Truffle Hunting & Lunch in San Gimignano with Expert Guides

Find truffles underground, learn to cook them at the table.

A three-hour truffle hunting experience in San Gimignano led by licensed guides Mirco and Luca and their trained dogs, where you search the Tuscan countryside for truffles, then return to Podere La Marronaia for a farm-to-table lunch featuring fresh truffles paired with organic wines and oils. The experience includes instruction on identifying truffle habitats and trees, plus cooking and preservation techniques. Minimum age is 18. Moderate fitness required.

The experience

The hunt starts at Podere La Marronaia, where you meet the guides and their dogs before heading into nearby truffle-rich terrain. You'll learn to spot the trees and soil conditions that signal truffles underground, then watch the dogs work, and feel the moment they find one. There's no guarantee of a discovery on every outing, but the guides share the techniques and knowledge that make truffle hunting possible, and you get to handle and smell the real thing when the dogs locate it.

After the hunt, you return to the farm for a walk through the family's history and agricultural practices. Then comes lunch: truffle antipasto with Tuscan bruschette, pasta with fresh truffle slices, a second course of roast beef with truffle or fried eggs with truffle, and dessert. The meal is paired with the farm's own organic wines, extra virgin olive oils, and balsamic vinegar. A direct taste of what you've just hunted.

Bottled water is provided throughout. The experience runs about three hours total. Guides speak English and Italian. The terrain is countryside, so comfortable walking shoes and a moderate level of fitness matter. The activity is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

What’s included

• Truffle hunting with trained dogs led by guides Mirco and Luca.
• instruction on identifying truffle habitats and trees.
• cooking and preservation techniques.
• truffle-based lunch with antipasto, pasta, roast beef or eggs with fresh truffle, and dessert.
• organic wines, extra virgin olive oils, and balsamic vinegar.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30, 11:00 and 16:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Podere la Marronaia

Is this one for you?The experience starts and ends at Podere La Marronaia, so you'll need to arrange your own transportation there: useful to know if you're staying in San Gimignano town or don't have a car. Once at the farm, the guides handle the hunt and the meal, making it a full immersion into truffle culture without needing to plan stops or logistics yourself.

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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 happens if the dogs don't find any truffles during the hunt?

The guides still take you through the process of identifying truffle habitat and the trees where they grow, sharing the knowledge and techniques that make the hunt possible. Finding a truffle is not guaranteed on every outing, but you experience the real work of truffle hunting either way.

Is transportation from San Gimignano town included, or do I need to arrange my own way to Podere La Marronaia?

Transportation to the farm is not included in this experience. You'll need to arrange your own way to Podere La Marronaia. The guides will provide directions when you book.

What exactly is served at the truffle lunch?

Lunch includes truffle antipasto with a selection of Tuscan bruschette topped with white and black truffle; pasta with fresh truffle slices; a second course of either roast beef with truffle or fried eggs with truffle; and a dessert of the day. Everything is paired with the farm's organic wines, extra virgin olive oils, and balsamic vinegar.

Can I bring someone under 18, or is there a strict age limit?

The minimum age for this experience is 18. Younger guests cannot participate.

How long does the whole experience take, from arrival to leaving after lunch?

The experience runs approximately three hours total, including the truffle hunt in the countryside and the lunch at Podere La Marronaia.

What should I wear for truffle hunting in the Tuscan countryside?

Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for countryside terrain. The hunt takes place outdoors, so dress for the season. Moderate fitness is required to walk the truffle-hunting areas.