Horseback Riding in Tuscany: Vineyards, Lunch & Wine Tasting

Seven hours on horseback and at table: vineyards, a traditional lunch, and estate wines

A small-group horseback riding experience departing from Florence or San Gimignano takes you through rolling Tuscan countryside on English saddles at a walking pace, followed by a leisurely multi-course lunch and guided wine tasting at a countryside estate. The ride lasts about an hour. Afterward, depending on your departure point, you have free time to explore the medieval town of San Gimignano before returning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horseback riding and winery tour

• Meet driver in city center
• Transfer to riding center
• Meet horse and safety briefing
• Horseback ride through countryside
• Transfer to winery or estate
• Enjoy Tuscan lunch and wine tasting
• Visit San Gimignano town
• Transfer back to departure point

The experience

The day starts with a transfer from your departure city (roughly 45 to 60 minutes through the Tuscan landscape) to the riding center. Once there, you'll meet your horse, get a safety briefing and basic riding instructions, and receive a helmet and any other equipment you need. The ride itself follows country trails at a walking pace, winding through vineyards and olive groves with views across rolling hills. Your guide stays with the group to keep everyone safe and comfortable, whether you've ridden before or never sat on a horse.

After the ride, a short transfer takes you to a nearby winery or countryside estate for lunch. You'll sit down to a multi-course meal built around fresh local ingredients and regional specialties, paired with a guided tasting of wines made on the property. The guide walks you through the winemaking traditions behind what you're tasting, so you understand what's in your glass. If you started from San Gimignano, you'll have free time after lunch to walk through the medieval town before heading back to your departure point.

Long trousers and closed-toe shoes are required during the ride. You can change into different clothes afterward if you want. The experience operates in most weather, including light rain, though the riding center makes the final call on safety. No previous riding experience is needed, and the pace is designed for beginners as well as intermediate riders.

What’s included

• Professional guidance throughout the day.
• approximately one hour of guided horseback riding on English saddles.
• safety briefing and riding equipment including helmet.
• a multi-course traditional Tuscan lunch with fresh local ingredients.
• a guided wine tasting of estate-produced wines.
• round-trip transportation from your departure city to the riding center and winery.

Options for this experience

3 options

Excursion departing from San GimignanoUp to 7 people · Guide in English or Italian · 11:15Four-hour tour departing from and returning to San Gimignano, including transport, a one-hour horseback ride, and lunch with wine tasting. Starting point: Bivio Volterra, 53037 San Gimignano, Province of Siena, Italy

Tour from ChiantiUp to 6 people · Guide in English or Italian · 11:00Six-hour tour departing from and returning to the Tuscany on Wheels office, including transport, a one-hour horse ride, lunch, wine tasting, and free time in San Gimignano. Starting point: Tuscany on Wheels - Tours in & from San Gimignano, Strada di Sant' Appiano, 9/i, 50028 Barberino Tavarnelle FI, Italy

Tour from FlorenceUp to 6 people · Guide in English or Italian · 10:00Seven-hour tour departing from and returning to Florence, including transport, a one-hour horseback ride, lunch with wine tasting, and free time in San Gimignano. Starting point: Parcheggio Oltrarno, Piazza della Calza, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 7h, runs Monday to Saturday at 11:00, 11:15 and 10:00, from € 120 per person, with a live guide in English and Italian, in groups of up to 7 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Thursday: 11:00 and 11:15Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 10:00, 11:00 and 11:15

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 to 79 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree 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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Italy on a Budget tours

Is this one for you?Choose your departure point based on where you're staying: Florence and Chianti options return directly to the city, while the San Gimignano departure includes free time to explore the medieval town after lunch. The walking-pace ride suits beginners and experienced riders alike, and the full day (ride, lunch, and wine tasting) fits into a single outing from the city.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

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.

What's the horseback riding actually like if I've never ridden before?

The ride takes place at a walking pace only, with no trotting or galloping, and your guide stays with the group to keep everyone safe and comfortable. You'll receive a safety briefing and basic riding instructions before you set off, and helmets and equipment are provided. The experience is suitable for beginners with no previous riding experience.

How long do I spend in the saddle?

The guided horseback ride lasts approximately one hour, following country trails through vineyards and olive groves.

What happens after the ride?

A short transfer takes you to a nearby winery or countryside estate for a leisurely multi-course Tuscan lunch featuring fresh local ingredients and regional specialties. The meal includes a guided tasting of wines produced on-site, with an introduction to local winemaking traditions.

Do I get to visit San Gimignano?

If you depart from San Gimignano, you'll have free time to explore the medieval town after lunch before returning to your starting point. Departures from Florence and Chianti do not include a San Gimignano visit.

What should I wear for the ride?

Long trousers and closed-toe shoes are required during the horseback riding portion. You can change into different clothing or footwear after the ride is complete, so bring a change of clothes if you'd like.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Round-trip transportation is included from your departure point in Florence, San Gimignano, or Chianti to the riding center and the estate. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You'll meet your driver in the city center.