Here’s Where to See the Ultimate Tuscany Landscapes

Tuscany is known for its natural scenery. The rolling hills, colourful sunsets, vast landscapes of vineyards, olive groves, and bike paths. It’s undeniably beautiful and perfect for photographing. If you’re visiting Tuscany, you’ll want to be in-the-know of the best landscapes so you can soak up all those postcard-perfect views. Get your itinerary ready because we’ve got some of the best landscapes in Tuscany coming your way. Here’s where to go for the best of this beautiful destination.

The Chianti Region

Come for the landscape and stay for the wine. It’s dotted with lush forests and made up of stunning, rolling hills. Chianti is known for its high-quality wine and olives so expect lots of olive groves and vineyards on your visit. As you explore the area you’ll see quaint farmhouses, luxurious villas, and rustic farms in the countryside. Don’t be surprised if you stumble across a castle or two. If you’re looking for some of the most beautiful vineyards in Chianti, check out Castello di Ama, Poggio al Casone, and Barone Ricasoli. Each of these wineries has history, natural beauty, and fantastic wine.

Uccellina Nature Reserve

Located in southern Italy, this nature reserve is the ideal place for nature and views of the Mediterranean. It’s 9000 hectares in size and full of animals like deer, wild boar, and foxes. You’ll find pine groves, a diverse bird population, Tuscan cowboys and the cows they wrangle. You’ll even find sandy beaches where you can take a seat, relax, and enjoy the ocean views.

 Island of Elba

That’s right, Tuscany even features an island. Elba island is the home of this region’s Maritime National Park. Visitors can reach Elba Island from Piombino port where the ferry can be taken to Portoferraio. The journey takes about an hour but is seriously worth if for the landscape. You’ll be met with rolling hills, lush foliage, Mediterranean plants, and vineyards. Don’t forget to check out the ancient villages that are stunning and offer incredible views of the sea. The entire coast is about 147 km. long and bordered by beaches and dramatic gulfs.

The Apuan Alps

The Apuan Alps offer some of the best views in Tuscany. They are rich with marble and topped with marble caves that actually look like snow caps in the light. You’ll see that the air is filled with dust, which form small mounds around the nearby towns and on the sides of the roads. You’ll find winding roads that lead to small towns which dot the mountain slopes. The quarries are still in use, giving visitors the chance to see where this special material comes from. Keep in mind that Michaelangelo visited the Apuan Alps to choose marble for his statues, making it an extra special place to visit.

San Gimignano

 This medieval city is quite a sight. It’s famous for its towers as well as the beautiful artwork that originated here. It may be a city, but the setting is definitely considered rural and is well-loved for its notable views of the countryside. It’s also famous for its white wine so make sure to enjoy a glass while taking in the view. If you want to get around the city quickly and see all of the scenery up close, rent a bicycle and explore.

Talamone

This little town can be found just south of the Uccellina Mountain Range. It’s a fishing village that is well-known for its old fort and its proximity to the sea. The deep blue of the waters, as well as the white sand, make Talamone a picture-perfect destination within Tuscany. When you aren’t admiring the view, take to the sea to try out sports like kitesurfing, windsurfing, and sailing. This is also a perfect destination to taste the local, fresh seafood as well as the wine.

Maremma

 This town can be found between Livorno and Grosseto provinces and is known for its variety of scenery. It’s also a popular destination for history lovers who want to check out the Etruscan and Roman remains. It offers 160km of beautiful shoreline and stunning beaches. You’ll also be met with dramatic cliffs, hilltop homes, and natural hot springs (especially in the town of Saturnia.)

Siena

 Siena is the second most visited city in Tuscany. It is settled in amongst extreme natural beauty. This city is full of churches, art museums, and historic charm that makes it a picture-perfect place to see in Tuscany. The views of Siena are gorgeous because the city itself is a historic oasis in the middle of rolling hills, farmland, and tree groves.

Crete Senesi

 If you want to experience the outdoors in Tuscany, this is definitely the place. It’s well known for its landscape which is full of lush grass, rolling hills, and rows of trees. You’ll see bright reds, greens, and yellows as you sip on a glass of Brunelli wine and watch the sunset. Make sure to explore the historic gems of this town, which are perfectly framed by the colourful natural landscape.

Florence

This city is an absolute must for seeing the beauty of Tuscany. Sure, it’s a city, but it’s absolutely beautiful and awe-inspiring. Plus, the views from the height of the city are fantastic. You’ll want to wander the streets to take in the architecture and the beautiful sights that are all around. Some of the top things to do in Florence include the Uffizi Gallery, which is full of Renaissance masterpieces, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone bridge. Check out the David statue by Michaelangelo in the Galleria dell’Accademia and see the art galleries at the Pitti Palace. If you want some of the best views of Florence, head up to Piazzale Michelangelo where you can take some of the best photos in the city. A walk around Florence truly is magical, even though it’s a city landscape.

