All You Need to Know about Traveling from Florence to San Gimignano

San Gimignano, located about 35 miles southwest of Florence, is a beautifully preserved Medieval hilltop town. The entire historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is enclosed by the old city walls and has a famous collection of tower houses. The city was once an important stop on the pilgrimage route between Canterbury and Rome, known as the Via Francigena, and today it is one of the most popular day trips from Florence.

If you’re planning holiday in Florence, you really should consider taking a day trip from Florence to Tuscany. Whether you do a day trip or stay overnight, you’ll fall in love with this quaint Italian town. Of course, no matter how much time you plan to spend there, you have to get there first. Check out our guide to getting from Florence to San Gimignano, plus some information about what to do, see, and eat.

The stone towers standing above the greenery in San Gimignano.

Why San Gimignano Makes a Great Day Trip from Florence

Spending time in Florence is a must for most Italy travelers, but getting out into the Tuscan countryside allows you to see a different side of Italian life. San Gimignano  is a great day trip option for a few key reasons.

1. It’s extremely well-preserved. Inside the old city walls, San Gimignano can feel a little bit like a time capsule. There’s no denying the appeal of strolling around the car-free cobblestone streets and admiring the Medieval buildings and towers—not to mention admiring the spectacular views of the countryside from the town’s hilltop position. It’s not hard to imagine that it’s quite like what locals might have seen in the 13th century when the town was at its peak.
2. It’s a short trip from Florence. Whether you have a car or are traveling by bus, the trip from Florence to San Gimignano is between 1-2 hours each way. Get an early start and you’ll have plenty of time for on-the-ground exploring before you have to head back to Florence (or on to a second Tuscan day trip town).
3. It’s easy to fully explore in less than a day. San Gimignano is small enough that you can see the whole town on foot in half a day (at a leisurely pace, no less). There are churches and small museums to visit, a tower to climb, and plenty of aimless strolling to do. You can do and see everything you came for in one day without feeling rushed.

Small quiet squares and medieval architecture make for a perfect day trip from Florence.

It’s important to emphasize, however, that San Gimignano isn’t just a great day trip option from Florence, it’s also a very popular one. Especially in the high season, the town can get quite crowded during the day. If you’re looking for more of an “I have the whole town to myself” experience, you’ll want to plan an overnight stay. The town feels completely different in the evenings after the last buses leave for the day.

How to Get to San Gimignano from Florence

Depending on your budget, your timescales and your personal preferences, you have a few options on how to get to San Gimignano from Florence.

By Car

The drive from Florence to San Gimignano covers around 35–37 miles (55–60 km) and usually takes about an hour, making it one of the quickest ways to reach this medieval hill town. Driving also gives you the freedom to explore Tuscany at your own pace, with opportunities to stop in other towns and villages along the way. There are a few things to keep in mind before setting off, however.

Parking in San Gimignano is available in several designated car parks outside the historic centre, which is a restricted-traffic zone. Prices vary by location: in 2026, P1 Giubileo charges €7 for the first 24 hours, while P2 Montemaggio charges up to €15. P1 is a particularly economical option and is conveniently located for drivers arriving from Florence via Poggibonsi. Both car parks are within walking distance of the historic centre, although the route involves an uphill walk. Seasonal shuttle buses also serve some car parks, but routes and stops vary throughout the year.

Insider tip: Check the official San Gimignano parking/transport info for current fees and services.

As enjoyable as a Tuscan road trip can be, having a car in Florence itself is usually more trouble than it’s worth. Renting a car for a day or two is a great way to explore the surrounding countryside, but it’s best to collect it when you’re ready to leave the city. Choose a rental office outside the historic centre if possible, and be aware of Florence’s Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL), or restricted-traffic zone. Unauthorised entry can result in fines recorded by automatic cameras, so plan your route carefully and follow the road signs.

Before you leave, use a route planner to check your journey and estimate fuel costs and any tolls along the way. Although the drive to San Gimignano does not normally require motorway tolls for the usual route via the Florence-Siena expressway, your chosen route may differ, so it’s worth checking in advance.

Although there used to be 72 towers in San Gimignano’s historic center, only 13 still stand today!

By Bus

Italy’s train system has plenty of fans, and with good reason. But for travel within a region, buses are sometimes the only option and can be more economical. For a trip from Florence to San Gimignano, travelling by bus via Poggibonsi is a practical alternative to taking the train and then transferring to a bus.

There is no direct bus between Florence and San Gimignano, so you’ll need to take two services. First, catch route 131 from Florence’s Autostazione, a short walk from Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station, to Poggibonsi. The journey takes around an hour or more, depending on the service and stops.

At Poggibonsi, change to route 130 for San Gimignano, which takes approximately 25-30 minutes. Connections and departure frequencies vary by day, season, and timetable, so don’t assume you’ll find a bus every hour or that the wait will be short. Check both routes in advance and leave enough time for the transfer, particularly if you’re planning a day trip.

Although known for its many towers and old-world charm, San Gimignano has a lot of interesting history.

