Choose from 88 Fun Things to Do in Tuscany
Orsanmichele Church and Museum (Chiesa e Museo di Orsanmichele)
- A walking tour of Florence covers a lot of ground, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
- The church and museum are not accessible to wheelchairs.
- The windows of the upper-floor museum are perfect for snapping pictures of Florence from above.
- Photography without flash is allowed in the church and museum.
- Modest attire that covers shoulders and knees should be worn to enter the church.
Knights' Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri)
- When touring the historical center of Pisa and Knight’s Square on foot, wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- The public square is easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller, and most of the space is pedestrian only.
- A number of cafes and gelato shops are just off the square, making this an ideal spot for a quick espresso or cone.
Historic Centre of Siena
- Siena is one of the most beautiful medieval centers in Tuscany, so be sure to bring your camera.
- The town is accessible to wheelchair users, but if your visit is part of a wine tour, wineries may not be. Check in advance.
- Tours of Siena and the villages of Tuscany require a fair bit of walking. Choose comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
Guinigi Tower
- Kids especially enjoy climbing to the rooftop garden, both for the bird’s-eye view and the novelty of full-size trees growing on a tower.
- Because of the many steps to the top of the tower, the climb is only recommended for those in good physical condition.
- Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather if planning on exploring the center of Lucca on foot or by bike.
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina
- Visitors must wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees to enter the church.
- If you’re taking a walking tour of Pisa, choose comfortable shoes and wear a hat and sunscreen in summer.
- The church is located on Pisa’s river walk, a delightful route that hugs the Arno River as it winds through the historic city center.
- The Church of Santa Maria della Spina isn’t accessible to wheelchair users.
Great Synagogue of Florence
Practical Info
Pisa Baptistery (Battistero)
- Visitors with tickets can use the Opera della Primaziale Pisana building’s restrooms, and store bags and luggage in the cloakroom for free.
- There are a number of restaurants and cafés located around the perimeter of the square.
- The baptistery is accessible to wheelchair users.
- You must wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees to enter the church and baptistery.
Pisa Duomo
- Ticketed visitors can use the Opera della Primaziale Pisana building’s restrooms and store bags and luggage in the cloakroom for free.
- There are a number of restaurants and cafés located around the perimeter of the square.
- The Duomo is accessible to wheelchair users.
Pisa Cemetery (Camposanto)
- Visitors with tickets can use restrooms and free cloakroom in the complex’s Opera della Primaziale Pisana building.
- The Piazza dei Miracoli square is lined with a number of restaurants and cafés.
- The Camposanto cemetery is accessible to wheelchair users.
- You must wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees to enter the cemetery chapels.
Puccini Museum
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Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti)
- Pitti Palace is one of Florence's most important attractions, home to centuries of art and history. Booking a guided tour including skip-the-line tickets is strongly recommended.
- Due to the sheer scope of the palace and its collections, by far the best way to visit is with a tour guide who can lead you through the highlights.
- Large backpacks, bags, and umbrellas are not allowed inside; there is a free cloakroom at the entrance.
- The palazzo is completely wheelchair accessible.
Chiesa di San Domenico
- Modest attire is required to enter the church, so be sure to cover your shoulders and knees.
- Walking tours of the Basilica of San Domenico and the city of Siena cover quite a bit of ground; comfortable shoes are recommended.
- The church is accessible to wheelchair users, but the downstairs crypt is not.
- Photography without flash is allowed inside the basilica.
Medici Chapels
- Tickets to the Medici Chapel Museum in the Basilica of San Lorenzo include entrance to the two chapels, Medici and Lorenese crypts, and Basilica Treasury.
- There is wheelchair access to both the ground-floor crypts and the chapels above.
- To enter the church, you must wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
- Large bag and backpacks must be left at the free coat check at the entrance.
Ospedale degli Innocenti
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Monteriggioni
- The rolling hills of Chianti comprise one of the most picturesque corners of Italy, so be sure to bring your camera.
- The town is accessible to wheelchair users, but if your visit is part of a wine tour, wineries may not be. Check in advance.
- Tours of Monteriggioni and the villages of Tuscany require a fair bit of walking. Choose comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
Pitti Palace Palatine Gallery
- The Palatine Gallery is of special interest for art and history buffs.
- Pitti Palace is the largest museum complex in Florence and exploring requires quite a bit of time on your feet, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- Traveling families can use the private nursery for feeding and changing infants.
- There is a café and bookshop in the courtyard of the Pitti Palace.
- The Palatine Gallery is accessible to wheelchair users.
Oltrarno
- Walking tours of the Oltrarno are mostly outdoors, so be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat in summer.
- You will be doing a considerable amount of walking to explore the neighborhood, so choose comfortable footwear.
- Churches require modest attire that covers knees and shoulders.
- Some churches and monuments in the Oltrarno are not accessible to wheelchairs, and much of the historic center is paved with cobblestones.
Ponte Santa Trinita
- Ponte Santa Trinita is a must for history buffs and photographers of all skill levels.
- Windy conditions along the river may cause the temperature to drop, so remember to bundle up if visiting during the colder months of the year.
- Ponte Santa Trinita offers the best panoramic views of the Ponte Vecchio.
- Download the Firenze Turismo app to access maps, cultural event calendars, and tourist information.
Montalcino
Medici Riccardi Palace (Palazzo Medici Riccardi)
To get a glimpse into the sumptuous life of Florence’s wealthy and powerful Medici family during the Renaissance, look no further than Medici Riccardi Palace (Palazzo Medici Riccardi). Designed by Michelozzo in the mid-15th century for Cosimo de' Medici, the palace is considered a masterpiece of early Renaissance architecture.
The Basics
Much of the palace operates as an art museum, and you can tour the richly furnished apartments and libraries; the Galleria, with baroque paintings under the frescoed ceiling by Luca Giordano; and the Chapel of the Magi, with the Procession of the Magi frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli that depict members of the Medici dynasty as part of the procession behind the kings, as well as copies of works by Filippo Lippi—now displayed in other museums. The palace also hosts temporary exhibitions of important art and photography. A visit to the Medici Riccardi Palace is a highlight of any tour of Renaissance Florence or Medici walking tour, both of which also generally include stops at Palazzo Vecchio and Pitti Palace.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Palazzo Medici Riccardi is particularly interesting for history and architecture buffs.
- Due to the Chapel of the Magi’s diminutive size, only 10 visitors are allowed in every seven minutes.
- Private and small-group tours of Renaissance Florence generally require a bit of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- The palazzo is accessible to wheelchair users via a secondary entrance on Via Cavour; contact museum staff to enter.
How to Get There
Palazzo Medici Riccardi is located on Via Cavour, just a few minutes’ walk north of Florence Cathedral (the Duomo) or east of the train station.
When to Get There
Florence is one of the most visited cities in Italy and is very crowded much of the year, especially in summer; it’s best to visit during the off-season winter months. Palazzo Medici Riccardi is open year-round; it is closed on Wednesdays.
The Medici Chapels
Just around the corner from Medici Riccardi Palace, the Basilica di San Lorenzo is home to the magnificent Medici Chapels by Michelangelo. The mausoleum was meant to hold tombs for Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brothers Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino, and Giuliano, Duke of Nemours, but only some were finished.