Montalcino day trip from Siena or Florence
A day trip to Montalcino from Siena or Florence: the Madonna del Soccorso viewpoint, the cathedral, Piazza del Popolo and the Palazzo dei Priori, the Civic and Diocesan Museum and the Fortezza, then a Brunello tasting at Biondi-Santi's Tenuta Greppo outside the walls and the Romanesque Abbey of Sant'Antimo in the valley below. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Montalcino in 1 day
Day 1
Madonna del Soccorso viewpoint
The sanctuary church at the top of the town, with a terrace that looks south over the vineyards and the Val d'Orcia.
Montalcino Cathedral
The cathedral of San Salvatore, rebuilt in neoclassical style in the 19th century on the site of a much older church.
Historic centre of Montalcino (Piazza del Popolo and Palazzo dei Priori)
A walk through steep lanes to Piazza del Popolo, the town's main square, under the slender tower of the medieval Palazzo dei Priori.
Civic and Diocesan Museum of Montalcino
Museum in a former convent with Sienese paintings, painted wooden sculptures and local pottery from the town and its churches.
Fortress of Montalcino (Fortezza)
The 14th-century fortress where Siena's republic made its last stand, with walls to walk for views and a wine bar inside.
Biondi-Santi Tenuta Greppo (Brunello winery visit)
The estate just outside town where the Biondi-Santi family created Brunello di Montalcino in the 19th century; visits and tastings by booking.
Abbey of Sant'Antimo
Romanesque abbey church of pale stone among olive groves and vineyards below Castelnuovo dell'Abate, a calm end to the day in the late light.
Watch: Montalcino
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
From Siena, direct buses reach Montalcino in about 1 h 15, or it is about 50 minutes by car on the SR2. From Florence it is about two hours by car, or by train or bus to Siena and then the Montalcino bus.
Staying in Siena or Florence? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Montalcino
Spring and autumn are best, with mild weather for walking the hill town; September and October bring the grape harvest. On the last weekend of October the Sagra del Tordo fills the town with an archery contest and medieval costume. Summer is hot but lively, and winter is quiet and cold on the hill, with some restaurants closed.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Montalcino on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Montalcino on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Montalcino on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Montalcino
- Book winery visits and tastings ahead, as most estates, Biondi-Santi included, only take visitors by appointment.
- The winery and Sant'Antimo, about 10 km south, are outside town, so a car or a driver is easiest; if you plan to taste, have a driver, as Italy's drink-driving limits are strict and the roads are winding.
- The enoteca inside the Fortezza pours Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino by the glass, an easy tasting without a booking, and the walls above give the best view.
- The Civic and Diocesan Museum closes on some weekdays, so check its days before you go; its Sienese paintings and wooden sculptures are worth the hour.
- Lunch on pici with wild boar or a plate of pecorino from nearby Pienza in one of the trattorias around Piazza del Popolo.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Abbey of Sant'Antimo: dalem, CC BY 2.0
- Biondi-Santi Tenuta Greppo (Brunello winery visit): O.S, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fortress of Montalcino (Fortezza): Chiaracat93, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Montalcino (Piazza del Popolo and Palazzo dei Priori): sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Madonna del Soccorso viewpoint: LigaDue, CC BY 3.0
- Montalcino Cathedral: sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
