San Gimignano Travel Guide – 12 Best things to do in San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a picturesque hilltop town in the heart of Tuscany in Italy and it is a bucket list destination, especially in summer.

I have been to Tuscany many times and explored it extensively, from the main cities to gorgeous towns among hills and the countryside, getting to know my way around the local towns.

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Aside from the towers that San Gimignano is known for, there are fascinating historical sights, exquisite views, and delicious food, making a visit to San Gimignano one of the best things to do in Tuscany.

In this guide, I’ll be sharing the best of what to do in San Gimignano so that you can get straight to the good stuff!

Where to stay in San Gimignano

If you’re visiting San Gimignano in Tuscany for the first time, stay in the heart of the town which is where most attractions are. The town center is well-connected to the surrounding areas and is lined with shops, restaurants, and the best bars in town.

The countryside instead is a good location if you’re seeking spectacular views and a more authentic stay and cuisine with a tranquil atmosphere.

Best things to do in San Gimignano

Meander through the alleys of San Gimignano

Before I go into some of the more specific things to do in San Gimignano, I want to tell you something that seems obvious but that most people don’t seem to do. And that’s to explore the town center and its side streets.

The historic center of San Gimignano is not that large but of outstanding beauty and if you just take a turn and explore the side streets and alleys you’ll see a more local and authentic perspective of San Gimignano.

This private walking tour is a great choice if you want to explore the city with an extremely knowledgeable local guide.

Book your private walking tour

Take in the views from Torre Grossa

The towers of San Gimignano may be the town’s best-known attribute. 

They were built by wealthy and powerful families primarily as symbols of their status and influence, rather than for any practical use.

Torre Grossa is the tallest tower in San Gimignano and I highly recommend to climb it for amazing views over the whole town and surroundings. You can access it from the Town Hall which is a great building itself where you can see frescos and many pieces of art.

Visit the Cathedral of San Gimignano

Next to the Town Hall is the Cathedral of San Gimignano which is a true piece of art.

The walls of the church are lined with stunning 14th century frescoes that tell the stories of the Old Testament on one side, and the New Testament on the other. 

In the 13th century, a severely ill girl named Fina spent her last decade on a wooden board. After her death, yellow violets bloomed on it, a miracle leading to her sainthood. The original board is in the chapel, with her imagery seen throughout the town.

Pay a visit to Rocca di Montestaffoli

The Rocca di Montestaffoli is the town’s old fortress from the 14th century. You can learn a bit about the history on site, it’s free to visit and you get a great view from the top of the walls, so I recommend checking it out.

Join a wine-tasting tour among the Chianti hills

San Gimignano is located in the heart of the Chianti region known for some of Italy’s finest wines. I can’t stress this strongly enough – don’t come to San Gimignano without trying the wine! It’s one of the main products of the region. 

San Gimignano boasts around 60 wineries where you can try various wine varieties produced in the region.

If you want to get a broad appreciation for the wines that are grown around San Gimignano, then this 2-hour wine tasting is an excellent place to start.

If you prefer to get further out into the region and see more of the Chianti vineyards, pick between this wine tasting and lunch, this Wineyard walk and wine tasting or explore the Chianti wineries by vespa.

Go Truffle hunting in the Tuscan countryside

Apart from wines, Tuscany is well known for its truffles!

If you want the ultimate culinary experience, go truffle hunting. This tour is one of a kind and you’ll get to learn how to recognize truffles while indulging in a fabulous lunch with wine and learn about local produce. 

If you’d also like a truffle cooking experience together with the hunt, then this truffle hunt and cooking class is for you.

Learn how to cook the traditional Italian way 

Cooking classes are a great way to get more involved and dive deeper into the culinary scene.

This fun pizza masterclass and wine tasting is a great option if you are a pizza lover, otherwise book this private pasta making class or this homemade pasta cooking class where you’ll learn to cook delicious pasta the local way!

Go oil tasting in a local olive oil mill

Among the foods Tuscany is famous for, oil is the most peculiar one. Rich in olive trees, San Gimignano has one of the most famous oil mills. If you’d like to see how oil is made and have an epic oil tasting experience, book this guided tour to the mill!

Book your mill tour & oil tasting

Try the best gelato at Gelateria Dondoli

You can’t visit San Gimignano without trying the famous Gelateria Dondoli gelato. 

The gelato at this store is known across the world – and is made from the milk of cows from nearby farms. Along with the expected, there is a range of interesting flavors – raspberry with rosemary, ricotta with blueberries which I love, saffron with orange and nuts, even pink grapefruit and sparkling wine.

They also offer an exclusive gelato-making class which is a real treat! 

Go on a Horseback riding trip 

If you like being in nature and exploring the countryside at its fullest, I must recommend horse riding! This half day horse riding tour will take you around charming towns, verdant meadows, and pretty woods with a very dedicated guide. 

Book your horse riding tour

Hike a bit of the Via Francigena

The Via Francigena is a historic trail stretching from Canterbury to Rome. It features a particularly beautiful segment between San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, one of the few old medieval towns in Italy that still retains its complete city walls and towers. 