By Train

San Gimignano has no railway station, but you can travel from Florence by train to Poggibonsi-San Gimignano and continue by bus to the town. Regional trains run from Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN), with journey times and departure frequency varying according to the service.

The station is called Poggibonsi-San Gimignano, making it easy to identify where to get off. From there, take bus 130 towards San Gimignano; the journey typically takes around 25–30 minutes, depending on the service.

For convenience, Trenitalia also offers combined train-and-bus tickets to S. Gimignano Centro Storico, allowing you to plan the journey in one booking. Check the official Trenitalia website for current timetables, connections, and ticket options before travelling.

We love walking through an Gimignano’s preserved architecture, and charming streets.

What to Do in San Gimignano

There were once 72 towers clustered in San Gimignano’s historic center, leading to its modern nickname, “Medieval Manhattan.” Only 13 towers are left standing today, but, given how striking the skyline is now, it’s not hard to imagine how imposing 72 towers must have looked.

Built to ever increasing heights by local families vying to demonstrate their wealth and power, the towers were often also family homes. The tallest ones stood at about 230 feet (70 meters). The Medieval building spree was brought to a halt when the city council declared that nothing could be built taller than the tower on the city hall.

Today, though most of San Gimignano’s towers can only be enjoyed from the ground, you can climb the tallest one (Torre Grossa) for unparalleled 360-degree views over the town and the surrounding countryside. Other things to see in San Gimignano include the Duomo and Palazzo Comunale, both of which have notable artworks inside, and the 14th century cistern in the square named for it: Piazza della Cisterna.

Pedestrians stroll along Via San Matteo in San Gimignano, Italy

What to Eat in San Gimignano

After all that strolling and sightseeing, you’ll find plenty to tempt your appetite in San Gimignano. The town is especially famous for Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a dry white wine with roots dating back to the 13th century, and for its prized local saffron, which has been cultivated here since the Middle Ages. You can learn more about the wine at the Vernaccia Wine Experience in the Rocca di Montestaffoli, where tastings offer a chance to sample this distinctive Tuscan variety.

Look out for traditional Tuscan dishes such as pici pasta served with cinghiale (wild boar), as well as local pecorino cheese. For something sweet, stop at Gelateria Dondoli in Piazza della Cisterna, a celebrated gelateria known for its award-winning flavours.

Saffron is another local speciality to seek out, appearing in some traditional dishes and products. Its trade brought considerable wealth to San Gimignano during the Middle Ages and helped some wealthy families finance the towers that still define the town’s skyline.

FAQs – Florence to San Gimignano 

How long does it take to get to San Gimignano from Florence?

The trip usually takes about one hour by car or 1.5-2 hours by bus (or by the train/bus combination detailed above) from San Gimignano to Florence, or from Florence to San Gimignano.

How long should you spend in San Gimignano?

You can see San Gimignano’s main sights in half a day, including its medieval towers, Piazza della Cisterna, and historic streets. Allow a full day if you want to visit its museums, enjoy a leisurely Tuscan lunch, and sample local specialities such as Vernaccia wine and saffron dishes.

When’s the best time of year to visit San Gimignano?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are ideal times to visit San Gimignano, with pleasant temperatures for exploring the medieval streets and surrounding countryside. July and August can be hot and crowded, especially around midday, while winter is generally quieter and offers a more peaceful experience, although some attractions and businesses may have reduced opening hours.

Can you climb the towers in San Gimignano?

There is one tower in San Gimignano you can climb, and it’s the tallest one: Torre Grossa. Built in 1311, it’s 177 feet (54 meters) high and offers splendid 360-degree views overlooking the town and countryside. If you’re spending the night, however, there’s another tower you can climb if you book its holiday apartment: Torre Salvucci Maggiore.

Florence is one of Italy’s most vibrant cities. Make the most of your visit by taking a walking tour of all its top sites!

Make the Most of Your Time in Florence and Tuscany

Guided Tours from Rome/Florence to San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a highlight of the Tuscan countryside, but it’s just one of the region’s unforgettable destinations. Joining a guided tour takes the stress out of planning transport and connections, while an expert local guide brings the area’s medieval history, food, wine, and traditions to life.

For visitors staying in Florence, a Tuscany day trip from Florence combines San Gimignano with Siena and the Chianti countryside, including transportation, food, wine tastings, and guided walks.

If you are staying in Rome, you can join the Rome to Florence Overnight Tour for an effortless way to see Florence, and the Tuscan countryside in just two days. With skip-the-line access to highlights like Michelangelo’s David and the Duomo, and a charming overnight stay in Florence. Followed by a day trip to include wine tastings at a family-run vineyard, Siena and San Gimignano before returning to Rome with memories to last a lifetime!

Guided Tours of the city of Florence

To make even more time for the countryside, plan your Florence sightseeing efficiently, too. A guided Florence tour can help you discover the city’s essential sights and understand its Renaissance heritage without spending hours working out where to go and what to see.

For a more tailored itinerary, private Florence tours offer greater flexibility around your interests and schedule. With Florence’s highlights covered, you can devote more of your trip to exploring San Gimignano and the surrounding Tuscan villages, vineyards, and historic towns.