Is there a direct bus or train from Florence to Montalcino?
No, there is no direct bus or train to Montalcino. The public transportation in Tuscany is sparse due to its small population and rural landscape. To travel to Montalcino by public transit, you would need to transfer at least two times.
How do you get from Florence to Montalcino?
Hiring a driver is your best bet for traveling to Montalcino. Tuscany is incredibly rural and does not have direct buses or trains from Florence to Montalcino. Traveling by bus or train requires at least 2 transfers and takes more than 3 hours.
Where to stop between Florence and Montalcino?
Tuscany is famous for its hill towns and wineries. Visit Siena, Monteriggioni, and San Gimignano for a well-rounded tour of Tuscan wine country. Unlike the bus and train schedules to these secluded towns, Daytrip makes it easy to visit multiple points of interest in one trip.
What is the easiest way to get from Florence to Montalcino?
Hiring a private driver. Bus and train travel in Tuscany is very tricky, as it is an incredibly rural region of Italy. The easiest way to get from Florence to Montalcino is to let Daytrip manage the logistics so you can enjoy your vacation.
What wine is made in Montalcino?
Brunello di Montalcino is the wine produced in the fields surrounding Montalcino. It is a rich red wine made of Sangiovese grapes and is among ItalyтАЩs most expensive and well-known wines. People travel from all over the world to purchase it from the source.
What is the fastest way to get from Florence to Montalcino?
In 1 hour and 50 minutes, you can be in Montalcino thanks to Daytrip! Our local, private drivers will pick you up directly from your address in Florence and take you to Montalcino. Door-to-door service is convenient, and safe, and turns your Tuscan adventure into luxury travel.
Tuscany is wine country! Many of the best wines in the world are produced right outside of Florence, so donтАЩt be afraid to make a day trip to its world-renowned vineyards and hilltowns. The drive from Florence to Montalcino is only 1 hour and 50 minutes south into the heart of Tuscany. It is the perfect distance to do a wine tasting, visit a hill town or two, and be back in Florence for dinner.
Endless vineyards soak up the sunтАЩs rays during TuscanyтАЩs warm summer days and produce famous wines like Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Hilltowns, such as Siena, allow you to see firsthand what life in the Middle Ages looked like for the people of this region. Once in Montalcino, youтАЩll have endless wines to sample and purchase as mementos from your time in Italy.
About Montalcino
Montalcino has hardly changed appearance since the Middle Ages. This hill town is a short distance from Florence and a huge step back in time. Atop the hill sits all the elements needed for the perfect Medieval city: a fortress, cathedral, plazas, and a dizzying array of cobbled streets lined with wine shops, restaurants, and residences.
Past the walls of the city, the Tuscan wine country sprawls out before you. Rolling hills of endless vineyards are occasionally broken up by homes, roadways, and olive groves.
Brunello di Montalcino
MontalcinoтАЩs biggest claim to fame is Brunello red wine (Brunello di Montalcino). It is among ItalyтАЩs most sought-after and expensive wines. The climate of Montalcino is the warmest and driest of the Tuscany region and its complex wine flavors come from a variety of factors, such as temperature, sun exposure, and soil composition.
While Montalcino was already well-known for its red wine production as far back as the 15th century, Brunello was invented in 1888 by Ferruccio Biondi Santi. He took a risk by only using the Sangiovese variety of grapes for the traditional Chianti recipe and it resulted in the complex Brunello we love today. The branding of Brunello is very closely protected, with strict rules in place about the aging times, storage conditions, and grape quality allowed in production.
Wine sommeliers and enthusiasts visit Montalcino from all over the world to tour vineyards, taste top-quality wines, learn about the production process, and purchase wines directly from the source.
Raise a glass, hire a sober driver for the trip home, and letтАЩs get started planning your trip from Florence to Montalcino!
From Florence to Montalcino: travel tips
Keep these tips in mind before you head out from Florence to Montalcino!
Book your wine tasting ahead of time
Montalcino has dozens of options to pick from when it comes to wineries offering tours and wine tastings, however, it shouldnтАЩt be left to the last minute! Some tours are only during certain times of the year, and others book up far in advance. Make the most of your trip to Montalcino by lining up your tour before starting your trip from Florence.
