritage of a glorious past
The many charming and appealing medieval hamlets and villages of Tuscany, rising on dominant positions in the countryside, are a typical and irresistible sight of Tuscany, don’t miss visiting them! Each has its own unique characteristics and typical products.
3. Great History and Culture
Tuscany boasts a rich historical and artistic legacy, as seen in the countless churches, abbeys, castles, palaces, museums, art galleries, and fortifications spread all across its territory.
The region’s history goes very far back in time, while the first important civilization is that of the Etruscans, that established here in the 8th century BC.
The name Tuscany actually derives from the Etruscans that were called “Tusci” by the Romans. Just visit Sorano, Sovana, and Pitigliano to fall in love with this ancient civilization!
Moving forward of several centuries we are immersed in the Renaissance period of the 15th century, when, under the rule of the Medici family in Florence, there was an incredible blossoming of creativity.
Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Donatello, are just some of the most popular names, together with the many brilliant writers and scientists, like Dante Alighieri and Galileo Galilei.
4. Sensational Landscape and Unspoilt Nature
You think of Tuscany and probably the first image that springs to your mind is the one with verdant rolling hills and gentle slopes dotted with the quintessential cypress trees! All the region’s territory is incredibly varied and always offers a different spectacle to its visitor; hills, mountains, rivers, breathtaking panoramas.
Just think to Valdorcia or the Chianti. Tuscany is also home to a captivating and unspoilt nature, just think of the Maremma wild region or to other Nature Parks in Tuscany.
5. Spectacular Seacoast and beautiful Islands with turquoise waters
Tuscany is not just hills and art towns; its coastline is enchanting as well, especially in its southern part: the Uccellina National Park, Alberese, Talamone, Monte Argentario, the Laguna di Orbetello, and Castiglion della Pescaia are just some of its gems by the sea!
Not to mention Tuscany’s exceptional islands, like Elba, Giglio, and Pianosa! Simply wonderful.
6. Tuscany’s great culinary tradition and great local products
Tuscan cooking is characterized by simple and tasty rustic dishes made from seasonal ingredients. The exquisite olive oil is practically used to make any dish, while the fragrant Tuscan bread must always be on the table, as well the pasta. Amongst the most common ingredients you find: fresh vegetables, mushrooms, fresh seafood, truffles, meat, and fresh fruit.
Some of the many delicious regional dishes from Tuscany are: ribollita, Tuscan lasagne, bistecca fiorentina (the famous Florentine steak), cinghiale (wild boar), lepre (hare), cacciucco alla livornese. And amongst the sweets don’t miss cantucci, panforte, and torta della nonna.
7. Tuscany Great Wines
The region produces some of the finest wines in the world! Chianti Classico and the Brunello di Montalcino red wines are amongst the most popular names.
8. Great Outdoor Activities
If you are a sport lover there’s no better place to be than Tuscany! With its extraordinary territory Tuscany is ideal to practice all kinds of activities; such as trekking, cycling, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and many others.
9. Apennine Mountains
Tuscany is also blessed with spectacular mountains, verdant wooded crests dividing Tuscany from the Emilia region. That’s a spectacular natural environment with green verdant forests, beautiful lakes, large meadows, waterfalls, vertiginous cliffs. If you are fortunate you can see eagles, wolves, and goats.
10. Complete Relax
Tuscany is home to fantastic spa with beneficial hot thermal waters! Set in amazing settings, often amid nature, they are ideal to have a great relaxing vacation in Tuscany.
Bagno Vignoni, Petriolo, San Casciano dei Bagni are some of the villages with fantastic thermal springs immersed in a unique natural environment.
In Tuscany you will also find very chic and charming accommodations, very special places to enjoy an unforgettable holiday!
In our section Tuscany Travel, you can find a travel guide to Tuscany Best Sights and Destinations, that will help you plan routes and itineraries to visit art towns, ancient villages and beautiful landscapes in the countryside.
To find useful information in order to plan your trip and spend your holidays in Tuscany, visit our Tourist Info and Travel Tips page.
Still not sure as to visiting Tuscany? 🙂 Contact me for a free travel assistance!
Hello from Chicago! My mother and I are planning a trip to Tuscany and are hoping to see places that aren’t traditionally seen…small villages, beautiful vistas, abandoned structures, etc. I’d love to get some advice from you and places you know of that we should visit.
Hello from Chicago! My mother and I are planning a trip to Tuscany in April and are hoping to see places that aren’t traditionally seen…small villages, beautiful vistas, abandoned structures, etc. I’d love to get some advice from you! What places should we be sure to see? And is April too early in the year to truly appreciate Tuscany?
Dear Michele,
Thanks for your message! Oh I love Chicago 🙂
April is a great month of the year to visit Tuscany! Mild temperatures, a blooming countryside, and less crowds. Tuscany has a lot of beautiful and intriguing off the beaten track places. I make a list of the Tuscan villages that off the beaten path in my blog:
10 suggestive Tuscan hill towns off the beaten path
Suggestive Tuscan hill towns off the beaten path, Part II
For reference, also have a look at the main Tuscan sights here.
Do contact me again for any other advice,
have a nice day,
elena