Whether you choose to walk the entire way or just a portion, a wonderful variant of the trail passes through Colle Val d’Elsa, a stunning spot worth visiting. I personally loved stopping here to enjoy the views and grab a bite to eat!

Visit the museums in town

Some of the most important heritage sights in San Gimignano have been turned into museums, showing how life once was here or examining different parts of the town’s history. It’s worth visiting at least a couple of them to help get a sense of the rich story of the town.

My absolute favorite is the Herbarium of Santa Fina which is a partially reconstructed pharmacy. The Archeological Museum and Torre e Casa Campatelli are also worth a visit.

Getting to San Gimignano

Tour: Although it’s possible to visit independently, you may like to take a tour to get even more out of your visit especially if your time is limited. There are many day tours starting in Florence which will be enough for you to get in touch with the town’s history and culture.

This semi private day tour or this mini van tour from Florence are the perfect activity packed options to see San Gimignano together with Siena and the Tuscany hills. While this San Gimignano and Abbey of San Galganoln tour is more focused on the town and the countryside!

By car: this is the most convenient way to travel around Tuscany and there are quite a few parking areas just outside San Gimignano that you can use.

Coming from the south, P1 Giubileo is the best option while P3 Bagnaia Superiore and P4 Bagnaia Inferiore are best if you’re coming from the North.

By public transport: If you’re coming by public transport, then the easiest way from every direction is to come through the town of Poggibonsi (which is quite interesting in its own right).

You can get the train there from across Tuscany. Then catch the bus number 130 from outside the train station, which takes about 20 minutes to San Gimignano.

If you are traveling from Florence or Siena to San Gimignano though, you are better off getting the bus the whole way, rather than using the train.

Getting around San Gimignano

The town of San Gimignano  itself is very walkable, with narrow streets and picturesque alleys and architecture. However, if you want to venture out of town, you’ll need to use some form of transportation. Here are your options:

• Bus: The local Autolinee Toscane bus is the most affordable way to travel between towns in the Tuscan hills

• Taxi: Taxis in San Gimignano can be convenient, but they are also quite expensive. If you want a faster and more direct route, taxis could be a good option for you

• Scooter Rental: For a more independent and flexible option, you may want to rent a scooter to explore the hills at your own pace without worrying too much about parking and traffic.

• Guided tours: Guided tours are the best option for getting around San Gimignano in terms of price and convenience. Experience the charm of la dolce vita and book this vintage tour from Florence to San Gimignano and cruise along the hills in a vintage car!

Where to eat and drink in San Gimignano

Down the main street of San Gimignano, you’ll find the usual cafes with sandwiches, trattorias with pasta, and a couple of pizzerias which are great.

But to discover the best restaurants in San Gimignano, though, you need to know what you’re looking for, because some are not in the most obvious spots and I am here to help!

A few great choices that offer an authentic experience are:

• Osteria delle Catene: This traditional restaurant serves hearty meals that are great examples of the local cuisine, at great value prices. The pappardelle here is so good!
• La Mandragola: With a quiet and intimate setting, including a garden, this little oasis focuses on Tuscan dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients, in a great location. 
• Le Vecchie Mura: The home-cooked local dishes like wild boar and white beans are fantastic but  the sweeping view from the terrace really sets this spot apart!
• Linfa: San Gimignano’s only Michelin-starred restaurant offers an exquisite fine-dining experience with tasting menus and optional wine pairings. If you’d like to experience high cuisine, make sure to book a table here.

A unique experience in Tuscsany is immersing yourself in local culture through food outside of traditional restaurant settings. Many of the town’s residents open their homes to guests, allowing you to enjoy an authentic home-cooked meal.

If you’d like a more intimate and personal taste of the region’s culinary traditions, try this dining experience at a local home. 

How many days in San Gimignano?

San Gimignano may be a small city, but it is packed with things to do and see. While you can see the highlights in a day, two days is just the right amount of time to experience it all.

However, if you prefer slow travel and want to explore the surrounding hills and countryside as well, allow three or four days to try most of the activities listed above.

Best time to Visit San Gimignano

May, June and September are the best times to visit San Gimignano. These months bring fewer tourists, and lower prices, while still offering warm weather and beautiful views. Additionally, these months coincide with the truffle season, which runs from June to November, 

Summer months are the warmest but not that great as it can be very crowded and hot, making it difficult to fully enjoy the town’s charm. Spring can also be a good time to visit, in April the hills will be lush green and temperatures will be milder, allowing for a great experience.

Is San Gimignano worth visiting?

With its medieval buildings, lush green hills, incredible wine, breathtaking views and delicious cuisine, San Gimignano is a must-visit destination in Italy. 

Because San Gimignano is a popular tourist destination, it can get quite crowded, especially during the summer months. For this reason, it’s important to manage your expectations (and make reservations ahead of time) when planning to visit this darling town. However, with proper planning, you will have a magical experience in San Gimignano, Italy.