Florence to Val d'Orcia: Pienza, Montalcino & Monteriggioni Day Tour

Medieval villages, Brunello wines and the scent of pecorino in Tuscany

You'll wind through Tuscany from Florence to Pienza's quiet streets scented with pecorino, Montalcino's hilltop home of Brunello, and the medieval walls of Monteriggioni: all in one full day. Expect laughter, small surprises, and moments you’ll want to linger over long after you’re back home.

Options for this experience

12 options

From € 43 to € 98 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Transfer Only English Early Bird Available from 20 Dec · 08:00 Transfer only: includes bus and on-board assistance only. Recommended for bookings made well in advance.

Transfer Only Portuguese Early Bird Available from 20 Dec · 08:00 Transfer only: includes bus and on-board assistance only. Recommended for bookings made well in advance.

Transfer Only Spanish Early Bird Available from 20 Dec · 08:00 Transfer only: includes bus and on-board assistance only. Recommended for bookings made well in advance.

See 9 more options

English-language transfer only 08:00 Transfer only: includes bus and on-board assistance only.

Spanish-language transfer only 08:00 Transfer only: includes bus and on-board assistance only.

Portuguese-language transfer only 08:00 Transfer only: includes bus and on-board assistance only.

English-language classic option 08:00 Classic option in English: includes bus, host and entrance to the Templars Museum

Spanish-language classic option 08:00 Classic option in Spanish: includes bus, host and entrance to the Templars Museum

Portuguese-language classic option 08:00 Classic option in Portuguese: includes bus, host and entrance to the Templars Museum

Classic + wine tasting in English 08:00 Tour + wine tasting in English: includes bus, host and entrance to the Templars Museum. Wine tasting: a tasting of Brunello di Montalcino and one Rosso di Montalcino, paired with local snacks

Classic + wine tasting in Spanish 08:00 Tour + wine tasting in Spanish: includes bus, host and entrance to the Templars Museum. Wine tasting: a tasting of Brunello di Montalcino and one Rosso di Montalcino, paired with local snacks

Classic + Wine Tasting Portuguese 08:00 Tour + wine tasting in Portuguese: includes bus, host and entrance to the Templars Museum. Wine tasting: a tasting of Brunello di Montalcino and one Rosso di Montalcino, paired with local snacks

None of these options right for you? See 7 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Pienza, Montalcino, Monteriggioni

• Depart from Florence city centre
• Arrive in Pienza village
• Stroll through Pienza streets
• Admire Pienza's Renaissance architecture
• Visit Pienza Cathedral area
• Explore Pienza's central square
• See typical Tuscan stone building
• Travel to Montalcino hill town
• Visit Montalcino Fortress
• Explore Montalcino Palace
• Wine tasting on the Classic + Wine Tasting option
• Travel to Monteriggioni fortified village
• Walk Monteriggioni medieval walls
• Visit Templar Knights Museum
• Return to Florence city centre

Stops and time spent at each 8 stops

1. Pienza 1h 30m
2. Duomo passing by
3. Piazza Pio II passing by
4. Palazzo Piccolomini passing by
5. Montalcino 2h
6. Montalcino Fortress passing by
7. Palazzo dei Priori passing by
8. Monteriggioni 1h 15m

What’s included

• Your day includes air-conditioned coach transport from Florence with Wi-Fi onboard and the Templar Museum entry ticket, plus, on every option except transfer only, an expert multilingual guide and access to Monteriggioni's medieval walls.
• the Classic + Wine Tasting option adds a tasting of Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino with local cheeses and cold cuts.

Times

Looking for another day or time? ›

• Sunday 08:00

Information

Follow winding Tuscan roads from Florence to Renaissance Pienza, Brunello country in Montalcino and the medieval walls of Monteriggioni, all in one day.

Group Up to 49

Live guide English, Spanish and Portuguese Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. See the exact address

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Stroller-friendly Public transport nearby Not recommended with back problems Infants must sit on laps

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.76 ★★★★★ Excellent 76 verified traveler reviews 88% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 67

4 ★ 5

3 ★ 1

2 ★ 1

1 ★ 2

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The experience

Pienza came first: a Renaissance village perched above the Val d'Orcia and famous for its Pecorino di Pienza. The whole village of Pienza smelled faintly like warm bread and sheep’s milk that morning: hard not to smile about that. We wandered through tiny alleys with flower pots hanging off every windowsill. I tried asking for directions in Italian (bad idea), but a woman selling postcards just laughed and pointed toward the main square. There’s something so unhurried about life here. It seeps into your bones if you let it.

The drive from Florence didn’t feel long at all, maybe because the Val d’Orcia looks like those old oil paintings: soft hills rolling out forever, cypress trees lined up like chess pieces. In Montalcino, the hill town where Brunello di Montalcino is made, those of us on the Classic + Wine Tasting option got to taste it right at the source. I'm not much of a wine person, but even I could tell this stuff was special. A glass of Rosso di Montalcino came with it, along with cold cuts and cheeses. Someone asked how many people actually live here (about 6,000 apparently), but it felt even quieter than that. You hear your own footsteps echo in some corners.

Monteriggioni came last: tucked behind thick stone walls that look almost too perfect to be real. Our guide joked about video games set here. I didn’t get the reference but everyone under 30 did. Climbing up on the ramparts gave me this odd feeling: like you’re standing in two centuries at once. The Templar Knights Museum was full of authentic armor. Honestly, I spent more time staring at the helmets than reading the plaques. By then my legs were tired but my head was full, so many stories layered over each other here.

I still think about those quiet streets in Pienza sometimes, or the way late afternoon sun hit those medieval stones in Monteriggioni. If you're looking for a day trip from Florence that feels like stepping sideways into another time, this one might be it.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Are wine tastings included on this day trip?

Yes, with the Classic + Wine Tasting option: a tasting of Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino with cold cuts and cheeses.

Does the tour include entry to Monteriggioni’s medieval walls?

Yes, access to walk along Monteriggioni's historic walls is included on every option except transfer only.

Is transportation from Florence included?

Yes, air-conditioned bus transport from Florence city center is provided for all stops on the tour.

How much walking is involved?

The tour involves moderate walking through villages. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Operated by Sightseeing Experience. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated today