Easy Day Trips from Florence: The Traveling Professor’s Favorite Tuscan Escapes

Florence is a gem on its own—but one of its greatest advantages is how perfectly located it is for exploring the rest of Tuscany. Whether you're on your own or joining one of The Traveling Professor’s popular small group tours, you’ll find that several of Tuscany’s most charming towns are just a short train or bus ride away. Here are some of our favorite day trips from Florence:

Pisa: More Than Just the Leaning Tower

A quick one-hour train ride from Florence's Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station will take you to Pisa Centrale. From there, hop on a local bus to reach the Campo dei Miracoli (“Field of Miracles”), where you’ll find the iconic Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, and the stunning Pisa Cathedral.

If you're up for a bit more adventure, take a less frequent train to Pisa San Rossore station, which allows you to walk directly to the Leaning Tower. Yes, it's touristy—and yes, there are plenty of trinket shops—but the sights are absolutely worth it.

Lucca: A Walled City Worth the Ride

Only about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Florence by train (or just 30 minutes from Pisa), Lucca is a medieval treasure that has managed to retain its charm and elegance through the centuries.

Rent a bike and ride atop the city's well-preserved Renaissance walls, peering into private gardens and soaking in the atmosphere. Don’t miss climbing Guinigi Tower for panoramic views or visiting the lush botanical gardens. Music lovers can stop by the childhood home of famed opera composer Giacomo Puccini.

And of course, be sure to sample buccellato, Lucca’s signature sweet bread, at Pasticceria Taddeucci. Many visitors say Lucca has some of the best food in all of Tuscany—grab lunch in the old Roman Amphitheater and see if you agree!

Tip: If you're already in Pisa, there's a direct bus from the Leaning Tower to Lucca, making it easy to combine both in one extended day.

San Gimignano & Wine Tasting at Tenuta Torciano

No trip to Tuscany is complete without a wine tasting—and Tenuta Torciano near San Gimignano is one of the best places to do it. Sample rich reds and crisp whites while learning about local winemaking traditions in a warm, family-run setting.

Just a mile down the road lies the hilltop town of San Gimignano, famous for its medieval towers, charming streets, and artisan gelato. There’s no direct train to the town, but buses are available—or better yet, arrange transportation directly through Tenuta Torciano for a seamless visit.

Final Thoughts

Florence is your perfect base for exploring Tuscany. Whether you're admiring Pisa’s leaning wonder, biking Lucca’s medieval walls, or sipping wine near San Gimignano, each of these day trips adds a unique flavor to your Italian adventure.

Planning to go? The Traveling Professor’s small group tours to Italy often include these stops—and much more!