This list of places to see in San Gimignano It will help you not to miss anything from one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and Europe.
Located in the hills of the beautiful region of Tuscany, 50 kilometers south of Florence, this medieval town is known as the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages" Y "The City of a Thousand Towers", thanks to its high stone towers.
In addition to climbing to one of its 14 towers and visiting its main points of interest, the best thing about this town is to lose yourself in the cobbled streets of its historic center, a World Heritage Site, which will transfer you to the Middle Ages, in addition to testing its Delicious ice cream
Based on our experience of the time we spent in this town during our trip to Tuscany in 4 days, we have made this list of what we think, are the 10 essential places to visit in San Gimignano. We start!
1. Duomo
Entering the Duomo or the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, is one of the Top things to do in San Gimignano.
Once inside this church you will be speechless to observe the fourteenth century frescoes that completely cover the walls like the "Martyrdom of San Sebastian" from Benozzo Gozzoli, the "Final judgment" of Taddeo di Bartolo and all the scenes of the Old and New Testaments.
The visit, which includes audio guide in Spanish, can be completed in the chapel of Santa Fina, a wonder of the Renaissance with scenes of the life of the saint painted in fresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio.
The entrance to the Duomo has a price of 4 euros, although for two euros you can include a visit to the Museum of Sacred Art, which preserves magnificent pieces such as the 14th-century wooden sculptures of the Angel of the Annunciation and the Madonna.
A good option before entering any payment site of the town, is to approach the tourist office, located in the Piazza del Duomo, to know all the points of interest of the city and see if it is profitable to buy the San Gimignano Pass It costs 13 euros and includes all tickets.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from April to October from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the rest of the months close at 5 p.m.
Piazza del Duomo
2. Palazzo Comunale
The Palazzo del Popolo or Palazzo Comunale, located in Piazza del Duomo, is another of the most beautiful places to see in San Gimignano.
On the first floor of this old town hall of the late thirteenth century is the so-called Dante Hall, as a souvenir of the visit made by this famous poet in San Gimignano in 1299 and which features frescoes that represent men's tournaments and hunting scenes.
On the second floor is the Chamber of Podestà, completely painted in fresco with scenes from the daily life of the highest authority of the people.
You can complete the visit with the Pinoteca that contains several frescoes from the 13th and 15th centuries, and the climb to the 54-meter Torre Grossa with fantastic views of the old town and the surroundings.
Visiting hours: from April to September from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., the rest of the months from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Palazzo Comunale
3. Cistern Square
The Plaza de la Cisterna, which owes its name to the octagonal well located in the center, is the most beautiful to see in San Gimingnano.
This triangular square joined by an open passage to Piazza del Duomo, was used in the thirteenth century as a market and stage for parties and tournaments and if you are located in the center of the square you can see impressive palaces such as the Palazzo Razzi, the Silvestrini House, Palazzo Tortoli, Palazzo dei Cortesi and Pellari, as well as medieval towers such as the Torri degli Ardinghelli twins, Becci, Cugnanesi and Diavolo.
On one of the sides there is also the Arco dei Becci, an old city access gate through the first circle of defensive walls.
Plaza de la Cisterna, one of the places to visit in San Gimignano
4. Rocca di Montestaffoli
Although there is very little left of the old fortress that was built in the fourteenth century in the upper part of the Rocca di Montestaffoli to defend against the attacks of its rival Siena, its magnificent views of the town and the surroundings, place it as another of the essential places to visit in San Gimignano.
We recommend you to climb the Piazza delle Erbe and reach the only tower that is standing, which is the point from which you get the best perspectives.
Views of San Gimignano from La Rocca
5. Church of San Agustín
The Church of San Agustín of the thirteenth century, located in the square of the same name 5 minutes from downtown, is another of the most beautiful places to see in San Gimignano.
Despite its sober exterior, it is worth entering to see the seventeen panel fresco cycle. The life of Saint Augustine painted by Benozzo Gozzoli and located around the main altar. Admission is free.
Our recommended hotel in San Gimignano
Our recommended accommodation in San Gimignano is the Leon Bianco hotel, located in an 11th century building in Piazza della Cisterna. In addition to its magnificent location, the hotel has a very friendly staff, a beautiful terrace with views where you can have an excellent breakfast and one of the best quality / price ratios in town.
6. San Gimignano Viewpoint
If you come by car from Volterra you will see San Gimignano in the distance with the 14 stone towers that are still preserved from the 72 that I had in medieval times. This panorama is the most beautiful in the town and to get it you just have to leave the SP1 road along some of its roads that lead to the typical Tuscan country houses.
San Gimignano
7. Streets to see in San Gimignano
The visit to San Gimignano usually begins by crossing the medieval wall that surrounds the city through the Porta San Giovanni and crossing the street of the same name to the Plaza de la Cisterna. As you approach the square and look more closely at the tall medieval towers, tourist restaurants, souvenir shops and typical products such as saffron and Vernaccia white wine, they multiply.
Other of the most beautiful streets to see in San Gimignano are Via San Matteo and Via Diacceto, two cobbled streets surrounded by palaces, houses and medieval towers.
Streets to see in San Gimignano
8. Visit the Torture Museum, one of the things to do in San Gimignano
This impressive museum, divided into two locations, one in Porta San Giovanni and the other near Piazza della Cisterna, is one of the places to visit in San Gimignano Not suitable for children.
Surrounded by a medieval atmosphere, in this museum you will see, without any adornment, the methods of torture and gadgets used for centuries to physically and emotionally destroy another person, without any hint of humanity.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 7pm.
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Gelateria Dondoli
Gelateria Dondoli, located in the Plaza de la Cisterna, has become thanks to its delicious ice cream in another of the tourist attractions to see in San Gimignano.
The majority of people who eat an ice cream in this place place it as the best that they have tasted in their life and much of the fault is the master ice cream maker Sergio who has created unique flavors such as Crema di Santa Fina (cream with saffron and pine nuts), Champelmo (pink grapefruit and sparkling wine), Dolceamaro (cream with aromatic herbs) or Sorbetto di Vernaccia.
Eating ice cream in Dondoli, one of the things to do in San Gimignano
10. Fonti Medievali
Another of the Top things to do in San Gimignano and less known, is to go down to the Fonti Medievali, located outside the walls.
After going down a steep slope you will find some cisterns from the early thirteenth century that collected the rainwater, essential for the survival of the town, especially in the siege stages.
Although its state of conservation is not ideal, it is a haven of peace in the tourist San Gimignano and deserves the effort of the descent and ascent.
How to get to San Gimignano
The best way to get to San Gimignano from Florence or Siena, if you do not have a rental car, it is to take a bus or a train to the town of Poggibonsi and from there another bus to the town.
If you are staying in Florence, the best option is to take a bus at the Busitalia SITA Nord station, located near Santa Maria Novell, which leaves every half hour and costs just over 6 euros.
A more comfortable alternative from Florence is to book this excursion that includes Pisa and Siena or this one that includes Siena, Monteriggioni and Chianti, both have a guide in Spanish, lunch and pick-up at your hotel.
For more information you can consult this post on how to go from Florence to San Gimignano.
If you want to help us complete the list of 10 essential places to see in San Gimignano, add yours in the comments.
