Florence

Which day trips are worth the time and money?

Five destinations win. Fiesole is the closest hill town with Roman ruins and a view. Siena is the medieval masterpiece you cannot skip. Lucca is a flat bike ride on top of Renaissance walls. Bologna is the food capital 35 minutes away. Pisa is the one-trick pony that still delivers if you arrive early.

All five can be done in a half day. Three of them work better as a full day with lunch.

Fiesole: the 20 minute escape from heat and crowds

Take bus number 7 from Piazza San Marco in Florence. Bus runs every 15 minutes. Single ticket costs EUR 1.50 from any tabacchi or the automatic machine at the stop. No train needed.

The bus drops you at the main square in 20 minutes. Walk uphill to the Roman amphitheater. Admission to the archaeological area costs EUR 8.00 for adults. The view from the terrace looks over all of Florence. The Etruscan walls are free to walk along.

Go in the morning before 10:00. The tour buses arrive after 11:00. Skip the museum if you are short on time. The amphitheater and the view are the real reasons.

Siena: the most beautiful medieval city in Tuscany

The bus is faster and cheaper than the train. Take the SITA bus from the bus station next to Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station. The direct bus takes 1 hour 15 minutes. A return ticket costs EUR 18.00 (buy at the ticket office or online at sienamobilita.it).

Bus is better than train because the train station in Siena is at the bottom of a steep hill. From the bus station in Siena you walk 200 meters to Piazza del Campo in 5 minutes.

Do not try to see the whole city in one day. Walk to Piazza del Campo. Climb the Torre del Mangia for EUR 10.00 and 400 steps. Visit the Duomo for EUR 12.00. Skip the Baptistery unless you are a fan of medieval fonts.

Eat lunch at a place off the main square. Avoid any restaurant with a waiter standing outside calling to tourists. A panino at Pizzicheria De Miccoli costs EUR 6.00 and is worth the 5 minute walk.

Practical warning: The last direct bus back from Siena leaves at 20:30. Miss it and you wait one hour for a local bus to Empoli then a train. I missed it once. It is not fun.

Lucca: the flat city inside a wall

Train from Firenze SMN to Lucca. Runs twice per hour. Travel time 1 hour. Price EUR 9.30 each way. Buy at the Trenitalia ticket machine with a chip card. Cash works too.

The train station is inside the city walls. Walk through the gate and you are in the historic center in 2 minutes.

Rent a bicycle at Cicli Bizzarri on Piazza S. Maria. EUR 5.00 per hour or EUR 15.00 for the whole day. Ride the 4.2 km path on top of the Renaissance wall. It is flat and safe. Kids use it. Locals use it for their evening run.

Skip the Guinigi Tower with the trees on top. The view is average and the queue can be 40 minutes. Instead walk to the church of San Michele in Foro. It is free. The facade is a Pisan Romanesque marvel with carved griffins and dragons.

Eat a slice of Lucchese torta (vegetable pie) at Forno Amedeo for EUR 3.50. It is across from the Duomo. The line moves fast.

Bologna: the food city in 35 minutes

Take the high-speed train Frecciarossa or Italo from Firenze SMN to Bologna Centrale. Train runs every 15 minutes. Travel time 35 minutes. Price EUR 14.50 each way if booked a day ahead. Same day costs EUR 25.00.

Do not buy a return ticket in advance. Leave your afternoon open. You might want to stay longer.

Exit the train station and walk straight for 10 minutes under the porticoes to Piazza Maggiore. The city center is the largest medieval center in Europe after Venice. The arcades are a UNESCO site.

Eat at Mercato di Mezzo in the main quad. A plate of tortellini in brodo costs EUR 10.00. The fresh pasta counter Ciaolatte serves a tasting plate of three pastas for EUR 12.00. Do not eat at the touristy places on Via Rizzoli.

Climb the Asinelli Tower for EUR 5.00 and 498 steps. The view of the 100 km of porticoes is excellent. Skip the shorter Garisenda tower. It is closed for reinforcement work since 2023 and will not reopen until 2028.

Practical warning: The central square has pickpockets. They work in pairs. Keep your wallet in your front pocket. Do not let anyone put a bracelet on your wrist. They will demand EUR 10.00.

Pisa: the leaning tower morning mission

Train from Firenze SMN to Pisa Centrale. Regional train takes 1 hour 10 minutes. Price EUR 8.50 each way. One runs every 20 minutes.

Do not take the high-speed train to Pisa. It costs three times more. The regional train is clean and punctual.

From Pisa Centrale walk 20 minutes through the Borgo Stretto to the Piazza dei Miracoli. Or take bus LAM rossa from the front of the station. Ticket EUR 1.50 from the machine. Bus runs every 10 minutes.

Climbing the Leaning Tower costs EUR 18.00. You must book online at least 48 hours in advance in summer. The free alternative is the Camposanto cemetery on the north side of the square. It is a medieval cloister with 14th century frescoes. Admission EUR 5.00. It is quiet. The atmosphere is meditative.

Eat a 5 Euro focaccia at Il Fornaio near the square. The queue is worth the wait. The pesto and tomato one is perfect.

Practical warning: The taxi scammers at Pisa Centrale will say the walk is 40 minutes. It is not. It is 20 minutes. Just walk.

Day trip comparison at a glance

Any tips for saving money on day trip tickets?

Buy regional train tickets at the Trenitalia machine. Do not buy on the app until the day of travel. Regional tickets are valid for 4 hours after validation. High-speed tickets are specific to one train. Book those online 7 days ahead for the lowest price.

Bus tickets for Siena and Fiesole are sold at tabacchi shops. Machines rarely give change. Use small bills or coins. The bus driver cannot sell tickets. You must have a ticket before boarding.

Can I visit more than one place in a single day?

Yes but only two. Siena and San Gimignano work together if you have a car. By public transport you need 2.5 hours each way. Not worth it. Instead pair Fiesole in the morning with a return to Florence for lunch and an afternoon in the Boboli Gardens.

Bologna and Modena work as a double trip. Take the regional train from Bologna to Modena (20 minutes, EUR 4.00). See the Ferrari museum or the balsamic vinegar cellars. Return by 18:00 to Florence. That day is packed but doable.

What about the Cinque Terre as a day trip?

Do not do it. The train from Florence to Monterosso takes 2 hours 45 minutes each way with two changes. The single track coastal railway delays often. You arrive at 11:00 and must leave by 16:00 to catch the last connection. Too much stress. Stay overnight instead.

FAQ

Do I need to book museum tickets in advance for Siena or Lucca?

For Siena Duomo you can buy online but it is not required on weekdays. The queue moves in 10 minutes. For the Leaning Tower in Pisa you must book online at least 48 hours ahead in summer. No walk up tickets exist.

Which day trip is best for families with young children?

Lucca. The city wall is flat and wide enough for strollers. Bike rentals have child seats. The train is short and direct. Pisa also works for the same reasons.

Is the Florence card valid on any day trips?

No. The Firenze Card only covers museums and churches inside Florence city limits. It does not cover transport or admissions in Siena, Lucca, Bologna, or Pisa.

How early should I leave Florence for a day trip?

For Pisa and Fiesole leave at 08:00. For Siena and Lucca leave at 09:00. For Bologna leave at 08:30. The early train gets better prices on high-speed routes and keeps you ahead of the tour bus crowds.

Are the day trips doable in winter?

Yes. December and January have fewer crowds. Siena looks better under grey skies. Lucca is more atmospheric in winter drizzle. Bologna is perfect in cold weather because of the warm porticoes and hearty food. The trains run the same schedule.