Check your alcohol customs laws before purchasing wine
Before purchasing a case of your favorite wine in Montalcino, read up on the import and customs rules for your next destination after Italy. Some countries wonтАЩt allow more than a limited amount of alcohol per person. For flights, alcohol purchased in Montalcino will need to be in checked luggage.
How to get from Florence to Montalcino
Bus and train routes throughout Tuscany are sparse, as the region is very rural. There are currently no direct bus or train lines from Florence to Montalcino. Traveling by bus or train would require two transfers and take more than 3 hours each way.
The drive directly to Montalcino only takes 1 hour and 50 minutes from Florence and is the most comfortable way to travel. Your vacation time is limited, so donтАЩt spend it waiting in a tiny town for the twice-a-day bus to Montalcino.
Daytrip car transfer from Florence to Montalcino
Hiring a private driver from Daytrip for your transfer from Florence to Montalcino is the fastest, easiest, and safest way to travel. You will be picked up from your address in Florence and taken directly to the vineyard of your choice or to the city center of Montalcino. Along the way, you can make sightseeing stops in other hill towns in Tuscany for the full experience of this special region of Italy.
Unlike in the US, Italy has a 0.0% blood alcohol tolerance for driving. Even a little bit of alcohol in your system could result in an arrest if you are pulled over by the police. So if you want to enjoy wine tastings on the way, or if you're just making a day trip to Montalcino, use Daytrip for a safe and easy ride.
Things to do when you get to Montalcino
After your Florence to Montalcino transfer, youтАЩve arrived in Tuscan wine country! Montalcino is best known for its dozens of wineries offering tours and wine tastings. Make some time either before or after your wine tasting to see the other sights of this medieval hill town.
Enoteca La Fortezza di Montalcino (The Fortress of Montalcino)
The Fortress of Montalcino, also known as La Rocca, was built in 1361 and has remained virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. Visitors can walk its ramparts and get a birdтАЩs eye view of the Tuscan countryside.
This fortress is more than just a giant antique in the middle of town. It is still alive with wine tastings and also serves as a community center. You will frequently find festivals, concerts, and markets within its walls where you can buy local wines and produce.
Duomo di Montalcino (Montalcino Cathedral)
The city cathedral is dedicated to San Salvatore and was originally built in the 14th century. As a living part of Catholic heritage for locals, it has undergone reconstruction and updates since then. It now has a Neoclassical facade from the 19th century, which was designed by the Sienese architect Agostino Fantasici.
Abbazia di Sant'Antimo (Abbey of Sant-Antimo)
The Abbey of Sant-Antimo is said to have been founded by Charlemagne during his return from Rome. It is named for Saint Anthimus of Rome and became a stopping point during religious pilgrimages, as it was rumored to hold relics from the saint.
While its exact origins have been obscured by time, this former Benedictine monastery has foundations that date back to 813 CE. The current Romanesque church and abbey on its foundation have stood since the 12th century.
Excavation and research are still being conducted to uncover more information about this mysterious abbey. It is located a short distance south of Montalcino and often has services in the traditional style with Gregorian chants performed by monks.
When is the best time to visit Montalcino
Grape harvesting season is the best time to plan your visit to Montalcino. Late August to the middle of October will still have the long, warm days you expect from Tuscany, but with fewer crowds and less intense UV rays from the sun.
As you make your Florence to Montalcino transfer, the rolling hillside of vineyards will be alive with the harvesting of Sangiovese grapes for Brunello wine. Tours of the vineyards this time of year are more alive as they work to quickly process the grapes into barrels for aging.
The meticulously maintained houses, walls, and towers of this UNESCO-protected town will bring you back to the Middle Ages.┬аTowers of Power┬а
Colle Val d'Elsa
First settled by man in at least the 4th millennium B.C. and first mentioned as a city in the 9th-century A.D., Colle di Val dтАЩElsa has seen its fair share of history.┬аAn Object of Ancient Rivalry┬а
Monteriggioni
So scenic is this walled city that it has inspired everyone from Dante to video game designers.┬аTurreted with Giants┬а
Siena
From one of the country's most beautiful Gothic cathedrals to an exciting urban horserace, life in this UNESCO-listed hilltop city revolves around the central square.┬аThe Treasure of Tuscany┬а
Territorial Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Referencing the biblical Mount of Olives and ChristтАЩs Passion, the monks of the Olivetan Order produce their own wine and olive oil at this serene red-brick monastery.┬аOrder of the Olive┬а
