San Gimignano Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
San Gimignano showing shopping and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Take a step back in time as you explore the grandiose plazas and frescoed churches of this medieval town set above Val d’Elsa in the heart of Tuscany.

Rising out of Tuscany’s lush green countryside is the dreamlike San Gimignano. Once a stopover for pilgrims on route to Rome along the Via Francigena, today this is arguably Italy’s most beautiful medieval town. Discover fine examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture as you wander along winding alleys. Browse exhibitions of antique art and drink in the atmosphere at stately squares.

San Gimignano’s core is its enchanting and UNESCO-protected walled old town. Meandering around the brick-paved streets presents the chance to delve into the town’s 700-year-old history.

Piazza Duomo, one of three interconnecting central squares, is a great place to start your tour. Marvel at the 14th-century paintings of biblical scenes that beautify the Collegiate Church of San Gimignano. Browse further collections of art at the San Gimignano Communal Palace. Enjoy sweeping views from the palace’s Torre Grossa, one of the 14 remaining of 72 towers that once punctuated the skyline.

Pass through a monumental archway to Piazza della Cisterna, the town’s historical gathering place for social activities. Gaze in admiration at 13th-century palaces and towers such as Torre dei Becco and Torre dei Cugnanesi. Take some time out at peaceful Piazza delle Erbe.

Find more architectural wonders a short walk from the old town’s center. Among these are Chiesa di Sant’Agostino and Chiesa di San Pietro in Forliano, set around Piazza Sant’Agostino.

San Gimignano has its curiosities, too. See displays of bird taxidermy at the Ornithological Museum. Get up close with original and reconstructed torture devices at the Museum of Torture. Sample locally-produced wine and learn about the town’s winemaking traditions at the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Museum.

Throughout year, fairs, farmers’ markets and festivals bring color to the town’s squares. Visit in January or February, when the flamboyant parades of the Carnival of San Gimignano take over the streets.

Situated in the Tuscan province of Siena, San Gimignano is about a 1-hour drive from the cities of Florence and Siena.

Where to stay in San Gimignano

Piazza della Cisterna showing heritage architecture, night scenes and dining out

San Gimignano City Centre

5/5(7 area reviews)

San Gimignano City Centre is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Duomo.

San Gimignano City Centre
Villasanpaolo
Villasanpaolo
4 out of 5
Strada Provinciale Per Certaldo, San Gimignano, SI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿6,199 per night from 12 Nov to 13 Nov
฿6,199
฿6,819 total
includes taxes & fees
12 Nov - 13 Nov
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in San Gimignano. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Sant'Agostino Church and Archaeological ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (197 reviews)
"Absolutely loved the experience we had with this spa villa! Beautiful grounds pools and dinning experience. Staff were very welcoming and always attentive. My only negative thought on this property would be the cost to using the spa at 40 euros pp not per room. Otherwise an exceptional stay!"

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2024

Villasanpaolo
Hotel Casolare Le Terre Rosse
Hotel Casolare Le Terre Rosse
3 out of 5
Loc. San Donato, San Gimignano, SI
The price is ฿7,057 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
฿7,057
฿7,763 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in San Gimignano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (410 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel in a wonderful peaceful setting about a ten minute shuttle to San Gimignano. High end restaurant was wonderful but pricey so for the second night we ate in the lobby restaurant. Highly recommend this oasis."

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2024

Hotel Casolare Le Terre Rosse
Poderi Arcangelo
Poderi Arcangelo
Localita Capezzano, San Gimignano, SI
The price is ฿3,577 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
฿3,577
฿3,934 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this family-friendly farm stay in San Gimignano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (276 reviews)
"This is not an hotel or a Bed and Breakfast but a working farm (vineyard and olive groves) with a beautiful guesthouse with comfortable basic bedrooms. The dinners are family style for each room/group and there is only one menu per evening. The dinners were delicious and the wine was very good. There ..."

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2024

Poderi Arcangelo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Camping Boschetto Di Piemma
Camping Boschetto Di Piemma
3 out of 5
Localita' Santa Lucia 38C, San Gimignano
Stay at this 3-star campsite in San Gimignano. Enjoy free parking, 2 bars/lounges and a garden. Popular attractions Sovestro in Poggio Winery and Historical ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (71 reviews)
Great spot
"Nice quiet spot in the woods but very close to San Gimignano. Very clean. Comfortable beds. They don’t provide towels or soaps, but that is clear up front. You can rent towels if you want and they sell soap/ shampoo in the office."

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2023

Camping Boschetto Di Piemma
Casa Vacanze Le Case
Casa Vacanze Le Case
Localita Cellole Le Case 28, San Gimignano, Siena
Stay at this holiday home in San Gimignano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Sant'Agostino Church and Fortress of ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (7 reviews)
"Wonderful. Beautiful property, the views were amazing,and it was so clean. A10 out of 10."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2023

Casa Vacanze Le Case
Fattorie Santo Pietro
Fattorie Santo Pietro
Località San Pietro a Pancole, San Gimignano
Stay at this cottage in San Gimignano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Agricola Tamburini Emanuela and Museum of Sacred ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Un excellent service à la clientèle. Un gros merci à Chiara pour son accueil et sa rapidité de régler une petite problématique"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2024

Fattorie Santo Pietro
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of San Gimignano

4.9
Top destination
5 - Excellent
25
" "5 - Excellent 92.5925925925926%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 7.407407407407407%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Hotel is in a nice quiet village called Pancole, 10 minute drive to San Gimignano with its many towers in a historic walled centre.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A must do experience. One of the best fortified hill top medieval villages in europe

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Unique structure. Charming. Full of life

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Wonderfully historic. Unique architecture. Opera in the cathedral a delight. Cuisine from pizzas to fine dining

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beautiful hillside town with lots to see and do, Enoteca D’Vinorum our favourite for lunch and wine pairings. Vecchie La Mura for dinner is fantastic. Book ahead and request a table outside. The view is amazing!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The tower is a must and Il Ceppo steak restaurant to die for.

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