View all locations on Google map
I have marked all of the below locations on a Google map list, for your ease of navigation. You can view it here or by clicking on the map below.
Parking
In each of these towns, the town center area is a restricted traffic zone such that non-residents are not allowed to drive within the area. As such, if you are driving to the town, you must park your car outside the restricted area in one of the designated public parking spaces. It’s just as well - leave your car just outside the city center, then enjoy walking around for the rest of the day! Walking is the ideal way to experience small towns in Italy because it offers an intimate and authentic exploration of the local culture, architecture and cuisine.
Detailed Tuscany Travel Guide
I have also written a detailed Tuscany travel guide, complete with the ultimate 10-day roadtrip itinerary, recommendations for hotels, restaurants and the best things to do in Tuscany. Click here to view it.
Introduction
Tuscany’s old towns are wonderfully photogenic, with a timeless charm in their centuries-old architecture, winding streets and picturesque town squares. Below are 18 marvellous photography locations in the Tuscan towns of Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza, Asciano, Montepulciano and Montalcino. Of course, there are other incredible towns in Tuscany that I have not yet photographed and will endeavour to do so in the future.
Siena
Duomo di Siena
Location address: Piazza del Duomo
Google map location pin: here
Cost: €7.00 - check the official website for the latest information.
Opening hours: 10.30am-5pm Monday-Saturday; 1.30pm-5pm Sunday. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Crowdedness: moderate to high
The Duomo di Siena (Siena Cathedral), is a magnificent masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. Its stunning marble facade, intricate carvings and graceful statues exudes a sense of grandeur that leaves one in awe, while its breathtaking interior, with its soaring vaulted ceilings and intricate mosaics, is a testament to the artistic brilliance of the era.
2. Battistero di San Giovanni Battista
Location address: Piazza S. Giovanni
Google map location pin: here
Cost: please check the official website for the latest information.
Opening hours: 8.15am-10.15am, 11.15am-6.30pm everyday. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Crowdedness: moderate to high
The Battistero di San Giovanni Battista (the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist) is a remarkable medieval structure. This architectural gem is renowned for its ornate, white and green marble facade, which is adorned with intricate sculptures and reliefs, showcasing the artistic mastery of the time. The interior of the Baptistery is equally stunning, with a sense of serenity, as the soft light filters through its stained glass windows and illuminates the beautifully decorated baptismal font. Its harmonious blend of art, architecture and history makes the Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista an exceptionally beautiful and culturally significant site in Siena.
3. Via Diacceto viewpoint
Location address: Via Diacceto
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low to moderate
At the corner of Via Diacceto and Via Fontebranda, there is an elevated vantage point that offers an atmospheric panoramic view of Siena's medieval skyline, including the Basilica and the northern part of the city.
4. Via Camporegio
Location address: Via Camporegio
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: moderate
Located next to the Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico, this open space offers a panoramic view of Siena’s medieval skyline, including the Duomo.
5. Old town alleyways
Location address: Start at Via di Città and go where your feet take you!
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: varies
The old town alleyways of Siena form a captivating labyrinth of time-worn charm and architectural grace. These narrow passages, often made of centuries-old stones, wind their way through the heart of the city, revealing hidden courtyards, quaint shops and cozy cafes at every turn. The warm, ochre hues of the historic buildings and the fragrant aroma of Italian cuisine create an enchanting ambiance, inviting visitors to lose themselves in the romantic and evocative atmosphere of Siena's ancient streets.
Via Santa Caterina
Via dei Pittori
Via Santa Caterina
San Gimignano
6. Piazza del Duomo
Location address: Piazza Duomo
Google map location pin: here
Cost: €9.00 - please check the official website for the latest information.
Opening hours: 10am-7.30pm (summer), 11am-5.30pm (winter). Please check the official website for the latest information.
Crowdedness: moderate to high
San Gimignano is a medieval time capsule, situated along the ancient Via Francigena. Today, it stands as one of Italy's most impeccably preserved old towns. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its layout remains virtually unchanged since the 14th century.
Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) transports you to 11th-century Italy, where the Palazzo Comunale (town hall), Palazzo Vecchio del Podesta (Old Mayor's Palace), and the Duomo (cathedral) have retained their medieval charm, showcasing the simple yet exquisite beauty of their mullioned windows, intricate stonework and frescoes. Another icon is the 14th century Torre Grossa (“Big Tower”), where you can climb its belfry walkway to the top with the best views of the town.
7. Piazza della Cisterna
Location address: Piazza della Cisterna
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: moderate to high
Piazza della Cisterna is a charming, well-preserved medieval town square. During the medieval period, the square was a marketplace dedicated to local culture. Today, it is encircled by ancient stone towers and historic buildings within which cafes and quaint shops thrive, creating a romantic atmosphere. The centerpiece of the square is the ornate 13th century Cistern Well, a remarkable structure adorned with sculptures and decorative details.