Chiusure

 This town is a top choice if you want to catch the sunset in Tuscany. It’s a small town that sits atop limestone cliffs overlooking the Abbey of Monte Oliveto. You can look out over the misty hills with a tasty bottle of wine as you watch the sun go down and paint the landscape in colours.

Elba Island

 This is the largest island you’ll find in the Tuscan Archipelago. In fact, it’s the third largest island in all of Italy, which is quite impressive. Visitors would definitely describe this island as a paradise that offers beautiful beaches, clear water, and historic landmarks. You’ll be met with mountains bordering the sea as well as quaint homes and buildings that give this island a bit of character. It’s a perfect spot for watching the sunset as you lounge on the beach.

Lucca

This historic town is set among beautiful natural scenery. Make sure to check out the ancient city walls, as well as the views from the various towers that can be found around the city. These views will give you a fantastic look at the natural scenery all around Lucca. Climb to the top of as many as you can so you can see the colourful panorama and take the best photos.

Val D’Orcia

 This destination is known for its scenic landscape and beauty. Rolling hills, hilltop towns, ancient castles, wheat fields, vineyards, and farmhouses make up this landscape, making it look like the quintessential Tuscan destination. Looking out the window of your hotel will be like looking at a postcard, that’s how perfect it is. The Orcia river and its valley add to the beauty, and the nearby thermal baths bring a sense of wellness and comfort to the landscape. Rent a car and wander around the area, making sure to stop off for photos of the breathtaking views. Aside from the natural beauty, this place is known for its food so make sure to dine out and try as many dishes as you can.

Fields of Sunflowers

If you visit Tuscany during the end of June into July, you’ll be met with blooming fields of sunflowers. The best way to see them is to rent a car and explore the countryside slowly. You’ll be bound to find massive fields of towering sunflowers to photograph. If you can catch them at sunset, even better. This is kind of like a photographer’s dream so don’t forget your camera. They truly are beautiful so you may want to plan your trip around them.

La Foce Gardens

Located in Val d’Orcia, the road leading to these gardens may be the most photographed and most famous scene in Tuscany. The slope features a prominent zig-zag of cypress trees, rolling hills, and stunning colours. This is all before you reach the gardens, which are beautiful within themselves. Even if you don’t end up going to the gardens, make this drive because the photo opportunities are seriously worth it.

Cortona

This hilltop town in Tuscany became famous when the author, Frances Mayes, penned Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany. The books take place in Cortona, which put this once sleepy town on the map for many visitors. It’s now a bustling tourist destination but still offers the same natural beauty that originally inspired these books.

Pratomagno

Visit the southeast region of Florence to reach Pratomagno. It’s a beautiful enclave that’s hilly, green, and near the Arno River where you’ll find towering mountains and woodlands. The nearby towns and churches dot the landscape perfectly to make it a dreamy, historic place to visit.

The Garfagnana

This region can be found north of Pisa and offers both culture and dreamy countryside views. It’s in the centre of the Serchio Valley and is surrounded by mountain ranges with jagged peaks. You’ll also find dense forests of chestnut and beech trees, vineyards, cypress trees, and olive groves. It sits a bit lower than other regions so that it’s not as hot in the summer.

Volterra

 Located 1770 feet above sea level, this hilltop town looks like something out of a fairytale. It’s surrounded by medieval walls and feels like a scene from a vampire movie. The churches, winding streets, and charming houses are just the start. Check out the view of the nature around the city for a real awe-inspiring day.

Montepulciano

This ancient hilltown is a must-see if visiting Tuscany. The town dates back to 715 and is scattered with ancient architecture, museums, and churches. The historical centre is a great place for anyone who loves history, architecture, or beauty. This town also has some of the most famous wines in Italy, Rosso di Montepulciano and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, so make sure to enjoy a glass as you view the stunning sunset.

Pienza

 Yet another hilltop village makes the list. It can be found in Val D’Orcia, and is considered the perfect example of a Renaissance city. It’s also considered a World UNESCO Heritage Site, so you know it’s filled with history and culture. Popular attractions to visit include the cathedral, the Diocesan Museum and the communal plaza. Pienza is surrounded by the notorious hills of Val D’Orcia so make sure to take in the view while you explore the city.

 Arezzo

This colourful city can be found atop the Tuscan hills. It offers some of the best examples of Florentine architecture outside of Florence. Make sure to spend some time sitting in the main piazza to take in the sights and sounds. Take the climb to the top of the city so you can view the picturesque vineyards and rolling hills that lay beyond Arezzo. After taking in the views, spend some time wandering the artisan markets, boutique shops, and small (but delicious) eateries.

If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, try to see as much of the landscape as you possibly can. This region of Italy is known for its natural beauty and is best explored over a series of days. Whether you’re walking, cycling, or road-tripping, you’ll be bound to find something beautiful in Tuscany.