Trip to the City of Towers San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a picturesque, medieval walled town perched on a hill over 330 meters high in the Tuscany region of Italy. Today, the city is a tourist destination featuring hotels and restaurants. The city center is a pedestrian zone with shops and boutiques offering wines, cheeses, meats, and more, alongside art objects, souvenirs, and ceramics.

The city is located about 60 km south of Florence, and those staying in Florence can take day trips from it, with San Gimignano being one of the destinations.

Booking a guided tour from Florence via Viator:

Trip to San Gimignano, Siena, and more with food and wine tasting - lasts 11 hours.

San Gimignano, Siena, Monteriggioni, Chianti Day Trip with Lunch & Wine Tasting

 

Ceramics shop in San Gimignano

 

The town is known for its ancient buildings, especially the towers visible from afar: the town features 14 prominent fortified towers and numerous winding, narrow alleys passing between tower and tower.

 

 

Entrance gate in San Gimignano

 

Piazza della Cisterna

Piazza della Cisterna San Gimignano

 

Cathedral Square, Piazza del Duomo, is the beating heart of the town. Here stands the impressive cathedral housing remarkable works of art. Alongside the cathedral stands the Governor's Palace, which currently serves as an art museum, and right next to it is a 50-meter-high tower that formerly served as the city's prison.

Duomo Cathedral: 

Duomo Cathedral

 

In the past, about 70 towers stood in the town, but over the years the towers were destroyed and only 14 have been preserved to this day, becoming the symbols of the city. The Torre Grosso is the only tower left open to the public and is also the tallest, offering a panoramic view of the Tuscan countryside.

View of San Gimignano from the tower

 

View of San Gimignano from the tower

 

 

In recent years, San Gimignano has become even more famous as the central square hosts the gelateria considered the best in the world, which even won international awards between 2006-2009. You will easily recognize Gelateria Dondoli by the long line stretching outside the shop...

 

Gelateria Dondoli

 

Accommodation

It is recommended to stay in Florence, visit it, and from there also take star-trips, one of which is to San Gimignano.

For more on the capital of Tuscany, the city of Florence (Firenze)  located 56 km north of San Gimignano, read our article:  Recommended Guided Tours in Florence.

Recommended Hotels in Florence

In Florence Center:

Hotel L'Orologio
4-star hotel in central Florence. Various room types. Free internet.

Palazzo Vecchietti - Residenza D'Epoca
Exclusive suites hotel in central Florence. Free internet.

Hotel degli Orafi
4-star hotel in central Florence. Various room types. Free internet.

Golden Tower Hotel & Spa
5-star boutique hotel in central Florence. Spa, free internet, paid parking.

 

Hotels in Florence Suburbs

Villa Tolomei Hotel&Resort

5-star hotel located 4 km from central Florence. Various rooms, outdoor pool, free internet and parking.

Grand Hotel Villa Medici
5-star hotel located 1 km from the city center. Outdoor pool. Free internet. Paid parking.

Il Salviatino
5-star hotel located about 4 km from central Florence. Outdoor pool, spa, free internet and parking.  

Article by: O. E. Bar

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