8. Old town streets
Location address: Start at Via del Castello and go where your feet take you!
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: varies
The old town streets of San Gimignano seem to be frozen in time. Their captivating medieval architecture, characterised by soaring stone towers and well-preserved buildings, creates a postcard-perfect scene at every corner. The charming streets wind their way through this historic enclave, where history, beauty, and charm converge in a stunning display of Old World allure.
Via del Castello
Via del Corbizzo
Via di Berignano
9. Via Palestro
Location address: Via Palestro
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low to moderate
Via Palestro is a picturesque street full of weathered stone buildings decorated with colourful pots of pansies, creating a scene straight out of a fairytale. As you stroll along this street, you are invited to savour the rustic beauty and the echoes of history that permeate this captivating medieval town.
10. Via Degli Innocenti
Location address: Via Degli Innocenti
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low to moderate
Via Degli Innocenti is an elevated terrace offering a panoramic view of the old town town of San Gimignano as well as the Tuscan countryside. Needless to say, there are plenty of photography opportunities here.
Asciano
11. Corso Giacomo Matteotti
Location address: Corso Giacomo Matteotti
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low to moderate
Asciano is a sleepy little village at the entrance to Val d'Orcia, authentic and unspoiled by tourism. Corso Giacomo Matteotti serves as the main avenue in this town, lined with pastel buildings, charming lanes and atmospheric restaurants.
12. Fontana di Piazza del Grano
Location address: Piazza del Grano
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low
The Fontana di Piazza del Grano is a 15th century fountain located in the ancient ‘market square’ of Asciano where thriving markets took place centuries ago. This fountain has a quatrefoil-shaped basin (i.e. composed of four semicircles arranged in a cross and interspersed with edges), typical of Gothic architecture. Allegories of civil life and various coats of arms are carved into the external walls of the basin.
Pienza
13. Via Gozzante
Location address: Via Gozzante
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low to moderate
Pienza is my personal favourite town in Tuscany. It is peaceful hilltop town with well-preserved Renaissance roots and a distinctively sophisticated spirit. Pope Pius II (a leading humanist with Sienese roots) designed Pienza as the ‘ideal city’ during the Renaissance, transforming it into an elegant city inspired by the architectural and urban planning principles of the Renaissance. Giovanni Pascoli described Pienza as "born from a thought of love and a dream of beauty". And it still is today.
Via Gozzante is a lovely, quaint little street filled with vibrant colours, centuries-old buildings and a quintessential Italian-town spirit. Walking down this street is simply a delight for the soul.
14. Pienza’s little local streets
Location address: Start at Via del Casello and go where your feet take you!
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: moderate to high
Walking around the little local streets is the best way to explore Pienza because it allows you to intimately engage with the local culture, architecture and hidden gems. The cadence of daily life intertwining with the rich tapestry of history offers a profound connection to the Italian way of life.
Via XV Giugno
Via del Casello
Via Case Nuove
Montepulciano
15. Via del Paolino
Location address: Intersection between Via del Paolino and Via di Collazzi
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low
Montepulciano is a hilltop town boasting panoramic views and is full of ancient churches and fortresses, elegant Renaissance palaces, charming gardens and town squares. Time stands still in this old-world town, where artists paint sunsets by hand (as photographed below).
A particularly photogenic corner is the intersection between Via del Paolino and Via di Collazzi; the ancient buildings and cobblestone paths here, along with the sweeping view into the vast countryside of Tuscany, are truly special.
16. Via di Collazzi
Location address: Via di Collazzi
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low to moderate
Via di Collazzi is a picturesque street lined with centuries-old buildings that are adorned with colorful balconies and potted plants. Meandering along this street offers a taste of local culture, while the street's elevation provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio, viewed from Via di Collazzi
17. Viewpoints on Via Ricci
Location address: Via Ricci
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: low
Via Ricci is a hilltop street with several viewpoints that offer breathtaking landscape vistas of rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves, farmhouses and cypress trees. These viewpoints provide a tranquil and immersive experience of the iconic Tuscan countryside, where the natural beauty is complemented by the timeless architectural and agricultural elements that define the region's unique charm.
Montalcino
18. Old town streets
Location address: Start at Via Pietro Strozzi and go where your feet take you!
Google map location pin: here
Cost: free
Crowdedness: varies
Montalcino, a hilltop town set within fortified walls, is renowned for its rich history and viticulture. Famous for producing the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino, it is an essential destination for wine enthusiasts. The town is also a visual feast for photographer - you can climb the fortress walls of its ancient castle to enjoy panoramic views, stroll through Piazza del Popolo and the labyrinth of cafes and restaurants, step back in time at the 14th century palace Palazzo dei Priori and the Romanesque Abbey of Sant’Antimo and discover the town’s Etruscan heritage at the Civic and Diocesan Museum.
Via Pietro Strozzi
Via Giacomo Matteotti
Via Giuseppe Mazzini