Val d'Orcia, Italy

Things to do

2 days in Val d'Orcia

Day 1

  1. MorningDrive the classic road to the cypress trees near San Quirico d'Orcia and the Vitaleta chapel.
  2. AfternoonVisit Pienza, the 'ideal Renaissance town', and the hot-spring square of Bagno Vignoni.
  3. EveningWatch the sunset over the rolling hills from Pienza's town wall.

Day 2

Visit Montalcino and its fortress, or the abbey of Sant'Antimo.

What to eat

Pecorino di Pienza cheese and a glass of Brunello di Montalcino.

Local tips

Make the most of Val d'Orcia

Beat the crowds

Spring and autumn weekends are busy with photographers. Weekdays are calm.

Best photo spot

The cypress-lined roads near San Quirico d'Orcia, and the little chapel of Vitaleta among the fields.

Getting there

Easiest by car. Buses run between the villages, but not often.

Don't miss nearby

Pienza, Montalcino and Bagno Vignoni.

Good to know

The best light is at sunrise and sunset. Bagno Vignoni has a village square filled with a thermal pool.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Val d'Orcia

Our most hidden places around Val d'Orcia: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Val d'Orcia to take with you.

41 km away
47 km away
15 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Val d'Orcia

Getting there

  • Perugia Airport (PEG)75 km away
  • Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR)90 km away
  • Perugia65 km away
  • Florence85 km away

A car is the easiest way to get here and to see the area around it. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeApr–Oct
TypeNature spot
Good forNature, Food
Getting thereBest by car
Stay2 nights
CountryItaly

Questions

Val d'Orcia: good to know

Is Val d'Orcia worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature and food. Rolling Tuscan hills with cypress-lined roads and hilltop farmhouses.

How many days do you need in Val d'Orcia?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Val d'Orcia?

The best time to visit is Apr to Oct. Spring and autumn weekends are busy with photographers. Weekdays are calm.

How do you get to Val d'Orcia?

The nearest airport is Perugia Airport (PEG), about 75 km away. Easiest by car. Buses run between the villages, but not often.

What is there to see near Val d'Orcia?

Nearby hidden places include Siena (37 km), Saturnia Hot Springs (46 km) and Orvieto (56 km).

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