Chiusi day trip from Siena or Florence or Orvieto or Montepulciano
A day trip to Chiusi from Siena, Florence, Orvieto or Montepulciano: the cathedral of San Secondiano and the Etruscan tunnels of the Labyrinth of Porsenna, the National Archaeological Museum, the old town around Piazza XX Settembre, Lake Chiusi, then the painted Etruscan tombs on the late-afternoon tour. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Chiusi in 1 day
Day 1
National Archaeological Museum of Chiusi
One of Italy's best Etruscan collections, with canopic urns, carved sarcophagi, bucchero pottery and finds from the town's tombs.
Cathedral of San Secondiano
One of Tuscany's oldest cathedrals, built with Roman columns, its walls painted in the 1890s to look like early Christian mosaics.
Labyrinth of Porsenna and Cathedral Museum
Etruscan water tunnels under the town, ending in a large Roman cistern, visited from the Cathedral Museum with its illuminated choir books.
Historic centre of Chiusi (Piazza XX Settembre)
Small hilltop town built on the Etruscan city of Clusium, with a central square, quiet lanes and views over the Val di Chiana.
Lake Chiusi
Small reed-fringed lake near the Umbrian border, with birdlife, a lakeside path and restaurants serving the lake's fish.
Etruscan tombs (Tomba della Scimmia and Tomba del Leone)
Etruscan chamber tombs in the countryside outside town, the Tomb of the Monkey still painted with games and dancers.
Watch: Chiusi
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station is on the Florence-Rome line: from Florence about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours and from Orvieto about 35 minutes by regional train. From Siena it is about 1 hour by car, and from Montepulciano about 25 minutes. The station is in the lower town, about 3 km from the old town, linked by local bus.
Staying in Siena or Florence or Orvieto or Montepulciano? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Chiusi
April to June and September to October are the best months for the town and the lake. Summer is hot in the Val di Chiana, though the tunnels and museum stay cool. Chiusi is quiet all year, so weekdays outside August rarely feel crowded.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Chiusi on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Chiusi on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Chiusi 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 Chiusi
- The painted Etruscan tombs open only on guided tours booked at the National Archaeological Museum; book ahead and plan the day around the tour time.
- The Labyrinth of Porsenna is entered through the Cathedral Museum and closes on Mondays; the visit includes a climb up the bell tower.
- The tunnels are narrow and cool all year; bring a layer and avoid it if tight spaces bother you.
- Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station is in the lower town, about 3 km from the old town; take the local bus or a taxi up the hill.
- Around the lake, restaurants serve fish from Lake Chiusi, and the old town has wine bars pouring local Tuscan wines.
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
- Cathedral of San Secondiano: Francesco Bini, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Etruscan tombs (Tomba della Scimmia and Tomba del Leone): Walter Giannetti, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Chiusi (Piazza XX Settembre): Prof.Quatermass, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Labyrinth of Porsenna and Cathedral Museum: Fabio Poggi, CC BY 3.0
- Lake Chiusi: Goribau, CC BY-SA 3.0
- National Archaeological Museum of Chiusi: Roberto Lazzaroni, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
