Montepulciano day trip from Siena or Florence
A day trip to Montepulciano from Siena or Florence: the Church of Sant'Agostino, the Cantina De' Ricci wine cellars, the Palazzo Comunale and its tower, Piazza Grande and the old town, the Cathedral, and the Tempio di San Biagio below the walls. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Montepulciano in 1 day
Day 1
Church of Sant'Agostino
Church near the lower end of the main street with a Renaissance facade designed by Michelozzo and a terracotta Madonna above the door.
Cantina De' Ricci (Palazzo Ricci)
Historic wine cellar under Palazzo Ricci, with vaulted halls and huge barrels of Vino Nobile, open for visits and tastings.
Palazzo Comunale and tower
The town hall on Piazza Grande, modelled on Florence's Palazzo Vecchio; its tower gives views over the Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana.
Historic centre of Montepulciano
A walk along the steep main street and around Piazza Grande shows Renaissance palaces, churches, wine shops and views over the valleys.
Montepulciano Cathedral
The cathedral on Piazza Grande, with an unfinished brick facade and a large triptych of the Assumption by Taddeo di Bartolo inside.
Tempio di San Biagio
Renaissance church by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder in open countryside below the town, built in golden travertine on a Greek-cross plan.
Watch: Montepulciano
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
From Siena it is about an hour by car or around 1 h 15 by bus; from Florence it is about 1 h 30 by car on the A1 motorway, exiting at Valdichiana. Trains stop at Chiusi or Montepulciano station in the valley, with buses up to the town.
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 Montepulciano
Spring and autumn are the best times, with mild weather for walking and the grape harvest in September and October. Summer is hot and busiest, and the Bravio delle Botti, a barrel race up the main street, takes place on the last Sunday of August. Winter is quiet and cool, with some shops and cellars keeping shorter hours.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Montepulciano on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Montepulciano on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Montepulciano 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 Montepulciano
- The town sits on a steep ridge: wear comfortable shoes, since the main street climbs all the way from the lower gate to Piazza Grande.
- Arrive in the morning to park in the car parks below the walls before they fill; cars cannot drive into the historic centre.
- Many historic cellars under the palaces can be visited for free, and tastings of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are offered in town.
- If you drive and taste wine, keep to small samples or choose a driver; Italy's drink-driving limits are strict.
- The Tempio di San Biagio is a walk downhill from the town; allow time and energy for the climb back up.
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
- Cantina De' Ricci (Palazzo Ricci): Walter Giannetti, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Montepulciano: Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Montepulciano Cathedral: Sailko, CC BY 3.0
- Tempio di San Biagio: Mongolo1984, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
