May the 20th, 2025 | Although each of these cities would take at least a few days to visit, for those who are short on time and still don’t want to miss a single corner of the region, this is an unmissable itinerary in Tuscany!
A journey into the heart of the region, where art, history and culture continue to evolve in a tale through the centuries, a tour that mile after mile will unite past and present, taking you on a discovery of three cities that are as extraordinary as they are different and unique…

FIRENZE, in the heart of Tuscany

The journey begins in the city that has enchanted humanity with its splendor for centuries: Florence, the city that lives on poetry, art and Genius. If you are travelling by train, walk through the historic center and take the opportunity to discover and appreciate the true history of the city by walking “nose up”! Florence is a veritable open-air museum, where streets, palaces and crossroads often bear plaques, bas-reliefs and engravings that tell a piece of the city’s history and those who lived there.

The majestic historic buildings, first and foremost the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its famous dome that seems to touch the sky, almost dazzle and irresistibly capture one’s attention, but one should never forget to peek into the alleys and small squares that always conceal some detail of real Florentine life!
Did you know that Florence in medieval times, like every respectable Italian municipality of the time, had its labyrinthine “forest” of tower-houses? By now, only a few have survived the vicissitudes of history, often hidden and eclipsed by palaces with high-sounding names, but still maintaining the role of silent witnesses of the era that made the Tuscan capital flourish.

The visit to Florence will continue under the starry sky, instead for this first day we dedicate ourselves to Pisa and Lucca…

It’s off to Lucca!
-> by train, from Florence SMN to Lucca, with an estimated time of about 1 hour and 20 minutes;
-> by car, with an estimated time of about 1 hour and 15 minutes

LUCCA, the city of 100 churches

Its intact city walls completely envelop the historic center in a magical and timeless atmosphere. Lucca’s perfectly preserved Walls are the city’s distinctive feature. Visit the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, one of the most fascinating in Italy, built by incorporating the remains and structure of the Roman amphitheater whose shape it still bears.

Every nook and cranny of the city seems to tell a legend: from the Guinigi Tower, with its hanging garden -which can be visited- that offers panoramic views of the city and the countryside, made up of tall Holm oaks , to the Church of San Michele in Foro, which stands majestically in the heart of Lucca.

If the walk on the walls follows a specific itinerary, wandering around the city on the other hand is almost like getting lost in a labyrinth made up of streets, squares and no less than 100 churches!

Will you be able to find them all?

One is really not to be missed: the Church of the Madonna dello Stellario is located HERE, along Via del Fosso, where with the long canal and its many little bridges for a little while you will almost wonder if you are in Venice…

Lucca also has a calendar full of events throughout the year, first and foremost Lucca Comics but also antique, flea and craft markets often organized along the beautiful Walls.
Many people know Lucca for its famous music festival, the Lucca Summer Festival, where every year many high-caliber artists perform great open-air shows.

After finding your way back to the station or parking lot, it is time to move on to Pisa:
-> by train from Pisa Centrale to Lucca, with an estimated time of 27 minutes;
-> by car, taking the SS12, taking approximately 27 minutes;

PISA, the city of the Leaning Tower

This itinerary in Tuscany then continues to Pisa, Famous for its Leaning Tower, but which offers much more than just the Tower!
When you find yourself in Piazza dei Miracoli you will understand why this place bears its name: architectural ingenuity and decorative flair reach their zenith by defying the laws of gravity.

Standing in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Baptistery and, of course, the famous Leaning Tower, the panorama that unfolds in front of you is timeless and leaves everyone breathless. The real miracle happens at sunset, when the warm rays of the sun gently hit the marbles of the monuments in the square, coloring them pink.

After the customary photo at the Leaning Tower, we continue our visit to Pisa.
If in Lucca it is fascinating to get lost in the streets and discover something new at every corner, in Pisa, on the other hand, we recommend an itinerary that will allow you not to miss any of the most important and fascinating places in this city, such as the triangular Piazza dei Cavalieri, home of the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore, the Palazzo Blu (the Blue Palace) where you can find interesting exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, without forgetting to take a walk along the Arno River, visiting the tiny but scenic Church of Santa Maria della Spina and immersing yourself in the historical alleys up to Borgo Stretto, one of the oldest streets of Pisa.

Check out the itinerary on Google Maps HERE

Ready for the return journey to Florence!
-> by train, with a travel time of 1 hour;
-> by car, in about 1 hour.

THE RETURN, Florence by night

The tour of Florence, Pisa, and Lucca leads to the discovery of a Tuscany that has fascinated the world for centuries. Each city has its own soul: Florence with its Renaissance heart, Pisa with its daring defiance of gravity, and Lucca with its timeless tranquility.

Back in Florence, there is nothing better than a typical Tuscan dinner in one of the restaurants in the city center that still preserves a touch of traditional quality: we recommend Mattacena, where you can enjoy our wines paired with their menu in a welcoming and characteristic atmosphere. The restaurant is located a few steps from the Florence SMN train station, very convenient to reach if traveling by public transport.

At the end of this itinerary in Tuscany, if you don’t have much time to spend in Florence, don’t miss the climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the whole city – on clear days you can even see the Apennines! – and organize a visit to the Galleria degli Uffizi, where enthusiasts will need to spend a whole day, perhaps including a visit to the historic Corridoio Vasariano which has recently reopened. However, those in a hurry can devote themselves to searching for the most famous pieces which, despite being seen and reviewed in books and documentaries, always arouse great fascination when seen in person.

HERE you will find links to book your train tickets, the best way to get around these three cities.